How to find TDEE

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Replies

  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    It tells you which formula is the most accurate.

    This is what started me down this confused path....

    I used the website he recommended so here is what it told me (it calculated my bf% to be 67.3)

    I've pasted it in here...it says KatchMcArdle is more accurate but then goes on to tell me to eat between 1800 cals + (as I exercise lightly/moderately 3+ times each week

    Ok from the website he recommends using:


    Custom BMR Calculation

    Thanks for checking your BMR here on Fat 2 Fit Radio. If you're not already subscribed to Fat 2 Fit Radio, consider doing so today. Please visit the Subscribe page to get the podcast delivered automatically to your iTunes, Juice, e-mail inbox or the podcatcher of your choice for FREE.

    Entered information: 30 year old female, 65 inches tall, weighing 183 pounds, BMI of 30.4 (Obese).

    From the information that you entered, you'd like to weigh 125 lbs.

    Harris-Benedict Formula

    There are a few different methods to calculating yourbasal metabolic rate (BMR). One of the most popular, developed in the early 1900's is called the Harris-Benedict formula. Based on this formula, your current BMR is 1616 calories.

    Katch-McArdle Forumla

    The numbers above are fairly accurate, however they don't take into account your lean body mass. A more accurate formula that does take your lean body mass into account is the Katch-McArdle formula. Since many of us have scales that will tell us our current body fat, this formula may yield more accurate results. Based on the information you provided, body fat percentage of 67.3%, you have a lean body mass of 60 lbs., and your BMR is 959 calories.

    How Many Calories Should I Eat?

    Based on your goal weight, the following chart was generated. The chart shows the number of calories that you should eat on a daily basis to reach your goal weight. At Fat 2 Fit Radio we advocate eating like the thin, healthy person that you want to become. The calorie levels you see in the chart are not extreme, but they do create that all important caloric deficit that is required to get you to your goal weight in a safe manner. Once you reach your goal weight, you will continue eating the same number of calories for the rest of your life to maintain that weight. You'll never be on a diet again.

    Based on how much activity you do on an average day, the calories in the right column will be the number of calories that you will be able to eat at your goal weight. If you start eating those calories right now (eating like the thinner you), you will eventually become that thinner person. As you get closer to your goal weight, your weight loss will start to slow down. It is OK to eat a few hundred calories less per day (200-300) to speed up your weight loss at this point.


    Activity Level Daily Calories
    Sedentary (little or no exercise, desk job) 1636
    Lightly Active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk) 1874
    Moderately Active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk) 2113
    Very Active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk) 2351
    Extremely Active (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.) 2590
    you did it wrong ...when you go to fat to fit you are supposed to enter your CURRENT weight as your GOAL weight ..this will give you your maintenance calories and you then deduct 20 to 25% from that...

    also I put your info into the IF calc and used harris benedict I and got a TDEE of 2221....and fit to fat says 2233

    so these seem pretty comparable....so if you deduct 25% from this you should be good to go...
  • tryclyn
    tryclyn Posts: 2,414 Member

    Do you see why I'm confused? And hesitant about eating an extra 600+ calories each day than what MFP says....

    I get you must be confused but the process weeds out any individual variances.

    What is the process?

    Start at any reasonable number you like - say 1,800 for you.

    Eat that number consistently and accurately for the next 4 weeks.

    Reassess - if you have gained then lower calories if you have lost then stay the same or raise depending on what you want to achieve.

    Rinse and repeat.

    Finally don't be afraid of gaining weight in the short term (even though this may sound counter intuitive.) Be afraid of consistent weight gain in the long term. The process above will eliminate this outcome though.

    This actually works fairly well and consistency is key. The calculators just give you an idea of where to start.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    You are confused because the idea about eating a tiny amount to lose weight is so ingrained - it is not the case.

    If you are exercising then you cannot live on 1200 calories, frankly I don't know how anyone does WITHOUT exercising.

    These formulas will give you the range in which you SHOULD be eating to maintain. You factor in your exercise and/or factor in a 10-20% deficit for what you will eat to lose weight.

    If your TDEE is 2490 or whatever and you plan on exercising 3x a week and pushing yourself I would only subtract 10% from that and that still gives you 1900. Doing this you would NOT eat back your calories from exercise.

    Go into MFP "Goals," scroll down to the bottom "change goals," select "custom," and change the daily calories to 1900. Try to eat that with low sugar, moderate fats, and high protein and carbs.

    DO NOT freak out about eating more. I was eating a max of 1300 for a long time and was not losing weight. I was tired. I was cranky. I hated working out. I've been losing steadily for 3 months since increasing calories to 1500-1700 and I am happy, have tons of energy, and feel better than ever.

    Eat more, exercise, watch what you're eating. You should invest in a food scale... weigh everything. Cook all of your own food, pre-package it for lunch... etc.

    Thank you that was very helpful

    IMO a 10% deficit is for someone that has reached their goal weight and is now trying to lose body fat and keep muscle gains that they have experienced...10% deficit is not even a half pound a week...I think you would be better off in the 25 to 30% deficit for first 4-6 weeks then slide down to 20% after that ....for whatever my opinion is worth that is it...
  • aminswife
    aminswife Posts: 29 Member


    you did it wrong ...when you go to fat to fit you are supposed to enter your CURRENT weight as your GOAL weight ..this will give you your maintenance calories and you then deduct 20 to 25% from that...

    also I put your info into the IF calc and used harris benedict I and got a TDEE of 2221....and fit to fat says 2233

    so these seem pretty comparable....so if you deduct 25% from this you should be good to go...

    On the calculator it asks to enter current weight in pounds AND goal weight in pounds...are you saying I should put the same figure in both entries? Cos that seems a bit strange to me?
  • tryclyn
    tryclyn Posts: 2,414 Member


    you did it wrong ...when you go to fat to fit you are supposed to enter your CURRENT weight as your GOAL weight ..this will give you your maintenance calories and you then deduct 20 to 25% from that...

    also I put your info into the IF calc and used harris benedict I and got a TDEE of 2221....and fit to fat says 2233

    so these seem pretty comparable....so if you deduct 25% from this you should be good to go...

    On the calculator it asks to enter current weight in pounds AND goal weight in pounds...are you saying I should put the same figure in both entries? Cos that seems a bit strange to me?

    It is actually mentioned in the Road Map to use your current weight. This gives you your maintenance for the current weight and that is what you need to subtract from. If you use your goal weight as your goal weight then you wouldn't subtract anything.

    There is a group for people that eat at their goal weight maintenance to reach their goal weight.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3088-eating-for-future-you
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/717858-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-and-deficit-calcs-macros-hrm
  • divaindy
    divaindy Posts: 108 Member
    Bump
  • kcook323
    kcook323 Posts: 43 Member
    .
    On the calculator it asks to enter current weight in pounds AND goal weight in pounds...are you saying I should put the same figure in both entries? Cos that seems a bit strange to me?

    Yes. The idea is that that is the current calories that sustain your current weight. Whatever number you get from your activity level, you subtract 20% - 30%, this will allow you to lose weight, slowly, without throwing your body in shock. You will need to re-evaluate these numbers after you start losing (it was recommended once a month to me, but even every 10 lbs may work, I would think). You may have to play around with this percentage drop to see what works for you.
  • LaDonnaF
    LaDonnaF Posts: 53 Member
    You are confused because the idea about eating a tiny amount to lose weight is so ingrained - it is not the case.

    If you are exercising then you cannot live on 1200 calories, frankly I don't know how anyone does WITHOUT exercising.

    These formulas will give you the range in which you SHOULD be eating to maintain. You factor in your exercise and/or factor in a 10-20% deficit for what you will eat to lose weight.

    If your TDEE is 2490 or whatever and you plan on exercising 3x a week and pushing yourself I would only subtract 10% from that and that still gives you 1900. Doing this you would NOT eat back your calories from exercise.

    Go into MFP "Goals," scroll down to the bottom "change goals," select "custom," and change the daily calories to 1900. Try to eat that with low sugar, moderate fats, and high protein and carbs.

    DO NOT freak out about eating more. I was eating a max of 1300 for a long time and was not losing weight. I was tired. I was cranky. I hated working out. I've been losing steadily for 3 months since increasing calories to 1500-1700 and I am happy, have tons of energy, and feel better than ever.

    Eat more, exercise, watch what you're eating. You should invest in a food scale... weigh everything. Cook all of your own food, pre-package it for lunch... etc.

    Thank you that was very helpful

    IMO a 10% deficit is for someone that has reached their goal weight and is now trying to lose body fat and keep muscle gains that they have experienced...10% deficit is not even a half pound a week...I think you would be better off in the 25 to 30% deficit for first 4-6 weeks then slide down to 20% after that ....for whatever my opinion is worth that is it...

    If her maintenance is 2223 as you said then 25% deficit would be 1780. I would advise you eat at that on days you aren't working out. On days you ARE working out I would say eat over that... between 1800-1900.

    I was just suggesting 10% as a start if you're exercising hard. See how you feel and if you're fine increase the deficit from there but yes, mine is just opinion as well.

    Another thing... I just went to iifym.com to find my TDEE. Put that in MFP as my daily calories and try to hit it everyday as well as my protein macro.
  • Cat_Lifts
    Cat_Lifts Posts: 174 Member
    you did it wrong ...when you go to fat to fit you are supposed to enter your CURRENT weight as your GOAL weight ..this will give you your maintenance calories and you then deduct 20 to 25% from that...

    also I put your info into the IF calc and used harris benedict I and got a TDEE of 2221....and fit to fat says 2233

    so these seem pretty comparable....so if you deduct 25% from this you should be good to go...

    This. ^ I made the same mistake by entering to my actual goal weight before. If your weight is 200lbs, enter 200lbs as goal weight, not your real goal number. THEN, depending on your activity level, deduct that from your daily calories needed.

    Example: I'm 192, Female, 63 inches, 40.6% body fat, and lightly active when I'm NOT exercising, given my job - My TDEE is 2314. I want to eat 20% below my TDEE, so I'll subtract that. Whether you want to do 10% or 30% (30 more recommended for morbidly obese), then do so. Here's my example below.

    2314
    * .2
    ____
    462.8 (round up to 463). Follow that by subtracting, now.

    2314
    - 463
    ____
    1851 - the amount of calories I could consume at -20% of my TDEE, and still lose, all the while staying above my BMR, which was an estimate 1680 from the Harris Benedict, and 1400 something in the Katch method. Either way, I'm above both yet still under TDEE, that's all that matters.

    As far as exercise goes, I've learned to eat back occasionally 80% or all of my exercise calories, as I'm already in a calorie deficit to begin with (-463). I say 80% because I'd like to go slightly over 500+ cals in my deficit to aim to lose one pound a week. 7 x 500 = 3500 = one pound! (Sorry for all the math here, thought maybe visually it would help some.) If you need any help with it or calculating yours, PM me and I'll do my best to help. :)
  • aminswife
    aminswife Posts: 29 Member



    It is actually mentioned in the Road Map to use your current weight. This gives you your maintenance for the current weight and that is what you need to subtract from. If you use your goal weight as your goal weight then you wouldn't subtract anything.

    There is a group for people that eat at their goal weight maintenance to reach their goal weight.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3088-eating-for-future-you
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/717858-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-and-deficit-calcs-macros-hrm

    Thank you :)
  • aminswife
    aminswife Posts: 29 Member


    This. ^ I made the same mistake by entering to my actual goal weight before. If your weight is 200lbs, enter 200lbs as goal weight, not your real goal number. THEN, depending on your activity level, deduct that from your daily calories needed.

    Example: I'm 192, Female, 63 inches, 40.6% body fat, and lightly active when I'm NOT exercising, given my job - My TDEE is 2314. I want to eat 20% below my TDEE, so I'll subtract that. Whether you want to do 10% or 30% (30 more recommended for morbidly obese), then do so. Here's my example below.

    2314
    * .2
    ____
    462.8 (round up to 463). Follow that by subtracting, now.

    2314
    - 463
    ____
    1851 - the amount of calories I could consume at -20% of my TDEE, and still lose, all the while staying above my BMR, which was an estimate 1680 from the Harris Benedict, and 1400 something in the Katch method. Either way, I'm above both yet still under TDEE, that's all that matters.

    As far as exercise goes, I've learned to eat back occasionally 80% or all of my exercise calories, as I'm already in a calorie deficit to begin with (-463). I say 80% because I'd like to go slightly over 500+ cals in my deficit to aim to lose one pound a week. 7 x 500 = 3500 = one pound! (Sorry for all the math here, thought maybe visually it would help some.) If you need any help with it or calculating yours, PM me and I'll do my best to help. :)

    Thanks I understood you. Using this method have you found it to work? I can't understand why I've not lost a pound when I've been eating my 1200 cals - this is then a 1000 calorie deficit to my TDEE (supposing its 2221)
  • aminswife
    aminswife Posts: 29 Member
    And thank you ndj1979 for all your help! Appreciate it.
  • Remember too, that if you go too low your body will go into hold mode and you will not loose. if you need to be at 1,600 to loose and you hit 1,200 it may be frustrating to not see loss. Try staying in your loss range but upping your calories and getting plenty of fiber and water. Slightly dull advice but it works!:wink:
  • nashsheri33
    nashsheri33 Posts: 225 Member
    bump
  • graciepecie
    graciepecie Posts: 135 Member
    Calculators are the worst way to calculate your TDEE.

    You need to eat what you normally eat, and do what you normally do , and record your weight over a period of a week or two.
    Then judge your net calorie balance from that. Adjust and repeat.

    But use a trend analysing system such as the one available at 'hackers diet online' , to help you see through the statistical static of daily water fluctuation.

    Wrong! The TDEE works for me and for many many many people here on MFP
  • ademiter
    ademiter Posts: 176 Member
    Ok, here's mine: TDEE 2397
    BMR 1547

    So TDEE-20% would be 1900 calories. That just seems so high to me?? Once I calculate that, do I eat back my exercise calories? What if I put it at 1500 and eat back all of my exercise calories? Would that be the same thing? Confused!!
  • graciepecie
    graciepecie Posts: 135 Member
    Ok, here's mine: TDEE 2397
    BMR 1547

    So TDEE-20% would be 1900 calories. That just seems so high to me?? Once I calculate that, do I eat back my exercise calories? What if I put it at 1500 and eat back all of my exercise calories? Would that be the same thing? Confused!!

    Nope, if your TDEE realy is 2397, then 1900 is good for you. Never eat 1500 because your BMR is 1547. You don't ever eat below your BMR. Stay between your BMR and your TDEE. If you take your TDEE - 20% than you don't eat your exercise back. You just eat every day eat 1900.
  • MrsK20141004
    MrsK20141004 Posts: 489 Member
    I'm curious as well about this!
  • ademiter
    ademiter Posts: 176 Member
    Ok, here's mine: TDEE 2397
    BMR 1547

    So TDEE-20% would be 1900 calories. That just seems so high to me?? Once I calculate that, do I eat back my exercise calories? What if I put it at 1500 and eat back all of my exercise calories? Would that be the same thing? Confused!!

    Nope, if your TDEE realy is 2397, then 1900 is good for you. Never eat 1500 because your BMR is 1547. You don't ever eat below your BMR. Stay between your BMR and your TDEE. If you take your TDEE - 20% than you don't eat your exercise back. You just eat every day eat 1900.

    Thank you SO much!
  • graciepecie
    graciepecie Posts: 135 Member
    Ok, here's mine: TDEE 2397
    BMR 1547

    So TDEE-20% would be 1900 calories. That just seems so high to me?? Once I calculate that, do I eat back my exercise calories? What if I put it at 1500 and eat back all of my exercise calories? Would that be the same thing? Confused!!

    Nope, if your TDEE realy is 2397, then 1900 is good for you. Never eat 1500 because your BMR is 1547. You don't ever eat below your BMR. Stay between your BMR and your TDEE. If you take your TDEE - 20% than you don't eat your exercise back. You just eat every day eat 1900.

    Your welcome! Use this method it really works!! And you don't even have to starve yourself! Isn't that great?

    Thank you SO much!