Exercise/1200 Calories

hollyhoo
hollyhoo Posts: 9 Member
edited November 22 in Getting Started
Hello!

I am not new to MFP but I gave it up because life happens. I have gained back 28lb :neutral: so I am super sad but ready to tackle it again in a healthy way I am still 61lb down but want to lose another 56!

Before I was eating 1200 a day and burning around a 1000 a day (I was in a bad place and used gym to escape and I wasn't working) I sometimes ate back around 200 calories sometimes less sometimes more. This was in 2014 so I kept the weight off a long time but my father in law died at start of the year so comfort eating took its toll on my weight gain!

My question is if you are having 1200 calories a day do you eat back some of your calories? I like exercise so I burn around 300-1000 a day most days. I have tried to change my activity level on MFP but I find when I have 1400 calories as my base I lose control 1200 is a better target and then eat back some exercise calories if I need to go over but should I be doing this or should I just stick to 1200 the best I can? I am 5ft 8 and losing another 56lb will take me into a health target range!

Thanks

Replies

  • jcstevens86
    jcstevens86 Posts: 3,338 Member
    Sometimes you gotta do whats best for you...just calculate those extra calories
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited October 2017
    At 5'8, with 50+ pounds to lose still, you absolutely should be eating back your exercise calories. 1200 calories is for short, petite, and possibly older ladies.

    I'm 5'9, 175 lbs, and can lose on 1860 calories per day. Five days a week in the gym, heavy lifting, for 1.5 to 2 hours.

    "She who eats the most and still loses, WINS!" ~a wise rabbit
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I'm on 2,350 calories a day, and I eat all of my exercise calories back. I've lost more than 70 pounds this way.

    I'm sorry about your father in law. That just be incredibly hard on you and your husband. I hope you're both doing ok.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,164 Member
    If you are using mfp to get your calorie goal then you should be eating back your exercise calories.
  • hollyhoo
    hollyhoo Posts: 9 Member
    Thank you all for your quick responses! I am going to give a go at eating some extra calories that I have burnt then. I don't really feel hungry ever but I think thats what leads to the obsession with eating too little and can be an unhealthy habit.
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    I'm on 2,350 calories a day, and I eat all of my exercise calories back. I've lost more than 70 pounds this way.

    I'm sorry about your father in law. That just be incredibly hard on you and your husband. I hope you're both doing ok.

    Thank you so much! We are doing okay it just takes time as it was a quick thing over a couple of months coming up to a year will be difficult thats why I finally want to get my eating under control because this whole year has just been about eating feelings!
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