eating back exercise calories????

whiffin18
whiffin18 Posts: 8
in Health and Weight Loss
On here it tells you to eat your exercise calories back plus eating the 1200. Doesn't that defeat the point of exercising? I'm 9st and 5ft 8inches
Trying to get down 8st 5lbs.

Any feedback would be great? Thankyou.

Replies

  • Sora4ever
    Sora4ever Posts: 98 Member
    No, that doesn't defeat the purpose of exercising. Your body uses calories from food as energy. So when you exercise, you are burning calories. Your body needs energy to run, so you eat. The more you exercise, the more food you should eat. As long as there is a deficit, you should theoretically lose weight. So, if you eat 1200 calories plus your exercising calories, you'll still be at a deficit.

    Basically, just eat healthy, exercise, and don't starve yourself. There is no secret to weight loss. It's very simple, eat healthy, and exercise. Listen to your body, when you're hungry, eat. When you're thirsty, drink water.
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    The point of eating back exercise calories is to fuel your body and give it the nutrients that it needs, especially since you are eating at the lowest amount that MFP will allow.

    The point of exercise is for general health. Strength train to minimize muscle loss and cardio for heart health.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Take a few minutes to read this....
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf

    The point of exercise isn't to burn calories and fast weight loss isn't necessarily good weight loss.

    With only 9lbs to lose I hope you didn't select 2lbs a week weight loss?
    You don't have to eat only 1200 calories to successfully lose weight - especially as you are tall.
  • brittaney0625
    brittaney0625 Posts: 268 Member
    I don't eat mine back. I don't let myself go hungry either.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    If you're exercising just to create a larger calorie deficit, then yes it would be defeating your purpose.

    But exercise should be about more than just weight loss. Exercise is for fitness. It's for body composition and muscle retention. It's for endurance. And you need to be sure you're fueling your exercise to reach those goals.

    MFP sets your calorie goal ignoring any planned exercise you tell it you'll do. Basically, it doesn't trust you to actually do that exercise until after you log it. It sets a calorie goal that includes the calorie deficit you need to lose weight without any additional activity. When you exercise, you make that deficit larger. Possibly larger than your body wants to handle safely. MFP adds calories back to your goal to keep you at the same deficit for weightloss so that you don't slip into a deficit that's too aggressive.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I don't eat mine back. I don't let myself go hungry either.
    To put a bit of context on your comment - your daily calorie goal is 2,160 and the OP's is only 1,200 and she has very little weight to lose.
  • Vajrayoginigirl
    Vajrayoginigirl Posts: 10
    Most of the time I eat back my exercise calories as I use exercise to help me when I've gone over my calorie limit. (so I'm kind of doing it the other way round!) I've lost 9Ibs in 20 days so its working for me.
  • whiffin18
    whiffin18 Posts: 8
    Thankyou all for your input. Really appreciated!
  • Mykaelous
    Mykaelous Posts: 231 Member
    On here it tells you to eat your exercise calories back plus eating the 1200. Doesn't that defeat the point of exercising? I'm 9st and 5ft 8inches
    Trying to get down 8st 5lbs.

    Any feedback would be great? Thankyou.

    Like others have said, the point of exercise isn't to loose weight, but to build strength and cardiovascular fitness which can help in weight loss. That said I don't find any of the calories burned estimates to be that accurate so I only eat back up to half the calories burned if I feel hungry.
  • cingle87
    cingle87 Posts: 717 Member
    On here it tells you to eat your exercise calories back plus eating the 1200. Doesn't that defeat the point of exercising? I'm 9st and 5ft 8inches
    Trying to get down 8st 5lbs.

    Any feedback would be great? Thankyou.

    First thing that jumped out at me is that you are 5 8" and looking to get to 8st 5lb which would put you under weight, I am an inch shorter than you and even 8st 5lb would put me under weight, so firstly I would seriously reconsider you goal weight and maybe focus more on a body recomp.
  • Lestan48
    Lestan48 Posts: 489 Member
    I was NOT eating back exercise calories until I saw my food at 1920 was too low if I exercised. I now eat back some exercise cals but not all unless really hungry

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