TDEE-%20 questions for 5ft 5in women

Sparkie134
Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi!
I have been wondering if my calories are too low. So I read on here to find a TDEE calculator, enter my info and then deduct %20. I am 5ft 5inches, 29 years old, & 160lbs. I do 40minutes of cardio in the morning and 35 minutes of weights in the evening. I work at a desk job 9 hours a day.

I entered my information on this site http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/
It told me that my TDEE is 2322 calories per day.
If I calculated right, to deduct %20 from that would be appx 1850 calories a day to lose weight, without eating back my workout calories (since I put my workouts into the TDEE calculator).

1850 seems way to high for me to lose weight. I was anticipating close to 1500.

Are there any women out there with similar stats that lose weight on a diet of 1800-1900 daily calorie intake?
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Replies

  • hananah89
    hananah89 Posts: 692 Member
    That is probably about right. I averaged 3-4 TDEE calculators to get a good estimate and took 20% off which is 1980 I believe. I just shoot for a range of 1950-2050 each day. I'm also 5'5", 23, and 172. I work out 6 days a week and sit at my desk all day like you do. I switched to the TDEE method a few weeks ago and after the initial maintenance/minor gain that is expected from the increased calories, I went and dropped a few pounds. It is perfectly fine to "eat more to weight less" (there is a group on here by the same name). It gives your body the energy it needs, especially when you do over an hour working out each day. It may seem high but there is no need to starve yourself or struggle on lower calories if higher intake works just as well, if not better. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Yup. When I am losing that is around my intake. I am 5'5 and weigh less.

    I have also done the MFP method and end up in pretty much the same place.
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    Wow! Ok, thanks so much ladies!

    It's sounds high and I'm a little nervous, but going to give it a try.

    And on days that you DON'T exercise do you drop your cals?
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Wow! Ok, thanks so much ladies!

    It's sounds high and I'm a little nervous, but going to give it a try.

    And on days that you DON'T exercise do you drop your cals?

    No. TDEE is your calorie needs spread over the week. You eat the same everyday and it evens out.

    If you use MFP, you end up eating more on some days and less on others.

    Like I said, for me, it averaged out to the same.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I'm 5'5 and lost weight eating about 1800-2000 total calories with a lot less exercise than you're doing, starting at 160 and getting as low as 125. Currently a little higher thanks to some medication that screwed me up, but losing again on the same amount.
  • JGT2004
    JGT2004 Posts: 231 Member
    I am 5'6 27 yo around 170. I upped mine to 1500 a little while back and have now upped mine to 1800. In a week or so I will bump up to 1900 as I have increased my exercise load. I have struggled with the weight mostly from periods of little exercise and heavy drinking otherwise I am sure I would have lost more. Even with the little exercise and drinking I didn't gain more than I had originally started with. Plus now I don't feel bad about eating ice cream! IIFYM for the WIN!
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    Wow! Ok, thanks so much ladies!

    It's sounds high and I'm a little nervous, but going to give it a try.

    And on days that you DON'T exercise do you drop your cals?

    No. TDEE is your calorie needs spread over the week. You eat the same everyday and it evens out.

    If you use MFP, you end up eating more on some days and less on others.

    Like I said, for me, it averaged out to the same.
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    Wow! Ok, thanks so much ladies!

    It's sounds high and I'm a little nervous, but going to give it a try.

    And on days that you DON'T exercise do you drop your cals?

    No. TDEE is your calorie needs spread over the week. You eat the same everyday and it evens out.

    If you use MFP, you end up eating more on some days and less on others.

    Like I said, for me, it averaged out to the same.

    Thanks so much for the response!
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    Ha ha. I feel like I am in food Heaven now after trying to log 1200-1500 calories daily.
    I love it!
    I'm so excited to start logging at 1800.
    The thought of it makes me even feel like working out MORE, to know that I won't be hungry at the end of the day!

    THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE RESPONSES!
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    I'm 5'5 and lost weight eating about 1800-2000 total calories with a lot less exercise than you're doing, starting at 160 and getting as low as 125. Currently a little higher thanks to some medication that screwed me up, but losing again on the same amount.

    WOW! That's inspiring. Thanks! I am now at 160 and can't even imagine myself at 125! That's great!
  • amandaleigh_
    amandaleigh_ Posts: 15
    I am 5'5'' and broke a year-long plateau by upping my cals to 1800 per day doing TDEE-20%. I also work a desk job, workout 5-6 days a week and went from 165 lbs to 145 lbs in about 7 months. Before that I was eating only around 1400. :)

    I'm trying to get to my final goal of 135 and hit a wall again. So, for the past month I dropped my cals to 1550 and will ramp it back up to 1800 (maybe even more) come September to try and get it going again.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I'm 5'4.5". :)
    I eat well...a lot and I'm not having any issues losing weight. I generally have a calorie range of 1500 - 2500 depending on how active I was for the day. In fact on Tuesday I ate 2403 calories, yum, with no guilt what so ever. And just for the hell of it:

    Total Calories Consumed for the past 90 days:
    119msfl.png

    Net Calories for the past 90 days:
    533i4y.png

    Weight for the past 90 days (I only log weight occasionally, cause I'm weird like that:tongue: ):
    2sb3i37.png

    **seems the images are slightly too big. right click them to view the full image**
  • itsmandible
    itsmandible Posts: 88 Member
    I think that sounds fine! I do the method of MFP where I eat back my calories from exercise, and right now I'm one 167-9ish, eating 1420 and then you add in 400-500 calories of exercise a day 5-6 days a week and bam, 1820-1920. Sounds fine! (:
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    Im just happy to be able to say I am 5'5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • suziepoo1984
    suziepoo1984 Posts: 915 Member
    I am 5'5 and 29 years old too.. At my highest i weighed around 173 pounds, i have dropped down to 150 lbs in 4 months. I cant stay away from food, so unknowingly have always been eating at my TDEE- % range of around 1500-2000 and have been losing consistently. I still eat the same amount of food at lesser weight and am losing. I am not even as active as you, so i think you will do well at 1850:)
    Good luck on your journey and enjoy food!

    ETA: 1500 is the least i have ever eaten when following MFP method as that was my number of calories given to eat to lose 1 lb per week. But i found that hard to stick to, so have been consistently eating around 1800 nowadays and i am doing great :)
  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,776 Member
    I am 5ft 5 and normally eat around 1700. I have lost 47.5 lbs. I exercise 450 most days with 250 on Tuesdays when I try to eat a bit less. I am now at normal bmi and only want to lose a few more lbs so it is slooooow now, but still moving downwards. I eat well, mostly home cooking and love my cardio and strength training. It is so much better to eat well, be happy and take it slowly. That way it will stick. By the way, I am nearly 64 and feel better than I have for 23 years.
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    I'm 5'4.5". :)
    I eat well...a lot and I'm not having any issues losing weight. I generally have a calorie range of 1500 - 2500 depending on how active I was for the day. In fact on Tuesday I ate 2403 calories, yum, with no guilt what so ever. And just for the hell of it:

    Total Calories Consumed for the past 90 days:
    119msfl.png

    Net Calories for the past 90 days:
    533i4y.png

    Weight for the past 90 days (I only log weight occasionally, cause I'm weird like that:tongue: ):
    2sb3i37.png

    **seems the images are slightly too big. right click them to view the full image**
    Awesome! Thanks for including that!
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    I am 5ft 5 and normally eat around 1700. I have lost 47.5 lbs. I exercise 450 most days with 250 on Tuesdays when I try to eat a bit less. I am now at normal bmi and only want to lose a few more lbs so it is slooooow now, but still moving downwards. I eat well, mostly home cooking and love my cardio and strength training. It is so much better to eat well, be happy and take it slowly. That way it will stick. By the way, I am nearly 64 and feel better than I have for 23 years.

    Good for you! That's great!
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    I am 5'5 and 29 years old too.. At my highest i weighed around 173 pounds, i have dropped down to 150 lbs in 4 months. I cant stay away from food, so unknowingly have always been eating at my TDEE- % range of around 1500-2000 and have been losing consistently. I still eat the same amount of food at lesser weight and am losing. I am not even as active as you, so i think you will do well at 1850:)
    Good luck on your journey and enjoy food!

    ETA: 1500 is the least i have ever eaten when following MFP method as that was my number of calories given to eat to lose 1 lb per week. But i found that hard to stick to, so have been consistently eating around 1800 nowadays and i am doing great :)
    Thanks so much!
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    I am 5'5'' and broke a year-long plateau by upping my cals to 1800 per day doing TDEE-20%. I also work a desk job, workout 5-6 days a week and went from 165 lbs to 145 lbs in about 7 months. Before that I was eating only around 1400. :)

    I'm trying to get to my final goal of 135 and hit a wall again. So, for the past month I dropped my cals to 1550 and will ramp it back up to 1800 (maybe even more) come September to try and get it going again.
    NICE! That's what I am hoping to do! Break my rut by keeping a consistent 1800 instead of back and forth on my calorie intake. These responses are SO encouraging
  • tworthen79
    tworthen79 Posts: 1,173 Member
    I read about meeting calories goals and such. But do you guys eat all the carbs they allot us? I mean 199. I keep mine between 50-60.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I read about meeting calories goals and such. But do you guys eat all the carbs they allot us? I mean 199. I keep mine between 50-60.

    I changed mine, protein was far too low. I am usually around 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. That puts me over 100 grams of carbs (too lazy to do the math right now) and I aim to keep it around there unless I am training for distance.

    Many people edit the macro goals.
  • Sevio
    Sevio Posts: 181 Member
    So glad you posted this Topic.

    I recently upped my calories after seeing no change in my weight loss. I only have about 7 lbs left to go and have been constantly maintaining for a while now.

    I noticed there was one week where I ate more according to the charts and graphs and guess what that week I actually lost some weight...that's when the light bulb went on....

    I decided to up my calorie intake to TDEE-10% and I get around 1880 per day. We shall see what happens....but this post definitely gives me more of a positive feeling. And to think that I could have probably eaten more and didn't really stinks! Considering I love to eat and enjoy food :-)

    If anyone is looking for a new friend to check in and see how it's going for them; I would totally add you
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    I don't want to take over this thread from the OP, so if you'd prefer to message me instead of side-tracking from the OP, that's fine. But I had a couple of quick questions for everyone that's having success being 5'5" and eating 1800-1900 calories on TDEE -20% since that's what this thread is full of. :) About how much weight do you lose each week? And how consistent is the weight loss week over week?

    I've been contemplating switching to TDEE -20% and am also 5'5", 34 years old, and mine comes out to about 1850 a day. I wouldn't be doing it until after I finish training for my next race that's at the end of this month, simply because I've found that if I don't eat back a fair chunk of my exercise calories (I'm on a 1500 net) on long run days and my other heavier workout day, I end up super fatigued the next day and end up more prone to bonking a run.

    But I don't have any races planned until March of next year, and was contemplating making this change. Just had those couple of nagging questions.
  • suziepoo1984
    suziepoo1984 Posts: 915 Member
    I read about meeting calories goals and such. But do you guys eat all the carbs they allot us? I mean 199. I keep mine between 50-60.
    Being a vegetarian, i struggle with keeping protiens high and carbs low. That would be my next goal, currently focused only on calories( not a good thing to do i know:()
  • JennyKCarty
    JennyKCarty Posts: 457 Member
    Bumping to follow.
  • Sparkie134
    Sparkie134 Posts: 65 Member
    I don't want to take over this thread from the OP, so if you'd prefer to message me instead of side-tracking from the OP, that's fine. But I had a couple of quick questions for everyone that's having success being 5'5" and eating 1800-1900 calories on TDEE -20% since that's what this thread is full of. :) About how much weight do you lose each week? And how consistent is the weight loss week over week?

    I've been contemplating switching to TDEE -20% and am also 5'5", 34 years old, and mine comes out to about 1850 a day. I wouldn't be doing it until after I finish training for my next race that's at the end of this month, simply because I've found that if I don't eat back a fair chunk of my exercise calories (I'm on a 1500 net) on long run days and my other heavier workout day, I end up super fatigued the next day and end up more prone to bonking a run.

    But I don't have any races planned until March of next year, and was contemplating making this change. Just had those couple of nagging questions.

    Thanks for the questions! I would love to hear these answers too!!!
  • UpNorthMama
    UpNorthMama Posts: 13 Member
    Bump for answers...I too am 5'5 and I'm 34 years old and I recently starting doing TDEE -20%. I'm scared to step on the scale for awhile because I'm scared I've been eating so much more. I really hope this works, as I'm pretty active with cardio and strength training and I was finding it hard to lose weight before this. This is the start of week 3 of eating more and I can tell I feel better and have more energy. Thank you for all sharing, it really helps!
  • mkakids
    mkakids Posts: 1,913 Member
    Im 5"6, 187lbs. I lose, .5lbs per week when I eat around 2000 cals each day so 1850 sounds right for you!
  • amanda07425
    amanda07425 Posts: 105 Member
    I just started the TDEE method, which is 2046 Calories and 20% TDEE- 1637 Calories.. One question for all of you that found this successful.. are you eating this calorie amount and NOT eating calories back? so if I eat 1637 but burn 200-300 calories, still just eat that 1637? Thanks! (I've been in a weight loss plateau for over a year and I'm really trying to break it)

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