Eat Calories Burned?

runnerlisa14

Forgive this dumb question, but...am I supposed to eat the calories I burn during exercise? I'm doing the 1,200 calorie diet and for example, I gained a little over 500 calories in a workout. Do I just stick with the 1,200 calories to lose the weight? Will I maintain if I eat the earned calories?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

bajoyba

MFP is designed for you to eat your exercise calories back.
When you put your stats and goals into MFP, it assigns you a calorie number that already includes the deficit you need to reach your weight loss goals. If you exercise, you create an even larger deficit, which can be counterproductive.

Phoenix_Warrior

MFP is designed to eat back exercise because it already gives you a deficit to lose weight. So, you should net 1200. While I do not agree with the 1200 calorie limit myself, (I eat a net of 1600), it is important to fuel your body properly to function correctly. Also, beware the overestimation on calorie burns. It's typically recommended to take about 75% of what mfp gives you to eat back.

professormudd1

I don't trust MFP's estimates of calories burned. I also have a hard time trusting the calories burned readings on the gym machines as well. A lot of people around here have pretty good results using a fitbit or other heart monitor to estimate their calorie burns.

I do not eat back most of my burned calories. I just make sure I net a minimum of 1200.

runnerlisa14

Thank you, thank you, thank you guys for your responses! I agree with you and the main goal will be to net the amount of calories I need to hit. Thanks again everyone, it's appreciated!