My TDEE and MFP caloric intake is the same - this ok?

tracymayo1
tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
Hi All,
I have read the various sticky threads and many forum posts, and just wanted to double check my understanding...

I went the TDEE site (recommended in the sexy pants thread) and filled in the information to get my TDEE caloric intake. I then subtracted 20% = 1580 calories.

MFP's calculator also gives me exactly 1580 calories based on the information entered.
This is based on a 1lb a week loss...

I just wanted to make sure that by staying within the above calories per day I am doing what I should to lose weight. As for the calories I "get back" from exercise, sometimes I eat them back (no more than 50% if I can help it) but most times, I don't (as I am not actually hungry)

Is this OK?

Replies

  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you.

    If you do TDEE minus a percentage, you cannot eat back any of your exercise calories. TDEE already has your exercise built in, so eating back would be double dipping.

    You sound like you're in a little bit over your head, so try the default MFP calorie goal for several weeks (eating back at least a portion of your exercise calories), then reevaluate.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    See, I thought I understood that the TDEE result without removing any percentage was the # of calories to eat including exercise. My TDEE reading was 1896 calories a day - I thought that number was the one with exercise in...

    TDEE = 1896 calories (including exercise)
    TDEE - 20% = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    MFP = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    So... I wasn't understanding it?

    Also, just to be clear, I AM using the MFP calories when I log. This is what I base my days on. And MOST of the time (90%) I don't eat back any calories from exercise - and even if I do eat them back, I almost am ALWAYS already UNDER my daily goal before I did any workouts... so eating back the calories I gained isn't making the difference to the bottom line...

    And, I just used this program which was recommended to me by other users, and it shows that I need 1574 calories a day to reach my goal... So I am guessing I am on the right track...

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/fat-loss-plateau-calculator/
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    See, I thought I understood that the TDEE result without removing any percentage was the # of calories to eat including exercise. My TDEE reading was 1896 calories a day - I thought that number was the one with exercise in...

    TDEE = 1896 calories (including exercise)
    TDEE - 20% = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    MFP = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    So... I wasn't understanding it?

    Also, just to be clear, I AM using the MFP calories when I log. This is what I base my days on. And MOST of the time (90%) I don't eat back any calories from exercise - and even if I do eat them back, I almost am ALWAYS already UNDER my daily goal before I did any workouts... so eating back the calories I gained isn't making the difference to the bottom line...

    It depends how you filled out your TDEE calculator, and what you have your activity level and goal set to in MFP. TDEE-20% is the deficit you are trying to build into your daily calorie consumption in order to lose weight. That deficit is just over 250 cal/day which would put you at losing about 0.5 lb/week. When you filled out MFP, what activity level did you choose, and what goal did you select?

    Traditionally people who are using the TDEE method, who have factored in all their exercise and additional activities into calculating that TDEE, do not eat back exercise calories. People who use the MFP method, who select their activity level without the exercise factored in, do eat back at least a portion of the calories.

    Personally, I got a FitBit so I don't have to do so much guesswork. It helped me lose weight at the rate I wanted, and is helping me successfully maintain now.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    See, I thought I understood that the TDEE result without removing any percentage was the # of calories to eat including exercise. My TDEE reading was 1896 calories a day - I thought that number was the one with exercise in...

    TDEE = 1896 calories (including exercise)
    TDEE - 20% = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    MFP = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    So... I wasn't understanding it?

    Also, just to be clear, I AM using the MFP calories when I log. This is what I base my days on. And MOST of the time (90%) I don't eat back any calories from exercise - and even if I do eat them back, I almost am ALWAYS already UNDER my daily goal before I did any workouts... so eating back the calories I gained isn't making the difference to the bottom line...

    It depends how you filled out your TDEE calculator, and what you have your activity level and goal set to in MFP. TDEE-20% is the deficit you are trying to build into your daily calorie consumption in order to lose weight. That deficit is just over 250 cal/day which would put you at losing about 0.5 lb/week. When you filled out MFP, what activity level did you choose, and what goal did you select?

    Traditionally people who are using the TDEE method, who have factored in all their exercise and additional activities into calculating that TDEE, do not eat back exercise calories. People who use the MFP method, who select their activity level without the exercise factored in, do eat back at least a portion of the calories.

    Personally, I got a FitBit so I don't have to do so much guesswork. It helped me lose weight at the rate I wanted, and is helping me successfully maintain now.

    I chose the sedentary activity level on MFP and TDEE I entered the same information on both sites for consistency... and then the Scooby program advised I would be at my goat weight (28 lbs lighter) in about 10 months with the same information entered. Although I did enter 1lb a week as my goal on all sites... so not sure why it is calculating only 0.5lbs? And I just went to check with the BMR calculator - it shows based on my current info I should be eating 1643 calories a day...

    As I don't normally eat back the calories I gained from exercise (unless I am positively starving - which rarely happens) am I on the right track?

    I would love a program to calculate all this for me like you mention below - but I dont own a cell phone for all these fancy apps...

    I am so confused :sad:
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    See, I thought I understood that the TDEE result without removing any percentage was the # of calories to eat including exercise. My TDEE reading was 1896 calories a day - I thought that number was the one with exercise in...

    TDEE = 1896 calories (including exercise)
    TDEE - 20% = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    MFP = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    So... I wasn't understanding it?

    Also, just to be clear, I AM using the MFP calories when I log. This is what I base my days on. And MOST of the time (90%) I don't eat back any calories from exercise - and even if I do eat them back, I almost am ALWAYS already UNDER my daily goal before I did any workouts... so eating back the calories I gained isn't making the difference to the bottom line...

    It depends how you filled out your TDEE calculator, and what you have your activity level and goal set to in MFP. TDEE-20% is the deficit you are trying to build into your daily calorie consumption in order to lose weight. That deficit is just over 250 cal/day which would put you at losing about 0.5 lb/week. When you filled out MFP, what activity level did you choose, and what goal did you select?

    Traditionally people who are using the TDEE method, who have factored in all their exercise and additional activities into calculating that TDEE, do not eat back exercise calories. People who use the MFP method, who select their activity level without the exercise factored in, do eat back at least a portion of the calories.

    Personally, I got a FitBit so I don't have to do so much guesswork. It helped me lose weight at the rate I wanted, and is helping me successfully maintain now.

    I chose the sedentary activity level on MFP and TDEE I entered the same information on both sites for consistency... and then the Scooby program advised I would be at my goat weight (28 lbs lighter) in about 10 months with the same information entered. Although I did enter 1lb a week as my goal on all sites... so not sure why it is calculating only 0.5lbs? And I just went to check with the BMR calculator - it shows based on my current info I should be eating 1643 calories a day...

    As I don't normally eat back the calories I gained from exercise (unless I am positively starving - which rarely happens) am I on the right track?

    I would love a program to calculate all this for me like you mention below - but I dont own a cell phone for all these fancy apps...

    I am so confused :sad:

    I'm really not an expert at how to calculate and figure everything out, so I'm not sure I am the best one to crunch your numbers and tell you what you should be doing. I did the really simple math though, and 1896 x 0.8 = 1516, not 1580.

    I think a TDEE of ~1900 including exercise sounds a little low, I am not sure if you said what your height and current weight is, and how much exercise you are doing? For example, I'm 5'2, 125ish, and my main activities are chasing after my two boys, walking, and circuit training maybe 2x/week. So not crazy active. My TDEE according to my FitBit is around 2100. So if you are taller, weigh more, or are more active than me, I would think yours might be higher than 1900, but it isn't unreasonable.

    How long have you been tracking your food? Your profile says you've been a member since last November but your diary looks like you've only recently started logging consistently? I was going to ask what results you've seen with your current goal and logging, and then base any changes off of that. If you've only been at it for a couple of weeks, which is I think what I saw - I would probably leave everything alone for now and give it a month or 6 weeks more to see what kind of results you get.

    Keep in mind too that your TDEE changes, and that is all just estimation. Coming up with some reasonable numbers (which from what you've said so far, I think you have some) and sticking with things for long enough to see which way things are trending should give you more information to base any changes off of.

    Good luck!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    See, I thought I understood that the TDEE result without removing any percentage was the # of calories to eat including exercise. My TDEE reading was 1896 calories a day - I thought that number was the one with exercise in...

    TDEE = 1896 calories (including exercise)
    TDEE - 20% = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    MFP = 1580 calories (no exercise)

    So... I wasn't understanding it?

    Also, just to be clear, I AM using the MFP calories when I log. This is what I base my days on. And MOST of the time (90%) I don't eat back any calories from exercise - and even if I do eat them back, I almost am ALWAYS already UNDER my daily goal before I did any workouts... so eating back the calories I gained isn't making the difference to the bottom line...

    It depends how you filled out your TDEE calculator, and what you have your activity level and goal set to in MFP. TDEE-20% is the deficit you are trying to build into your daily calorie consumption in order to lose weight. That deficit is just over 250 cal/day which would put you at losing about 0.5 lb/week. When you filled out MFP, what activity level did you choose, and what goal did you select?

    Traditionally people who are using the TDEE method, who have factored in all their exercise and additional activities into calculating that TDEE, do not eat back exercise calories. People who use the MFP method, who select their activity level without the exercise factored in, do eat back at least a portion of the calories.

    Personally, I got a FitBit so I don't have to do so much guesswork. It helped me lose weight at the rate I wanted, and is helping me successfully maintain now.

    I chose the sedentary activity level on MFP and TDEE I entered the same information on both sites for consistency... and then the Scooby program advised I would be at my goat weight (28 lbs lighter) in about 10 months with the same information entered. Although I did enter 1lb a week as my goal on all sites... so not sure why it is calculating only 0.5lbs? And I just went to check with the BMR calculator - it shows based on my current info I should be eating 1643 calories a day...

    As I don't normally eat back the calories I gained from exercise (unless I am positively starving - which rarely happens) am I on the right track?

    I would love a program to calculate all this for me like you mention below - but I dont own a cell phone for all these fancy apps...

    I am so confused :sad:

    There is your problem, when you use TDEE you are supposed to add exercise into the equation, with MFP you don't. Your TDEE - 20% should be higher caloric intake than MFP gives you for a 1lb/week loss as it is before adding exercise, once you add exercise on MFP your calories for the week should be similar.

    I would suggest if you are having trouble understanding it to stick with MFP for 4-6 weeks eating back most of the cals burned from exercise.

    I am also assuming the 1896 that TDEE gave you already took 20% off, and that is the number you should be eating. So eat 1896 everyday, or eat 1580+exercise calories.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    Well, I am 5'11 and my starting weight was 193lbs 18 days ago. I have lost 3-4lbs since then (pretty sure its water weight mostly) and am now on TOM - so cant really use my most recent weight until the bloating from that is done.

    I have a desk job, and logged that I would try for 20 minutes of exercise 3 times a week - I have so far logged more exercise than that - but wanted the 3 days and 20 minutes as a minimum - so I assume if I do more, it will only help me.

    I did Join last November when a friend mentioned the site to me.. at the time then I was 185lbs and not nearly as disgusted with myself... so, 18 days ago I decided it was time to change it, and started actually USING this site - hence the diary only showing from then.

    I guess I will stick to what I am doing now, and see where it takes me in the next 2-4 weeks. If I don't notice anything changing, then I guess I have numbers to work off of to see what I need to change - or at least I can give more knowledgeable people here a chance to help me out... Math was NEVER a good subject for me.. and numbers in general make me nervous!
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member

    I am also assuming the 1896 that TDEE gave you already took 20% off, and that is the number you should be eating. So eat 1896 everyday, or eat 1580+exercise calories.

    Actually no, 1896 calories was BEFORE I removed the 20%. once I take off 20% from that I get the same calories as a day as MFP which is 1580.
    And the Scooby program someone directed me to advised me to eat 1574 calories a day.

    I dont know if this helps (not sure how to use it to calculate anything) but the BMR calculator on MFP gave me this:
    Your estimated BMR is: 1,643 calories/day* based on 5'11" and 190 lbs (now)

    I will stick to the MFP calories (1580) and see where I end up. I dont usually eat back my workout calories gained though.. is that a problem?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    The problem is that you're not using either calculator correctly.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member

    I am also assuming the 1896 that TDEE gave you already took 20% off, and that is the number you should be eating. So eat 1896 everyday, or eat 1580+exercise calories.

    Actually no, 1896 calories was BEFORE I removed the 20%. once I take off 20% from that I get the same calories as a day as MFP which is 1580.
    And the Scooby program someone directed me to advised me to eat 1574 calories a day.

    I dont know if this helps (not sure how to use it to calculate anything) but the BMR calculator on MFP gave me this:
    Your estimated BMR is: 1,643 calories/day* based on 5'11" and 190 lbs (now)

    I will stick to the MFP calories (1580) and see where I end up. I dont usually eat back my workout calories gained though.. is that a problem?

    You really shouldn't be aiming for a calorie goal that is less than your BMR, although 1580 and 1643 are within the margin of error. If you are going to eat 1580, also eat back your exercise calories. You goal is to NET 1580 per day. Not to eat well under it.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    The problem is that you're not using either calculator correctly.

    ok, so how am I reading them wrong? I came here to learn because I want to make sure I am doing things the right way...

    Quiet Bloom:
    Thank you for that - I now see what everyone was trying to tell me.
    If I am under the 1580 a day - will it be detrimental to my progress? Only because really, when my days are logged, I am usually not hungry anymore. And why would MFP give a number lower than needed?

    And what exactly is the meaning of the BMR? why do I not want to be under this normally? If I am under 1580 by a couple hundred calories or so am I doing harm? I have had days where I get a warning about too low of a consumption - but I pay attention the next day to be closer to that range - or I force myself to eat something else to get over the "too low 1200 minimum"

    Thank you again all for your help, I really appreciate it.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    The problem is that you're not using either calculator correctly.

    ok, so how am I reading them wrong? I came here to learn because I want to make sure I am doing things the right way...

    Quiet Bloom:
    Thank you for that - I now see what everyone was trying to tell me.
    If I am under the 1580 a day - will it be detrimental to my progress? Only because really, when my days are logged, I am usually not hungry anymore. And why would MFP give a number lower than needed?

    And what exactly is the meaning of the BMR? why do I not want to be under this normally? If I am under 1580 by a couple hundred calories or so am I doing harm? I have had days where I get a warning about too low of a consumption - but I pay attention the next day to be closer to that range - or I force myself to eat something else to get over the "too low 1200 minimum"

    Thank you again all for your help, I really appreciate it.

    Honestly, if your not hungry anymore, you are likely not logging correctly. It may be that your exercise calories are over estimated or your food calories under estimated. But you can figure that all out by using the 1580 + exercise calories eating plan and start tweaking it if necessary after a couple of weeks.

    BMR stands for 'basal metabolic rate'. These are the number of calories your body would need to function if all you did all day was lie in bed. Eating below our basic survival caloric needs can have an impact on your end results. More lean body mass will likely be consumed for energy than if you were in a more modest deficit. The goal is burn more fat than lean body mass. The way to do that is to meet your body's basic caloric and nutritional requirements
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member

    I am also assuming the 1896 that TDEE gave you already took 20% off, and that is the number you should be eating. So eat 1896 everyday, or eat 1580+exercise calories.

    Actually no, 1896 calories was BEFORE I removed the 20%. once I take off 20% from that I get the same calories as a day as MFP which is 1580.
    And the Scooby program someone directed me to advised me to eat 1574 calories a day.

    I dont know if this helps (not sure how to use it to calculate anything) but the BMR calculator on MFP gave me this:
    Your estimated BMR is: 1,643 calories/day* based on 5'11" and 190 lbs (now)

    I will stick to the MFP calories (1580) and see where I end up. I dont usually eat back my workout calories gained though.. is that a problem?

    I doubt that at 190 lbs and 5'11 you should be in the 2100+ TDEE.
    Using this: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/ with your stats and selecting no exercise, which you should pic the next level up, gave me over 2000 under all 3 BMR options to choose from. If you choose the next exercise level they all give me 2300+, which 80% of in 1800-1900.
  • eganita
    eganita Posts: 501 Member
    TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure. This number is intended to include your average weekly activity level (for mine, for example, I selected 5-6 hrs of vigorous workouts per week). The "desk job with little exercise" listed (referring to this page: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) is meant to be selected if that's truly your behavior. Based on what I've seen in this thread, it sounds like your activity level is more like "1-3 hrs per week of light exercise".

    Regarding this comment:
    I have a desk job, and logged that I would try for 20 minutes of exercise 3 times a week - I have so far logged more exercise than that - but wanted the 3 days and 20 minutes as a minimum - so I assume if I do more, it will only help me.

    If you're doing more workouts, you need to account for that. Perhaps it will help you to think of food as "fuel"... so it's not recommended that you put a fake/lower activity level into the TDEE calculator to "help" yourself. You should select the most accurate response. You later subtract calories (e.g. 20%) to account for your desired outcome (i.e. lose, gain, or stay the same weight).

    MFP is a totally different system where you do in fact eat back your exercise calories. It can be hard to accurately measure your calories burned on a daily basis, so I prefer the TDEE method. I also like to eat the same amount each day (regardless if I work out or not).

    All of that being said, these are just estimates so you may need to adjust your calories in practice (I would give it at least a few weeks before making any adjustments though).
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member

    I am also assuming the 1896 that TDEE gave you already took 20% off, and that is the number you should be eating. So eat 1896 everyday, or eat 1580+exercise calories.

    Actually no, 1896 calories was BEFORE I removed the 20%. once I take off 20% from that I get the same calories as a day as MFP which is 1580.
    And the Scooby program someone directed me to advised me to eat 1574 calories a day.

    I dont know if this helps (not sure how to use it to calculate anything) but the BMR calculator on MFP gave me this:
    Your estimated BMR is: 1,643 calories/day* based on 5'11" and 190 lbs (now)

    I will stick to the MFP calories (1580) and see where I end up. I dont usually eat back my workout calories gained though.. is that a problem?

    I doubt that at 190 lbs and 5'11 you should be in the 2100+ TDEE.
    Using this: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/ with your stats and selecting no exercise, which you should pic the next level up, gave me over 2000 under all 3 BMR options to choose from. If you choose the next exercise level they all give me 2300+, which 80% of in 1800-1900.

    I entered her stats and came up with the same number she did for BMR. I don't think it's necessary to over complicate things with new people. TDEE is a difficult concept to grasp, and it's easier to start them off with a BMR estimation and eating back exercise calories.
  • eganita
    eganita Posts: 501 Member
    I entered her stats and came up with the same number she did for BMR. I don't think it's necessary to over complicate things with new people. TDEE is a difficult concept to grasp, and it's easier to start them back with a BMR estimation and eating back exercise calories.

    Personally I think the TDEE calculator is easier, though I see your point that it could be a little confusing to understand the difference in the methods. I think it's also hard for newer people to estimate calories burned on a daily basis.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    The problem is that you're not using either calculator correctly.
    ok, so how am I reading them wrong? I came here to learn because I want to make sure I am doing things the right way...

    With TDEE you include everything you do in your activity level...you do not select sedentary if you work out. You have to be as honest as you can be with the descriptors. You also have to consider your day to day activity as well as your exercise here. Because exercise is included in your activity level, you wouldn't eat back exercise calories with this method...they are already included up front in the equation.

    With MFP (NEAT method) you just include your day to day type of living in your activity level. There is NO estimate of your exercise in your activity level...you account for that activity after the fact when you log it and get those calories to eat back. You account for exercise at the *kitten* end of the equation with this method. While you do set exercise goals in MFP, those goals are just for you and have no bearing on what MFP gives you for a calorie goal.

    Done correctly, they're going to come out about 6 of 1 in RE to your gross calorie intake. Here's my numbers as an example.

    TDEE - 20% = 2,250 calories

    MFP to lose 1 Lb per week calorie goal = 1,850

    It would look like there's a big difference in goals here...but there's not really. The TDEE # includes an estimate of my exercise already and MFP doesn't. Let's say my calorie burns average out to be around 400 calories per day (which they do when I include my rest day)...MFP would then give me a gross of 2,250 calories (hitting my net of 1,850)...pretty much bang on with my TDEE goal.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member

    I am also assuming the 1896 that TDEE gave you already took 20% off, and that is the number you should be eating. So eat 1896 everyday, or eat 1580+exercise calories.

    Actually no, 1896 calories was BEFORE I removed the 20%. once I take off 20% from that I get the same calories as a day as MFP which is 1580.
    And the Scooby program someone directed me to advised me to eat 1574 calories a day.

    I dont know if this helps (not sure how to use it to calculate anything) but the BMR calculator on MFP gave me this:
    Your estimated BMR is: 1,643 calories/day* based on 5'11" and 190 lbs (now)

    I will stick to the MFP calories (1580) and see where I end up. I dont usually eat back my workout calories gained though.. is that a problem?

    I doubt that at 190 lbs and 5'11 you should be in the 2100+ TDEE.
    Using this: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/ with your stats and selecting no exercise, which you should pic the next level up, gave me over 2000 under all 3 BMR options to choose from. If you choose the next exercise level they all give me 2300+, which 80% of in 1800-1900.

    I entered her stats and came up with the same number she did for BMR. I don't think it's necessary to over complicate things with new people. TDEE is a difficult concept to grasp, and it's easier to start them off with a BMR estimation and eating back exercise calories.

    I got a BMR close to that, but the TDEE was different. I suggested she just follow MFP (1580+exercise cals) the rest was discussion.
  • hmontigney
    hmontigney Posts: 56 Member
    I'm sort of new to TDEE myself but I'm starting to understand it a little more. I'm 5'3", 152.4 lbs and I'm 23 years old. I selected 1-3 hours a wk of light exercise and my daily calories to lose fat - 20% reduction is 1,650.

    According to MFP, with a lightly active setting and my stats, it tells me 1,480 BUT that's not counting exercise. Sticking with MFP and my 1,480 calories, let's say I exercise and burn 200 calories walking or jogging. That would then give me 1,680 calories to eat for the day.

    The calculators are roughly the same. TDEE includes exercise, MFP does not. That's the simplest way for me to understand it. Hope that helps.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    Thank you EVERYONE!

    I will work off of the MFP numbers for the next 2-4 weeks (totalling 4-6 on the program) and will see where I am then.
    I will also make sure that with MFP I will eat back at least 50% of my gained calories based on all your wonderful explanations.

    I am HUGELY appreciative to ALL of you for your replies... you have no idea how much the help means to me!!
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Thank you EVERYONE!

    I will work off of the MFP numbers for the next 2-4 weeks (totalling 4-6 on the program) and will see where I am then.
    I will also make sure that with MFP I will eat back at least 50% of my gained calories based on all your wonderful explanations.

    I am HUGELY appreciative to ALL of you for your replies... you have no idea how much the help means to me!!
    hurray for listening to the advice given with an open mind.

    That can be a rarity here on the forums. Yay, you!
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
    any caloric goal is an estimate, and honestly so is BMR unless you are including an accurate body fat percentage. the amount of muscle vs fat your body has can make a big difference, and online calculators can only figure an average based on height, age and weight. there's some experimentation involved.

    using myself as an example. when i found MFP, my BMR on scooby was 1484 and my TDEE was 1781, and recommended goal to lose was 1425 calories. i'm short, and with over 40% body fat (10% more than online calcs average), eating 1425 calories per day i didn't lose weight - not at all. i'm losing about a pound a week eating 1200 calories. yet years ago, i weighed the same, but was very muscular, and then i had to eat 2000 calories a day to maintain.

    so take it all with a grain of salt, more of a loose guideline, and keep an eye on your results.
  • tracymayo1
    tracymayo1 Posts: 445 Member
    Thanks again all. This week is my TOM week, so I am hoping that I will be better off next week.

    I have still managed to lose 4 lbs so far since I started 19 days ago... so that's something!