Should I eat the calories I earned from exercising?

MMLzzz
MMLzzz Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
I have logged 40 days straight on MFP and I love it. It has inspired me to eat much better, and for the first time in a long time, I feel in complete control of my eating. I am obsessive about logging every bite of food I take, and I measure everything. Diets in the past have made me think about food all the time, but MFP has helped me break my sugar addiction & I feel much better.

MFP provides me 1550 calories a day in order for me to lose weight. I earn anywhere from 300-600 more calories from exercise each day. So far I have tried to NOT eat those earned calories and stick instead to my 1550 or even below. Honestly, it hasn't been tough to do. I'm surprised I haven't been hungrier. BUT I'm a little frustrated with my weight loss. I had lost 4 pounds, then stayed there for a while and then lost 4 pounds again. Sounds great, but the second 4 pounds keeps coming back. I'll weigh myself one day and be down the 4 and then 2 days later, it's back on. I KNOW I can't be gaining weight back because I am not eating enough to possibly gain weight. Just water retention? Possibly because the one category I'm always over in is Sodium (anyone else find it impossible to not each too much sodium?). Anyway, I'm wondering if I'm actually holding myself back by not eating those earned calories. I just thought it would help me lose a bit faster. Any thoughts?

Replies

  • FitnessLover001
    FitnessLover001 Posts: 188 Member
    It can def be water retention and sodium intake! Also, if you are just starting out with a new exercise routine, the excess water weight from that could be a factor, because your body is getting used to it. Do you have a food scale? If you log as accurately as you say you do and watch everything you eat and exercise daily, then I wouldn't worry about it being "fat", it's more than likely water weight or sodium. Yeah you can have too much sodium and it can blow you up for a little while! I also found too much sugar, even from fruits alone, also put me on a sugar rush and made me blow up like a balloon for quite some time after eating too much of them
  • MMLzzz
    MMLzzz Posts: 3
    I've been exercising pretty hard for quite a few months, so I don't think that's it. And yes, I have a food scale and use it religiously. I know I'm much healthier than I was even a month ago, so I'm trying to focus on that rather than actual weight. But still . . . come on! :-)
  • FitnessLover001
    FitnessLover001 Posts: 188 Member
    it gets frustrating at times, believe me! Took me from December to April to drop 3 pounds….THREE.
    and that was with exercise, diet and food scales! But just keep on doing what you're doing! There has to be progress since you feel more healthier than a month ago! You go!!!

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