Question about NET calories--HELP!!!!

Hi everybody,

I am confused about the NET calories part on MFP.

So I work out almost everyday, and I burn around 700-800 calories. According to mfp, I am given 1350 calories to eat. So when I do eat back some of m exercise calories I am netting either 700 or 1200.

Now the confusing part is that even thou I have eaten around 1700-1800 calories (this includes some of my exercise calories) I am netting around700-1200 still.

Do I have to make sure my NET calories is around 1350 (as what map laid out for me based on my stats)?

Or I dont have to worry about net as long as I eat 1350+ some of my exercise calories.

TIA!

Replies

  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member


    Do I have to make sure my NET calories is around 1350 (as what map laid out for me based on my stats)?


    This.
  • myfitnesspaller
    myfitnesspaller Posts: 74 Member


    Do I have to make sure my NET calories is around 1350 (as what map laid out for me based on my stats)?


    This.

    so the halt in my weight loss is due to the fact I am eating too little?
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    MFP tends to over-exaggerate burns, so eating at least half of the burned calories will make sure you aren't creating too large of a deficit.

    You could also do the TDEE method, especially if your burns are consistent. You'll eat the same amount each day and not log exercise. Makes life easier!!
  • myfitnesspaller
    myfitnesspaller Posts: 74 Member
    MFP tends to over-exaggerate burns, so eating at least half of the burned calories will make sure you aren't creating too large of a deficit.

    You could also do the TDEE method, especially if your burns are consistent. You'll eat the same amount each day and not log exercise. Makes life easier!!
    I use endomondo to estimate the burned calories..but my question still stays about the net calories.:/
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    MFP tends to over-exaggerate burns, so eating at least half of the burned calories will make sure you aren't creating too large of a deficit.

    You could also do the TDEE method, especially if your burns are consistent. You'll eat the same amount each day and not log exercise. Makes life easier!!
    I use endomondo to estimate the burned calories..but my question still stays about the net calories.:/

    Oh, ok! If you have a more accurate measure of the burns, make sure you eat at at least to your goal of 1350 (net)
  • myfitnesspaller
    myfitnesspaller Posts: 74 Member
    More responses would be appreciated.
  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    I would use a few different TDEE calculators (iifym.com has a good one) then take 20% off that to calculate your net value, then eat to net or close as you can get.

    I have my TDEE calculation set as sedentary, then eat back some or all exercise calories. Pretty much all during the week when I only go for a hike, do yoga and/or a DVD at home. "Some" when I do a 30 mile bike ride (thus burning stupid calories) at the weekend.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    What are you doing that is burning 700-800 calories per day? IMHO, that is a huge burn to be having every day...essentially, you're working out like an athlete. If you're going to train like an athlete, best learn how to eat like one. Yes, you are supposed to net to your goal. If you are confident in your burn numbers, you should be netting to your goal...which really shouldn't be that difficult unless you've cut back all kinds of crazy on your fat intake (which can be detrimental to weight loss). Most people who have difficulty meeting their calorie goals have substantially cut back on fat, including their healthy fats. If that's you, stop doing low fat/no fat and start consuming full fat food stuffs.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    More responses would be appreciated.

    MFP gave you a deficit based upon zero exercise. So when you exercise, the deficit becomes larger. When the calorie deficit is too large you risk losing muscle mass as well as fat. Adding exercise calories back is just MFP's way of getting you back to the original deficit.

    A couple things to note - calorie burns for steady state cardio - HRMs with a chest strap "should" be pretty good estimates. Strength training, circuit training ...... HRMs not so good. Try eating 75% of your calories back. If you feel fatigued or lethargic, or if you are losing at a faster pace than anticipated ..... then eat more.

    As other people have mentioned TDEE (includes exercise already) less a % ..... this number gives you a steady daily calorie total. If you want to use TDEE and still "see" your workouts ....log them in MFP but change the calorie burn to 1.