MacroFactor's adaptive algorithm is a powerful tool for accurately tracking your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). By analyzing your weight trends and nutritional intake, the app continuously refines its estimate of your energy needs. However, there are several scenarios where a manual adjustment or reset is necessary. This includes starting the app with a known TDEE, returning after a long break, or correcting for a period of inconsistent logging.
Method 1: Resetting Your Expenditure Calculation
This method is ideal for users returning to the app after a break or those who have had a period of inconsistent logging. It forces the app to discard older data and begin the expenditure calculation from a new start date.
- Navigate to the 'More' Tab: On the main screen, tap the 'More' button located in the bottom right corner.
- Access Expenditure Settings: Scroll down and select 'Expenditure' from the 'Feature Settings' section.
- Edit the Start Date: Find and tap the 'Edit' button next to 'Calculation Start Date'.
- Select a New Date: Choose the most recent date from which you want the app to start calculating your expenditure. Tap 'Save Date'.
After completing these steps, the app will begin recalibrating your expenditure based on new data. It typically takes 2-3 weeks of consistent tracking for the algorithm to get a precise estimate.
Method 2: Setting a Manual Initial Expenditure
If you have a reliable estimate of your TDEE from another source, you can manually input it to give MacroFactor a more accurate starting point than its initial formula-based guess.
- Go to 'More' and 'Expenditure': Follow the same initial steps as Method 1.
- Change the Estimation Method: Tap 'Edit' next to 'Estimation Method' and select 'Manual'.
- Enter Your Value: Input your known daily energy expenditure estimate and tap 'Save'.
- Align Start Date (Important): For this change to take effect immediately, you must also reset your 'Calculation Start Date' to a recent day, as in Method 1. This ensures your new manual figure impacts the current coaching targets.
Method 3: Using a Static Expenditure Estimate
For those who prefer a consistent calorie target without the app's dynamic weekly adjustments, you can switch to a static expenditure estimate. This is useful for fixed periods, like a short maintenance phase or a break from active weight tracking.
- Find 'Expenditure Calculation': Navigate to the 'More' tab and then 'Expenditure'.
- Switch to Static Mode: Tap 'Edit' next to 'Calculation Mode' and select 'Static'.
- Set Your Static Value: Enter your desired daily expenditure value. MacroFactor will now base your recommendations on this fixed number.
Warning: When using a static estimate, the app's coaching will stop making weekly adjustments. If you switch back to the 'Dynamic' mode, the algorithm will resume its learning process and adjust targets based on your tracked weight and nutrition.
Comparing Expenditure Adjustment Methods
| Feature | Resetting Calculation | Setting Manual Initial Expenditure | Using Static Expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Users returning after a break or correcting bad data | Experienced users with a strong TDEE estimate | Fixed calorie targets during maintenance or short breaks |
| Setup Difficulty | Easy, just select a new date | Easy, requires knowing your target TDEE | Easy, requires knowing your target TDEE |
| Adjustments | The algorithm relearns over 2-3 weeks | Algorithm starts from your input and refines over time | No automatic adjustments; targets remain fixed |
| Time to Adapt | 2-3 weeks for precision | Quicker than a full reset if your estimate is good | Instant, but lacks real-time adaptation |
| Coaching Impact | Pauses dynamic coaching temporarily | Improves initial coaching recommendations | Disables dynamic coaching |
Factors That Influence MacroFactor's Expenditure Calculation
Beyond manual intervention, MacroFactor's algorithm is primarily influenced by consistent and accurate logging of two key pieces of data: your weight and your calorie intake. The app uses these inputs to calculate your TDEE based on the principle of energy balance: Calories in - Calories out = Change in stored energy.
- Consistent Weight Tracking: Logging your weight consistently, ideally daily, on the same scale, helps the app filter out daily fluctuations (like water weight) and identify your true weight trend.
- Consistent Nutrition Logging: Accurately logging your food intake provides the 'Calories in' side of the equation. Avoiding partial logging is crucial, as this can severely skew the app's perception of your true intake.
- Expenditure Version: MacroFactor regularly updates its algorithm to be more accurate and responsive. Checking that you are on the latest version, like V3, can improve the precision of your expenditure calculation. Go to 'Settings' > 'Expenditure' > 'Expenditure Version'.
What if Your Expenditure Is Dropping?
If you see your expenditure estimate dropping, it's not necessarily a sign of a broken algorithm. Often, it reflects metabolic adaptation, where your body becomes more efficient and burns fewer calories as you lose weight. Instead of fighting this, consider these options:
- Trust the Process: MacroFactor is designed to adapt with you. If your expenditure drops, the app's coaching will adjust your calorie targets to keep you losing weight at your desired rate.
- Take a Diet Break: A maintenance phase can help reset your metabolism. This gives your body a break from a caloric deficit, and your expenditure may increase as a result.
- Adjust Your Goal Rate: If your expenditure is decreasing because your metabolism is slowing, you can adjust your weight loss goal rate to be slightly less aggressive. This can make the process more sustainable.
Conclusion
Knowing how to change expenditure on MacroFactor allows you to take control of your nutrition tracking experience. Whether you're resetting the calculation after a hiatus, inputting a more accurate initial estimate, or setting a static target for a maintenance phase, these tools empower you to ensure your app's recommendations are perfectly aligned with your progress. By combining these manual adjustments with consistent logging, you can leverage MacroFactor's powerful algorithm to reach your fitness goals more effectively.
