Call me a dummy but can some explain this?

mrstrod1

I keep reading in many posts that people either do or do not "eat back their deficit" - hat on earth does that mean?

Also, I saw a few people say something like: if you keep deficit from lower, it helps your body support existing lean muscle mass better - what does that mean?

I know, I sound stupid but I'm new to all this stuff.

usmcmp

When you add in exercise MFP gives you more calories. People are talking about whether they eat the extra calories they are given or not.

Your body can only use a certain amount of energy from fat daily, any calories beyond that and you'll burn lean mass. If you have a lot of fat you can have a steeper deficit, but if you don't have much fat you need a smaller deficit. Burning lean mass for fuel lowers your BMR, makes it harder to maintain the loss, and leaves you lighter with still high body fat.

bedwellchris

My husband eats his deficit but I usually don't. He actually loses more weight per week than I am. I'm just not ever sure whether I am going to the gym after work so don't eat a ton during the day. Then at night, I really don't want more than what we have for dinner. I figure it is okay to lose slower as long as I am losing.