Net calories?

jackiemarie

Hello!!! Question-- what are my "net" calories supposed to be everyday???? My calorie goal set by mfp is 1300. I don't always eat all my exercise calories back. I've read these forums and there seems to be debate on whether to eat them back or not but still not sure where my net calories should be..... Thanks!!!!

dr1981

I would just pick and choose and path and stick with it for a good month or so and see what works. If you were honest with yourself as far as what you've eaten and you didn't see any results than make minor adjustments and repeat the process.

chuckanderson

If you don't eat them back you may lose faster but you will probably lose muscle instead of just more fat. If you go too low for too long, you may go into starvation and hinder loss all together.

Eat them and stick to your goal loss per week and don't try to do it faster.

GufoBianca

I've wondered the same thing. It would only make sense that if you consumed 1300 calories...and exercised, say, a deficit of 400 calories, you would only be at 900 calories for the day...so you would have to consume an additional 400 to keep things going. Your body's bare minimum is 1200 calories a day..so wouldn't you throw your body into an unhealthy routine by not replenishing the 400 calories you lost with exercise?

I'm really not sure...That's just my though on it...Can anyone on here that knows more about this situation, help us with this question? It's one I've been wondering the answer to for awhile now..

PeachyKeene

At the end of the day I always click the Complete this entry button on the track food page. If I have consumed to few calories this warning will come up saying:

"*Based on your total calories consumed for today, you are eating too few calories. Not only is it difficult to receive adequate nutrition at these calorie levels, but you could also be putting your body into starvation mode. Starvation mode lowers your metabolism and makes weight loss more difficult. We suggest increasing your calorie consumption to 1,200 calories per day minimum."

sabrinafaith

I make sure my Net Calories are above 1000 every day. Usually I have about 100 or 150 calories left over on workout days.

bethanynewton

I asked this same question of a friend yesterday. I wasn't feeling very good all day, really run down and tired with a general fogginess about my head, but no other "sick" symptoms.

My target calories are 1200 a day and I'd been having a hard time even reaching that point, only hitting between 800 and 1000 and then burning 400 on an elliptical. For about a week I was only netting between 400 and 600 calories a day. I asked a friend if I should be eating enough to reach 1200 calories taking into account the cardio I do. He said absolutely and that is probably why I felt so run down. Sure enough, a decent sized meal and a day break from the gym made me feel much better. So, I'm trying to add more healthy food options or a protein shake to up my calorie intake and not wipe my body out in cardio.

I hope that helps on some level. Good luck!

GufoBianca

Hmmm, so it seems to be true then. Exercise "earns" you a few extra calories. I, too, have a difficult time reaching my 1200 calories, bethany. A protein shake sounds like a great idea to complete the calories for the day! I think I will start trying that. Thank you for the advice!

earthymom

For me to see results quickly, I do not eat my exercise calories during the week. My calorie goal is 1200/day. On the weekends, I tend to go over the 1200/day, maybe by 500- sometimes up to 1000. It seems to work out for me. I like having that flexibility on the weekends.