tdee or mfp?

AngeliaDR
AngeliaDR Posts: 55 Member
edited February 13 in Health and Weight Loss
MFP has me set at 1200. TDEE minus 20% is 1645. Now, I've lost 5 lbs in a little over 2 weeks eating at or below 1200 but I also went from inactive to exercising every day in that time frame too. I also saw a huge drop in inches- over 21 at last measure. So, should I up to the the TDEE amount or keep aiming at 1200 to burn fat? I'm thrilled with the inches and know that they are more important than pounds but it would be nice to see the squishy come off the new muscle I'm making too.
Thanks.

Replies

  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Well, with the MFP method, you're supposed to add your exercise calories and eat those back, so it generally works out around the same. The difference is whether you want to estimate exercise calories burned and have the mindset of "eating them back", or whether you want to eat a flat amount of calories each day regardless of exercise done on any given day. Just depends which you prefer.

    Btw, I doubt you're making any new muscle eating at or below 1200, while exercising every day. Carry on like that, and you're more likely to lose muscle than build it, and become more squishy.
  • AngeliaDR
    AngeliaDR Posts: 55 Member
    So the fact that I'm seeing definition, better endurance, and getting stronger doesn't mean I'm building any muscle? No sarcasm there. Honest question.
  • j6o4
    j6o4 Posts: 871 Member
    So the fact that I'm seeing definition, better endurance, and getting stronger doesn't mean I'm building any muscle? No sarcasm there. Honest question.

    Seeing more definition comes from losing fat, and getting stronger can come from your muscles working more efficiently together.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    So the fact that I'm seeing definition, better endurance, and getting stronger doesn't mean I'm building any muscle? No sarcasm there. Honest question.

    Seeing more definition comes from losing fat, and getting stronger can come from your muscles working more efficiently together.
    ^Yep. You can actually gain a lot of strength without actually gaining muscle mass. It's possible you've gained a little muscle if you're new to strength training, and especially if you're obese, but generally speaking, you need to be eating a surplus of calories to gain muscle mass. Doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise while losing weight, you definitely should. Exercise (resistance work specifically) will help you to maintain the muscle mass you have now while losing fat.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    My TDEE-20% is actually what MFP set for me + exercise calories...

    TDEE is recommened for those with consistent exercise or doing exercise where it is hard to estimate calorie burns ie weight lifting.
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