Calorie Counting 101
Replies
-
I have a question about MFP adding calories to my daily suggested intake after I've put in the amount of calories I've burned during exercise via my polar watch.
Should I disregard and stick to the 1200?0 -
@kackie_13 a good read0
-
I have a question. Let's say I get 1200 cals a day, than workout and burn 300 cals. This app automatically adds the extra 300 cals to my allowance. Does this mean I can eat the original 1200 cals plus the 300 I burned during my workout and I will still loose weight?0
-
I've read posts that suggest that you eat back 50% of those extra calories since the workout calories tend to be overestimated. With your numbers, that would put you at 1350 total for that day.Dare2start wrote: »I have a question. Let's say I get 1200 cals a day, than workout and burn 300 cals. This app automatically adds the extra 300 cals to my allowance. Does this mean I can eat the original 1200 cals plus the 300 I burned during my workout and I will still loose weight?
0 -
I Vismal I do cardio and weights ,I try to avoid carbos, but sometimes I crave for that, what good carbos can I add on my diet without gain weight?
0 -
Great post. Cheers for the advise. I never log my exercise as I don't like the idea of it adding more calories making u think u can eat more. I just keep a log of what I eat and drink and always count zero calorie foods as 5 to be on the safe side. Have only used this app for 4 weeks and already lost a stone and that's with going the gym 3 times a week and playing football twice aweek0
-
It depends. 1200 is not a lot of calories at all (unless you are very petite) so I'd probably eat some of those back. I do not add in exercise calories myself because I eat a higher calorie number to begin with. I base my calorie goal on my total daily energy expenditure so my workouts are already taken into consideration. Basically I'd eat some portion of those calories back, if after a while you aren't losing weight, I'd eat a smaller portion of them back.cherylrodes wrote: »I have a question about MFP adding calories to my daily suggested intake after I've put in the amount of calories I've burned during exercise via my polar watch.
Should I disregard and stick to the 1200?
I don't do much formal cardio, but am a generally active person. You can eat any carbs you want. There are no good and bad carbs. You will not gain weight if you eat fewer calories then you burn in a day regardless of what carbs you eat.vovolourdes wrote: »I Vismal I do cardio and weights ,I try to avoid carbos, but sometimes I crave for that, what good carbos can I add on my diet without gain weight?0 -
I've been calorie counting measuring for 80 days and I'm 60% to my target. I'm entering the dreaded last 10lbs to my target fat weight. I've been watching macros for the last 30 days and try to keep a minum 120gram of protien or more I'm 171.4 lbs now. I don't watch fats and carbs but I'd admit I consume more fat than carbs. I don't have hunger pains. Often I force myself to eat when my caloric deficit is too high. I maintain 500 to 800 cd at all times.
I do a variety of exercise and cardio/swimming strength training. I basically work out when I'm not sore from Doms or 24 hours have past for a muscle group.
Is there anything I should change or watch out for? I plan to do a bulk at some point but would like to shave off the stored 35,000 calories in my body.0 -
Excellent post. the weighing condiment thing is an excellent idea thanks!0
-
I am really impressed that Vismal keeps answering the same questions over and over and over again, despite some of them being addressed just a page before - it must be this sort of endurance that has got you that toned bod!
I have read all the posts and all the pages. Very informative and has answered all my questions, thank you.1 -
Thank you !!! I'm starting my journey and this is very helpful.
0 -
Thank you for posting this. I'm new to calorie counting, and have been very confused. This was very helpful!0
-
This isn't really about calorie counting. I'd post this question in the forum. The quick answer is that losing the last 10 lbs is no different than the first 90. Calorie deficit = weight loss. If weight loss stalls, reexamine your accuracy.I've been calorie counting measuring for 80 days and I'm 60% to my target. I'm entering the dreaded last 10lbs to my target fat weight. I've been watching macros for the last 30 days and try to keep a minum 120gram of protien or more I'm 171.4 lbs now. I don't watch fats and carbs but I'd admit I consume more fat than carbs. I don't have hunger pains. Often I force myself to eat when my caloric deficit is too high. I maintain 500 to 800 cd at all times.
I do a variety of exercise and cardio/swimming strength training. I basically work out when I'm not sore from Doms or 24 hours have past for a muscle group.
Is there anything I should change or watch out for? I plan to do a bulk at some point but would like to shave off the stored 35,000 calories in my body.
0 -
Very helpful0
-
Veggies hardly have any cals. so no I do not believe that you need to weigh them, I just do an estimate of how much I eat. I do not measure anything....I don't have time for that crap. If I stop to lose weight then I will either lower my cal. intake or up my cal. intake. You may not be getting enough cals. if you are working out a lot. I had a problem with that and had to increase my cals. by one to two hundred a day, and it worked.0
-
Has anyone got a link to that awesome little video about underestimating your calorie intake if you don't weight your food? The one with peanut butter and oats? Wanted to show a friend and not having much like finding it.0
-
Vegetables have calories just like anything else. They are not exempt from tracking. They vary in calories depending on type. Vegetables like potatoes and corn can add up quickly. I frequently eat 2-300 calories+ worth of vegetables a day. Do those calories somehow count less than 300 calories of cookies? It's fine if you don't have to weigh your food but this thread is for people who do. Stating you personally do not does not contribute to the discussion at hand which is how to track calories as accurately as possible.kristigibsonzeski wrote: »Veggies hardly have any cals. so no I do not believe that you need to weigh them, I just do an estimate of how much I eat. I do not measure anything....I don't have time for that crap. If I stop to lose weight then I will either lower my cal. intake or up my cal. intake. You may not be getting enough cals. if you are working out a lot. I had a problem with that and had to increase my cals. by one to two hundred a day, and it worked.
Saying to increase calories during a stall is poor advice. If you are not losing weight over the long run, it's because you are not in a deficit (many times because your tracking is inaccurate). If upping your calories caused weight to drop, it was most likely because you were retaining water. The weight lost was not fat. Eating more does not stimulate fat loss. That goes against physics. If you are indeed in a deficit, whether or not the scale immediately shows it, you ARE losing fat. Increasing calories may increase weight loss in the short term, but it will decrease fat loss. I would say it's safe to say most of us are much more concerned over fat loss than water loss.
0 -
MFP have given me 2400 cals to eat a day on the lose 2lb per week thing. I too am having problems eating all 2400. the closest i've come to it is about 1900. Am i doing more harm than good by not consuming all 2400? would I loose weight quicker eating all 2400?
I know it sounds silly.. I just really wish I knew if my body was in a deficit or not0 -
Thanks, I needed that.0
-
Research refeeds and leptin levels. If fat loss has stalled upping your caloric intake by 30% weight in protien grams 20 fat grams and rest carbs for 1 day has been proving to raise the metabolism as much at 10% for a few days after. Satiates hunger by raising the leptin levels. Lots of good info. Remember physics is an instrument of measure to what already excists. The human body has been functioning before we developed science to understand it.0
-
What is your height and weight?MFP have given me 2400 cals to eat a day on the lose 2lb per week thing. I too am having problems eating all 2400. the closest i've come to it is about 1900. Am i doing more harm than good by not consuming all 2400? would I loose weight quicker eating all 2400?
I know it sounds silly.. I just really wish I knew if my body was in a deficit or not
Refeeds are not needed for the average overweight/obese individual. This is a more advanced tactic needed by people trying to get very lean. If you have 20 or more lbs to lose, you don't need refeeds. You are much better just taking a 2 week diet break for every 8-10 weeks of dieting. The majority of people on this message board will probably never need to do a LFHC refeed.tmrmaxchill wrote: »Research refeeds and leptin levels. If fat loss has stalled upping your caloric intake by 30% weight in protien grams 20 fat grams and rest carbs for 1 day has been proving to raise the metabolism as much at 10% for a few days after. Satiates hunger by raising the leptin levels. Lots of good info. Remember physics is an instrument of measure to what already excists. The human body has been functioning before we developed science to understand it.
0 -
What is your height and weight?MFP have given me 2400 cals to eat a day on the lose 2lb per week thing. I too am having problems eating all 2400. the closest i've come to it is about 1900. Am i doing more harm than good by not consuming all 2400? would I loose weight quicker eating all 2400?
I know it sounds silly.. I just really wish I knew if my body was in a deficit or not
Refeeds are not needed for the average overweight/obese individual. This is a more advanced tactic needed by people trying to get very lean. If you have 20 or more lbs to lose, you don't need refeeds. You are much better just taking a 2 week diet break for every 8-10 weeks of dieting. The majority of people on this message board will probably never need to do a LFHC refeed.tmrmaxchill wrote: »Research refeeds and leptin levels. If fat loss has stalled upping your caloric intake by 30% weight in protien grams 20 fat grams and rest carbs for 1 day has been proving to raise the metabolism as much at 10% for a few days after. Satiates hunger by raising the leptin levels. Lots of good info. Remember physics is an instrument of measure to what already excists. The human body has been functioning before we developed science to understand it.
Height is 5" 11 and weight currently is 413.80 -
I am not trying to be rude whatsoever, but to get to 400+ lbs you had to eat far more than 2400 calories on a consistent basis for many years. What is making it hard now? I always recommend people eat a reasonable amount of calories so they have room to reduce later when stalls occur. You should be able to lose quite a lot of weight before having to dip below 2500 calories. I'd also point out that most people, especially beginners, are eating a fair bit more then they think they are. Are you doing all the things listed in the guide?
What is your height and weight?MFP have given me 2400 cals to eat a day on the lose 2lb per week thing. I too am having problems eating all 2400. the closest i've come to it is about 1900. Am i doing more harm than good by not consuming all 2400? would I loose weight quicker eating all 2400?
I know it sounds silly.. I just really wish I knew if my body was in a deficit or not
Refeeds are not needed for the average overweight/obese individual. This is a more advanced tactic needed by people trying to get very lean. If you have 20 or more lbs to lose, you don't need refeeds. You are much better just taking a 2 week diet break for every 8-10 weeks of dieting. The majority of people on this message board will probably never need to do a LFHC refeed.tmrmaxchill wrote: »Research refeeds and leptin levels. If fat loss has stalled upping your caloric intake by 30% weight in protien grams 20 fat grams and rest carbs for 1 day has been proving to raise the metabolism as much at 10% for a few days after. Satiates hunger by raising the leptin levels. Lots of good info. Remember physics is an instrument of measure to what already excists. The human body has been functioning before we developed science to understand it.
Height is 5" 11 and weight currently is 413.8
0 -
I do not eat back my exercise calories and tend to stay under 1200 calories per day. I measure/weigh everything and find that it is very helpful to stay on track. When I do not measure/weigh things the pounds seem to creep back on.0
-
I am not trying to be rude whatsoever, but to get to 400+ lbs you had to eat far more than 2400 calories on a consistent basis for many years. What is making it hard now? I always recommend people eat a reasonable amount of calories so they have room to reduce later when stalls occur. You should be able to lose quite a lot of weight before having to dip below 2500 calories. I'd also point out that most people, especially beginners, are eating a fair bit more then they think they are. Are you doing all the things listed in the guide?
What is your height and weight?MFP have given me 2400 cals to eat a day on the lose 2lb per week thing. I too am having problems eating all 2400. the closest i've come to it is about 1900. Am i doing more harm than good by not consuming all 2400? would I loose weight quicker eating all 2400?
I know it sounds silly.. I just really wish I knew if my body was in a deficit or not
Refeeds are not needed for the average overweight/obese individual. This is a more advanced tactic needed by people trying to get very lean. If you have 20 or more lbs to lose, you don't need refeeds. You are much better just taking a 2 week diet break for every 8-10 weeks of dieting. The majority of people on this message board will probably never need to do a LFHC refeed.tmrmaxchill wrote: »Research refeeds and leptin levels. If fat loss has stalled upping your caloric intake by 30% weight in protien grams 20 fat grams and rest carbs for 1 day has been proving to raise the metabolism as much at 10% for a few days after. Satiates hunger by raising the leptin levels. Lots of good info. Remember physics is an instrument of measure to what already excists. The human body has been functioning before we developed science to understand it.
Height is 5" 11 and weight currently is 413.8
I only asked if eating the the 2400 would make it go faster. And I just don't eat if I'm hungry. So that's why mine is always under 2400. For me to get where I am now it was only choosing the wrong food once I actually was hungry. And of course not realizing what the actual serving size was.0 -
Eating more will not cause quicker weight loss. It will indeed cause slower weight loss than eating a bigger caloric deficit. There are however negative associated with eating too much of a deficit. As I said before, I always advise people to start off eating a caloric level that will leave them room to reduce in the future if they stall.
I am not trying to be rude whatsoever, but to get to 400+ lbs you had to eat far more than 2400 calories on a consistent basis for many years. What is making it hard now? I always recommend people eat a reasonable amount of calories so they have room to reduce later when stalls occur. You should be able to lose quite a lot of weight before having to dip below 2500 calories. I'd also point out that most people, especially beginners, are eating a fair bit more then they think they are. Are you doing all the things listed in the guide?
What is your height and weight?MFP have given me 2400 cals to eat a day on the lose 2lb per week thing. I too am having problems eating all 2400. the closest i've come to it is about 1900. Am i doing more harm than good by not consuming all 2400? would I loose weight quicker eating all 2400?
I know it sounds silly.. I just really wish I knew if my body was in a deficit or not
Refeeds are not needed for the average overweight/obese individual. This is a more advanced tactic needed by people trying to get very lean. If you have 20 or more lbs to lose, you don't need refeeds. You are much better just taking a 2 week diet break for every 8-10 weeks of dieting. The majority of people on this message board will probably never need to do a LFHC refeed.tmrmaxchill wrote: »Research refeeds and leptin levels. If fat loss has stalled upping your caloric intake by 30% weight in protien grams 20 fat grams and rest carbs for 1 day has been proving to raise the metabolism as much at 10% for a few days after. Satiates hunger by raising the leptin levels. Lots of good info. Remember physics is an instrument of measure to what already excists. The human body has been functioning before we developed science to understand it.
Height is 5" 11 and weight currently is 413.8
I only asked if eating the the 2400 would make it go faster. And I just don't eat if I'm hungry. So that's why mine is always under 2400. For me to get where I am now it was only choosing the wrong food once I actually was hungry. And of course not realizing what the actual serving size was.
0 -
Dude you really open my eyes I always measured peanut butter in tablespoons the measuring 1 and I have a manual scale but I'm going to get a digital one I'm really trying to lose weight thanks for the tip it was a major eye opener0
-
I don't eat back my exercise calories, should I?0
-
Bookmark!0
-
Depends on if you've set your calorie goal with your level of activity in mind.georgecarl7 wrote: »I don't eat back my exercise calories, should I?
0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 421 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions