Calorie Intake

Soon2Bfitmamaof3

Was wondering if we are supposed to eat all of our calories (including exercise ones) daily? I usually do not eat all of them but am getting confused. Someone told me it would put my body in starvation since net calories would be less than 1200 while someone else said there is no point in exercising if you are just going to eat the calories back. What the heck? I'm confused.

ashlee954

The goal of 1200 that mfp gave you ALREADY figures in your exercise calories (if you put around the same amount of exercise when figuring your goal). So you really should eat them back. 1200 net calories is what you should be consuming, WITHOUT burning anymore away.

cardigirl

There are a number of topics that are linked to the top 3 posts on the General Diet and Weight Loss Help board that you can refer to and read for more info about consuming exercise calories.

Here's a few of them:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/6832-eating-all-of-your-calories-bmr

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/8977-your-body-s-thoughts-on-calories

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/9433-expectations

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/777-why-is-starvation-mode-so-bad

Good luck on your fitness journey and welcome to MFP!!!

suejonestx

1. You should eat back some or all of your exercise calories, the "daily calorie goal" on the Food tab adds in any exercise calories to your daily count. If you eat 1200 calories, but then exercise, too, your net calorie intake will be too low (i.e. starvation mode).
2. You should not stop exercising just because you plan to eat all exercise calories back! There are many more benefits to exercising that just burning calories (as you probably know)!
3. Realize that even if you track your food, your exact calories charted may not be 100% accurate. For example, when I take a bite of my daughter's Mac & Cheese (to try to get her to eat), that's really hard to calculate. Or, if I think I'm eating a teaspoon of peanut butter, but it's really a tablespoon (that's what I get for eyeballing it!), then my calorie count will be lower than reality. This is where exercise calories can help level out any of those inconsistencies. For this reason, I eat back some but not all of my exercise calories.
4. The fact that you are making an effort to exercise and eat right is what matters! Your body will reward you if you remain vigilant!

Soon2Bfitmamaof3

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your help!