Do you eat back the calories you burn?
sjberrier
Posts: 39 Member
Why or why not?
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Replies
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Yes because I'm a hungry girl and my body needs it.0
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No. Instead of eating them back, I use the handy dandy search button and read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. (Sorry for being snarky, I'm in a snarky mood.)0
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I either eat half of it back or enough of it back so I don't go under 1200 calories per day0
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Yes, because I use the MFP method so my calorie goal is net calories.0
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No, because I'm eating TDEE - 20% and exercise is already figured into my TDEE. :happy:0
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If you are following MFP caloric intake guide you should be eating them back.
Say MFP gives you 1450 calories to lose 1 lb/week, and you plan on exercising 5x/week for an average of 400 cals per workout. well MFP will tell you to eat 1450 on the days you don't workout and 1850 on the days you do whereas a "professional" may tell you to eat 1700 everyday regardless if you workout.
So for the week MFP will have you eat 12,150 (1450*2+1850*5) whereas doing it the other way will have you eat 11,900 (1700*7) almost the same number of cals for the week (250 dif). The issue in not following MFP is if you don't workout the full 5 days or burn more or less than planned. If that is the case you may lose more or less than your goal, whereas MFP will have you lose your goal amount regardless how much you actually workout.
What many MFPers do is take the low 1450 and not eat back exercise calories which is wrong, if you are not eating them back then your daily activity level should reflect the higher burn with would be covered in the 1700/day above.0 -
No. Instead of eating them back, I use the handy dandy search button and read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. (Sorry for being snarky, I'm in a snarky mood.)
^ You could have simply chose not to respond to her question instead of being snarky about it. Being snarky does no good whatsoever to someone who is just trying to figure it all out.0 -
I used to always eat them back because, well, I love food, but then I got a little smarter about it (I think) and started to only eat them back if I was really hungry rather than eating them back just to get to a "0 calories remaining".
I have not been counting calories or exercising this summer and my weight and clothes show it, so I'm temporarily setting my cals to 1200 and I will eat back those exercise cals more often because I don't think I should drop below 1200.... I say this even though I totally dropped below on Monday - BUT that's not my plan. Last thing I want to do is kill my metabolism at this point. It's horrible enough as it is...0 -
I could have. But **** happens. What would help her is to read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. Which I believe I did.No. Instead of eating them back, I use the handy dandy search button and read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. (Sorry for being snarky, I'm in a snarky mood.)
^ You could have simply chose not to respond to her question instead of being snarky about it. Being snarky does no good whatsoever to someone who is just trying to figure it all out.0 -
Why or why not?
Yes, because I am using MFP as designed. MFP gave me a calorie deficit BEFORE exersize. So, when I exercise I actually increase the calorie deficit. When the calorie deficit is too large, I risk losing muscle mass.
I want to lose FAT .... not just weight. I'm not as concerned with the number on the scale, as I am with how my clothes fit and how I look. I don't want to weigh XXX pounds and still be all jiggly.
Now - here's the tricky part. MFP & many machines over state calorie burns. So, I use a heart rate monitor for cardio .... I eat those calories back. For strength training I use a percentage of those calories ..... 75%. If I stop losing, then I will have to "tweak" the percentage some.0 -
No. Instead of eating them back, I use the handy dandy search button and read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. (Sorry for being snarky, I'm in a snarky mood.)
It's comments like that, that detour people from even asking for help. If you MUST be a snot, well, maybe just don't bother replying, let people who actually care and who are nice, help the ones who need it.0 -
If you are following MFP caloric intake guide you should be eating them back.
Say MFP gives you 1450 calories to lose 1 lb/week, and you plan on exercising 5x/week for an average of 400 cals per workout. well MFP will tell you to eat 1450 on the days you don't workout and 1850 on the days you do whereas a "professional" may tell you to eat 1700 everyday regardless if you workout.
So for the week MFP will have you eat 12,150 (1450*2+1850*5) whereas doing it the other way will have you eat 11,900 (1700*7) almost the same number of cals for the week (250 dif). The issue in not following MFP is if you don't workout the full 5 days or burn more or less than planned. If that is the case you may lose more or less than your goal, whereas MFP will have you lose your goal amount regardless how much you actually workout.
What many MFPers do is take the low 1450 and not eat back exercise calories which is wrong, if you are not eating them back then your daily activity level should reflect the higher burn with would be covered in the 1700/day above.
Thank you for that answer! I just switched to TDEE - 20% and was wondering if I was still supposed to be eating the calories back or not...0 -
Why or why not?
Yes, because I am using MFP as designed. MFP gave me a calorie deficit BEFORE exersize. So, when I exercise I actually increase the calorie deficit. When the calorie deficit is too large, I risk losing muscle mass.
I want to lose FAT .... not just weight. I'm not as concerned with the number on the scale, as I am with how my clothes fit and how I look. I don't want to weigh XXX pounds and still be all jiggly.
Now - here's the tricky part. MFP & many machines over state calorie burns. So, I use a heart rate monitor for cardio .... I eat those calories back. For strength training I use a percentage of those calories ..... 75%. If I stop losing, then I will have to "tweak" the percentage some.
This. Well, until I get round to getting a HRM.0 -
even if you use MFP method, you should only be eating half your exercise cals, because let's face it.... exercise calorie burns are difficult to measure accurately.
here's a good read for you:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf0 -
Yes, because I use the MFP method so my calorie goal is net calories.
This, but I have modified how I use MFP so what my current way of doing things fits in. Whether that be a target "calories remaining" of 250 calories for a goal of 2.5 lb/week loss or 125 calories for a goal of 1.75 lb/week, or while calorie cycling a goal yesterday of 453 calories remaining (3 calories of which to average out the week to 1 lb/week) and a goal today of a "calories remaining" of -493 (i.e. maintenance minus the 7 calories over my overall target I have been this week).
I don't eat back all the calories I burn because if I did that I wouldn't lose weight, but I do eat back all the calories I burn above the estimate of calories burned from normal daily activity minus my target deficit for the day (i.e. I eat back all of my exercise calories). Why? Because I'd rather eat 2,500-3,000+ calories each day instead of the 1,680 calories I would be eating if I ignored exercise calories, plus I have a weekly weight loss goal, plus I'd prefer to know how to balance food consumed and energy expended now rather than having to figure it out later.0 -
yup because i love food0
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I do. I want to eat to make sure I am not hungry. I am always close to going over. That is one reason for working out. It gives me lots of spare calories. I am getting close to 196 lbs (10% body fat). I will switch over to maintenance then. Right now, I am allowed 1960 calories via MFP guidelines. When I switch over, I believe I will have 2400 calories to play with.0
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yup because i love food
LOL me too. But I also use the MFP method and need to eat it back. i don't eat it all back, just in case I've overestimated my exercise or underestimated my meals. So I leave about 200 calories just sort of hanging there.0 -
I did but I stalled so I started eating half back and then lost and then stalled. Now I don't eat them back usually but give myself the permission to eat some of them if I am really hungry or to go over a bit on the weekend (like saving them up!). I am slowly moving down the scale again...0
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do what works for you.0
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Yes. Food is awesome.
ETA:
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No. Instead of eating them back, I use the handy dandy search button and read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. (Sorry for being snarky, I'm in a snarky mood.)
It's this kind of remark that makes people not want to get the help they need. :noway: What if she's new and didn't about the search feature? Get over yourself!0 -
No, because I'm eating TDEE - 20% and exercise is already figured into my TDEE. :happy:
This. Though on the days I lift I do eat a bit more, but still remain under my TDEE. Though I'm only try to lose a 1/2 lb or less/ week.0 -
even if you use MFP method, you should only be eating half your exercise cals, because let's face it.... exercise calorie burns are difficult to measure accurately.
here's a good read for you:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf
Assuming calorie burns are correct for 60% of people (can't remember where I heard 60% of people are average), and that they are under-estimates for 20% of people, 80% of people should eat back all of their exercise calories. I didn't have my HRM with me yesterday but I logged all my exercise calories using my phone app (which were all above the estimated burns given by MFP) and Bodymedia still added 505 exercise calories.0 -
No. Instead of eating them back, I use the handy dandy search button and read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. (Sorry for being snarky, I'm in a snarky mood.)
It's this kind of remark that makes people not want to get the help they need. :noway: What if she's new and didn't about the search feature? Get over yourself!
New to the internet? Not that I even made that comment to begin with, just asking.0 -
No, because I'm eating TDEE - 20% and exercise is already figured into my TDEE. :happy:
^^ That is the reason for me too!
If I change my goals and don't include my regular exercise (aka, when I am sick I do this) then I eat back my cals.0 -
This has to be the best explanation I've read!.. The rest just confuse me.If you are following MFP caloric intake guide you should be eating them back.
Say MFP gives you 1450 calories to lose 1 lb/week, and you plan on exercising 5x/week for an average of 400 cals per workout. well MFP will tell you to eat 1450 on the days you don't workout and 1850 on the days you do whereas a "professional" may tell you to eat 1700 everyday regardless if you workout.
So for the week MFP will have you eat 12,150 (1450*2+1850*5) whereas doing it the other way will have you eat 11,900 (1700*7) almost the same number of cals for the week (250 dif). The issue in not following MFP is if you don't workout the full 5 days or burn more or less than planned. If that is the case you may lose more or less than your goal, whereas MFP will have you lose your goal amount regardless how much you actually workout.
What many MFPers do is take the low 1450 and not eat back exercise calories which is wrong, if you are not eating them back then your daily activity level should reflect the higher burn with would be covered in the 1700/day above.
Personally, No I don't eat them back.0 -
Some people are incredibly bored I guess.... or just rude in general.
I'm sure every question asked has been asked before.
So yes, I'm AM trying to figure it all out. I didn't realize the "science" that really goes into it, lol. Some of it is a little overwhelming but I do believe I'm catching on. And I do read through a ton of the topics on here, actually. I find that they are either really inspiring or somewhat annoying due to people being immature or rude or just fighting-- just to fight. I prefer the supportive type of posts-- I'm really here looking for helpful info.
Yesterday I determined my TDEE and BMR (though I'm still reading about how to use them) and was wondering if I should adjust my calorie goals based on those numbers or leave it to what MFP calculated for me. And initially I was thinking "I'm not eating back my exercise calories, that's counter-productive." But in READING SOME OF THESE TOPICS (lol) I realize that people were opting to eat them back, in most cases, and kind of looking down on "not eating them", so to speak. I just wanted to find out why.... That is all.
Also looks like I need to invest in a HRM. I feel like "calories burned" are estimated a little high so maybe I'll try eating a percentage back and see how I do with that until I can get something to more accurately predict my calories burned.
So thank you to those of you who were helpful in your answers. I honestly appreciate it.0 -
I could have. But **** happens. What would help her is to read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. Which I believe I did.No. Instead of eating them back, I use the handy dandy search button and read the hundreds of other posts about this very topic. (Sorry for being snarky, I'm in a snarky mood.)
^ You could have simply chose not to respond to her question instead of being snarky about it. Being snarky does no good whatsoever to someone who is just trying to figure it all out.
Who cares if there are millions of posts about this exact same subject. This is her post. No need to be snarky when someone is just asking for opinions and help.0 -
Why or why not?
Yes, because I am using MFP as designed. MFP gave me a calorie deficit BEFORE exersize. So, when I exercise I actually increase the calorie deficit. When the calorie deficit is too large, I risk losing muscle mass.
I want to lose FAT .... not just weight. I'm not as concerned with the number on the scale, as I am with how my clothes fit and how I look. I don't want to weigh XXX pounds and still be all jiggly.
Now - here's the tricky part. MFP & many machines over state calorie burns. So, I use a heart rate monitor for cardio .... I eat those calories back. For strength training I use a percentage of those calories ..... 75%. If I stop losing, then I will have to "tweak" the percentage some.
This is me as well.0
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