eating back exercise calories

Kimsoontobe
Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Question: Do you eat back your workout calories?
If yes: all or some?
If no: why not?
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Replies

  • danofthedead1979
    danofthedead1979 Posts: 362 Member
    yes, most of them, its important to refuel
  • lp2ca
    lp2ca Posts: 2 Member
    I do some...sometime more sometimes less...
    early on was taking "credit" for "everything, all steps on pedometer, workout, etc - that actually helped me not feel like i was starving as i initially adjusted eating/exercise habits

    after several weeks - decided i was gaming the system too much and eating back most everything i was burning off.

    Now only take credit for my morning walk (typ 3 to 4 miles) and other real workouts.

    I usually try to "fool myself" a bit and keep myself on track for eating during the day by not putting in earned calories from workouts until the end of the day to offset eaten cals.

    In some ways it's all about finding what works for you.... Seems to be working well enough for me. Best to all!
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Yes. On month to month average (good week, bad week), I'd say all. Reason being I like food - and kind of like exercise, actually.
  • LifeJacketWaterJogger
    LifeJacketWaterJogger Posts: 231 Member
    YES! MOST DAYS.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    MFP is DESIGNED with eating them back.
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    nope.. i eat the same calories everyday regardless of the amount I burn.. and I usually burn 500-900 daily.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I don't, but I calculated my TDEE and custom set my calories to by around 85% of that. It already takes exercise into account, so I don't eat the extra. (You can google TDEE calculators and find a variety of them, I did several and looked for a number in the middle).
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    I don't, but I calculated my TDEE and custom set my calories to by around 85% of that. It already takes exercise into account, so I don't eat the extra. (You can google TDEE calculators and find a variety of them, I did several and looked for a number in the middle).

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    for the OP. TDEE Calculator if you choose to go that route.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Sometime.

    When and Why? Because I use the TDEE -10% calorie method with my activity level set to "exercises 3-5 hours a week'

    I log my exercise all as as ONE calorie with the time spent. When I get to about 4 hours,, I record and eat back about 50-75% of my calories.
  • Joanne_Moniz
    Joanne_Moniz Posts: 347 Member
    Question: Do you eat back your workout calories?
    If yes: all or some?
    If no: why not?
  • EDollah
    EDollah Posts: 464 Member
    No. The "why not?" is because I'm looking to lose fat fairly quickly.
  • twinketta
    twinketta Posts: 2,130 Member
    OP looking back at your diary it is a little hit and miss...sorry :ohwell: I looked back over it :wink:

    It seems like you have around 1500 cals a day to eat plus exercise cals...I am just guessing from what I looked at.

    If that is so then, I would say eat at least half of your exercise cals back ...As when you have added them they seem to be around 300 ish.

    Having said that do what works for you x
  • Joanne_Moniz
    Joanne_Moniz Posts: 347 Member
    Yes. You are to eat them. Your exercise is not figured into the equation with myfitnesspal
  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    I eat back most of mine. On my volleyball days i have to eat more or i hit a wall (i play for about 3 hours) I need the energy.
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    Yes, I eat mine back because I don't have them figured into my daily goal.

    Yes, usually all of them. But I only count log actual workouts or activity far outside of my day to day norm (like walking an extra 8k steps on a day when we do marathon flea marketing).
  • tallmansix
    tallmansix Posts: 57
    Yes, I eat most of mine back, except the last two days, I have physically struggled to eat them back, resorted to 1000 cals of cheese cake to try to make up the gap.

    I'm set to lose 1kg per week and I really don't want to lose any faster than that.
  • AllyCatXandi
    AllyCatXandi Posts: 329 Member
    I have exercise factored into my calorie goal, so yes.
    However, when I am unable to exercise (like this week), I eat a little less.
  • michelle34152
    michelle34152 Posts: 17 Member
    Nope. I figure it's just a bonus and assume calorie counts are off anyway.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Yes, I eat most of mine back, except the last two days, I have physically struggled to eat them back, resorted to 1000 cals of cheese cake to try to make up the gap.

    I'm set to lose 1kg per week and I really don't want to lose any faster than that.

    1000 calories of cheese c.... Wish I was you :(
  • mjf0461
    mjf0461 Posts: 470 Member
    Yes, but only half. Only because it works for my metabolism. You need to work with it and see what works best for you. Everyone is different and what works for me may not for you. Just trial and error will show you what is best. Good Luck
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Yes. Generally all.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Yep about 85% of them leaving 15% for error in estimates of caloric burn.... has worked pretty good for me so far..... Best of Luck
  • Kimsoontobe
    Kimsoontobe Posts: 110 Member
    OP looking back at your diary it is a little hit and miss...sorry :ohwell: I looked back over it :wink:

    It seems like you have around 1500 cals a day to eat plus exercise cals...I am just guessing from what I looked at.

    If that is so then, I would say eat at least half of your exercise cals back ...As when you have added them they seem to be around 300 ish.

    Having said that do what works for you x

    What is OP? I see that a lot on posts
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    nope.. i eat the same calories everyday regardless of the amount I burn.. and I usually burn 500-900 daily.

    Presumably you're working from TDEE? Which is more or less the same as eating back...

    I do. Not all of them. Like Ed Davenport, I leave a bit to allow for margin of error.

    I mostly am trying to lose weight to maintain a healthier, happier me. To do that, I need to workout. To workout I need to eat well. Working out enables me to eat well. It's a virtuous circle.
  • LTGPSA
    LTGPSA Posts: 633 Member
    Yes, I do. I have been able to do so and lose weight, plus my body needs fuel - so, why on Earth would I deprive myself. :flowerforyou:
  • RosyBest
    RosyBest Posts: 303 Member
    yeah eat most back
  • kdmorris71
    kdmorris71 Posts: 3
    Just discussed this with my trainer - here's what his input was....typically you can estimate the amount of calories you need to consume by taking your actual weight and a zero at the end. For example if you weigh 150 lbs. then 1500 calories, thats without factoring in your fitness levels and your daily activities. To lose fat, you want to create a deficit, so eating back your calories isn't going to help you - unless you are eating like a 1200 cal diet, because you never want to fall below that amount of calories - too low.

    Also, you don't want to make your mind associate work outs with calories - here's why, I used to think that if I worked out hard enough I "deserved" that extra treat. This mentality is NOT healthy, you want to exercise to be fit and muscle burns more fat while you are sedentary than the lack therein. A good goal (and mine) is to keep your calorie intake at about 50% carbs, 30% from protein, and 20% from fats. Eat good fuel, you don't put garbage in your cars fuel tank, don't put garbage in your mouth! Think lean meats, green veggies, and make it at home if you can!

    Here's to your success and all of ours!
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member


    What is OP? I see that a lot on posts

    Original Poster. (The person who started the thread.)
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    No. The "why not?" is because I'm looking to lose fat fairly quickly.

    You're also likely to be losing a fair bit of muscle mass, if your deficit is too high.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    No. The "why not?" is because I'm looking to lose fat fairly quickly.

    You're also likely to be losing a fair bit of muscle mass, if your deficit is too high.
    and left with a fair amount of loose skin afterwards too.

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