Net calories

CJloves
CJloves Posts: 6
in Food and Nutrition
So can someone help me to understand the net calorie thing? My understanding is that when you workout, whatever you burn in cal is how much more you can eat? Yes or No?

In either case, what happens if you don't eat so many more cal? Sometimes MFP tells me I'm not eating enough but I didn't know I had to eat those extra cal. Sometimes I use a few to add my fave dessert but i still have so much left over. Matter of fact, I usually log my exercise at the end of the day so I don't confuse myself Lol.

Replies

  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    Netting your calories is important and seems to be confusing for a lot of people. I see it as, your body is like a machine, whether or not you are active, it burns calories 24/7. It needs x amount of calories to run properly and adding exercise it will need more to sustain itself. The amount you need varies by individual. I'm currently netting 1550 a day, so I go up to as much as 2100 calories if I've been really working hard that day. As long as you are 100% (or as close as you can) logging your food, you should see progress. Also if you find time, this is an excellent read that helped me in my personal achievements and adherence to my new routine.


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • CJloves
    CJloves Posts: 6
    Thanks, I find this helpful! :-)
  • unstableali
    unstableali Posts: 3
    hi , i too have a problem understanding this , what you have explained makes sense but is your net calories meant to be as much as your bmr ? so say mine is 1200 i do eat 1200 but then exercise so its 800 net does this mean i have to eat more to make at least the 1200 as net ?
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    Eat 1500 calories (Gross calories)
    Burn 300 calories
    Your NET is now 1200
    Eat 300 more calories
    Your NET is now back up to 1500

    or looking at the above,

    1800 GROSS calories (1500+300)
    Less 300 calories burn
    NET 1500 for the day

    (1500 was a randomly picked number)
  • unstableali
    unstableali Posts: 3
    Eat 1500 calories (Gross calories)
    Burn 300 calories
    Your NET is now 1200
    Eat 300 more calories
    Your NET is now back up to 1500

    or looking at the above,

    1800 GROSS calories (1500+300)
    Less 300 calories burn
    NET 1500 for the day

    (1500 was a randomly picked number)

    but is your net allowed to be under your basic or does it have to be above ?
    what effect will it be if it is?
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    Eat 1500 calories (Gross calories)
    Burn 300 calories
    Your NET is now 1200
    Eat 300 more calories
    Your NET is now back up to 1500

    or looking at the above,

    1800 GROSS calories (1500+300)
    Less 300 calories burn
    NET 1500 for the day

    (1500 was a randomly picked number)

    but is your net allowed to be under your basic or does it have to be above ?
    what effect will it be if it is?

    Your NET should be your target. A lot of people choose to eat half of their exercise burn. In the above example you would eat back 150 of the 300 netting 1350. Personal preference. Personally I eat all my extra calories. I am not happy unless I am within 100 or so of my net goal either way, hopefully just a little under.
  • unstableali
    unstableali Posts: 3
    Eat 1500 calories (Gross calories)
    Burn 300 calories
    Your NET is now 1200
    Eat 300 more calories
    Your NET is now back up to 1500

    or looking at the above,

    1800 GROSS calories (1500+300)
    Less 300 calories burn
    NET 1500 for the day

    (1500 was a randomly picked number)

    but is your net allowed to be under your basic or does it have to be above ?
    what effect will it be if it is?

    Your NET should be your target. A lot of people choose to eat half of their exercise burn. In the above example you would eat back 150 of the 300 netting 1350. Personal preference. Personally I eat all my extra calories. I am not happy unless I am within 100 or so of my net goal either way, hopefully just a little under.

    right so which would lose weight ? 1 or 2 ? or does 1 still put you in starvation mode?

    (1)
    my bmr is 1200
    i intake 1300
    i exercise 300
    i eat 150 more
    net = 1150

    (2)
    bmr 1200
    intake 1800
    exercise 300
    eat 150
    net 1650

    sorry for being thick but im really confused
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    "Starvation Mode" is a myth for the most part. I would need to know a more about you to make a recommendation on a number for you.

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