Just to make sure I've got this right

cece5300

I reached my goal weight (hooray!) and then some. My goal weight was 125 and I now weigh around 120-121. MFP allows me 1600 maintnance calories which I usually eat every day, but I burn 400-600+ calories a day with exercise. Can I be eating those back now? I'm STARVING all the time lately! I set my activity to sedentary because if I ever don't want to exercise, I have the option and I know how many calories I can eat, but I've never missed a day working out in the 3 months I've been using this.

Also, should my NET calories reach 1600? Or do I ignore those? Thanks!

SezxyStef

Yes eat your exercise calories or at least some of them...

ETA:maitenance can be tricky...when I entered it I had reversed dieted up to my maitenance and continued to lose...so I had to up again...but that being said set yourself a weight range....eat back your exercise calories...some or all and if you start to gain cut back on those calories...it will always be tweaking...but allow for a range.

diannethegeek

Yes, everyone who uses MFP to set their calorie goal should be eating back at least a portion of their exercise calories. I recommend a portion because MFP or gym machines may overestimate the amount burned doing certain exercises. But I'm sure that you already know you may need a little trial and error to find your maintenance range.

PaytraB

Yes, you should eat your maintenance calories and your exercise calories. This will give you your net calories for the day.

MFP's calorie setting is a guestimate. If you're always hungry, they may be too low for you. Monitor your weight. If you are dropping, eat more.

ETA: yes, when eating back your exercise calories, MFP's calories burned may be too high.

dawnmcneil10

Congrats on reaching your goal weight.

I tend to eat back about half of my exercise calories. On the days I do a hard workout I'm not usually hungry but the next day I am so I sort of flex the calories a bit.

One really big thing I would suggest is not to pick a specific weight as your goal, instead pick a range, say 120-125, it'll give you a little wiggle room so you don't panic at the scale when it shakes a little.

zoeysasha37

Yes, in your case I would definitely start eating those calories back, or a portion of them.

icrushit

If your exercise is regular, just dial up the calories slowly until you reach a point where your weight is holding steady maybe ?

cece5300

Thanks, everyone! I definitely don't go by the elliptical or MFP usually. I have a Polar ft4 that I usually go by. Good to know now I can eat back at least some of my calories. I have off today and all I've done is snack! I know I need more protein and fat and less carbs but I'm a poor grad student so I know I don't make the best food choices.

I also like the idea of setting a weight range instead of a specific weight. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

einzweidrei

Honestly, I would eat all of them back. I always try to.

wyattj99

Thanks for this. I'm in the same boat..passed my goal weight and still losing at 1650 a day but I'm not eating all my exercise back either.