Calories remaining help

Lauren_michelle13

Hey everyone, I'm sure someone on here can help clarify this for me..

I'm not new to MFP but am restarting my healthy lifestyle, drop a few pounds along the way journey. I understand already about TDEE and all that. I've just seen different opinions as far as what to do with the leftover calories.. you know the ones after the equal sign combining what you've eaten so far plus your exercise calories. Do you want to have a remaining balance there or do you want it to be at 0? I don't know if I'm wording it right or making this more confusing than it should be. I've just seen some people say you need to eat back all the calories burned, while I've seen others disagree. I don't work out hardcore, just strive for at least 10,000 steps a day or more. And I eat usually under my recommended calories for the day, not including what I've burned just by walking/jogging. What is more benifical/ healthy to eat back calories or is it safe to have a remaining balance of say, 400 calories by the end of the day..?

Any input is greatly appreciated thanks!!

kimny72

Your mfp calorie goal is exactly that - a goal to hit. As far as exercise calories, start by eating back half of them. Calorie burns are sometimes inflated. Then tweak based on your results and how you feel, if necessary.

serindipte

It depends on what you have your calorie goals set at and how often you're that far under. If you're set at 1200, you need to eat up to that 1200 + exercise calories. If it's an occasional day that you're under, not a big deal. You can average it out over the week, as well. If you have one day you want to eat more, save up those under calories for that day.

Whitemagictiger

For me, I don't use my exercise calories or try to use little as possible. They say the key to loosing weight is to burn more calories then you eat. So I try to have my exercise calories as surplus. Sometimes I'm really hungry so I will use them or some, but mostly I try not to. You have to find what works for you as we are all different.

Lauren_michelle13

Thank you everyone!

H_Ock12

I look at my calorie goal as a goal to come in at or slightly under, so it thrills me when there are "leftovers" at the end of the day. I don't eat my exercise calories regularly, but I look at them as a buffer that allows me to splurge when i go out to eat.

HoldTheDoor13

I just consider excess leftover calories "banked" some days you just aren't hungry, or you're busy. That's not a big deal provided it isn't an everyday thing. I'd much rather use an excess couple of hundred calories on the weekend for a beer or two, or and nice dessert when I'm actually hungry.