TDEE -20% Seems like a Lot

belinus
belinus Posts: 112 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I keep seeing post about this and I figured I would calculate mine. According to one my TDEE is 4150 and another it is 3550. I figure for weight loss, use the smaller of the two measures.

MFP puts me at 2700 calories a day currently and it started me at almost 3000. I usually come in under that between walking and not eating calories back (sometimes it is impossible without resorting to foods like fast food to get them all back). I am losing weight though to the tune of 37lbs since June 1 as of last Monday (I haven't weighed in today yet).

Now, my TDEE -20% is 2850 calories. Should I really be targeting this?

Replies

  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    I'm a bit confused, sorry. You say your TDEE says you should eat 2850 cals which seems high to you, but you are already eating at 2700 and losing weight? It's only 150 more?

    We would need to know more, like your height, current weight, etc, to really help you.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    Without knowing your stats it's tough to say if that should be your target, but if you're losing weight the MFP way, why do you wish to change it up?
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    When you have a lot to lose the calculators become inaccurate. They are based on an assumption of a certain percentage of lean body mass which doesn't stay the same as you become morbidly obese. You don't need extra calories to feed the fat you carry around so you are quite safe in eating much less than either the predictions of BMR and TDEE based on your present weight.

    As you lose and get back into a more normal weight range the calculators start being able to be used again. An adult male should eat a minimum of 1800 calories a day so stay above that but even 2500 should be more than enough for you at this time.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I keep seeing post about this and I figured I would calculate mine. According to one my TDEE is 4150 and another it is 3550. I figure for weight loss, use the smaller of the two measures.

    MFP puts me at 2700 calories a day currently and it started me at almost 3000. I usually come in under that between walking and not eating calories back (sometimes it is impossible without resorting to foods like fast food to get them all back). I am losing weight though to the tune of 37lbs since June 1 as of last Monday (I haven't weighed in today yet).

    Now, my TDEE -20% is 2850 calories. Should I really be targeting this?

    It's 6 of 1...if you were eating back exrcise calories with MFP (as this calculator intends for you to do, it would workout pretty much 6 of 1. It's only 150 calories more than what MFP gives you...note that MFP's goal includes the deficit for weight loss and is net of exercise.

    That said, you're probably fine doing what you're doing as it would appear that you have a lot to lose. I'd personally just keep on keepin' on and adjust as necessary down the road. Also, TDEE - 20% is only about 1 Lb per week, so you have to take that into account as well...much slower loss then what you're doing right now if you've lost 37 Lbs in about a month and a half.
  • belinus
    belinus Posts: 112 Member
    I figured those calculations for me were a little off. I will keep that formula in mind when I get down more.

    Depending on how insane I get with my walks, I can get pretty down there in terms of net calories. For example last Monday I did a 6 mile walk burning off 1400 calories and only ate 2400 so my net was 1000.
  • Tldavis3s
    Tldavis3s Posts: 83 Member
    I also have a tdee question. If I have never used this method before and I am wanting to start lifting and gain muscle but lose fat, what should I be doing? My TDEE is around 1988 if I calculated correctly. Should I eat this or less to gain muscle?

    Stats are 5'3 & 138lbs. I am between slightly and moderately active 21 and female.

    I have been at 1200cals/day for the last 9 months and I am just nervous to make a commitment to such large numbers without some reassurance from others on here! Any advice appreciated! Thanks

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