TDEE - So confusing!!

LMP18
LMP18 Posts: 81 Member
Hey all. I have been on a several month plateau and feel like I need to change something up and am interested in figuring out my TDEE but it makes zero sense to me. Can someone help? What info would someone need to help me figure out how many calories I should be eating?

I am 5'6 and as of this morning I weigh 244.6 lbs. My job is sedentary and I try to get a workout of some sort in a few times a week.

I know someone can help me. Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • seena511
    seena511 Posts: 685 Member
    search "road map" and read that. it breaks it all down.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Google "TDEE calculator". Do what it says.
  • LMP18
    LMP18 Posts: 81 Member
    Google "TDEE calculator". Do what it says.

    Thanks. I did this. My TDEE is 2519. I have read on the forums that you should eat 20% less calories than your TDEE. Is this correct? If so, then I would be eating 2015 calories a day. Seems WAY too high as I currently eating just under 1600. Thoughts on this one? Oh and if it helps I did my BMR which is 1832 - or maybe I read it was 20% below BMR and if that is the case I am close with where my calories are at now...
  • seena511
    seena511 Posts: 685 Member
    Google "TDEE calculator". Do what it says.

    Thanks. I did this. My TDEE is 2519. I have read on the forums that you should eat 20% less calories than your TDEE. Is this correct? If so, then I would be eating 2015 calories a day. Seems WAY too high as I currently eating just under 1600. Thoughts on this one? Oh and if it helps I did my BMR which is 1832 - or maybe I read it was 20% below BMR and if that is the case I am close with where my calories are at now...

    no. BMR is what you need to function if you lay in bed all day. it's TDEE - 20%.

    search for the road map. read it.
  • LMP18
    LMP18 Posts: 81 Member
    Google "TDEE calculator". Do what it says.

    Thanks. I did this. My TDEE is 2519. I have read on the forums that you should eat 20% less calories than your TDEE. Is this correct? If so, then I would be eating 2015 calories a day. Seems WAY too high as I currently eating just under 1600. Thoughts on this one? Oh and if it helps I did my BMR which is 1832 - or maybe I read it was 20% below BMR and if that is the case I am close with where my calories are at now...

    no. BMR is what you need to function if you lay in bed all day. it's TDEE - 20%.

    search for the road map. read it.

    Ok. I did search road map and did read it. Thanks
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Google "TDEE calculator". Do what it says.

    Thanks. I did this. My TDEE is 2519. I have read on the forums that you should eat 20% less calories than your TDEE. Is this correct? If so, then I would be eating 2015 calories a day. Seems WAY too high as I currently eating just under 1600. Thoughts on this one? Oh and if it helps I did my BMR which is 1832 - or maybe I read it was 20% below BMR and if that is the case I am close with where my calories are at now...

    You only did half. You did the googling part. Now do what it says. Eat the 2000 calories.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Google "TDEE calculator". Do what it says.

    Thanks. I did this. My TDEE is 2519. I have read on the forums that you should eat 20% less calories than your TDEE. Is this correct? If so, then I would be eating 2015 calories a day. Seems WAY too high as I currently eating just under 1600. Thoughts on this one? Oh and if it helps I did my BMR which is 1832 - or maybe I read it was 20% below BMR and if that is the case I am close with where my calories are at now...

    TDEE is what you should be basing your deficit on. The further below TDEE you go, the faster you'll lose weight but the harder it'll be to properly nourish/fuel your body. That's why most people say TDEE - 20%. Can you go 30 or 40 or even 50% below TDEE? Sure, but there may be more bad than good that comes with such a large deficit, especially if you do it for a long period of time (several months or more).
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    Google "TDEE calculator". Do what it says.

    Thanks. I did this. My TDEE is 2519. I have read on the forums that you should eat 20% less calories than your TDEE. Is this correct? If so, then I would be eating 2015 calories a day. Seems WAY too high as I currently eating just under 1600. Thoughts on this one? Oh and if it helps I did my BMR which is 1832 - or maybe I read it was 20% below BMR and if that is the case I am close with where my calories are at now...
    It only *seems* high because you've been eating so low..
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    ive always thought for women 2000 was maintainence calories and anything less would cause you to lose. i know there are a lot of factors to consider such as muscle mass and starting weight but i think its a good general guideline.

    All days are not the same so in my opinion, all the science and math in the world is not going to give you some magic number of calories you need to stay it. It simply is not logical.
  • Freedomgurl585
    Freedomgurl585 Posts: 196 Member
    calculate your TDEE and reset your goals to reflect your TDEE minus 500 cals for a loss of one pound per week. Good luck!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Ditto!

    Step by step instructions there. Read it, learn it, know it! All the steps, setting your macros, too. Best move I ever made since joining MFP. :drinker: