Here's why I don't eat back my exercise calories.

deemar54

I have been reading lot of controversy on why one should or should not eat back their exercise calories. I have also been reading the entire spectrum of response, from those who believe if one does not eat back their exercise calories they will shrivel up into nothing and blow away as dust particles in the wind to those who believe that eating back your exercise calories will cause you to not lose any weight at all.


Here's my take. I MOSTLY elect not to eat mine back. *gasp* (cue the waste away to dust crowd here.) However, before that bunch starts spraying me with sealant to keep me together before the next wind comes, allow me to elaborate. If I have a particularly brutal workout, and I am ravenously hungry that day then sure, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will eat back and not feel bad about it in the least. Most days, this doesn't happen. I am actually less hungry on days I have especially trying workouts than on my rest days. Now, on days where I run/walk/use the elliptical or stationary bike for 30-45 minutes I will not eat my calories back. I tend to believe MFP overestimates caloric burn in cardiovascular exercise and I feel like eating them back at the point where the calculated burn is somewhere around 500, or less that eating them back could be counteractive to what I'm trying to do. I honestly believe that if one is hungry then one should eat. Starvation is not necessary when making a lifestyle change.

So. Do you eat back your calories that you burn while exercising? Why or why not? I am interested in opinions on this one and how well eating them back or not works for you.

BeantownSooner

Agree with you...eat when hungry and will worry about it when I'm sub-20% body fat.

taunto

I tend to eat back my calories burned because I don't like losing muscle.

You will lose weight if you eat too little. No doubt. Starving African kids (and Olsen twins) have done it. Its about wether you will look like an African Starving kid when you do reach your goal weight or not.

pastryari

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1047512-do-you-eat-back-your-exercise-calories?hl=exercise+calories#posts-16081701

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1047325-hard-eating-back-exercise-calories?hl=exercise+calories#posts-16078452

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1046262-food-vs-exercise-calories?hl=exercise+calories#posts-16060311

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1035368-do-i-have-to-eat-all-my-exercise-calories?hl=exercise+calories

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1043598-confused-about-exercise-calories?hl=exercise+calories#posts-16018182

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1043083-how-many-exercise-calories?hl=exercise+calories&page=1#posts-16009990

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1042639-eating-back-exercise-calories?hl=exercise+calories

toomanycats75

I do what the OP does -- hopefully, I will have good results in the long term.

pastryari

I have been reading lot of controversy on why one should or should not eat back their exercise calories. I have also been reading the entire spectrum of response, from those who believe if one does not eat back their exercise calories they will shrivel up into nothing and blow away as dust particles in the wind to those who believe that eating back your exercise calories will cause you to not lose any weight at all.


Here's my take. I MOSTLY elect not to eat mine back. *gasp* (cue the waste away to dust crowd here.) However, before that bunch starts spraying me with sealant to keep me together before the next wind comes, allow me to elaborate. If I have a particularly brutal workout, and I am ravenously hungry that day then sure, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will eat back and not feel bad about it in the least. Most days, this doesn't happen. I am actually less hungry on days I have especially trying workouts than on my rest days. Now, on days where I run/walk/use the elliptical or stationary bike for 30-45 minutes I will not eat my calories back. I tend to believe MFP overestimates caloric burn in cardiovascular exercise and I feel like eating them back at the point where the calculated burn is somewhere around 500, or less that eating them back could be counteractive to what I'm trying to do. I honestly believe that if one is hungry then one should eat. Starvation is not necessary when making a lifestyle change.

So. Do you eat back your calories that you burn while exercising? Why or why not? I am interested in opinions on this one and how well eating them back or not works for you.

So you say you've read all the controversial threads on MFP, still want to believe what you want to believe (even though that is not using the system the way it is intended) and now you want even more feedback? Were the thousands of threads ALREADY on the subject not enough responses for you?

I don't know why you're even asking the question as you've clearly made up your mind to believe what you want to believe.

Sounds to me like you just created this thread because you wanted to post your justification for not eating your exercise calories back. Way to go?

Wow, holy rude. You are completely incorrect. I asked the question because I find the topic interesting and I'm interested as to see what the response is in a more recent thread, so I posted one so I can see what other people say. Quite honestly, I'm not sure why you even bothered to answer if its not something you even wanted to talk about. So really, if you have to be such a jerk, please find another place to do it.

I wasn't being rude or a jerk.

In a more recent thread? We get these threads daily and the responses are usually pretty much the same. Would you like me to link you to some?

No. I definitely am reading what you're saying as rude AND being a jerk. So you win both prizes. Ultimately, I'd like you to take a hike. :flowerforyou:

Why? Because you didn't like what I had to say?

You posted on a public forum and therefore do not get to control who responds to a thread. I linked some threads anyway.

TrailRunner61

I gained weight when I was eating all of my exercise calories, while using a good HRM. Now, I'm being more careful and eating 'extra' calories only when hungry. I think that the problem was that I was relying on the HRM being 100% accurate and while being close to goal, they add up and matter, a lot!

taunto

I have been reading lot of controversy on why one should or should not eat back their exercise calories. I have also been reading the entire spectrum of response, from those who believe if one does not eat back their exercise calories they will shrivel up into nothing and blow away as dust particles in the wind to those who believe that eating back your exercise calories will cause you to not lose any weight at all.


Here's my take. I MOSTLY elect not to eat mine back. *gasp* (cue the waste away to dust crowd here.) However, before that bunch starts spraying me with sealant to keep me together before the next wind comes, allow me to elaborate. If I have a particularly brutal workout, and I am ravenously hungry that day then sure, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will eat back and not feel bad about it in the least. Most days, this doesn't happen. I am actually less hungry on days I have especially trying workouts than on my rest days. Now, on days where I run/walk/use the elliptical or stationary bike for 30-45 minutes I will not eat my calories back. I tend to believe MFP overestimates caloric burn in cardiovascular exercise and I feel like eating them back at the point where the calculated burn is somewhere around 500, or less that eating them back could be counteractive to what I'm trying to do. I honestly believe that if one is hungry then one should eat. Starvation is not necessary when making a lifestyle change.

So. Do you eat back your calories that you burn while exercising? Why or why not? I am interested in opinions on this one and how well eating them back or not works for you.

So you say you've read all the controversial threads on MFP, still want to believe what you want to believe (even though that is not using the system the way it is intended) and now you want even more feedback? Were the thousands of threads ALREADY on the subject not enough responses for you?

I don't know why you're even asking the question as you've clearly made up your mind to believe what you want to believe.

Sounds to me like you just created this thread because you wanted to post your justification for not eating your exercise calories back. Way to go?

Wow, holy rude. You are completely incorrect. I asked the question because I find the topic interesting and I'm interested as to see what the response is in a more recent thread, so I posted one so I can see what other people say. Quite honestly, I'm not sure why you even bothered to answer if its not something you even wanted to talk about. So really, if you have to be such a jerk, please find another place to do it.

I wasn't being rude or a jerk.

In a more recent thread? We get these threads daily and the responses are usually pretty much the same. Would you like me to link you to some?

No. I definitely am reading what you're saying as rude AND being a jerk. So you win both prizes. Ultimately, I'd like you to take a hike. :flowerforyou:

I think so far I'm seeing YOU as coming off attacking and rude. Its not polite to ask somebody to take a hike when they don't blindingly agree with you and for calling you out on something.

Please fix your rude attitude. You are polluting the good forums of MFP.

Warchortle

If you get results and doing it healthfully then who should tell you what to do. Honestly, I can't function without upping my calories on certain days...

Nerdybreisawesome

Yes, why not?

. And I like fuel for my cycling so my fat *kitten* can keep up with the super bikers and have them turn around and say "**** that fat chic is still on my tail, gotta go faster!" And I go faster and laugh!

rockerbabyy

this should be fun
*grabs some popcorn*

PikaKnight

I have been reading lot of controversy on why one should or should not eat back their exercise calories. I have also been reading the entire spectrum of response, from those who believe if one does not eat back their exercise calories they will shrivel up into nothing and blow away as dust particles in the wind to those who believe that eating back your exercise calories will cause you to not lose any weight at all.


Here's my take. I MOSTLY elect not to eat mine back. *gasp* (cue the waste away to dust crowd here.) However, before that bunch starts spraying me with sealant to keep me together before the next wind comes, allow me to elaborate. If I have a particularly brutal workout, and I am ravenously hungry that day then sure, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will eat back and not feel bad about it in the least. Most days, this doesn't happen. I am actually less hungry on days I have especially trying workouts than on my rest days. Now, on days where I run/walk/use the elliptical or stationary bike for 30-45 minutes I will not eat my calories back. I tend to believe MFP overestimates caloric burn in cardiovascular exercise and I feel like eating them back at the point where the calculated burn is somewhere around 500, or less that eating them back could be counteractive to what I'm trying to do. I honestly believe that if one is hungry then one should eat. Starvation is not necessary when making a lifestyle change.

So. Do you eat back your calories that you burn while exercising? Why or why not? I am interested in opinions on this one and how well eating them back or not works for you.

So you say you've read all the controversial threads on MFP, still want to believe what you want to believe (even though that is not using the system the way it is intended) and now you want even more feedback? Were the thousands of threads ALREADY on the subject not enough responses for you?

I don't know why you're even asking the question as you've clearly made up your mind to believe what you want to believe.

Sounds to me like you just created this thread because you wanted to post your justification for not eating your exercise calories back. Way to go?

^This. MFP has a blog feature too...just putting it out there.

Crystal_Pistol

I do TDEE based now, but I have eaten them back and successfully lost weight. When I did, I used a HRM and calculated my own caloric expenditure. I switched to TDEE based because of calculation issues related to medications I take.

CyberEd312

I have been reading lot of controversy on why one should or should not eat back their exercise calories. I have also been reading the entire spectrum of response, from those who believe if one does not eat back their exercise calories they will shrivel up into nothing and blow away as dust particles in the wind to those who believe that eating back your exercise calories will cause you to not lose any weight at all.


Here's my take. I MOSTLY elect not to eat mine back. *gasp* (cue the waste away to dust crowd here.) However, before that bunch starts spraying me with sealant to keep me together before the next wind comes, allow me to elaborate. If I have a particularly brutal workout, and I am ravenously hungry that day then sure, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will eat back and not feel bad about it in the least. Most days, this doesn't happen. I am actually less hungry on days I have especially trying workouts than on my rest days. Now, on days where I run/walk/use the elliptical or stationary bike for 30-45 minutes I will not eat my calories back. I tend to believe MFP overestimates caloric burn in cardiovascular exercise and I feel like eating them back at the point where the calculated burn is somewhere around 500, or less that eating them back could be counteractive to what I'm trying to do. I honestly believe that if one is hungry then one should eat. Starvation is not necessary when making a lifestyle change.

So. Do you eat back your calories that you burn while exercising? Why or why not? I am interested in opinions on this one and how well eating them back or not works for you.

So you say you've read all the controversial threads on MFP, still want to believe what you want to believe (even though that is not using the system the way it is intended) and now you want even more feedback? Were the thousands of threads ALREADY on the subject not enough responses for you?

I don't know why you're even asking the question as you've clearly made up your mind to believe what you want to believe.

Sounds to me like you just created this thread because you wanted to post your justification for not eating your exercise calories back. Way to go?

Wow, holy rude. You are completely incorrect. I asked the question because I find the topic interesting and I'm interested as to see what the response is in a more recent thread, so I posted one so I can see what other people say. Quite honestly, I'm not sure why you even bothered to answer if its not something you even wanted to talk about. So really, if you have to be such a jerk, please find another place to do it.

I wasn't being rude or a jerk.

In a more recent thread? We get these threads daily and the responses are usually pretty much the same. Would you like me to link you to some?

No. I definitely am reading what you're saying as rude AND being a jerk. So you win both prizes. Ultimately, I'd like you to take a hike. :flowerforyou:

Well ya see that is probably not going to happen being this is a public forum and I have to say I don't think she was being rude or a jerk. This topic comes up on here several times a day and always is answered the same way.... If you follow the MFP method then you should be eating back a large portion of your exercise calories. Your deficit is created already the eating of the exercise calories is to fuel your body for the workout you are demanding of it to do... I do not rely on MFP or machine for my constant state cardio, i prefer to use a Polar FT60 HRM to track my calories and yes I have been eating back my exercise calories since I started but to each their own..... Best of Luck.....

cmeade20

Yes I eat them because I couldn't eat only 1400 calories a day for more than a few days before I lost it and started eating everything in sight.

kuuhristin

I personally don't pay attention to eating back my workout calories I use the TDEE-20% method so I'm always trying to make sure I eat about 1600 calories and exercising at least 5 times a week.

I had used MFP and the gym to lose about 50lbs before, then had a baby and I'm back at it again. I've never tried this method so I'm going to see how it works out for me.

I think there are a lot of different options and opinions but I personally think there's a certain plan that works for YOU and not everyone else. Some can't eat breakfast, some have to. Some eat back their calories, some don't. It looks like we're all having success so it's just choosing what works for you. I agree you shouldn't starve yourself, if you're hungry eat. I think as long as you aren't feeling starved, you have enough energy, and you feel like it's working for you, you should go for it. I like you have read way into this stuff and I've finally decided I'm going to stick to a few overall guidelines and let my body call the shots.

pjacademy

If I am following what MFP says for calories (1200) I WILL eat them back. When I had it set for my BMR I didn't eat them back usually. ALthough all bets are off when PMS shows up lol!!!

AzL99

this should be fun
*grabs some popcorn*

lol!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Well, you seem to have it all figured out then, OP.

Best of luck with all your health and fitness goals.

deemar54

I'm really not attacking or being rude. But to jump right down my throat and ask me if I'm only posting to justify my own actions is wrong and rude when I clearly stated that I was asking to see what other people think. Then to ask me if the "thousands" of other posts aren't good enough either is also rude. The post clearly has a sarcastic/rude/mean/insert your choice of NOT NICE words here. Thanks.

jaecamp1

I don't eat back mine either. My reasons? MFP grossly overestimates calories burned. As every single thread where someone got an HRM can tell you. There are plenty of times caloric intake is underestimated, even when measuring. Okay this is about a cup. Okay one more bite, still about a cup. And let me lick the spoon. There is plenty of that to make up those few calories burned, even if you are trying not to. Most calories counts are approximate in the first place. Lastly, I'm working to get these calories off, not eat them back immediately. I would be willing to bet most of these people so surprised by not losing weight can fix that just by not eating back everything.

PikaKnight

I'm really not attacking or being rude. But to jump right down my throat and ask me if I'm only posting to justify my own actions is wrong and rude when I clearly stated that I was asking to see what other people think. Then to ask me if the "thousands" of other posts aren't good enough either is also rude. The post clearly has a sarcastic/rude/mean/insert your choice of NOT NICE words here. Thanks.

But you said you had seen lots of threads that stated the opinions that you are asking for..so...I'm not sure what different info you were hoping to find.

deemar54

Allllllllllright. Forget I even asked. Holy God in Heaven.

ChristStrengthensMe

I eat most of my exercise calories to rev up my metabolism. I have found that if I eat too few calories, my metabolism slows down. However, I usually will leave about 50 to 100 calories, depending on how hungry I am on those most active days. For me, if I eat too few calories, say more than 100 calories left, I am prone to late night snacking and more often, than not, I GO OVER. I like to see exercise as a REWARD to EAT (and within reason, don't go overboard). So, for me, it's all about setting myself up for success and listening to my body. I do appreciate your post as I, too, was wondering about that. Also, I do not use MFP to calculate my caloric burn, unless, of course, it is a non-machine exercise. For example, if I work out on an elliptical for 45 minutes, I use the calorie burn on the machine.

MyaPapaya75

While I love threads like these...some will FORCE feed our calories to us and others take them away....I would like to think people are smart enough just to do what works for them under medical supervision if needed....I eat when I need to and kindly stay away from that extra slice of pizza...when I don't need it....if the threads not for you why post here just to be ignorant?.......The OP clearly is stating what works for her...and why she doesn't do something....MFP does overestimate BUT that's why its our job to invest in proper tools such as monitors and such for a clear estimate...so we can follow MFP as best as possible...that's the only part in which I would counter her claim a bit....the site is based on eating back the calories...so not following it would kind of be like joining slim fast and not drinking the shakes.....but it is a forum so we are free to post the pros and cons of course....

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

It is much better for your overall progress if you eat your exercise calories back. It is also better for hormonal balances in both men and women (think cortisol and leptin). Leptin is particularly important because it regulates energy intake and expenditure, and when you over-exert without replenishment, the hormone gets out of whack and can have a negative impact on your metabolic rate. Besides, too high a deficit, and your body uses your lean mass (muscle, etc.) as an energy source, and the results you work so hard for will not be there.

taunto

I'm really not attacking or being rude. But to jump right down my throat and ask me if I'm only posting to justify my own actions is wrong and rude when I clearly stated that I was asking to see what other people think. Then to ask me if the "thousands" of other posts aren't good enough either is also rude. The post clearly has a sarcastic/rude/mean/insert your choice of NOT NICE words here. Thanks.

1) The topic of the thread is "Here's why I don't eat back my exercise calories". Showing that you have already made up your mind about something and preaching to others.

2) She didn't jump down your throat. I know this because I was very dissapointed at the lack of 2 women jumping on each other.

3) She wasn't being rude. YOU are. If you would like to get better/serious answers, then kindly ask in a better way. Or, like suggested, use the search feature (which admittedly is lacking but still good enough for your inquiry, if you have one)

She wasn't being sarcastic/rude/mean/insert your choice of NOT NICE words here. You are online and since my 3 years old is on the internet often I am going to assume you're at least 3. My 3 years old usually knows when I'm being mean or rude to him. He understands sarcasm and ignores it. For the other NOT NICE words he usually just farts in my general direction (literally)

ami5000psu

MFP operates on the assumption that you will be eating back exercise calories. If you're not eating them back then I at least hope you have a reasonable deficit to ensure you aren't overworking and undereating.

KANSASGIRL69

how do you do the TDEE? mine is 2610 what should i change

taunto

how do you do the TDEE? mine is 2610 what should i change

See if this thread helps. Let us know if you need more assistance

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

When you do the TDEE (like the thread I linked suggested) then you will be counting your burned calories "1". This way you're not really eating back your burned calories since its averaged out via TDEE and only counitng the 1 calorie for tracking your workouts

deemar54

I'm really not attacking or being rude. But to jump right down my throat and ask me if I'm only posting to justify my own actions is wrong and rude when I clearly stated that I was asking to see what other people think. Then to ask me if the "thousands" of other posts aren't good enough either is also rude. The post clearly has a sarcastic/rude/mean/insert your choice of NOT NICE words here. Thanks.

1) The topic of the thread is "Here's why I don't eat back my exercise calories". Showing that you have already made up your mind about something and preaching to others.

2) She didn't jump down your throat. I know this because I was very dissapointed at the lack of 2 women jumping on each other.

3) She wasn't being rude. YOU are. If you would like to get better/serious answers, then kindly ask in a better way. Or, like suggested, use the search feature (which admittedly is lacking but still good enough for your inquiry, if you have one)

She wasn't being sarcastic/rude/mean/insert your choice of NOT NICE words here. You are online and since my 3 years old is on the internet often I am going to assume you're at least 3. My 3 years old usually knows when I'm being mean or rude to him. He understands sarcasm and ignores it. For the other NOT NICE words he usually just farts in my general direction (literally)

Would anyone pretty please like to share there experience with eating back and/or not eating back exercise calories? I would very much like to know how people are doing in the weight gain/weight loss area when eating back their exercise calories and when not eating them back. Thank you very much. :flowerforyou:

Is that better?

Honestly, I wasn't looking for an arguement. But people here have a tendency to tear through others without just answering the questions. Not eating my calories back is a decision I made. Assuming I was attempting to preach to others is also incorrect. I was looking for input from others and the results they gained. Can you seriously just let it go? I have a three year old also and she's very insistant on getting the last word. She also knows when someone is being mean to her. I'm fairly good at reading sarcasm, even through text. But.. are you done trying to parent me now? I'm done feeding the trolls, dad.