calories???

alencse
alencse Posts: 5 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am new to fitness pal and I am confused about how the calorie thing work. They stated that I should be on a 1200 calorie diet to reach my weight goal. However, when I workout the calories that I worked off the program says I should eat more then. Is that correct? Won't I just maintain my weight then???

Replies

  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    A calorie deficit is what is required for weight loss.

    There is already a deficit built in when it gives you that calorie goal. That means that you do not need to exercise to lose weight. All you have to do is eat whatever number MFP tells you to eat and you will lose weight.

    That being said, exercise IS recommended. When you exercise, you further increase the deficit that is already there, to a possibly unhealthy level. You need to fuel your body and make sure you're getting adequate nutrition.

    ETA:

    Your goal is 1200.
    You eat 1200 and currently NET 1200.
    You burn 200 from exercise.
    Your NET calories are now 1000.
    You need to NET 1200.
    This means now you need to eat another 200 to NET 1200 again.

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