My net calories are pretty low is that bad or good?

wilson_76

I am pretty active because i play sports year round. I am supposed to eat around 1800 calories a day to lose weight. Most days i work out way over 1000 calories (just what i can list) and my net calories are only in the hundreds sometimes low hundreds. should i eat more to raise my net calories higher to 1800? I'm usually not even that hungry. any suggestions I'm new to this

AmandaErdely

Good question is like to know the answer to that too

David2788

From what I have read previously on here, people tend to advise eating back half of your workout calories.

hungryinsomniac

This is fine. While taking to account your busy lifestyle check out a calorie calculator and make sure your cal intake is what is recommended. Since you want to lose weight, this is fine. Being a low net means you will lose weight faster, if youre hungry up your intake a little

kennetho_07

If you think your calorie total is low that's fine. If you are feeling supper hungry all the time up that number and slow your wieght lose down.

wilson_76

okay thanks ill make sure i get to my daily calorie suggestion and eat some of the workout calories back if I'm hungry

Josh_ATX

That sounds really low. If you aren't getting enough calories, especially with being active in sports, your body will start to metabolize lean tissue and muscle, not just fat. Ultimately it can hurt more than it helps. Keep an eye on your body fat % if you can. If you are losing body weight faster than body fat, you're probably burning muscle.

Here are a couple articles that cover what I'm talking about:
Why Big Caloric Deficits and Lots of Activity Can Hurt Fat Loss
What Happens to Muscle If You Lose Weight Too Fast?

Sued0nim

MFP Exercise calories overestimate - cut them in half

Yes you should aim to reach net calories across the week which is your goal. You need to fuel your body and preserve as much LBM as possible as you lose weight.

Open your diary if you want specific advice