Exercise calories...... Are we suppose to eat them??

RosieGB33nz
RosieGB33nz Posts: 142
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
If i dont eat them and complete my diary, it says i need to eat more or my body will go into starvation....... isnt eating the calories you burn defeating the whole purpose of exercising in the first place?

Replies

  • blbradford87
    blbradford87 Posts: 21
    lol I totally agree! I never do and I am not starving so no worries!
  • GTOgirl1969
    GTOgirl1969 Posts: 2,527 Member
    MFP already has you at enough of a calorie deficit to lose weight. Not eating at least SOME of those calories will put you below a net of 1200, which is the bare minimum to avoid going into starvation mode. I used to think the same way, but the last four or five days I've been logging everything and eating back the exercise calories to within 100 or so. I've lost two pounds already (hoping it's not all water weight).
  • jenrobyoung
    jenrobyoung Posts: 37
    No, you need to build muscle to help you keep off the fat over time. The calories they recommend are already lowered for your goal to help you achive weight loss, so if you don't eat back your calories your body thinks your taking in only the Net amount which may not be enough for you. I don't eat back 100% of my calories I burn, but most of them, so I don't feel hungery at the end of the day.
  • MeliciousMelis
    MeliciousMelis Posts: 458 Member
    You are supposed to eat your exercise calories- the deficit MFP has you at already has calculated in however many lbs. you will lose in that week.
    To go under your target means you will compromise any muscle you hope to build at the gym and any metabolism gains in efficiency.
  • gloria84
    gloria84 Posts: 52 Member
    You do have to eat them.... the calorie intake that fitnesspal calculates for you is the minimum you can eat a day.... For example mine is 1350 a day... If I work out and burn 350 means that I only took 1000 a day which is not healthy and your body WILL go on starvation mode... The main purpose for exercise when you are counting the calories you intake is either to help you maintain the goal on your calorie intake in case you go over your intake and also to tone your body make sure you are losing weight and toning at the same time so you dont end up with flab everwhere...

    Hope this helps...
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