Figuring out how many calories I need to eat in a day.

I think maybe people have answered this one a lot and it could be why there's no quick response. You could try searching previous topics with the "search" tool for the same question, because I think it comes up often.

As for me, My TDEE - 20% is about 1650 Calories, though I feel when eating well I can get a lot of good stuff in for about 1200. What I've chosen to do personally is set my calories to 1550 and just eat anywhere between 1200-1550. It depends on what I eat and how I feel.. But having it set to 1200 often makes me feel like I need to eat under or around there or I don't get the gratifying "I was under my goal!". Setting it to 1550 makes me feel like even if I ate like 1350, Im still under my goal and could have a little more if I'm still hungry.

It works for me, I don't feel starved and I can play it by ear and feel fine about it.

I think it is easier to set your activity level as sedentary (since you work a desk job) and then add in your exercises separately in the exercise log. It makes more sense (to me) this way, because you won't be exercising the same amount every day.

I think it is easier to set your activity level as sedentary (since you work a desk job) and then add in your exercises separately in the exercise log. It makes more sense (to me) this way, because you won't be exercising the same amount every day.

I agree. Your TDEE is different every day which is why myfitnesspal is more accurate.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/813720-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-deficit-macro-calcs-hrm-zones

This is the spread sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amt7QBR9-c6MdGVTbGswLUUzUHNVVUlNSW9wZWloeUE#gid=14

^^^^this and do not try to eat 1200 calories. Your body needs more than that