TDEE for weight goal instead of current weight?

I see all the posts on here about figuring TDEE for your current weight minus 20% to lose weight. I'm wondering if it doesn't make more sense to figure your TDEE for your GOAL weight instead and use that number as your daily calories. Is there a reason not to do it one way or another, or anything that supports using your current weight versus your goal weight?

Replies

  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    I see all the posts on here about figuring TDEE for your current weight minus 20% to lose weight. I'm wondering if it doesn't make more sense to figure your TDEE for your GOAL weight instead and use that number as your daily calories. Is there a reason not to do it one way or another, or anything that supports using your current weight versus your goal weight?

    That's the principle behind Fat2fit - http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    The only thing you need to worry about is that for some people with a lot to lose, eating at their goal weight TDEE may be too much of a deficit, so they may need to aim for a half way point first.

    Also, as you get nearer to your goal weight the difference between current TDEE and goal weight TDEE will be getting smaller and smaller and it's a case of diminishing returns, so you would then need to take off som emore calories to get any meaningful deficit.
  • violinkeri
    violinkeri Posts: 212
    I see all the posts on here about figuring TDEE for your current weight minus 20% to lose weight. I'm wondering if it doesn't make more sense to figure your TDEE for your GOAL weight instead and use that number as your daily calories. Is there a reason not to do it one way or another, or anything that supports using your current weight versus your goal weight?

    This is what I do. I eat maintenance calories for my goal weight--for me, i need to learn the food habits i will need to keep once I reach my goal otherwise i will slip up when i get there. A dietitian recommended it to me, and its working so far. Once I get closer I will drop a 1-200 more just to get those last lbs off.