Yet another question about TDEE and MFP calculations....

AwesomeGuy37
AwesomeGuy37 Posts: 436 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I always have heard the 1500 calories for men, 1200 for women rule when cutting calories and it seemed to work for me, at least in the past.
I started here and it spit out 1850 calories from my info I put in.
I was following that for the last 3 weeks and I've lost good. 7 lb., then 3lb, then some more..
I clicked the update profile last night and it told me to eat 1730 calories now. I'm lost.

I looked up this TDEE stuff because a lot of people are talking about it, and I'm not sure which one of the formulas is right or why exactly people are telling others to go by their TDEE. I got one formula that said my TDEE is 2600, and not to exceed 25% of that as a deficit. (Don't really know why not more than 25%, but okay.) My 25% deficit total came to 1950.

So can someone tell me why I have to eat 1950 calories?
My TDEE for my goal weight just happens to be 1730. I wonder the harm of 1730 calories.

Replies

  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    TDEE minus 15-20% has been awesome for me - I've had my best success since switching to it a couple of years ago.

    I used the information and tools in this topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
    With this one you don't get your TDEE for your goal weight, you get the numbers for your current status, which gives you a better idea of what to eat now. As the fat comes off, you rerun the numbers and adjust accordingly.

    A small calorie deficit is best for fat loss - and the more you have to lose, the bigger your deficit can be, at first anyway. But you want to eat in between BMR and TDEE to lose the fat and retain as much lean muscle as possible.

    Don't be afraid of eating the proper amount of cals. As a guy, I'm sure you could eat more than I do and lose - I do best eating 1800-2000 cals a day, and I'm a 45 year old chick. :tongue:

    Whatever you do, if you want to use this method, pick one calculator, take the cut (staying above your BMR) from TDEE, and stick with it for 4-6 weeks before making any adjustments. Track your measurements and take some photos along the way as well in addition to stepping on the scale.

    Good luck!
  • kmtbeaulieu
    kmtbeaulieu Posts: 33 Member
    Not to sure about the MFP vs.TDEE

    But comparing MFP to the rest of the web I think this site is about lessening the calories to what they should be gradually.
    Also giving us the time to transition from our everyday normal to the healthy normal
  • kagevf
    kagevf Posts: 509 Member
    let me calculate...

    what is your
    -age
    -height
    -goal weight
    -workout Xs/week
  • AwesomeGuy37
    AwesomeGuy37 Posts: 436 Member
    let me calculate...

    what is your
    -age
    -height
    -goal weight
    -workout Xs/week

    age 37
    height 5'7''
    goal 170
    sedentary (office job/sitting)

    Currently not really working out enough to calculate any calories over sedentary. I try to eat enough protein daily. My diary is open. My current weight is 295.
  • Carolyn321SD
    Carolyn321SD Posts: 8 Member
    About every 10 pounds MFP will recalculate and drop your calories a little bit. This will help keep you from having to hit a plateau before cutting more calories.
  • Dewymorning
    Dewymorning Posts: 762 Member
    You have lost 13 pounds in 3 weeks?

    Good job, but this may indicate you can eat more than currently and lose weight at a more steady pace.

    I use TDEE-15% and it is great.
  • AwesomeGuy37
    AwesomeGuy37 Posts: 436 Member
    You have lost 13 pounds in 3 weeks?

    Good job, but this may indicate you can eat more than currently and lose weight at a more steady pace.

    I use TDEE-15% and it is great.

    I had that big 7 lb. at the first and last week I squeezed out about 2 lb. I do hope it doesn't go much lower than 2 lb. a week at least until I'm closer to goal. I've been eating around 1800 until today when it changed to 1700. I wonder if I could just learn to eat 1700 til I'm at goal. I don't think I'd like cutting below that. I need to get more active.
  • kagevf
    kagevf Posts: 509 Member
    base on your height and goal weight of 170 with sedentary lifestyle, 1700ish is your calorie intake for fat loss/weight loss at 15%TDEE

    Your BMR is: 1656

    Your TDEE is: 1988

    you do not have to eat at 1700ish right now from 295. slowly decrease your intake overtime to reach your goal weight.

    good luck on your weight loss journey
  • Dewymorning
    Dewymorning Posts: 762 Member
    You have lost 13 pounds in 3 weeks?

    Good job, but this may indicate you can eat more than currently and lose weight at a more steady pace.

    I use TDEE-15% and it is great.

    I had that big 7 lb. at the first and last week I squeezed out about 2 lb. I do hope it doesn't go much lower than 2 lb. a week at least until I'm closer to goal. I've been eating around 1800 until today when it changed to 1700. I wonder if I could just learn to eat 1700 til I'm at goal. I don't think I'd like cutting below that. I need to get more active.

    Oh, the 7 lb in the first week was probably mostly food/water weight.

    In that case, carry on.

    EDIT: nevermind the last part
  • AwesomeGuy37
    AwesomeGuy37 Posts: 436 Member
    base on your height and goal weight of 170 with sedentary lifestyle, 1700ish is your calorie intake for fat loss/weight loss at 15%TDEE

    Your BMR is: 1656

    Your TDEE is: 1988

    you do not have to eat at 1700ish right now from 295. slowly decrease your intake overtime to reach your goal weight.

    good luck on your weight loss journey

    Oh oops I read the wrong readout.. Thanks. I see now 1988 will be my TDEE at 170. I do hope to be active by then. I don't mind the 1700 calories right now as I'm eating quite a lot.
  • Dewymorning
    Dewymorning Posts: 762 Member
    Oh, and in answer as to why the calculators make your TDEE so high, I think they are, in general, pretty inaccurate for obese individuals. They are estimates based on studies, and often in those studies the participants were at healthy weights. That is my understanding anyway.
  • florentinovillaro
    florentinovillaro Posts: 342 Member
    Based on your goal weight, I would go with 1700. Keep it simple. Speaking from personal experience.

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