A simple thought on how to set a calorie goal

Had a thought I wanted to share about how to set a calorie goal. I am not saying this is "the way" to do it its just a thought I had and wanted to get people's impressions or opinion.


Step 1: Decide what your idealized weight would be. I know "ideal" is vague and its almost impossible to know what this is but if you measure your frame size you can ballpark this. Make sure to include the muscle / fitness level you want in your weight unless you are aiming for scrawny.

Step 2: Determine the NEAT for a person of that size with your activity level (non exercise).

Step 3: Eat that number of calories as your daily average. If you want to lose weight faster, exercise more. (there should be some guideline as to how much exercise would be to much, maybe don't drop your net below your BMR?)

Step 4: As you approach your desired weight your weight loss will slow, that is okay...again you can exercise a bit more if you want.

Step 5: When you hit your desired weight ease up to a maintenance level of exercise to keep fit and bump your calories up to match your new TDEE. Or, alternatively, if you are at your weight but not your fitness muscle level then you can keep your exercise level high to drop your bodyfat more before bumping up your calories to a slight surplus and work on bulking up to your desired weight. At this stage your "desired weight" should be a past goal and your real goal should be your general appearance and health.


The idea behind this is basically to use your future idealized self maintenance level as your calorie goal so years down the road when you hit your goal you are basically already at maintenance and have had years of practicing eating at exactly that level...no change to your habits in order to maintain so less chance of yo-yo.

I do not claim this as an original thought I'm sure it has been described, discussed and talked about ad nauseum by many people before me but was just curious as to what people thought of this.