Do you have to eat back your exercise calories?

EmmaReed84
EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am not a big eater at all, and I really try to make sure I get at the very least 1200 calories a day... Yesterday I was under 1000 calories so at 8pm, decided to have a bowl of porridge (the only thing I fancied eating), just to get me over 1200. Yesterday I was supposed to go to the gym, but due to family issues, I did not go.

If I had have gone, then I would have been under 1200 calories again, so do I have to eat them back to make sure that no matter what I do, gym or not, I do not go under that number?

Replies

  • GradatimFerociter
    GradatimFerociter Posts: 296 Member
    You don't have to, but I would try to.
  • SirDoctorofTARDIS
    SirDoctorofTARDIS Posts: 113 Member
    I do sometimes. It depends if I'm feeling hungry or not. I might end up eating more the next day and generally consider it a wash.
  • foremant86
    foremant86 Posts: 1,115 Member
    Yes you most certainly should.

    1200 calories is already a very low amount, going below that and then burning more calories off with exercise is asking for trouble.

    If you continue on this path your body is going to stop functioning properly, your hair will lose it's shine, possibly start to fall out, your nails will be brittle, etc.

    Your body needs calories to function on a daily basis, to keep all of your organs functioning properly. Starving your body of those calories will only make it struggle to keep each organ alive.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    I would advise that you do not eat less than your BMR. Go here for some calculations of what you should be eating (these are better than MFP's estimates IMO). http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Your BMR (basal metabolic rate) is what your body would burn if you stayed in bed all day and didn't move. Eating lower than that can put unnecessary stress on your body. Also make sure to up your protein intake from what MFP says to 1g/lb of lean body mass. This will help your body retain lean mass while in a calorie deficit.
  • bobbijodmb
    bobbijodmb Posts: 463 Member
    I always eat above 1200-- usually between 1200-1350. Most days I do not eat my exercise calories back - and its worked quite fine for me - I haven't lost to rapidly or stalled too long. It allows for calculation errors, a day that I may want to eat 1500-1700 calories and not feel guilty, etc.

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