I AM SO CONFUSED!!!

I have stuck to tdee - 20% for the past few weeks and I don't eat back exercise calories which means i should be on around 1700 a day. I am happier, more motivated, clothes fit better ( I do exercise a fair bit) and I think it's working. Certainly better than eating the 1300 mfp put me at and the wrought is slowly but surely dropping :-)

I know its all very confusing. I ate far too little for too long and ended up being "skinny fat", so maybe consult with a trainer / nutritionist. I will say, however, that a lot of it depends on WHAT you are eating. For example, 2200 calories of real, whole, clean foods would be far more effective than say 1500 calories of more processed foods. Consider quality over quantity. If there's one thing I've learned, it is not to get caught up in a number, but worry more about getting in good lean protein, good fats, and complex carbs.

Ok, I have been trying to sort out all these numbers and figure out how much I should be eating and whether or not to eat back exercise calories, and I am about ready to bang my head against the wall!!! Can someone help me out?

BMR 1166
TDEE 2011
TDEE WITH 5% REDUCTION 1910

MFP says to eat 1200 calories and add back my exercise calories??? What am I supposed to do? Thanks for any input!

You should pick one method and stick to it. MFP method, eat back exercise calories...TDEE method; exercise calories are included in the calculation so you don't eat them back. Pick a method..they're both viable..just pick one and stick with it and don't over think it. It's really not complicated, it's basic math.

Also, TDEE - 5% is a completely different weight loss goal than MFP's 1,200 plan. The 1,200 goal is usually to lose between 1.5-2 Lbs per week and is the most aggressive (and often unsustainable option)...TDEE - 5% is going to be maybe 1/2 Lb per week...probably more like .25 Lbs per week. So really, you're not even comparing the same goals. Perhaps TDEE - 20% (most common) would be something to shoot for...that would be around 1,600 calories per your calculations and equate roughly 1 Lb..maybe just shy of 1 Lb loss per week. Nice and safe and slow

If you want to do MFP method, select a less aggressive approach...MFP only gave you 1,200 calories because, I assume you told it you wanted to lose 2 Lbs and you probably also put that you were completely sedentary (most people honestly aren't, even if they have desk jobs).

Well, I only have about 10lbs to lose, so wouldn't TDEE with 20% be too much?

yes, you can drop it down lower.