How Accurate is Scooby's?

SymphonynSonata
SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
edited February 16 in Health and Weight Loss
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

It says my BMR is 1358 and my TDEE is 1630. That's a little depressing, but doable, I suppose. I know I can exercise for more eatable calories, but when I exercise I tend to get hungrier than I am beforehand. By the way, don't take my diary seriously, I seriously slack on tracking and usually only do half of a meal or something. Am I doomed to eating bird-like forever?

Stats:
22
5'3 1/2 (the 1/2 matters)
CW: 119lbs
GW: 110
Little to no exercise

I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, rice, stuff like that - probably around 1,200 to 1,300 calories depending on the day (losing about .5lb per week, if I'm lucky 1lb). But man, I'd love to have birthday cake without nearly blowing my entire TDEE LOL.

ETA: It says I'd have to eat 1,308 calories a day to lose fat (20% calorie reduction), but I have no idea what this means or equates to in lay speak. I guess 1/2lb-1lb a week?

Replies

  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    See, I wonder if what you really want to do is lower your body fat %. Have you ever calculated that number?

    .5 lb per week loss is awesome, by the way.
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    No, I haven't, I'd love to though - I just don't know how. I know when I get down to about 110 pounds my stomach begins to look toned, but I don't exercise. Am I inadvertently lowering my BF%?

    eta: Thank you! I'm always excited to wake up and weigh myself now, so that's a bonus!
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    bump
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    bump
  • easjer
    easjer Posts: 219 Member
    It's right on par with what fitbit tells me for a weekly average when I input moderate exercise at 3-5 hours weekly (which is about what I do).

    Now I don't eat the level of calories they suggest - I usually eat to that day's TDEE -1000 (or average it out if I go above that one day because I don't get a full work out in), and I try to eat to within 100 calories of BMR everyday.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,528 Member
    well if you do your TDEE - your goal it suggests X 7 that would give you your total calorie deficit for a week and can calculate that into pounds
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    The most accurate TDEE calculator I have learned is your body.

    Pick a website and go by that number. If you don't feel you are losing that much ... switch it up. Stick with one number for about a month before determining if it is or isnt working.
  • MapleFlavouredMaiden
    MapleFlavouredMaiden Posts: 595 Member
    I think it's fairly accurate. I would increase exercise if I were you. That will help with how low your cals are. If you even have a job where you get up and walk around AT ALL and/or have a fairly active (like walking, housework, etc.) life after work, then you should do moderate.
  • Morgaath
    Morgaath Posts: 679 Member
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    It says my BMR is 1358 and my TDEE is 1630. That's a little depressing, but doable, I suppose. I know I can exercise for more eatable calories, but when I exercise I tend to get hungrier than I am beforehand. By the way, don't take my diary seriously, I seriously slack on tracking and usually only do half of a meal or something. Am I doomed to eating bird-like forever?

    Stats:
    22
    5'3 1/2 (the 1/2 matters)
    CW: 119lbs
    GW: 110
    Little to no exercise

    I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, rice, stuff like that - probably around 1,200 to 1,300 calories depending on the day (losing about .5lb per week, if I'm lucky 1lb). But man, I'd love to have birthday cake without nearly blowing my entire TDEE LOL.

    ETA: It says I'd have to eat 1,308 calories a day to lose fat (20% calorie reduction), but I have no idea what this means or equates to in lay speak. I guess 1/2lb-1lb a week?

    The data you gave it indicates that on average you burn 1570 cals per day. This number is called TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)
    And then you selected 20% below the amount you burn in a day. So, for every 100 cals you burn in the course of a normal day, you will eat 80 cals, meaning you will have to draw 20 cals from your body.

    So, 1570-20% = 1308.
    The difference between them is 262cals.
    Multiply that 262 by 7 days/week = 1834 cal under per week, which is about 52% of the 3500cals it takes to lose or gain a pound of fat. Meaning you should lose around 0.52 lbs/week.

    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate it! Just one more question, when I'm at my GW should I recalculate and eat at my TDEE to maintain?
  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    I actually disagree. I don't think it's accurate. I have found that the Scooby's calculator works best for people who are above whatever magic age it is where your metabolism has slowed down. You're 22, and I think you need to be using bigger numbers. Though you are sedentary, the multiplier scooby's uses (1.2 I think?) isn't enough for a young body. I would up it by .2 and use those numbers. (Or just plug yourself in as being more active than you are.)

    Using MFP, I chose the next level up in activity. Since I am actually a "lightly active" person, I have mine set to "active." This seems to be more accurate. You CAN eat more. I would NOT recommend eating below your BMR - try setting your goal at 1400 and see if you lose. I think you will.
  • Morgaath
    Morgaath Posts: 679 Member
    You should recalculate every 5lbs of change.
    It won't be much, but it will change. Also reminds you to make changes incase you life changes, like you get more active either at work or home. Summer is coming, long walks, dancing, roller blading, swimming, all of these burn calories, and if you start doing them more often you are going to need to account for them.
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