I'm confused

kimmid70

So I set my goals and let MFP set my calorie intake. I want to lose two pounds a week and I'm 5'2" and weigh 209 lbs. They set my calories at 1200/day. But reading some of the posts and seeing that members are using the TDEE, I went and calculated mine and it's 1984. If I take 20% off of that, that puts me at 1587 calories per day. Which should I follow??

Alatariel75

The second. I'm a a little heavier and a little taller than you, netting between 1450-1650 cals a day and losing 2lbs a week. 1200 is unnecessarily low, no need to deprive yourself that much!

kimmid70

Also, does anyone have a suggestion of where I can find a good idea of how much protein/carbs/fat I should be consuming?

kimmid70

But ifI let MFP figure out my calories based on my height/weight and my activity level (sedentary), then my calorie intake should be 1200 based on the fact that I want to lose 2 lbs. per week. If I eat more than that, I'll lose less each week, correct? Should I keep it at 1200 and eat back any exercise calories I burn? Or should I up my caloric intake and not eat my excercise calories? I just want to lose weight and be healthy. There's so much information out there that sometimes it's overwhelming.

savithny

But ifI let MFP figure out my calories based on my height/weight and my activity level (sedentary), then my calorie intake should be 1200 based on the fact that I want to lose 2 lbs. per week. If I eat more than that, I'll lose less each week, correct? Should I keep it at 1200 and eat back any exercise calories I burn? Or should I up my caloric intake and not eat my excercise calories? I just want to lose weight and be healthy. There's so much information out there that sometimes it's overwhelming.

If you go with MFPs numbers? You're supposed to eat your exercise calories. They calculate the deficit as if you are sitting on your butt doing nothign all day. Exercising and not eating back will give you too big a deficit (and yes! there is such a thing!)

If you choose to go with TDEE-20%, you do NOT eat back exercise calories, because they're already included. The "activity level" is assuming you will be doing the exercise you say you're doing.

dtroutman

It did the same thing to me. Im 5'2' and was 241 lbs. 1200 was way to low for me. I set mine at 1550 and it seems to be working just fine. When I did the TDEE it put me at 1840. So I was just trying to find a middle ground since I was afraid that was too many calories.

shadow2soul

But ifI let MFP figure out my calories based on my height/weight and my activity level (sedentary), then my calorie intake should be 1200 based on the fact that I want to lose 2 lbs. per week. If I eat more than that, I'll lose less each week, correct? Should I keep it at 1200 and eat back any exercise calories I burn? Or should I up my caloric intake and not eat my excercise calories? I just want to lose weight and be healthy. There's so much information out there that sometimes it's overwhelming.

It's up to you what to follow. I don't do TDEE because I don't have a set exercise schedule (well I kind of do, but the workouts are different lengths, made up of different exercises, ect), but I don't really do MFP either. Oh and I'm 5'4.5" 201lbs (was 218lbs on March 13). I have MFP set to my bmr (1694) and eat at that plus my exercise calories back. I have MFP set to sedentary.

I recently got a fitbit zip and I am debating on switching to eating at what the fitbit says I should. My fitbit eating goals are to eat 500 calories less than whatever I burn for the day. This of course means that some days I will eat less than what I was doing before and other days I'll eat about the same. The fitbit has also confirmed that I am very sedentary even with me working out 6 days a week.

Overall I recommend having a NET goal of somewhere between your BMR and your TDEE.

autumny70

No one needs to be that hungry to lose weight. I am 5'7", 177 lbs and "lightly active". I am eating TDEE-25% (1600 calories avg) and have started losing again after stalling for a few weeks. When you base you calorie intake on TDEE your exercise is already calculated within that goal. I figure whatever I go above and beyond my goal exercise routine is a bonus and also makes me feel less guilty about ice cream (I don't ever feel guilty about ice cream.)

Energizer06

All good replies, Listen, all the calculators in the world for this stuff at estimates. Everyone is different, eat 1500-1600 calories each day and start walking briskly for 2 miles (30min or less) 3 days a week. Add in strength training 3 days a week when you get to that point. You will lose, the rate at what you lose does not matter, because everyone is different and everything is an estimate. Measure and weigh your food....that's the best advice. In six months you'll have lost some weight...in a year you'll look totally different. Good luck and wish you the best!

krislyn84

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

Download the excel sheets they created. There is one for daily caloric intake as well as one that determines your macros for you. Best of luck!!

kimmid70

Thank you for all the great advice and support!!!

jukyu

My advice: Don't rely on MFP to auto-calculate arbitrary calorie and macro needs for you. Typically, MFP will undercalculate your calorie, protein and fat needs and overcalculate your carbohydrate needs.

Calculate your TDEE and macro needs here: http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/