TDEE VS myfitpal calorie goal

tsta1350
tsta1350 Posts: 28
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

I have just come across the amazing weight loss calculator which helps you calculate your BMR, TDEE, TDEG etc. I found it really interesting to see a pretty good estimation of my BMR and body fat etc. however I was very surprised that when I put in my data I was advised that my total daily eating goal (TDEG) to loose weight was 1700 calories (based on a BMR of 1465). That seems like a lot to me. I am aware that this is taking my excercise routine (240 minutes per week) into account, however as I am currently eating 1200 calories (except on excercise days when I eat back the calories) that seems like a lot to me. I have been managing to loose weight pretty well so far. In the last 4 months I have lost 4 kilos (about 10 pounds, i think?!). I would have liked this to be a little faster- although I know that loosing weight slower is better.

I just wanted to ask what everyone's thoughts are about how much I should be eating for successful/optimal/healthy weight loss? Has anyone else noticed a benefit from eating more and following this calculator rather than the myfitpal guidlines?

I currently weight 67 kilos (about 148 pounds) and am aiming to get to down to 60 kilos (132 pounds). I am a 24 year old female, with a height of 168cm (5.5).

Thanks in advance for your help!

Tara

Replies

  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    With only 16 lbs (7.3 kg) to lose, it's best if you take the smaller deficit approach - especially if healthier and successful is important to you. I'm guessing you chose 1.5 or 2 lbs weekly weight loss as your goal when creating your MFP plan. Unfortunately, that is too aggressive and unrealistic for you since you do not have the amount of fat mass to lose that amount of weight in one week's time. Choose 0.5 lbs as your weekly weight loss goal and see how many calories it gives you. You have been averaging 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) per month which is actually a really great pace thus far considering your body weight and goal.
  • tsta1350
    tsta1350 Posts: 28
    Thanks geekyjock! Much appreciated!

    I have actually been pretty happy with my progress so far. I guess I am mainly just worried about reaching that point where I stop loosing weight - this happened last time I was using myfitpal - got down to 65 and then just stopped loosing weight.

    I guess I will just keep going and maybe when I reach that plateau I will just start playing with my carb/protein/fat percentages, and hoppefully that will do something. If it doesn't I might try using the TDEG figure. I know 1200 seems like a low figure but most weeks I average just above this number - like 1350 probably, as I'll have days where I will stick with 1200 but then days where I will relax a little and eat over. I think having the lower calorie allowance encourages me to be a bit stricter (and I realise that this is only just an estimate of my consumption, I am most likely eating over what I record).

    Anyway, thanks again for your advice!! :smile:
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    May I ask what your purpose was in posting this if you plan to keep at what you're already doing? I'm not trying to be mean...I'm just a bit confused. I don't feel like you TDEG is high at all. I am 4'11 and eat 1800 MINIMUM to lose.
  • tsta1350
    tsta1350 Posts: 28
    No worries love4fitness! I guess I just wanted to get another opinion on it. And see what everyone else's experience was. Geekyjock just kind of made me realise that what I have been soing so far does seem to be working. And I am not actually averaging eating only 1200 a week (especially considering I am eating back my exercise calories). This makes me think that I might be eating the right amount to loose weight.

    I am interested in trying to find the healthiest and most sustainable way to loose weight but I guess I am just scared about upping calories and not losing weight and then getting used to eating that much and not being able to go back to eating less. Have you or anyone else done this? I mean, swapped the myfitpal calorie allowance for the TDEG? Can I ask what your experience was and whether you found it helped or hindered your weight loss progress?
  • zena92
    zena92 Posts: 128 Member
    i would actually love to know the answer to your question as our situations are quite similar...

    i'm a 5'5" 20 year old female, weighing 144lbs..wanting to get down to 130lbs...and im confused to how much i should be eating..i dont want to up my calorie and destroy all my hard work..i currently eat 1200, plus half of my exercise calories
  • Emtabo01
    Emtabo01 Posts: 672
    I did the MFP suggested calorie goal of 1370 (plus eating back exercise cals) for about two months and lost a pound a week. Then plateaued, for about a month. I then started HIIT cardio, NROL4W and started eating their recommended calories which is very similar to the TDEE method. I haven't lost much weight or inches, haven't gained either, but my body definitely has noticeable improvements, less jiggle, for sure more noticeable muscle, etc.

    Do you think you can stay with 1200 calories for the res of your life? I absolutely knew I couldn't, I about died of starvation on my rest day doing the original MFP way. I much prefer the TDEE eating/exercise method. However, with that being said, when I was eating 1370 AND losing weight I was happy, it was only when I plateaued I had to change things up. So I'd say keep doing what you're doing until it isn't working anymore, then do something different. Just for background, I'm 32yo 5'7 female, started at about 145 and got down to 132, now fluctuate between 133-136. My original goal was 125, but I really don't think my body wants to weight that.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    MFP has my lightly active burn at 1500, so my net to lose 1/2 a pound is 1250. So if I burn 600 calories a day from working out and that's all I logged then I'd eat 1850 total.

    1850 + 250 = 2100 (maintenance) as per MFP. This is SLIGHTLY low for me. My maintenance is actually about 2200-2300 calories per day. However, if I make sure to log all of my walking and such then it becomes closer to MFPs estimations. Does that make sense?

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