How to confirm TDEE

[u/Frequent-Advisor6986]

How can you scientifically confirm TDEE? Where would you go? The reason I ask is that as a lean adult (F) 15 years ago, when I tracked calories daily to maintain my weight, my maintenance calories were 1750. I was in my early 30s and was in the best shape of my life, lean but muscular, and beautiful and healthy. Even though I wasn’t an athlete, people always assumed I was due to my build.

Whenever I’ve needed to lose weight in the past, I’d always need to cut back to about 1200 calories, which makes it about a 500 calorie deficit to the old maintenance calories. That makes sense.

But even now when I weigh almost 100 pounds more than that (!!!), even a 1500 calorie/day diet has me modestly gaining weight. None of the TDEE calculators that account come close to that, even for just the basal rate.

I’m thinking that maybe I need to target 1000-1200 calories or less while on Wegovy to see a gradual loss. However, I feel like if I say that out loud then all the naysayers will come out of the woodwork and scream about starving myself and killing my metabolism, yada yada.

I just think those calculators do not reflect reality for me and I’d like to confirm that, but how/where?

[u/Upstate-walstib]

The calculators are estimates only and for me not accurate. Just try tweaking your calories by 200-300 calories a day for a week or two and you will find your sweet spot. I am 5’6” 54F hypothyroid and perimenopausal. For weight loss I need to be 1100 or less calories even with exercise. I lost 89 pounds on Zepbound and my DEXA scan after I hit goal was excellent so that caloric intake didn’t hurt me. I know everyone says don’t go below 1200 but that’s just not reality for everyone. My doctor was fine with 1100 calories aiming for 45% protein 35% carbs 20% fat.

[u/Frequent-Advisor6986 → u/Upstate-walstib]

OMGosh thank you. I’m 46, mildly hypothyroid, and going through major perimenopause symptoms, especially in the last 2 years. I’ve gained 24 pounds in the last year alone, despite calorie restriction. That’s the whole reason I’m here and on this medication. I went through a layoff event and had to let my entire staff go in March, so I stopped calorie tracking for three weeks. As I dealt with the emotional burden and let my hunger be a guide to eat, I gained 4 pounds. 🤦‍♀️. I’m taking HRT to deal with the symptoms and I feel like my weight is a runaway train.

[u/Upstate-walstib → u/Frequent-Advisor6986]

I am on HRT as well. Hypothyroidism and perimenopause is a dreadful combination