calculating TDEE

[minion]

I had to google TDEE to figure out the acronym. I found this site, is it legit iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

[GoneFishing]

I can't link from my phone, but I use the TDEE calculator at fitnessfrog.com. I don't remember why I chose that one, but it seemed pretty accurate after doing the math the long way myself initially, so I've just stuck with it when needing to adjust my TDEE numbers for weight fluctuations.

[FTL]

I have found that this one to be the most accurate (as it incorporates a LOT and gives you a lot of information)
scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/


Ugh. I have been in a rut this week regarding this whole thing. Angry. I'm just angry.
Yup.
lol

[GoneFishing]

Do we want to sticky this thread?

[CNF]

Holy shit, the link FTL posted says to lose weight I need to eat almost 2200 calories a day. That's with the amount of exercise listed as 7-21 hours per week, which I'm at the low end of now and will push the mid to high range of for Ironman training. But yeesh, I could never eat that much. How on earth do you even eat that amount of calories in healthy foods? eating my regular healthy foods daily I'm around 1100-1400 any on given day. I wouldn't even know how to eat another 1000 in healthy calories. I don't think I could lose weight eating that much either. I mean, good god, it has me at almost 2800 for maintenance. I currently eat around 1600 for that. Like, what..? Maybe it's my ED addled brain, but I cannot work my head around this. 

[FTL]

Yeah, I have been struggling with this topic. Yesterday I ate 2,400 calories was like uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhsoooooooofullllllllllllllllll But it's worth a shot. I have been stuck at this weight and muscular definition far too long. I want to look more defined, and I'm pretty sure it's my caloric intake that is causing me to be unable to do so. I usually sit at 1,500 a day, and that's not net. Big problem.

[GoneFishing]

I calculated my TDEE as sedentary, subtracted 20%, and then put that into MFP as my goal. I enter my workouts or anything else particularly active normally, so those calories get added to it. It's the first time I've consistently lost weight in almost a year.

As for how I eat more, mine for sedentary is only 350-400 from what I WAS eating, so I divide it up throughout my day. I added 100 calories to my breakfast, 50 calories to lunch and each of my 2 snacks, and 100 calories to dinner (which has been the hardest part, and doesn't always happen). I eat within 100 of either side of the goal pretty consistently.

As far as WHY it's working (at least for me), I have zero scientific proof to back this up but my best guess/theory is that it
a) keeps my blood sugar stable and my body constantly fueled, which is keeping me healthier and letting my body operate at a higher efficiency
b) gives my body a very standardized amount and schedule of fuel (I don't have near the swings of 300 over one day, right on one day, 200 over one day anymore) so it doesn't hold onto fat and whatnot as hard or as quickly
c) The steady eating all day has upped my metabolism.

[CNF]

See, I also work a desk job and unless I'm out at a program, I sit around all day long. But on the flip side I workout 5-7 days a week for anywhere between 1-3 hours a day. Sooo, I'm not really sure how to equate my activity level here.

[GoneFishing]

Aug 25, 2013 15:41:04 GMT -5 CNF said:

See, I also work a desk job and unless I'm out at a program, I sit around all day long. But on the flip side I workout 5-7 days a week for anywhere between 1-3 hours a day. Sooo, I'm not really sure how to equate my activity level here.

Like I said, I figured it for my daily life sans workout and add the workout calories in. The alternative is to figure to include your workouts (the one on fitness frog at least lists the "activity levels" to include working out X number of days per week) and NOT eat back your workout calories.

Either way should give the same results, theoretically.

[CNF]

Ahhh, good call Stage!