TDEE Confusion

september_rose
september_rose Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
To keep it simple, I run 4 miles daily, but for me I feel like selecting anything over 'moderately active' is too high when calculating TDEE. Even though I'm running every day, I'm not very fast, so I feel like it isn't as intense as the TDEE would assume.

TDEE sets at 2257 for moderately active. I'm looking to lose body fat, about 8-10 pounds. I understand that by eating lower than my TDEE, I'll lose weight. Where I get confused is this- if I cut out about 400 from the TDEE, dropping it down to about 1850, would the 1850 be total or net?

I'm slimming down slowly, but I just want to make sure I'm not overestimating how much I can eat. Stats are 5'7 and 135, about 19% bodyfat I'm looking to drop it down to around 15% by December-ish, so I'm not in any hurry. Any help is appreciated!

Replies

  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Since your TDEE already includes your exercise in the calculation, you do not eat back exercise calories with this method. You'd eat 1850 total everyday whether you exercise that day or not.

    It's important to note that the numbers you get from a calculator are always just estimates. No one fits exactly into the activity modifiers. Try it for a few weeks and adjust as necessary if you're not losing at the pace you expect.
  • Booda101
    Booda101 Posts: 161 Member
    1850 would be your total because TDEE takes into account your exercise already.
  • september_rose
    september_rose Posts: 2
    Awesome, thank you guys so much! That definitely clears it up :smile:

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