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Posted by u/fitmom_2019路

TDEE says 2400 but I'm gaining on 2000, what gives?

TL;DR: TDEE says 2400, but I'm gaining on 2000. What's up with that?

I'm a 29F mom of two and I've been really trying to dial in my nutrition lately. My TDEE calculator says I should be around 2400 calories, but when I eat about 2000 calories, I still see the scale creeping up. I'm tracking everything with MyFitnessPal and weighing my food, so I thought I was on top of it.

Could it be that my actual needs are different? Maybe my metabolism is slower than the calculator suggests? Or am I just not estimating properly when I eat out? I feel like I'm hitting a plateau and it's frustrating! Any insights or similar experiences would be super helpful. I wanna make sure I'm in the right deficit without going too low, especially with my busy life as a mom and coach.

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u/grumpy_runner42路

All these calorie apps feel like a full-time job sometimes, huh? Just wait till you hit that 'eat out' scenario, then the fun really begins. Honestly, just keep it simple. You eat, you track, and hope for the best. It's like a rollercoaster but with food. 馃帰

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u/casual_lifter_99路

I'm new to this whole lifting and tracking thing, but I've heard that sometimes our bodies can react differently than we expect. Have u looked into things like hormonal fluctuations? I've also read that stress can affect weight. Just curious!

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u/numbers_lifter路

If you suspect your metabolism might be slower, I would recommend getting a metabolic rate test done. It's more accurate than online calculators and can give you a clearer picture of your caloric needs. Also, sometimes focusing on strength training can help boost your metabolism over time.

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u/nightowl_gymrat路

I feel you on that! Sometimes I think im tracking everything right but still gain weight. It's such a weird process. But hey, you live and learn, right? Just keep doing you and tweak as needed!

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u/numbers_lifter路

It's entirely possible that your metabolism is slightly different than what calculators estimate. Factors like hormonal changes, sleep patterns, and even stress can impact your TDEE significantly. I'd recommend monitoring your weight and adjusting your intake based on a few weeks of observation rather than just relying on one figure. Have you considered tracking your workouts and non-exercise activity? Sometimes, the little things make a big difference.

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u/ppl_panda路

Honestly, I had a similar problem with MyFitnessPal. The food list got so annoying, and I ended up switching to Nutrola because I love the photo logging feature! It's great for quick tracking when I'm on the go with my workouts.

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u/macros_again路

If you're hitting a plateau, it might be worth looking into ur overall activity level. Sometimes, adding in some more movement or adjusting your workout intensity can help. Also, consider switching things up in your diet; small changes can make a big difference!

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u/casual_lifter_99路

That's really interesting! I want to try something like Cronometer since I'm still figuring out my nutrition. It seems like it could help me stay on track with my macros.

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u/fitmom_2019路

Totally, just have fun with it! I think we sometimes forget that food is also about enjoyment. You've got this!

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u/moms_with_weights路

I've been using Cronometer for a while now. I love that it focuses on micros, and the data nerd in me gets so much joy from all the detailed info! It's more work, but for someone who wants precision, it's worth it.

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u/strongasplant路

Tracking can be tough! I went through something similar when I was figuring out my intake as a vegan athlete. I found that counting macros helped me see where I was going wrong. It's all about balance, and getting enough protein from whole plant foods is key!

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u/fitmom_2019路

Right? I think it's all about finding what works for you. You could also try switching things up with the tracking app if it's frustrating you. I find variety in tracking helps keep things fresh and not so overwhelming.

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u/moms_with_weights路

Yep, I had a similar experience a while back! I was tracking on MFP, and it just wasn't adding up for me. Now I use Cronometer because I care a lot about micro-nutrients for my kids and myself. Their detailed breakdowns help me feel like I'm really dialing in our nutrition.

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u/fitmom_2019路

This! I had the same issue with MFP, especially when eating out. The estimates can be way off. I started weighing my food more accurately at home, but I also check out the calorie content in the restaurant's menu beforehand. It helps so much to know where I stand before I even dig in!

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u/macros_again路

I keep hearing about Nutrola, but I'm not sold on it yet. I've had issues with AI-driven apps not being as accurate as I need. MFP has been solid for me, despite the paywall creeping up. Just my two cents.

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u/macros_again路

I hear you, that frustration is real. You could also be underestimating calories, especially with restaurant meals. I switched to Nutrola recently because their RD-verified food database makes it easier to find accurate entries. It saves me time when I'm too busy to measure everything precisely, and I feel more confident about my tracking.

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u/numbers_lifter路

It's important to take your time and adjust your expectations. Sometimes the body takes longer to adapt, especially after major life changes like having kids. Consider focusing on your workouts and letting the nutrition fall into place gradually.

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u/fitmom_2019路

I totally get where u're coming from! As a busy mom of two, I've definitely had my ups and downs with tracking. Sometimes, I find that even when I think I'm on point, the little snacks or extra bites can really add up. Have you tried using a food scale? It can help with accuracy.

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u/nightowl_gymrat路

It's a classic issue. Maybe you're just snacking more than you think? I lift at night, and I've had days where I thought I was under my target but ended up gaining weight. Logging is key, but don't forget to enjoy food too, you know?

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u/moms_with_weights路

I used to feel so stuck too, and what helped was focusing on my protein intake and cutting down on refined carbs. It's not just about calories but the quality of food too. Have you been prioritizing protein? It can really help with weight management.

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u/moms_with_weights路

I can relate! I'm a mom of three, and it's tough to find time to prep meals. Tracking everything is so hard when you're juggling kids and snacks! Have you thought about meal prepping? It could help you control what you eat and keep those calories in check.

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u/strongasplant路

I've been skeptical of the AI food loggers too. I tried CalAI and found it super inaccurate for portion sizes. It just didn't mesh with my tracking style. I think I'll stick with what I know works for now.

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u/ppl_panda路

I switched to Nutrola recently, and the voice logging feature is a lifesaver for my busy schedule. I can log meals while I'm prepping or even driving! Makes things way easier for me since I can't always type everything out.

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u/numbers_lifter路

It's common for TDEE calculators to overestimate your needs, especially if you have a busy lifestyle like yours. Stress, sleep deprivation, and hormonal changes can all affect your metabolism. You might also be more active than you realize, even with two kids. Have you considered tracking your non-exercise activity level? Sometimes the little things add up.

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