TDEE & BMR: What they are and what to do with them

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  • MistyAnneK
    MistyAnneK Posts: 68 Member
    edited March 2015
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    I have absolutely no idea if I figured this correctly. I used "Moderate activity" and got a TDEE of 2231 (15% deficit to 1897). My BMR is 1623. So I changed my goals to a caloric intake of 1897, Carbs 40%, Protein 30%, Fat 30%, fiber 30g, sodium 2500mg. Now...as long as I do not burn over 274 additional exercise calories a day (1897-1623) I should eat my new calorie goal of 1897, but if I burn more than that I need to eat those calories too?
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    MistyAnneK wrote: »
    I have absolutely no idea if I figured this correctly. I used "Moderate activity" and got a TDEE of 2231 (15% deficit to 1897). My BMR is 1623. So I changed my goals to a caloric intake of 1897, Carbs 40%, Protein 30%, Fat 30%, fiber 30g, sodium 2500mg. Now...as long as I do not burn over 274 additional exercise calories a day (1897-1623) I should eat my new calorie goal of 1897, but if I burn more than that I need to eat those calories too?

    The odds that you have calculated correctly the exercise only calorie burn such that the math there would work, would be unusual. Besides, in any 24 hr block of time, I doubt you'll actually hit those requirements.

    More to pay attention to.

    If you do more exercise than you used for estimating your activity level, then you eat back those calories less the same 15%.
    If you miss a planned workout, skip 100 calories that day. If you make it up, eat those 100 back.

    If you only included exercise in the time estimate, but your daily life is actually Lightly Active anyway outside exercise because of kids and family running around at night/weekends, then go up a level actually.
  • Kimgreen27
    Kimgreen27 Posts: 11 Member
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    Ok new to the game and want to make sure I have this correct! I went to my MFP and changed weight goal plus nutrition to what u suggested. Are u saying that I can input the calories I burn into MFP? Cuz if my TDEE -15%= 1909 and my BMR is 1449, I can burn up to 460 cals. Without adding to my cut TDEE. So say I got to the gym and burn 400cals I can input that into MFP? Won't it then say I have 1909 + 400 = 2309 cals to eat back for that day? Just need a little clarity on that part...thx
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    Kimgreen27 wrote: »
    Ok new to the game and want to make sure I have this correct! I went to my MFP and changed weight goal plus nutrition to what u suggested. Are u saying that I can input the calories I burn into MFP? Cuz if my TDEE -15%= 1909 and my BMR is 1449, I can burn up to 460 cals. Without adding to my cut TDEE. So say I got to the gym and burn 400cals I can input that into MFP? Won't it then say I have 1909 + 400 = 2309 cals to eat back for that day? Just need a little clarity on that part...thx

    Unless you feel like memorizing your daily eating goal and macro amounts - you do NOT want to log workout calories. If you do those things will be adjusted, just as you see they will.

    Just make a wall post about your workout with calorie burn and other fun details for your friends to see.

    And if you selected the correct TDEE level, rarely does that eating above BMR on workout day come up as an issue.
    Only if you had say 3 days of really hard workouts burning a lot of calories.
    But even in that case, look at 24 hrs from the workout in to the next day with no workout but eating a lot - you'll never find 24 hrs where you don't eat enough.
  • Kimgreen27
    Kimgreen27 Posts: 11 Member
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    heybales wrote: »
    Kimgreen27 wrote: »
    Ok new to the game and want to make sure I have this correct! I went to my MFP and changed weight goal plus nutrition to what u suggested. Are u saying that I can input the calories I burn into MFP? Cuz if my TDEE -15%= 1909 and my BMR is 1449, I can burn up to 460 cals. Without adding to my cut TDEE. So say I got to the gym and burn 400cals I can input that into MFP? Won't it then say I have 1909 + 400 = 2309 cals to eat back for that day? Just need a little clarity on that part...thx

    Unless you feel like memorizing your daily eating goal and macro amounts - you do NOT want to log workout calories. If you do those things will be adjusted, just as you see they will.

    Just make a wall post about your workout with calorie burn and other fun details for your friends to see.

    And if you selected the correct TDEE level, rarely does that eating above BMR on workout day come up as an issue.
    Only if you had say 3 days of really hard workouts burning a lot of calories.
    But even in that case, look at 24 hrs from the workout in to the next day with no workout but eating a lot - you'll never find 24 hrs where you don't eat enough.

    Thanks for the info.
    So are u following this plan? If so, how has it worked for u?
  • IronJill2015
    IronJill2015 Posts: 7 Member
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    Hey everyone!
    Glad I've found this post!!!
    My numbers:
    BMR: 1415
    TDEE: 1945
    Cut Value: 1653
    I'm trying to figure what I'm doing wrong...
    For the past 3 weeks I used my BMR 1415 as my goal, and logged my workout... hum.. I guess I was doing it wrong. ( and did not lose, btw... ) I was netting less than 1200.. should I care about that number or not?
    If I understand what Heybales is saying... I should use my CUT VALUE ( 1653) AS my GOAL... Then DON'T log my daily workout...
    Right?
    ( oh and so you know.. I'm french canadian... sorry for any misspelling... hope my english is okay :smile: )
  • 8HeatherMarie8
    8HeatherMarie8 Posts: 10 Member
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    I posted my question on another thread, but I think I got it. finally!
    BMR-1621
    TDEE-2513 (20-45 min HITT 3 x's per week, plus 2 days of either lifting or core work; moderately active)
    15% cut-2136 (average each day on MFP without adding in exercise and eating back those calories because it is already calculated into my TDEE)

    Fingers crossed I got this right!!!! I have been stuck for 3 solid months!! and that is NOT from eating too little I don't think. I actually feel like I was eating right before and getting no results, but did I start lifting heavier and went up about 5 pounds and it took FOREVER to go back down! Now, I'm back up those 5 pounds... I know it has something to do with my glycogen in my muscles... hoping that just sticking to a routine and this number (2136) is the key!!! UGH!
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    edited June 2015
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    HIIT is indeed a huge carb burner, even if not done truly as HIIT but as normal intervals.
    Body responds by storing more glucose. But that's only going to be about 1-2 lbs at most.
    Water retained in muscle for repair is more than that.

    Is the HIIT because you think it'll burn more fat than straight cardio?
    True, because it's closer to lifting to the body.
    If you have the time and schedule and must not dislike lifting - skip the HIIT - do more lifting, for the true effect.

    But you do indeed have the concept down.
    Did you include daily life outside of exercise in the TDEE chart guess?
    It's based only on exercise, not on being more active than sedentary desk job with no kids or pets or much in the way of other activity.
    You have to add that level separately.
  • 8HeatherMarie8
    8HeatherMarie8 Posts: 10 Member
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    Not sure if I did include my daily activity. I am always doing something! Single mom, cook, clean, I am a preschool teacher (though I have the summer off), and I actually exercise closer to 5-6 days per week. But when I select an option above moderately active on the Scooby site the TDEE I get would just stuff my belly!! Plus, I cook so many homemade meals it is difficult to really assess my calories from all of these recipes so I assume I am logging less than I am actually consuming... so I just figure that pans out. Could be wrong....
    The HIIT I choose usually involves weight (sets of squats combined with arm curls or an over-head press for example, and then some intense cardio in between rounds for about 4 minutes each.) and I LOVE to do it! I sweat so much! And I always feel great! tons of energy... Maybe I just need to go to straight weights on 3 days and then simple walking for the other 2 days...? could be I shocked my body with an overload of exercise... lol Thanx for your response!!!
  • Lindsgess
    Lindsgess Posts: 3 Member
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    Hello! So like everyone else I am so confused.. been trying to lose at least 5lbs for the past month now and have not lost a thing. I work out usually 6x a week with 2 days cardio (usually 30mins), 2 days resistance training (not heavy lifting), and 2 days of HIIT (gets my heart rate up). I chose Moderate exercise going by the hours a week. I am 5'0" and weigh 135. According to Scooby with a 20% calorie reduction my info is as follows:

    BMR: 1424
    TDEE: 2208
    Goal: 1776

    This seems very high to me though. Especially because on another calculator my BMR was 1305, which made sense because of my height and my calories per day were usually 1436, then I started calorie cycling (10052 cals/week), but I still have noticed no change. What do I do/ how many calories should I be consuming?
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    For both of you, to get a better estimate based on actual time of different types of exercises, and daily life included.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G7FgNzPq3v5WMjDtH0n93LXSMRY_hjmzNTMJb3aZSxM/edit?usp=sharing
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    Not sure if I did include my daily activity. I am always doing something! Single mom, cook, clean, I am a preschool teacher (though I have the summer off), and I actually exercise closer to 5-6 days per week. But when I select an option above moderately active on the Scooby site the TDEE I get would just stuff my belly!! Plus, I cook so many homemade meals it is difficult to really assess my calories from all of these recipes so I assume I am logging less than I am actually consuming... so I just figure that pans out. Could be wrong....
    The HIIT I choose usually involves weight (sets of squats combined with arm curls or an over-head press for example, and then some intense cardio in between rounds for about 4 minutes each.) and I LOVE to do it! I sweat so much! And I always feel great! tons of energy... Maybe I just need to go to straight weights on 3 days and then simple walking for the other 2 days...? could be I shocked my body with an overload of exercise... lol Thanx for your response!!!

    So link above to get better estimate.

    Homemade meals always different, such that doing the work on 1 recipe isn't worth it because you'll likely never eat it again?

    Ya, that's not HIIT. You could never do that workout non-HIIT. That's where the fad of HIIT is slapped on some routine that has always been intense, but really could never be non-intense.
    That's calisthenics with light weight. Nothing wrong with it, just different than true HIIT.
    And yes, would still benefit from true lifting 3 x weekly. During reset your routine is closer to circuit training though, and better.
    The workout you are doing will reach a point it's no longer hard on the muscles, merely your cardio system. So there won't be much need for any body improvements then.
  • 8HeatherMarie8
    8HeatherMarie8 Posts: 10 Member
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    Aha! Well, I think I get what you are saying.. that I am using good ol' fashion curcuit training. Forgive me, I am still learning!
    But the cardio (high knees, burpees, etc.) keeps my heart rate up in between rounds of lifting, and the lifting is heavy for me. I also keep it interesting with days of just steep hiking, or a 3 mile jog (which I also love). I am trying to incorporate more strength moves, as opposed to too much cardio.
    I WILL get this!!! lol...
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    If you do enough intense cardio between lifts, almost any weight can be made to feel heavy.

    To compare if it's actually heavy to your muscles though - use the same weight and reps without doing the cardio.
    Like before you do your next routine but after your warmup, pick one of the lifts and do it first.
    It shouldn't be nearly as hard now.
    And heavy on the muscle is what causes damage, which given adequate rest for recovery and repair will get stronger and maybe grow more if diet allows.
    The intense cardio makes it feel heavy only under those conditions. Which if that is the desire, then great. But it's not a load that requires the same improvements as lifting.
  • luvmylabz
    luvmylabz Posts: 12 Member
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    Bump
  • Emma33021
    Emma33021 Posts: 71 Member
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    One more confused person here...

    I had my calorie goal set at 1650 at MFP around 2.5 months ago (which was supposed to be my TDEE - 20% I think, based on some formula I found can't remember where).

    I have lost about 14 lbs since then, so now I recalculated to see if any changes need to be made.

    Using scoobysworkshop site:
    BMR = 1846
    TDEE = 2862
    Calorie cut = 2289 (I used 3-5hrs moderately active and 20% fat loss).

    I take circuit training classes 2-3/week, sometimes I would add yoga or replace one of those with kickboxing class.
    In general, I don't take more than 4 classes per week and they are 50-60 min each.
    Light walking on days when I don't exercise.

    As I understand .... Do I need set my calorie goal to 2289 and don't eat my exercise calories back? SO anything between 1846 and 2862 would be ok as a daily goal? Am I correct or am I missing something?


  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    edited October 2015
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    Almost correct, though the 20% could be rather aggressive unless you have over 60 lbs to lose to heathy weight.

    Considering the TDEE rough 5 level sites are only about exercise and not daily life - they assume your time outside of exercise is really sedentary - 45 hrs weekly deskjob & commute, no kids keeping you busy in evenings/weekends.

    If true you guessed the right rough level.

    With walking on other days, if you are more active than that outside exercise, you need to bump up at least between levels if not the whole next level.

    If no kids and sedentary desk job, then correct level.

    And then eat from 2289 (or whatever better estimated value) up to TDEE. Leave your BMR out of the eating equation, it should be in upper ranges, not trying to hit that line.

    Not below 2289 or whatever, unless you missed a planned workout, then drop 100 that day.
    If you make it up - eat 100 more on that day.
  • Emma33021
    Emma33021 Posts: 71 Member
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    Thanks for that!
    heybales wrote: »
    Almost correct, though the 20% could be rather aggressive unless you have over 60 lbs to lose to heathy weight.

    Considering the TDEE rough 5 level sites are only about exercise and not daily life - they assume your time outside of exercise is really sedentary - 45 hrs weekly deskjob & commute, no kids keeping you busy in evenings/weekends.

    If true you guessed the right rough level.

    With walking on other days, if you are more active than that outside exercise, you need to bump up at least between levels if not the whole next level.

    If no kids and sedentary desk job, then correct level.

    And then eat from 2289 (or whatever better estimated value) up to TDEE. Leave your BMR out of the eating equation, it should be in upper ranges, not trying to hit that line.

    Not below 2289 or whatever, unless you missed a planned workout, then drop 100 that day.
    If you make it up - eat 100 more on that day.

  • Emma33021
    Emma33021 Posts: 71 Member
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    heybales wrote: »
    Almost correct, though the 20% could be rather aggressive unless you have over 60 lbs to lose to heathy weight.

    Yes, I have about 63 lbs to lose. I am at 243, aiming at 180.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
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    So 20% is during the time you have over 60 to lose.
    Once you have less than 60 it's as if you started there, and reasonable drops to 15% until final 10 lbs, then 10%.