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

LJSmith1989

WOW! so this is my very first time with MFP and looking at the Forums - this was the first Thread I seen that interested me. So I opened it up and read the post by deemar54 and thought ok, interesting BUT then I read the first response from adini749 and thought holy heck! that's a pretty rude response! So for what its worth, I actually found the topic interesting - remember I am new and have not seen the, apparently countless other Threads on the same topic. Thanks for the info, but I have to say, I dont think I would ever post a question/topic for fear of being shot down like the author of this topic has been.

Haha this has to be the OP with a new name?

diannethegeek

I eat mine back. I was losing weight originally with another site that didn't take my exercise into account. As my weight dropped so did my calorie allowance, until I finally dropped down to 1200-1400 calories a day while exercising 6 days a week. I thought I felt great. I thought I was fine at 1400 calories. I told people that I felt full and not at all fatigued. But I wasn't losing weight. For over two months I didn't lose pounds, ounces, or inches. I tried getting stricter with my calories, making sure I was logging every little bite. I cut out sauces and condiments. I tried pushing myself harder in my workouts. Nothing worked and I was feeling miserable.

Finally, I sought advice on some forums. After all the articles about plateaus I'd read and all the calorie-tracking I'd done, it was the first time anyone had told me that 1200 calories might be too little. I increased my calories to 1500 and started losing again. And that's when I realized how bad I'd been feeling. I'd been grumpy. Lethargic. My workouts had been suffering. I was less active in my day-to-day life. Just 100 extra calories made me feel like a whole new person.

I upped them again to 1600 and kept losing. I bought a HRM and started tracking my exercise here and eating back my earned calories. And I kept losing. And I was feeling better every day. My endurance increased. My speed went up. I could lift more. I started to like the shape of my body for the first time in my life. I'll keep eating my exercise calories. I don't intend to go back to the person I was without them.

cwolfman13

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.

It's not really controversial when you understand what method of calorie counting you're using and how to use whatever tool you're using properly. Saying there's a controversy is like saying, there's some kind of controversy in RE to whether you use a hammer to drive screws...there is no controversy...it's just that you don't have a clue what you're doing or how to use this tool..do't worry, you're not alone...many like you which is why there is this perceived controversy. Just lots of ignorance...no real controversy.

stacyemmynik

I used to almost always eat most of my exercise calories..hell sometimes I'd have to take an extra walk or something because I ate over my calories..

Then I changed my diet big time and now I barely eating my 1200 cals before exercise..granted if I am particularly hungry that day I can eat mfp out of house and home in regards to cals but here lately that's just not happening..hell yesterday I had Mcdonald's for dinner even and I had 110 cals to spare from my original 1200 before exercise.

RockinTerri

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.....

I don't always trust the calories burned of MFP, but input the calories from my gym's machine or calorie lists I've obtained from other sources. For one's I cannot count that way, I eat back between 50-75% of my exercise calories (with the occasional splurge)

jofjltncb6

WOW! so this is my very first time with MFP and looking at the Forums - this was the first Thread I seen that interested me. So I opened it up and read the post by deemar54 and thought ok, interesting BUT then I read the first response from adini749 and thought holy heck! that's a pretty rude response! So for what its worth, I actually found the topic interesting - remember I am new and have not seen the, apparently countless other Threads on the same topic. Thanks for the info, but I have to say, I dont think I would ever post a question/topic for fear of being shot down like the author of this topic has been.

does "catattack" as a username just come to you when you are signing up to MFP for the first time? And then you coincidentally just happen to land up in a thread like this.... and then also have you ever heard of this, it's pretty interesting http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=catfish

You must have missed the part where she said it was her "very first time with MFP"...

...and "remember I am new"...

Seems legit.

jofjltncb6

I used to almost always eat most of my exercise calories..hell sometimes I'd have to take an extra walk or something because I ate over my calories..

Then I changed my diet big time and now I barely eating my 1200 cals before exercise..granted if I am particularly hungry that day I can eat mfp out of house and home in regards to cals but here lately that's just not happening..hell yesterday I had Mcdonald's for dinner even and I had 110 cals to spare from my original 1200 before exercise.

I know it isn't the topic of this thread...

...but...

...you say this like it's a good thing. It almost certainly isn't. Seems like evidence that your metabolism may have slowed. Also, to ensure proper nutrition, you'll want to be extra careful about the nutrient density of the food you eat since you're eating so very little of it (assuming you don't use the obvious solution to the problem which is to increase your intake).

tryclyn

I don't, because I prefer to average anywhere between my BMR and my TDEE for the week. Works for me.

Achrya

When I followed the MFP method I ate my calories back.

Because that's how the website works.

3foldchord

I do not eat my exorcise calories back because.... I use my TDEE -13% set at moderate activity level. M caloric needs for 3-5 hours of exercise are included in that number. I do eat back calories once I get to 5 hours and I am hungry.

RGv2

How did I miss this gem yesterday?

I eat mine back because if I didn't, I'd be netting roughly 700-800 calories per day.

determinedbutlazy

Here's the pat on the back you seem desperate for:

-pat-

And as for the question? I eat at TDEE-20% and monitor my calories burnt with a heart rate monitor. I don't "eat back" calories but my daily exercise is figured into my calorie calculation already. I eat the same amount of calories if I exercised or not.
I maintain a consistent level of calories (1850 a day right now) and work out 5-6 days a week as well as walking. I've lost my most recent 20lb this way.

KBURTON672

I dont eat back my calories because I am teaching myself to enjoy smaller portions and to eat when I need to eat. It feels good to see that I am below my calorie limit for the day, and I have been below since I started, (one week ago). I have lost a lot of weight in a week, and I would like to see my weight continue to come off. I do cardio (walking, kick boxing) and weights, and yes, I agree MFP does seem to overstate calorie burn. I feel great with the 1200 calories and I am usually below that, dont know how long that will last, but until then its working for me.

determinedbutlazy

When I followed the MFP method I ate my calories back.

Because that's how the website works.

^ that

contingencyplan

When I followed the MFP guidelines I ate my exercise calories back. However, now that I am opting for a TDEE based calorie goal (which is better for people who exercise at higher intensities), I eat roughly the same everyday,.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

When I followed the MFP method I ate my calories back.

Because that's how the website works.

mind blown

foleyshirley

Yawn.

seltzermint555

I eat my calories back. But I also agree with you that I think most times MFP overestimates our calories burned, so I solve that issue by entering a little less time. Clean the house full-force w/o stopping for an hour? I'll enter 10 min of cleaning with heavy effort and 20 min light cleaning. Walk for 6 1/2 hours in a travel day? 120 minutes of walking at moderate speed entered. Works for me so far.

greenmonstergirl

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.

I do not because I have tried it and gained weight.

maybeazure

I don't eat them back mostly. It's not like I burn a million of them though...maybe 200-300 a day. If I needed to I would, but I don't, so I won't. I'm quite sure that my body can handle the deficit. It's been storing up fuel for a famine for years now...so it might as well start using some of it.

greenmonstergirl

WOW! so this is my very first time with MFP and looking at the Forums - this was the first Thread I seen that interested me. So I opened it up and read the post by deemar54 and thought ok, interesting BUT then I read the first response from adini749 and thought holy heck! that's a pretty rude response! So for what its worth, I actually found the topic interesting - remember I am new and have not seen the, apparently countless other Threads on the same topic. Thanks for the info, but I have to say, I dont think I would ever post a question/topic for fear of being shot down like the author of this topic has been.

Then don't ever post...

I have found the people on here to be very rude for the most part. Have a thick skin and good luck! Not sure why everyone is so angry, maybe they are hungry???

reankanesmom

The only time I eat what I burn is if I had not met my calorie goal for the day. I've done it the way it's suppose to work and I do not lose even an ounce. I did it for 6 months and never moved in weight one bit.

greenmonstergirl

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?

OHHHH...she's an ADMIN!!! LOL!

SmallMimi

I'm with the eat only WHEN hungry crowd, so no I don't always eat back my exercise calories.

MexicanOsmosis

If you feel like eating back your calories and you still lose weight, do it. If you don't feel like eating back your calories and are losing weight, don't do it.

Honestly the only time I can see it being a "risk" to not eat them back is if you already have very low intake and are busting your *** exercising. Otherwise, live and let live. No need for a holier than thou for either side of the argument.

TeaBea

I dont eat back my calories because I am teaching myself to enjoy smaller portions and to eat when I need to eat. It feels good to see that I am below my calorie limit for the day, and I have been below since I started, (one week ago). I have lost a lot of weight in a week, and I would like to see my weight continue to come off. I do cardio (walking, kick boxing) and weights, and yes, I agree MFP does seem to overstate calorie burn. I feel great with the 1200 calories and I am usually below that, dont know how long that will last, but until then its working for me.

You're new here (1st post) ..... so I will explain how MFP works ....... MFP gives you a calorie deficit BEFORE exercise ....... So when you exercise you create an even larger calorie deficit. When the calorie deficit is too large ..... you lose fat AND muscle .... when you reduce muscle mass .... you lower your metabolism. Your body will catobolize muscle to get the nutrients it needs (everything is not stored as fat).

This is your choice ..... but people on prolonged very low calorie diets (VLCD) are subject to plateaus ..... you will lose weight for awhile (this 1st week is mostly water .... sorry)...... but then your weight loss will stall out.

ClementineGeorg

I can cope mentally better with the calorie defficit if I eat back my workout calories. I don't binge. I do not have cheat days.
Personally, knowing myself, without eating back calories I would have dropped from MFP months ago. Instead, I dropped over 20 kgs to this point.

Everyone has something that works. Everyone is different. No matter what others may say, I consider eating back calories good for me, mentally. I maybe slowing down myself, but I'll have the treats that I earn throught sweat.

RGv2

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?

OHHHH...she's an ADMIN!!! LOL!

Que? Anyone can link a thread...

mjharman

I tend to eat some of my exercise calories back, but not all of them. I am always fearful that I am underestimating the calories that I eat and overestimating the calories I burn, so I leave enough room for error.

Achrya

When I followed the MFP method I ate my calories back.

Because that's how the website works.

mind blown

Even crazier? It worked! I lost five pounds that way. But then, I didn't make a habit of of over estimating my burns and then blaming the method when it didn't work. I mean, I got all hungry and quit, but it still worked. Just wasn't my cup of tea.