TDEE estimates all over the map (exercise, calories, losing, add)

[aneye4detail]

I went to three different sites to calculate my TDEE. I told them all my age, weight, that I'm sedentary (I'll add any exercise separately) and I got the following info:


Site 1: 1544
Site 2: 1693
Site 3: 1815


Well, I'd love to go with site 3, cuz I'd get to eat more. Without exercise, if I want to lose 1 pound a week, with site 1's estimate, I get to eat a whopping 1044 calories. WTF. This sucks.

[L2DB]

IMO:


Consider aiming for 1/2 pound per week.
Go with the middle one, track meticulously for a few weeks, then re-evaluate. If you are losing, great. If not, drop your starting point by 100 cals. Rinse/repeat.


Edit: I agree that 1,044 cals/day would suck. At that point, you're likely going to need to set aside calories are calories and focus more on what you're eating to get those calories so as to remain satiated.