Who uses their MFP calorie goal or the iifym TDEE goal?

I use the TDEE goal. Entering individual exercises is just too tedious and not very accurate.

I'm not aiming to lose weight at the moment, but when I have, I've been successful.

I used my MFP goal. Regardless, after you eat back your exercise calories through MFP, you should be averaging around the same number of calories per week, it's just distributed different.

If you get more calories per week using IIFYM using your calculations, then your rate of loss will slow down.

kmab1985 wrote: »

But aren't you not supposed to eat all your exercise calories on MFP, if thats the case then my MFP goal is lower than my TDEE Goal i.e. MFP 1200 + 336 for exercise today, if I only eat 50% of those exercise calories then I'd only be getting 1368 calories which is 157 less than the 1525 calculated on iifym...

Think I may just stick to the MFP goals but I too just wanted a daily intake which included exercise so I didnt have to keep inputting my daily activity.

Yes, but I am comparing it with your actual rate of loss, not your MFP projected rate of loss. If you eat more calories but workout the same amount, you will lose slower.

Why would you feel guilty for eating your exercise calories?

Take a look at 1.2 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbs, .25 grams of fat per pound and see where that puts you. This is what my girlfriend and I do based on a great program from Mike Matthews. We have both leaned out and added muscle. This figures on 4-6 hours of weight lifting per week.

kmab1985 wrote: »

I feel guilty because I read that your not supposed to eat them all as they are not accurate but somes times I need more food :-)

If you need them you need them.

Eating a portion of exercise calories is often suggested as a way to start. Eat a certain percentage, such as 50%, for four weeks and then look at your progress and determine whether you should/could eat more or should/could eat fewer. There's no absolute rule for everybody. When I use the MFP calorie goal, I eat 100% of my exercise calories and still lose. Other people eat 0% and lose. Do what is best for you.

And yes, you can eat too little. Your MFP base goal already has the weight loss factored in. Eat that amount to lose weight. Eating less means that you will lose more weight and/or quite possibly stall out because you'll be so hungry that you fall off the plan, reduce your non-exercise activity to a level that decreases your overall calorie burn, etc.

kmab1985 wrote: »

Current weight loss is 1-2lbs a week although Im just getting back on track following my wedding etc...in 4 weeks I lost 4lb. Can you eat too little? i.e if you dont eat ur exercise calories back should I be eating my 1200?? Also is the 1200 based in a calorie deficit already? i.e has MFP already deducted calories in order for me to lose weight?.

If you're losing 1-2 pounds a week you're dialed in pretty well, so no point in playing with online calculators -- you can look at your log and figure your TDEE from that -- just take a look at your average daily calorie intake for the weeks you were losing OK and call that your TDEE. That assumes your exercise schedule from week to week is pretty consistent...if it isn't, TDEE probably isn't a good option for you.