Confused about amount of calories I should be eating

runner_chick24
runner_chick24 Posts: 31 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Myfitnesspal tells me that if I'm sedentary, I maintain at around 1600 cal. I'm not actually sedentary, but I set my account that way and just add in the exercise I do every day. I'm not sure if that's how you're supposed to do it or not. When I check other online calculators, however, many say that my bmr is 1400-1500 calories, and that I need about 2000 calories per day when I'm exercising. I'm so confused! I'm afraid to up my calories and gain weight. Which is right- myfitnesspal or the other calculators?

Replies

  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    Both since you figured your TDEE with exercise. The calories that MFP gives you already have the deficit built in. Then when you add in your exercise you eat those back. So if they give you 1600 then you burn 400 you are now up to 2000. Doing it by TDEE, they already take in to account the exercise so that number is just a flat number. Both ways are similar for total calories but it just depends on how you like to track it. Some people like to see their exercise pay off by adding more calories and some people just like to have a consistent number day to day. Also, if you aren't consistent with exercise, then it might be best to just go the MFP way so you add in the extra calories only when you truly burn them.
  • weatheredcheese
    weatheredcheese Posts: 112 Member
    I do the last bit of what Casey said, because I dont exercise everyday (I am also sedentary - office job) I add my excercise as I go using an app on my phone whch links to mfp. I have found this really useful and an easy way to follow it. My calories have just gone down again to 1650, which although is a challenge I find it really useful how mfp does this.

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