DON'T Eat Exercise Calories!!

tommygirl15

I think the bottom line is that everyone is different, it can take a lot of trial and error to know what works for us. If we have the basics in tack (healthy food, exercise, etc) then the rest is up to us to see what works based on our weight loss, muscle gain, energy levels, etc. Only we can see, feel and then truly decide what works for us.

I'm on 1200 cals a day but I've always been under by anywhere from 50-300 cals and I feel great. I don't usually eat all my exercise calories either, as long as I know I got all my four food groups and enough of them to sustain my energy levels for the day. I'm happy, weight is coming off and this works for me. Maybe it doesn't work for someone else and they need to eat those exercise cals, then I say go for it

p1nkpr1ncess

I've really enjoyed reading this thread! I love to hear everyone's opinions on these topics as I feel like I haven't found what works for ME yet!

I've tried everything from cutting my cals down to 1000, putting them up to 1400, eating some exercise cals, not eating exercise cals.....I just haven't found what works for me yet so all of this info really does help! I have been at a plateu for so long now, I only want to lose another 4lbs but they just won't budge! So I've accepted that they aren't going anywhere!

Anything that can help me try and kick their *kitten* away (lol) is helpful to me - so zigzagging here I come! Thanks for everyone's opinions!
-x-

kayemme

Someone following a vegetarian diet isn't necessarily starving at 1000 calories.

For the record, there's a big difference between feeling hungry and starving.

true, but to eat 1000 vegetarian calories can really be a lot of fiber... there have been many days (not recently) where i had only 950-1000 calories, and was not hungry a bit. maybe those were days were i had a lot of carrots or something. i've had amazing vegetarian meals (hefty, too) for well under 400 cals. so it's not impossible, it just depends on what you eat...

owno9700

Thanks to Merebear for sharing what she learned recently. The bottom line is that we all make our own decisions on how we want to approach the weight loss thing; we are all different, we are all individuals.......and we should all respect that each of us have our own challenges and our own way of meeting them. There are enough non-supporters in the world....this is a place where we all have something in common and should support eachother. You may not agree with someone elses philosophy or way of doing things but voice your CONCERN not your OPINION in a constructive way rather than being destructive.

I hope you get the results you're looking for Merebear, you have my support!

bazuukajoe

So i have to conclude you all have your base activity set at sedentary and that you frown on those who put it at anything else.

I have to conclude you are a big fan of the strawman argument.

Nope, it is exactly the same thing. In both cases, you are burning more calories. Therefore, if people think that when exercising you are not allowed to eat more calories, then they must also think that if you are more active during the day, you are not allowed to eat any more calories.

If not, they are hypocrites.

True. If you put your activity level as anything other than sedentary than you CAN NOT add any exercise manually. Seriously, that's cheating (especially if you are one to put in more exercise just because you happened to be a little more active that day). To me, that seems like just trying to reward yourself just for not sitting on your *kitten*. Come on, now. You should reward yourself for exercise and such, yes. But if your lifestyle has reached a point where you can count simply standing on your feet as exercise I think the key thing would be to find a way to lead a more active lifestyle (i.e. "exercise") rather than nickel and dime-ing your calorie count to death.

Unless you're being A LOT more active than usual, like moving boulders or something (which is exercise, so you'd put that in) you're not really burning that many extra calories. Maybe like 100 to 500 more, depending on what you consider "active (and if you're not breaking a sweat it's probably not even close to 500- That's what I burn walking 3.5 miles per hour for an hour as a 250 pound man) and you really have no way or being sure how many, and as I've said before MFP exercise database is already pretty inaccurate (at best, an educated guess). My thinking is that you should just feel accomplished for having an active day. What do you need to see the numbers for? It's not enough to put you in starvation mode.

kayemme

True. If you put your activity level as anything other than sedentary than you CAN NOT add any exercise manually. Seriously, that's cheating (especially if you are one to put in more exercise just because you happened to be a little more active that day).

i don't understand what this means. i put my activity level at "lightly active" because i don't own a car and if i have to go somewhere, i either walk or ride my bike - BUT

some days (about 3x a week) i ride my bike longer and harder than normal. i don't "eat the calories" in fact, i hardly pay attention to the calories because i ride my bike so often and because i eat rather well in general.

some days i have an ice cream cone. big deal. some days i have chips. so what. i agree that mfp exercise calories are inflated.

i rode 30 miles yesterday and it said i burned something like 3500cals... maybe i did, maybe i didn't. who knows? i was just glad to get on the bike and ride.

i use mfp as a guide - a loose guide, to make sure i just don't go overboard on anything... food or exercise.

servingthealiens

While it's true that different things work for different people, I really do feel like the OP was telling us ALL not to eat the calories we earn from exercise (look at the subject of the post), and that just won't work for everyone, and might be harmful to some people.

FWIW, I'm also a vegetarian, and I don't know about other veggies, but I don't just eat fruits and vegetables. I also eat tofu and meat substitutes, which are great sources of protein. On the days when I just bring a salad for lunch, I am completely ready to eat by dinner. It doesn't keep me full as long as other vegetarian protein sources.

I also don't have much weight to lose: only about 10 lbs. I mainly want to eat healthier and get leaner/fitter. But, MFP has my daily calories set at 1200 because I have a sedentary job and don't do much activity outside of planned exercise. When I work out, I jog 3-4 miles or walk on the treadmill with an incline, so I burn 300-400 calories. That would leave me living on 800 calories per day on the days when I work out, which is I don't think is healthy for anyone. If you work out more and burn more calories, you could be expecting your body to function on even less, depending on what your BMR is set to. A few days of that, and you'll be feeling like you've got a bad case of the flu.

For myself, if I didn't have a snack after a workout (and I usually don't eat all 3-400 calories, usually about half of those), I'd be in front of the fridge stuffing my face at 4 AM because my body would be DEMANDING fuel.

angiereid

this is the best advice i have heard so far on this blog this is a way of life and you must know that restricting yourself with too little calories is impossible to keep up, mfp has been wonderful and i eat 1570 a day my bmr is 1503 and i have lost 26 total since i lost before site as well, moral of story you need to eat enough so your body can remain stron and energized if you are burned out and too weak you wont feel like doing anything and guess what you will start gaining again because your body will want to eat.


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

angiereid

You also need to consider the fact that MFP is trying to teach us a new way to eat FOR LIFE and not just to lose weight. I personally love food to much to ONLY eat 1000 calories a day for the rest of my life. And if I only eat 1000 a day for now then what happens when I lose all the weight then want to go back to a more normal amount of calories? My body wont be able to handle it and I will gain the weight back.

this is the best advice on here i think


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

hiddensecant

...I thought if I burned an extra 400 calories then it meant I could have a little extra that day or a treat :sad:

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a medical doctor would decide to cut calories rather than suggest you eat better ones. :laugh:

MFP challenges you to look at calories as fuel to keep your body and mind performing optimally, not food to keep your stomach happy. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/108362-eating-to-fuel-your-body-very-long

michlingle

Ugh, here we go.

My thoughts exactly! :grumble:

Can you hear how loud I'm sighing? I guess the consensus is that we all have to do what is best for our individual body, I like the idea of not eating exercise cals as I have hit a plateau....I'm going to try it. Why keep doing the same thing to get lacklustre results?

yvonnej1

True. If you put your activity level as anything other than sedentary than you CAN NOT add any exercise manually. Seriously, that's cheating (especially if you are one to put in more exercise just because you happened to be a little more active that day).

i don't understand what this means. i put my activity level at "lightly active" because i don't own a car and if i have to go somewhere, i either walk or ride my bike

I'm not sure I agree with you on this point. I have my lifestyle as lightly active, because I am. I also don't have a car, I cycle to work and walk to pick my child up from school, my job also involves a degree of physical activity (a nurse is an example given by MFP as a lightly active lifestyle, this is pretty much my job). I count all this as part of my lightly active lifestyle. However if I specifically do extra exercise then I add this e.g. gym or swimming. I can burn 500 calories if I go for a long swim which considering my allowance is 1500 a day is a considerable percentage of this amount. Therefore I need to have the option of eating more calories to compensate (I'm not saying that I always eat my exercise calories).

I agree that it is ridiculous to log every single little thing you do other than sitting still, but to state outright that if you have listed your life style as anything other sedentary means you can't add extra exercise without cheating is not necessarily correct for everyone.

stormieweather

Really want to know what you burn per day if you have an average BMR?

http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/tools/docs/documents_compendium.pdf

http://www.wv-hsta.org/cdc_chc/walking_mets_table.htm

http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/tools/compendium.htm


To calculate it, take your weight and divide by 2.2 to get your weight in kilos. Take the MET value of each exercise and multiply by the result of your weight in kilos and multiply again by the time you spent at it (in hours).

Ie: 170 pounds / 2.2 = 77.27 kilos.

I spend 6 hours sleeping. Sleeping is a MET value of .9. I multiply 77.27 (kilos) X .9 (MET) x 6 (hours) = 417 calories I burn while sleeping (note: this is all inclusive).

Check it out.

amy1612

The lifestyle question is a difficult one. I have mine set at sedentary because I spend the majority of my day at a desk. However, I walk the journey to work and back most days (5 miles round trip), and I go to the gym at least 5 days a week. I add this as my exercise,though I dont always eat my exercise calories, or at least all of them.

Man_loosing_weight

The weight I’ve lost done by eating my exercise calories on a regular basis. Not always all the calories. As was mentioned previously is that you must change your routine as not to plateau.

lesley1981

I am currently consuming anything between 900 and 1300 calories per day, my average exercise calories are around 200-300.

I rarely use my exercise calories, although I know they are there if I feel the need to be naughty :devil: I never feel hungry either! I work with a number of healthcare workers and have spoken to them about my diet, each one advising me that there is nothing wrong with the amount of calories I am consuming because I am eating the right things and not depriving myself! I was advised in the early stages of my weightloss that consuming fewer calories than I'm used to could bring on my migraines (something that I suffered with on a weekly basis) but since April I've only had three!! I visit my doctor on a regular basis, as I have suffered high blood pressure and anemia, and he too is satisfied with my diet.

I don't think the amount of calories you consume is as important as the type of calories you consume... Surely a nutritionally balanced diet is more beneficial!

When I reach my target weight and go into maintenance I fully intend to eat most, if not all, of my exercise calories... but I won't be force feeding myself just to try to eat them all

Stella_Does

It's interesting to see such a mix of...tactics people employ to lose weight!

I do agree that the title and first post could have been worded a bit better as it does seem as though everyone is being told they should not eat exercise calories or eat over 1000 cals a day. Obviously that can't apply to anyone and the topic started has now said this was supposed to be a temporary measure for her.


For me, I need to eat more, I'm another one who couldn't function on 1000 a day, literally, I can't think straight, I get the shakes, I get dizzy, I feel sick, I feel like my stomach is trying to digest itself. I certainly couldn't exercise on that. I need to eat around half of the calories I think I'll burn before exercising to be able to get through a workout. I'm also very precious about my muscle so want to make sure I lose as little as possible.


I did lose some weight eating 1100 cals per day, I was losing about 2lb per week of fat and muscle, doing no exercise and feeling miserable and obsessed with food. I maybe kept it up for bout a month, then gained back the loss plus a little more - bizarrely I repeated this many times with various fad diets.

It's only when I started eating 1500-1700 per day, PLUS exercise that I saw any real loss and was 25lbs lighter in about 7 months - sometimes I lost nothing in a week, sometimes I lost up to 2.5lbs but an average of just over 1lb per week. But I also go by my photos, measurements and how clothes fit, it's a better guide for me than scales.
Definitely for me I need to eat more.

When I eat my exercise calories I don't use them to eat junk or "treats" I just eat more of the same kinds of foods I normally do. I have a "treat" when I want one really (thought try to get it to one day a week only)

I also like the idea of calorie cycling and eating at my target some days, 100 cals more or 100 cals less on other days but I've not been very good at doing this on purpose! Same with having low carb and high carb days, it just takes more planning than I'm prepared to do and fear it would make me a bit obsessive over the numbers.

bazuukajoe

The point that I'm trying to make is that everyone on MFP seems to regard not eating back your exercise caloiris as taboo. Like it's not the norm, when there are millions of people who lose weight everyday in this manner. The reason it seems crazy to some of you is because you're members of a site that is constantly telling you it's the wrong thing to do. It irks me, because a lot of people are acting like what the OP is saying is so far fetched and dangerous, when in most cases it's not.

merebear

Ugh, here we go.

My thoughts exactly! :grumble:

Can you hear how loud I'm sighing? I guess the consensus is that we all have to do what is best for our individual body, I like the idea of not eating exercise cals as I have hit a plateau....I'm going to try it. Why keep doing the same thing to get lacklustre results?

Right?!?! I thought I was just sharing info....didn't mean to create such a controversy. I am not "advising" anyone because we each live, eat, and lose weight differently so we have to do what works for us. Now I know to keep things to myself....:sad:

michlingle

Ugh, here we go.

My thoughts exactly! :grumble:

Can you hear how loud I'm sighing? I guess the consensus is that we all have to do what is best for our individual body, I like the idea of not eating exercise cals as I have hit a plateau....I'm going to try it. Why keep doing the same thing to get lacklustre results?

Right?!?! I thought I was just sharing info....didn't mean to create such a controversy. I am not "advising" anyone because we each live, eat, and lose weight differently so we have to do what works for us. Now I know to keep things to myself....:sad:

Honestly, I think people are afraid to not eat them because they feel like they have earned them. They are afraid to be told not to eat them because that means they have to eat less. So if everyone convinces themselves that eating them all is a good thing, then this lifestyle change isn't really that difficult because you can still have about 2000 cals a day if you're exercising. Which really, 2000 cals, is not going hungry by any means. Well, maybe for some it is, but for those that have less than 30 pounds to lose, 2000 cals isn't that big of a change thus making this easier, we all want easier right? It's controversial to talk about not eating them because people feel entitled to, the culture around here is all about avoiding starvation mode. Chances are we will not go into starvation mode and do "damage" (see this word thrown all over the place yet still do not know what that means) from missing a meal or two....okay, should I duck and cover now?

Stella_Does

Honestly, I think people are afraid to not eat them because they feel like they have earned them. They are afraid to be told not to eat them because that means they have to eat less. So if everyone convinces themselves that eating them all is a good thing, then this lifestyle change isn't really that difficult because you can still have about 2000 cals a day if you're exercising. Which really, 2000 cals, is not going hungry by any means. Well, maybe for some it is, but for those that have less than 30 pounds to lose, 2000 cals isn't that big of a change thus making this easier, we all want easier right? It's controversial to talk about not eating them because people feel entitled to, the culture around here is all about avoiding starvation mode. Chances are we will not go into starvation mode and do "damage" (see this word thrown all over the place yet still do not know what that means) from missing a meal or two....okay, should I duck and cover now?

Sweeping and inaccurate generalisation there!!!


I, and many others, eat exercise calories because to us this is a plan that is supposed to work for life, not a quick fix or a kickstart, it's got to be sustainable! There's also a lot of people, like me, who don't want to lose weight, we want to lose fat and preserve as much muscle as possible. In order to do that I have to lift some heavy weights and get in a few high intensity interval cardio sessions each week, fuel my body for the type of exercise I do, eat to help muscle recovery/repair. That's not possible on 1000 calories a day.

My body response well to eating higher than 1000 calories and eating my exercise calories, I lose more when I eat more so long as I stay below maintenance calories.

It's got nothing to do with convincing myself of anything or making things easier and everything to do with having taken the time to educate myself in nutrition and learn what my own body responds to and eat in a way that gets the best results for me.

alantin

I can only conclude that the OP isn't working out much or doesn't do very intensive sports for her doc tell her not to eat her exercise calories. If that's what the doc said in her specific case, then it should be good for her.

In my case, an exercise day means around 1000 - 2000 extra burned calories and even my maintenance calories are about 2400 Kcal so I don't even dare imagining how exercise would go if I ate only 1200!! :huh:
I slacked eating yesterday and only ate about 2900 Kcal's. About 900 short of what MFP suggested for the day.. :sick:
After that experience, I definitely will remember to eat them all the next time!

I eat to be able to do the sports that I love and it's by no means easy! I have a hard time stuffing myself before and after a more demanding exercise!

cardigirl

Sweeping and inaccurate generalisation there!!!


I, and many others, eat exercise calories because to us this is a plan that is supposed to work for life, not a quick fix or a kickstart, it's got to be sustainable! There's also a lot of people, like me, who don't want to lose weight, we want to lose fat and preserve as much muscle as possible. In order to do that I have to lift some heavy weights and get in a few high intensity interval cardio sessions each week, fuel my body for the type of exercise I do, eat to help muscle recovery/repair. That's not possible on 1000 calories a day.

My body response well to eating higher than 1000 calories and eating my exercise calories, I lose more when I eat more so long as I stay below maintenance calories.

It's got nothing to do with convincing myself of anything or making things easier and everything to do with having taken the time to educate myself in nutrition and learn what my own body responds to and eat in a way that gets the best results for me.

Agreed.

michlingle

Yes, I am making generalizations here. That's because I see the culture of those who cannot stop denying themselves when it comes to food. Sure, YOU may exercise for 1000-2000 calories per day, but do most people here? No. They can barely get any exercise in THUS that is why they are here. And if you look at people's sign up dates? Most are new at this. It's a process. Sure, later on exercise may become a daily habit, or even an addiction. I used to belong to Crunch, and their slogan was "where exercise (or was it fitness?) is normal." Don't assume that fitness is normal for everyone. So you, who workout a ton, this does not apply. People who add calories for cleaning their house, walking their dog, well, that's normal activity and might find that eating those "earned" calories might be causing their weight loss to be frustrating. Maybe it's just me, but throughout this process of getting healthy, being honest with myself has been, well, challenging. Some of you may relate, while others may not. Whatever. But I just feel that all of the recommendations by people here who are just as uninformed as I am should be taken with a grain of salt. Why would I possibly listen to someone who has lost five pounds who has 80 more to lose? Everyone likes to be the expert, but you are an expert on yourself. Not on me. My body is different than yours are reacts differently to changes. SO, let's stop giving people advice based on how we think their body will work based on how ours has reacted to changes in the past. By the way, Chicago Marathon Round Two, here I come baby, and I hope to knock off a half hour from last year!!!!! It's all about goals you see? I never thought that when I signed up for MFP a couple years ago I'd have run a marathon ( and 4 halfs) and have signed up for a second....you never know what happens!!!

godblessourhome

My doctor charges extra to talk about weight loss and nutrition :grumble:

seriously? that stinks!

Stella_Does

Yes, I am making generalizations here. That's because I see the culture of those who cannot stop denying themselves when it comes to food. Sure, YOU may exercise for 1000-2000 calories per day, but do most people here? No. They can barely get any exercise in THUS that is why they are here. And if you look at people's sign up dates? Most are new at this. It's a process. Sure, later on exercise may become a daily habit, or even an addiction. I used to belong to Crunch, and their slogan was "where exercise (or was it fitness?) is normal." Don't assume that fitness is normal for everyone. So you, who workout a ton, this does not apply. People who add calories for cleaning their house, walking their dog, well, that's normal activity and might find that eating those "earned" calories might be causing their weight loss to be frustrating. Maybe it's just me, but throughout this process of getting healthy, being honest with myself has been, well, challenging. Some of you may relate, while others may not. Whatever. But I just feel that all of the recommendations by people here who are just as uninformed as I am should be taken with a grain of salt. Why would I possibly listen to someone who has lost five pounds who has 80 more to lose? Everyone likes to be the expert, but you are an expert on yourself. Not on me. My body is different than yours are reacts differently to changes. SO, let's stop giving people advice based on how we think their body will work based on how ours has reacted to changes in the past. By the way, Chicago Marathon Round Two, here I come baby, and I hope to knock off a half hour from last year!!!!! It's all about goals you see? I never thought that when I signed up for MFP a couple years ago I'd have run a marathon ( and 4 halfs) and have signed up for a second....you never know what happens!!!

I really don't think I could have been any clearer in my post that I was talking about ME and WHAT WORKS FOR ME. I also know that a lot of people respond a similar way. I don't know why your telling me I'm not an expert on you. I haven't given any advice, I've shared my experience only.

I don't know where you get this idea from that I'm exercising and gaining an extra 1000-2000 calories a day. I certainly don't spend 4 hours in the gym on a daily basis. I definitely don't think most people here do, how bizarre that you got that form my post!

alantin

People who add calories for cleaning their house, walking their dog, well, that's normal activity and might find that eating those "earned" calories might be causing their weight loss to be frustrating. Maybe it's just me, but throughout this process of getting healthy, being honest with myself has been, well, challenging.

I never thought that someone would call cleaning the house "exercise".. Wait! I burn about a 100 Kcal an hour just by sitting on the couch! Should I add that as exercise?!

It's pretty easy to see how adding arbitrary activities as "exercise" to get a treat would affect weight loss but I think that if that's the case, the issue is not about whether a person should eat their exercise calories or not. It is about cheating oneself! That is the true problem that should be addressed.
As you said, honesty might not be too easy. Especially if the motivation for exercise comes from craving for a treat or something like that. Fortunately, my own experience is that it gets easier as you adjust. All you need is being honest and persistent and it works like a charm!

alantin

I don't know where you get this idea from that I'm exercising and gaining an extra 1000-2000 calories a day. I certainly don't spend 4 hours in the gym on a daily basis. I definitely don't think most people here do, how bizarre that you got that form my post!

I think that came from my earlier post.
I do a 4 hour session at least once a week and shorter 1.5 - 2 hour sessions about twice a week.
The 'daily' part seems to have been a little added extra.. :laugh:

alantin

Right?!?! I thought I was just sharing info....didn't mean to create such a controversy. I am not "advising" anyone because we each live, eat, and lose weight differently so we have to do what works for us. Now I know to keep things to myself....:sad:

Well.. The topic title was a bit suggestive..

DON'T Eat Exercise Calories!!

happy_jax

Hmmm...I'm not convinced.

I could probably manage with the 1000 calories a day as my 'base calories' but absolutley no way without eating back some workout calories!!! I'm under my calories every day (I make sure I am!!) I'd say 90% of the time this is simple, as I love to workout. 10% it's hard...say when you work away and have limited options and can't workout beyond a 10 minute powerwalk in a breakout!

I suffer from migraines and unexplained fits/fainting...all of which I think tend to be triggered if I don't get the right intake of food. If I were to do a spin class and then only had enough calories left for a protein shake and an apple in the evening I would be in A&E an hour later!! :laugh:

I do agree with the "each to their own" kind of concept - if it works for you then super. I also know if I ate back all of my workout calories I would not lose any weight at all. But 800-1000 calories with an active lifestyle would just not work for me...

I also 100% agree with one comment I read....that they loved food too much to only have that few calories!! :happy: Come on...you have to eat to survive, you might as well enjoy it sometimes!!