Stupid Question

missyrogers6622
missyrogers6622 Posts: 2
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been working out for a few months, not as consistently as I should, but have not lost anything. So, here's my stupid question....the calories you "earn" from exercise....should you eat more calories b/c you worked out or just have extra calories left over? When I don't eat more, I get the message that I'm not eating enough calories and I'm starving my body. But when I do eat more calories.....STILL not losing.

Replies

  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    I generally don't eat back more than 1/2 of calories earned with exercise, if at all. Just to be safe.

    Are you weighing your food portions with a kitchen scale? Even slight overestimations on portions can add up over the day and blow your deficit. Start logging VERY accurately. Scientifically, you'll HAVE to lose weight.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    It is all trial and error. It also depends on your workouts and your goals.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Btw, not a stupid question at all. I've heard actual stupid questions, and this is not one. :wink:
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Favorite answer of all time.

    "It depends"

    if you are doing NEAT+ method- you eat back exercise calories.
    If you are doing TDEE method- you do NOT eat back exercise calories.

    MFP is a NEAT method- meaning- you have a base line "this is what you should eat"... and when you workout- you burn more- which means you can eat more- so you aren't cutting into your base line.

    TDEE takes into account your fitness level when calculating the calories you should be consuming.

    Ultimately when compared side by side- the numbers over the course of a month will average out about the same.
  • martinel2099
    martinel2099 Posts: 899 Member
    Btw, not a stupid question at all. I've heard actual stupid questions, and this is not one. :wink:

    agreed, good question

    watch your results over a 4-6 week period OP, then start to make changes based on results or there lack of. If you are really measuring and recording your food properly and still see no weight loss, consider maybe 1/2ing your exercise calories that you eat back.

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