TDEE vs MFP's calorie goals

jeannine71
jeannine71 Posts: 66 Member
edited January 4 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, I know this has been asked before, but I have a mental block, or something...

Everytime I use a TDEE calculator and subtract the 20% in calories from that for my daily intake to lose weight - I get a crazy high number...I don't agree with MFP's 1200 calorie net per day, that's just too few calories...I've heard this from many different people, including a personal trainer. But I know I shouldn't be eating near 1800 calories a day, either.

I've decided to just pick a point in the low-middle and have that be my calorie goal. Shouldn't things be easier than this??

Replies

  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    But I know I shouldn't be eating near 1800 calories a day, either.

    Why not? That's about the lower end of what I ate while losing. I used MFP numbers, and was at about 1350 to lose one pound a week, then around 1500 to lose a half pound a week as I got closer to my goal. Once I added exercise calories, I was around 1700-2000+. Lost just fine. :smile:
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    What makes you think 1800 is way off? With less than 20 lbs to lose, doesn't sound high enough for me to raise an eyebrow at.

    I eat more than that to lose. But, I know the logical argument is going to be that I'm younger than you and maybe more active (don't know) but one of my good friends here is 45, doesn't do much cardio to speak of, has a desk job, and loses consistently and looks fabulous with calorie goals in the 1900-2200 range. 1800 doesn't sound whack to me.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I use my BMR plus 200 for maintenance. I log exercise separately and rarely eat any of those back. I'm 55 and 5'2" so my BMR is very low (less than 1200) but if I go over 1500 a day I start putting weight back on.
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    At 5'5" and 121lb I maintained on 2450kcal or thereabouts. 1800? Definitely a diet. With my current activity levels I don't plan on ever eating less than 2000kcal.
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    And that's just teaching and walking. If I fit in more than that, I'd eat more.
  • soehlerking
    soehlerking Posts: 588 Member
    Just my two-cents: When eating according to your TDEE, you don't (generally) eat your exercise calories back b/c they're already accounted for in the calculation. When I realized that, the 1800 given to me didn't sound so crazy.
  • jeannine71
    jeannine71 Posts: 66 Member
    Thanks everyone!! I think I'll bump myself up to 1500 & see how it goes :). Appreciate all your responses!
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    bump to 1800
    I eat 2000 when I cut...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories