Tracking with MyFitnessPal

tator456

Ok, so MFP shows that I shoudl eat 1,500 calories a day. However, when I exercise and log it, MFP adds the burned calories to my alloted daily caloric intake.

Why is this? Is it not considered bonus calories outside of my BMR or should I go ahead and eat those calories, regardless?

Thanks in advance for your help!

whitebalance

Provided you haven't already estimated your exercise in your "activity level" -- yes, MFP is designed for you to eat those exercise calories. You burn more, you eat more. Your baseline deficit remains the same.

chani8

You should eat your exercise cals.

It is a bonus, in that you worked hard and you deserve them!

The 1500 that MFP gave you, is already at a serious deficit. You will lose weight eating that low, without doing a single bit of exercise.

So if you exercise but don't eat your exercise cals, you'll be eating at an even greater deficit. It's not necessary or healthy, and likely you'll start to feel weak and miserable.

Eat your exercise cals. This method has worked for thousands of us on MFP. As long as you don't overestimate how much you truly burn doing your exercise.

And be sure to weigh and log your food accurately. That's where people mess up, by underestimating what they eat.

Hannah_Hopes

This may be worth a read
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf

bwogilvie

This may be worth a read
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf

^ Take this advice!

It's also helpful to read this:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants