How many calories should I be eating?

Lynzigzagzay
Lynzigzagzay Posts: 75 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Following reading through this thread; http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 I have tried to work out (using the fat 2 fit calculator) my BMR; according to the Harris-Benedict Formula it is 1627, and the Katch-Mcardle formula it is 1430. Based on being 'lightly active- light exercise/sports 1-3x a week), the calculator suggests I should eat around 1933 calories a day, is this my TDEE?

Some basic information about me if it helps:
22 y/o
Height: 5'6
Current Weight: 176
Goal Weight: 125
Body fat percentage: 38.7%
Lean body mass: 108 lbs.
I've also got hypothyroidism if that is relevant.

I'm really sorry for posting another topic, (my second one in as many days.) I must be stupid or something because I cannot understand things.

Thank you if anyone can help, I swear I'll stop harassing people after this lol.

Replies

  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    stop overthinking things...you'll drive yourself nuts.
    Put your stats into the MFP program...do NOT tell it you want to lose 2 lbs a week...and see what it says. Try it for a month or so and see how it goes. If you need to readjust at that point, do.
    Also...do not weigh yourself constantly. Again..you'll drive yourself nuts. Measure yourself, and weigh only every couple of weeks. Trust me on this one, the perfectly normal fluctuations will be anxiety producing.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    And yes...you CAN do this!
  • simoneg14
    simoneg14 Posts: 46 Member
    I posted a similar question today
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1020284-your-opinions-please-am-i-eating-enough

    Still trying to get my head around the TDEE. Mine says 1964 and I can't see how I can eat that a day especially on non workout days and still lose weight. :sad: confused!!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I've been following the Road Map for about a year and a half now, and it works great for me. By the way, there is a new version out, have you seen it? Your link was to the old one. Same basic info, but updated a bit, check it out if you like: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    So assuming got it all set up correctly (one of the most common mistakes people make when entering info for the Road Map method is putting their goal weight in where it says goal weigh - Dan has you put your current weight there so you get your TDEE numbers for your current weight), is the 1933 the total number it gave for your activity level, or is that after you've subtracted a percentage? If it's the total number, that would be your maintenance cals. If you're wanting to lose fat, take a 15-20% cut from that to get your daily goal.
  • jadethief
    jadethief Posts: 266 Member
    Following reading through this thread; http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 I have tried to work out (using the fat 2 fit calculator) my BMR; according to the Harris-Benedict Formula it is 1627, and the Katch-Mcardle formula it is 1430. Based on being 'lightly active- light exercise/sports 1-3x a week), the calculator suggests I should eat around 1933 calories a day, is this my TDEE?

    Some basic information about me if it helps:
    22 y/o
    Height: 5'6
    Current Weight: 176
    Goal Weight: 125
    Body fat percentage: 38.7%
    Lean body mass: 108 lbs.
    I've also got hypothyroidism if that is relevant.

    I'm really sorry for posting another topic, (my second one in as many days.) I must be stupid or something because I cannot understand things.

    Thank you if anyone can help, I swear I'll stop harassing people after this lol.

    I had trouble getting this at first too. But basically, figure out your bmr and your tdee. Eat somewhere in between those two numbers. Don't eat your exercise calories back unless not eating them will net below your bmr.
  • Lynzigzagzay
    Lynzigzagzay Posts: 75 Member
    I've been following the Road Map for about a year and a half now, and it works great for me. By the way, there is a new version out, have you seen it? Your link was to the old one. Same basic info, but updated a bit, check it out if you like: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    So assuming got it all set up correctly (one of the most common mistakes people make when entering info for the Road Map method is putting their goal weight in where it says goal weigh - Dan has you put your current weight there so you get your TDEE numbers for your current weight), is the 1933 the total number it gave for your activity level, or is that after you've subtracted a percentage? If it's the total number, that would be your maintenance cals. If you're wanting to lose fat, take a 15-20% cut from that to get your daily goal.

    I did it both ways- putting my current weight in the goal weight, and my actual goal weight. By putting in my current weight, the numbers I got were:2237 for being lightly active. So 2237-20%=447. 2237-447=1790
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I did it both ways- putting my current weight in the goal weight, and my actual goal weight. By putting in my current weight, the numbers I got were:2237 for being lightly active. So 2237-20%=447. 2237-447=1790
    Go with current weight - those numbers sound about right. I'm a wee bit taller and lots older, and I was eating 1800 a day for about a year - dropped my last 10lbs and lots o' fat during that time, dropping a full pants size. :bigsmile:

    Make sure you give it a good 4-6 weeks before making changes - it may take a few weeks for your body to adjust, especially if you've been eating significantly lower than that.
  • Lynzigzagzay
    Lynzigzagzay Posts: 75 Member
    I did it both ways- putting my current weight in the goal weight, and my actual goal weight. By putting in my current weight, the numbers I got were:2237 for being lightly active. So 2237-20%=447. 2237-447=1790
    Go with current weight - those numbers sound about right. I'm a wee bit taller and lots older, and I was eating 1800 a day for about a year - dropped my last 10lbs and lots o' fat during that time, dropping a full pants size. :bigsmile:

    Make sure you give it a good 4-6 weeks before making changes - it may take a few weeks for your body to adjust, especially if you've been eating significantly lower than that.

    Okay, I will do! Thank you SO much for your help! And everyone else too, you've all been very nice! Thanks again, people! :smile:

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