In 5 Weeks you will weigh...

Okay, so I may sound dumb, but I have a question. According to fitnessfrog.com, my TDEE is 2034. Well yesterday, I had my cheat day and was still under my TDEE by about 200-300 calories. When I clicked the button to finalize your diary it said I should weigh 4lbs heavier in 5 weeks. I thought TDEE was considered "maintenance". Sorry if I sound dumb, just confused. Any help would be appreciated.

Replies

  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    I doubt MFP knows your TDEE.
  • maro_p
    maro_p Posts: 57 Member
    Have you lost weight since you calculated your TDEE? If so your TDEE might be lower than what you think it is. Just a guess
  • MissJJ74
    MissJJ74 Posts: 111 Member
    If I remember correctly, to lose weight you should be eating according to your BMR or your TDEE - 20%.

    So your real calorie intake should be 1628 to lose weight.
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    MFP does not use the TDEE system, if you are going by TDEE don't worry so much about those details of MFP just use it to track your calories and macors.
  • _FATNSASSY
    _FATNSASSY Posts: 107 Member
    2000 calories sounds really high in order to lose weight ... if they are telling you your going to weight 4lbs heavier something is wrong.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    MFP does not use the TDEE system, if you are going by TDEE don't worry so much about those details of MFP just use it to track your calories and macors.

    Yep! If you're going with the TDEE method, then ignore the 'in 5 weeks' bit!

    Her TDEE is about 2000, she said she had a cheat and stayed under her TDEE..
  • littlebre33
    littlebre33 Posts: 318
    I have lost about 13 lbs since beginning of january (i don't record it til I have my weigh in day) but I am just confused. I am at 1240 calories a day, and unfortunately I have been ill/exhausted with 2 little ones (2 and 5 months old) that I haven't been working out other than cleaning the house and taking care of hte kids. I am 5'0, weighing 154lbs and I try to exercise at least 3-4 times a week even if it is a little walk outside. What would my TDEE be then?
  • hairsprayhon
    hairsprayhon Posts: 334 Member
    The in 5 weeks feature is the part of MFP that I do not like and I would turn it off if I could. Setting your own goals and using MFP to track them seems more effective than letting MFP set your goals.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    MFP uses your NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis), not your TDEE. Your TDEE is inclusive of all activity, including exercise. Your NEAT includes your daily activity without exercise...so any exercise is extra. This is why the MFP method has you eat back exercise calories...they are using your NEAT; while the TDEE method would not have you eat exercise calories back because it is your NEAT + Exercise so everything is included.

    Effectively, you are comparing two entirely different methods and basically, apples to oranges.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I have lost about 13 lbs since beginning of january (i don't record it til I have my weigh in day) but I am just confused. I am at 1240 calories a day, and unfortunately I have been ill/exhausted with 2 little ones (2 and 5 months old) that I haven't been working out other than cleaning the house and taking care of hte kids. I am 5'0, weighing 154lbs and I try to exercise at least 3-4 times a week even if it is a little walk outside. What would my TDEE be then?

    2,034 probably is your TDEE or close to it (it's all estimation)...actually, might be a little low depending on what you told the calculator for activity level. With the kids and that exercise you're doing, I'd probably go moderately active or take the average of moderately active and light active (that's where I am).

    With the MFP method, you're supposed to eat exercise calories back...see my previous post about NEAT and TDEE. What did you put in MFP as your weight loss goal? What did you put as activity level? If you put 1Lb per week @ sedentary, then MFP is using a NEAT of roughly 1,740 calories to maintain without any exercise whatsoever.

    Really, you just need to stick to a method and not confuse yourself. The MFP method is absolutely viable if you do it right...problem is, most people don't do it right and don't eat back any exercise calories and/or set too low of an activity level...so they are a.) exhausted (just as you claimed to be), and b.) hit plateaus early and often.
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    I have lost about 13 lbs since beginning of january (i don't record it til I have my weigh in day) but I am just confused. I am at 1240 calories a day, and unfortunately I have been ill/exhausted with 2 little ones (2 and 5 months old) that I haven't been working out other than cleaning the house and taking care of hte kids. I am 5'0, weighing 154lbs and I try to exercise at least 3-4 times a week even if it is a little walk outside. What would my TDEE be then?

    Calculate your TDEE as sendentary and use that minus whatever % you are using, then you can add exercise if you actually have a chance to do it and eat those cals back but otherwise you won't have to worry about whether you are exercising or not. You can still lose if you don't have the time for exercise. I use lightly active when calculating becuse I can usually get at least one workout in a week, that way I don't bother with adding exercise calories back in.