Exercising and Calories

Bobcgirl8

Should you eat those calories you exercise off each day?

chelle1a

From what I understand, you are suppose to. However, I don't eat all of them.

krishkake

I also heard that you're supposed to, but I actually try not to, unless it puts me grossly under 1200.

ladyhawk00

In short, yes, you be replacing at least most of them. Here are some threads that explain metabolism and why you need to fuel the body sufficiently. MUST READS!!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/153704-myth-or-fact-simple-math-3500-calories-one-pound-eat

Good luck to you!

beautifulalways0421

I don't.

I stick to my daily goal (or try to) whether I go to the gym/exercise or not.

To me, if I replace my calories burned, I'm not burning off fat; I'm only burning off calories I just consumed instead of calories I have stored in the form of fat.


I've never heard you're supposed to eat the calories you burn off through exercise, anyway.

ladyhawk00

I don't.

I stick to my daily goal (or try to) whether I go to the gym/exercise or not.

To me, if I replace my calories burned, I'm not burning off fat; I'm only burning off calories I just consumed instead of calories I have stored in the form of fat.


I've never heard you're supposed to eat the calories you burn off through exercise, anyway.

This is actually incorrect. If you don't replace the calories, you're more likely to burn muscle, not fat. Recommend you read the threads I posted above.

jkestens63

I don't.

I stick to my daily goal (or try to) whether I go to the gym/exercise or not.

To me, if I replace my calories burned, I'm not burning off fat; I'm only burning off calories I just consumed instead of calories I have stored in the form of fat.


I've never heard you're supposed to eat the calories you burn off through exercise, anyway.
[/quote

The problem with this is that if I am allotted 1200 cals a day and I burn 1000+ exercising, which I usually do, my body has to survive on 200 calories for the day, its not going to burn 1000 calories of fat. It just not healthy.
I will usually eat most of my exercise calories, leaving a 250 cushion because MFP/gym machines may estimate a little high.
I have have consistently lost.

namrettik

Currently, I'm trying to have my net calories between 1000-1100. It's still not 1200, but I don't think I can make myself eat anymore than what I already am. I have to hunt for high-calorie snack foods before bedtime on many nights just to get above 1000 net calories.

At any rate, I've lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks. When I started, I wasn't eating my exercise calories. I was still losing weight, but once I started to eat some of them back, the weight started falling off at a much quicker pace.

dragnet

Seems there are a lot of opinions out there, mostly saying you should. The reality is that you should try to keep your caloric intake above 1000 - 1200 cal/d, and really probably shouldn't be trying to lose weight faster than about 2 pounds/week (did you notice that was the most weight loss you could select when you were setting up your goals?).

As long as you are eating at least 1000-1200 cal/day AND your calorie intake isn't more than 1000 calories less than what it takes to maintain your current weight, you should be fine. (500 cal/d x 7 days = 3500 cal= 1 pound of fat, so a 1000 cal/day deficit should set you up to lose 2 pounds/week)

ladyhawk00

Currently, I'm trying to have my net calories between 1000-1100. It's still not 1200, but I don't think I can make myself eat anymore than what I already am. I have to hunt for high-calorie snack foods before bedtime on many nights just to get above 1000 net calories.

At any rate, I've lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks. When I started, I wasn't eating my exercise calories. I was still losing weight, but once I started to eat some of them back, the weight started falling off at a much quicker pace.

Might help to try to spread them out and get a little more in each meal/snack. Just 25 cals more in 5 meals/snack is another 125.

dragnet

Seems there are a lot of opinions out there, mostly saying you should. The reality is that you should try to keep your caloric intake above 1000 - 1200 cal/d, and really probably shouldn't be trying to lose weight faster than about 2 pounds/week (did you notice that was the most weight loss you could select when you were setting up your goals?).

As long as you are eating at least 1000-1200 cal/day AND your calorie intake isn't more than 1000 calories less than what it takes to maintain your current weight, you should be fine. (500 cal/d x 7 days = 3500 cal= 1 pound of fat, so a 1000 cal/day deficit should set you up to lose 2 pounds/week)

Exactly right- eating less than the 1000 to 1200 cal puts you into starvation mode. It seems we are very good at avoiding death during short periods of starvation... The trick is to walk the line. It really won't take much, and LadyHawke's suggestion seems spot on to me...

Bobcgirl8

Everyone is so helpful! Thank you!