Figuring out how many calories I need to eat in a day.

baileybiddles

I am literally so confused.

I have people telling me to just go by what MFP sets as a goal for me. I have people telling me to to TDEE -20%, and every calculator I use gives me a different number. I also am not sure if i should put my activity level as sedentary since I work a desk job, or if I should do moderately active since I work out 5 times per week AFTER work.

Help, please? I have heard of something called IPOARM. I have no idea what this is. If somebody could clue me in?

baileybiddles

giving myself a bump since I definitely need some advice.

baileybiddles

buuummp

AbsoluteNG

Myfitnesspal uses a TDEE calculator. The difference is when you plug in exercise, which makes myfitnesspal more accurate. Stop confusing yourself and just use myfitnesspal.

Lindseyelizabeth87

I think maybe people have answered this one a lot and it could be why there's no quick response. You could try searching previous topics with the "search" tool for the same question, because I think it comes up often.

As for me, My TDEE - 20% is about 1650 Calories, though I feel when eating well I can get a lot of good stuff in for about 1200. What I've chosen to do personally is set my calories to 1550 and just eat anywhere between 1200-1550. It depends on what I eat and how I feel.. But having it set to 1200 often makes me feel like I need to eat under or around there or I don't get the gratifying "I was under my goal!". Setting it to 1550 makes me feel like even if I ate like 1350, Im still under my goal and could have a little more if I'm still hungry.

It works for me, I don't feel starved and I can play it by ear and feel fine about it.

1223345

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/813720-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-deficit-macro-calcs-hrm-zones

This is the spread sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amt7QBR9-c6MdGVTbGswLUUzUHNVVUlNSW9wZWloeUE#gid=14

DancingMoosie

I think it is easier to set your activity level as sedentary (since you work a desk job) and then add in your exercises separately in the exercise log. It makes more sense (to me) this way, because you won't be exercising the same amount every day.

Lindseyelizabeth87

Also, via googling IPOARM:

There's a whole group:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8017-in-place-of-a-road-map

They Explain:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

AbsoluteNG

I think it is easier to set your activity level as sedentary (since you work a desk job) and then add in your exercises separately in the exercise log. It makes more sense (to me) this way, because you won't be exercising the same amount every day.

I agree. Your TDEE is different every day which is why myfitnesspal is more accurate.

vida130

I personally use myfitnesspal for my calorie goal but even though I workout daily and log it in I don't eat back all my calories. I only tend to eat back all my calories on special occasions. I am alloted 1200 calories daily and earn 300 to 800 calories in exercise but I try to eat between 1200 and 1600 calories a day. You will hit your stride!

DoxieLove10612

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/813720-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-deficit-macro-calcs-hrm-zones

This is the spread sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amt7QBR9-c6MdGVTbGswLUUzUHNVVUlNSW9wZWloeUE#gid=14

^^^^this and do not try to eat 1200 calories. Your body needs more than that

baileybiddles

Thanks for all the helpful links. I think I will just stick with what MFP sets for me as a goal and keep my exercise level as sedentary and just log my exercise. I have always eaten exercise calories back, as I have heard is the correct thing to do.