TDEE calculator accuracy

[JC Grifter]

Are TDEE calculators really that accurate? According to the calculator I’m currently in a 600- 700 cal deficit. I also do 30 minutes of cardio a day and heavy weight training four times a week. Mind you this the the first real cut I’ve ever done so I’m learning. Only don’t lean bulks and recomp. I am four weeks into my cutting cycle which is test and NPP. I wasn’t expecting to scale not to move too much because of water retention so I was using the mirror more as my guide. After four weeks It doesn’t look like I’ve lost an ounce of fat. Am I in too deep of a deficit so my bodies trying to hold onto fat? i’m not losing any strength and my muscle is definitely more full. So I need a bigger deficit? Below is an example of what a day of eating looks like currently.

1) granola pre workout
2) shake (Greek yogurt, banana, almond milk, natural peanut butter, spinach) and 2 hard boiled eggs
3) lunch - lean turkey, chicken, or tuna with 1 cup rice
4) Dinner - Lean meat or fish, sweet potatoes, rice, veggies,
5) cottage cheese.

Calories around 2,100-2,200
Protein 190-200 grams
Carbs 150 grams
Fat 70 grams

 

[Random2352313]

Did you find a solution to accurately calculating TDEE? I've tried multiple calculators that use different algorithms and none of them seem to be correct. At this point, I'm simply modifying my caloric intake by small amounts each week while tracking my strength/progress in the gym. I'm also using a fat caliper to gauge fat loss and recording the measurements in a journal.

I was out of commission due to an injury for quite awhile so it's hard to really known what my TDEE is after sitting on my ass for so long.

 

[Mac11wildcat]

You can likely get close but nothing is as accurate as simple standardizing your diet and activity for 2-4 weeks. Once you stop losing or gaining weight on a set level of cals and activity you have your new baseline.

 

[Piromanu87]

Wow, i am in exactly the same situation. 4 weeks in and weight is the same. I cant figure out what is happening.
I started at 3.700 calories maintenance. Slowly decreased to 2.200 calories a day and 0 weight loss.
WTF. I am way more active than before, eat 1.500 less calories and 0 weight loss.
Does the body use food more efficient, or what could be the reason weight stays the same?

 

[Pcs1215]

Wow, i am in exactly the same situation. 4 weeks in and weight is the same. I cant figure out what is happening.
I started at 3.700 calories maintenance. Slowly decreased to 2.200 calories a day and 0 weight loss.
WTF. I am way more active than before, eat 1.500 less calories and 0 weight loss.
Does the body use food more efficient, or what could be the reason weight stays the same?

I call BS. Your metabolism will slow down if calories are severely cut but there will still be weight loss (muscle, fat, water, ) while your body struggles to find homeostasis.
Yes, it gets a lot more complicated than cals in/cals out but in your situation I feel like you're a) not being honest/diligent enough with your nutrition b) are consuming more cals then you think, be it from liquids, condiments, etc.

You are not an anomaly. You need to correct something. Like suggested by another, determine a TDEE baseline over a couple weeks, subtract 500 from there..if you're still not losing weight from your baseline, again your nutrition/calculations will be off.

 

[Piromanu87]

I call BS. Your metabolism will slow down if calories are severely cut but there will still be weight loss (muscle, fat, water, ) while your body struggles to find homeostasis.
Yes, it gets a lot more complicated than cals in/cals out but in your situation I feel like you're a) not being honest/diligent enough with your nutrition b) are consuming more cals then you think, be it from liquids, condiments, etc.

You are not an anomaly. You need to correct something. Like suggested by another, determine a TDEE baseline over a couple weeks, subtract 500 from there..if you're still not losing weight from your baseline, again your nutrition/calculations will be off.

I think i was gaining water weight from test while losing fat. After 4 weeks weight is slowly going down. My arms are a little bigger and waist is smaller at the same weight.