So you think TDEE gives you too many calories...

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Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    edited February 2015
    For all of you throwing around numbers claiming something works better than something else... don't forget that all those numbers are just estimates, and that there are a number of factors at play that could make those estimates reasonably accurate or highly inaccurate.

    As such, most people will go through a period of time involving lots of trial and error as they figure out which methods work and which don't work based on how they estimate. It doesn't mean one method is inherently better than another, it just means that one method may work better for that specific person.
  • ehuschka
    ehuschka Posts: 47 Member
    CM9178 wrote: »
    your fitbit is ideally supposed to be giving you the TDEE number, isn't it????

    If you have it set as Personalized (the standard option) it will give you a TDEE like number. The only difference is that at the end of the day it can jump one way or the other if you are less active than usual or more active than usual.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    segacs wrote: »
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    I do like the TDEE method but MFP is working better for me psychologically - because for me it's really important to incorporate exercise into my life and tying it to the reward of eating more food makes sure I get it done. So I'm basically just manipulating myself but it works for me.
    -

    See, and I think it's the opposite for me. I'm trying to train myself out of the habit of viewing food as a reward for exercise, because for me, that's a negative cycle that leads to nowhere good. In the past, I'd do an hour on the treadmill and then reward myself with a pint of ice cream, which worked about as well as you'd expect.

    But then, I'm trying to train myself out of viewing food as a reward for any good behaviour, or as a comfort for stress. Someone without my history of emotional eating issues might not have the same problem.

    That makes sense to me. I never developed a pattern of using food as a reward in that way so I don't worry about triggering negative behavior. I'm more of a boredom eater so the exercise has the added benefit of being something to do lol.

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    segacs wrote: »
    sofaking6 wrote: »
    I do like the TDEE method but MFP is working better for me psychologically - because for me it's really important to incorporate exercise into my life and tying it to the reward of eating more food makes sure I get it done. So I'm basically just manipulating myself but it works for me.
    -

    See, and I think it's the opposite for me. I'm trying to train myself out of the habit of viewing food as a reward for exercise, because for me, that's a negative cycle that leads to nowhere good. In the past, I'd do an hour on the treadmill and then reward myself with a pint of ice cream, which worked about as well as you'd expect.

    But then, I'm trying to train myself out of viewing food as a reward for any good behaviour, or as a comfort for stress. Someone without my history of emotional eating issues might not have the same problem.

    I think that's an excellent mindset to have.

    Personally, I've always used food to comfort me. Eating simply makes me feel better, so it's my solution for most every problem. I've been trying to pay more attention to my mood and my triggers, and be more proactive about things so I don't have to turn to food. I win some and lose some, but I'm winning more now than I used to be, and that just might be the best progress I can make.
  • 3furballs
    3furballs Posts: 476 Member
    I'm torn between using TDEE and not logging in my exercise burn or using the MFP way and getting to log all the exercise (feels good to see it). Actually when I switched them, the MFP goals with my exercises added in gave me more calories than the TDEE in which I would not add my exercise calories since they're already included.
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Ultimately both those methods are just a way to get a starting point. You should be adjusting based on real-world results, since no calculator is going to be 100% accurate for your body.

    If it feels good to you to see your exercise logs, then maybe that's the method that works better for you.
  • higgins8283801
    higgins8283801 Posts: 844 Member
    CM9178 wrote: »
    your fitbit is ideally supposed to be giving you the TDEE number, isn't it????

    My fitbit is extremely close to my estimated tdee at the end of the day, yes.

  • krysmuree
    krysmuree Posts: 326 Member
    edited February 2015
    I'd love to follow TDEE but I like eating my calories back. :p

    I did TDEE a couple of years back and it really worked for me then - I should switch back but lazy.
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    I personally feel all the numbers and estimates are confusing and unnecessary for most people. They are estimates after all and even with all the fitness gadgetry available they still have a margin of error. I find it much MUCH easier to just pick a reasonable number for a calorie goal, say 10 x your weight in lbs as an example, and just use that number to start. Eat it consistently every day. After a few weeks if you lost weight at an appropriate rate, don't change anything. If you didn't lose weight, reduce the number by 10% and try again. If you lost too much weight or were hungry the whole time, increase the number a little. This method is surefire. Usually within a month or so you have your calories zeroed in. You can also continuously adjust the number based on results. If you aren't losing weight, even if the tdee estimator or fitbit says you should be, you are eating too much and need to reduce intake. I find it's much easier then getting frustrated that you aren't losing when a device or equation says you should be.
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