Using your full calorie allotment?

grrl77

Hey guys,

For example's sake, I am allotted 1600 calories per day. Let's say I have 700 left and then I go walk somewhere for 30 minutes, gaining me 300. So now I have 1,000 remaining. Do you use the full 1,000? Or do you generally try to be under? Just wasn't sure what the train of thought on this was/how successful you've been. Let me know!

Mindful_Trent

I always eat at least the base calories (so that would be 1600 for you.) I try to eat 50-75% of exercise calories, leaving room in case I overestimate exercise calories, but some days I do eat almost all of my exercise calories. It's working for me so far...

♥_Ellybean_♥

I always shoot for at least 90% of my calories... my trainer asks me everyday if I am meeting my calorie requirement. I shoot for whatever calorie range I have without exercise. So I think right now with no exercise I am at 1400... I will shoot for that number.. even if I exercise (which I do 5X a week) ... I also eat when I am hungry... so if I go over a little bit I don't obsess because I know I burned calorie through exercise.

MLgarcia3

I eat all of my alloted calories and all or half of my exercise calories, depending on how hungry I feel.. so far so good!

lordofultima

Since I'm cycling my calorie intake, for 3 days I stick to 1600 calories of consumption, and then on the 4th day I shoot for around 2000-2100. I don't vary these numbers no matter what I do for exercise that day. The 4th for loading carbs and calories seems to compensate for that and helps in raising my BMR.

ErickaJos

Hey, Can you tell me a little more about "cycling calories". I've heard of this principle but need it broken down kindergarten style!

Thanks!

StacLegg

I think it defeats the purpose to eat all the calories I've earned, I want to lose weight so why would I eat extra everyday? I could be wrong but this is week 3 for me and I have lost 11 lbs so I am going to stick with it!! I eat my 1200 calories everyday but don't eat my exercise calories!

Mindful_Trent

I think it defeats the purpose to eat all the calories I've earned, I want to lose weight so why would I eat extra everyday? I could be wrong but this is week 3 for me and I have lost 11 lbs so I am going to stick with it!! I eat my 1200 calories everyday but don't eat my exercise calories!

You don't understand how MFP works. It calculates your daily goal to lose weight WITHOUT taking into consideration any exercise calories. If you didn't exercise at all, then yes, stick to 1200/day. However, when you exercise, that increases your deficit above what you need to lose your goal weight per week. It's not necessarily better to lose weight as fast as possible, so MFP recommends you eat most of your exercise calories back to maintain a *safe* deficit.

Edited to add: if you continue not eating back any exercise calories long term, then you are likely to slow your metabolism down and your weight loss will be more difficult. Tons of people (myself included) have successfully lost weight consistently while eating back most of our exercise calories.

megsta21

I think it defeats the purpose to eat all the calories I've earned, I want to lose weight so why would I eat extra everyday? I could be wrong but this is week 3 for me and I have lost 11 lbs so I am going to stick with it!! I eat my 1200 calories everyday but don't eat my exercise calories!

You don't understand how MFP works. It calculates your daily goal to lose weight WITHOUT taking into consideration any exercise calories. If you didn't exercise at all, then yes, stick to 1200/day. However, when you exercise, that increases your deficit above what you need to lose your goal weight per week. It's not necessarily better to lose weight as fast as possible, so MFP recommends you eat most of your exercise calories back to maintain a *safe* deficit.

Edited to add: if you continue not eating back any exercise calories long term, then you are likely to slow your metabolism down and your weight loss will be more difficult. Tons of people (myself included) have successfully lost weight consistently while eating back most of our exercise calories.

Well said!

Your body needs those extra cals if its to stay out of "starvation" mode!!

Here are two links which explain ...

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

Why Starvation Mode is to be avoided:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/777-why-is-starvation-mode-so-bad