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net calories

cgeiser1
cgeiser1 Posts: 145
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
So I'm confused.

I read somewhere on here that you need t eat a minimum of 1200 net calories or else your essentially starving. Well my net calories for today are 350! I feel fine, not like I am starving. I've had three meals, and a few healthy snacks. I took a class at the gym and the teacher said it burned around 650 calories. Like I said I don't understand how I can be starving?

Before I started on this website I just ate food, tried to eat healthy. Now that I count my calories I just eat less muffins and cheese honestly thats about it. I don't have a lot of weight to lose only like 15 pounds. But now I'm afraid Im starving myself?

I just don't want to be hurting myself in the long run. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks!

Replies

  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
    Because you ate 1200 and burned the majority of that off, your body is trying to run on 350 calories. Your body needs fuel. That's not enough fuel. This will eventually cause your metabolism to slow down & your weight loss to come to a screeching halt.
  • samb
    samb Posts: 464 Member
    There is a post on here that explains the whole thing, i just read it but can't find it at the moment...but basically you have a range from 1000 calories below your maintenance to 500 above---MFP lays it out for you so that you will be eating less than your maintenance. Mine is 1450 (but MFP says to eat 1200) - so my range would be 450-1950 net calories...however, I know going above 1450 would make my body gain weight, but everyone is different. So now that I have an understanding for this...if I work out and eat the 1200 calories then I don't want my net calories to go below 450 (so don't burn more than 750 calories) - if I work out additional to make my net lower then I will need to eat those calories back - HEALTHILY (fruits & vegetables etc). The other thing to note is that if you are not working out at all and are not active then your body will adapt easier to eating less calories. This really seems like more of an issue for when you get to your goal weight and are not working out as much, etc. I wouldn't stuff yourself, but just try not to let your net calories go too low.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,360 Member
    It has to do with how MFP figures things out. You net calories are the calories you ate minus the calories you burned in your exercise. If you did not have a continuous heart rate monitor on, that 650 calories is at best a guess. How many calories you burned in the exercises at the gym will very depending on factors like how much you weight, how old you are, how engaged in the exercise you were and how fit you are. I burn significantly less calories now in exercises that I used to burn a bunch in when I started because I weigh less and am much more fit.

    When it comes down to it, if you ate at least the calories you are supposed to for the day (1200 or more) you are fine. It takes more than one day, or even several days, to get your metabolism to react at all. Add some weight lifting as well, and it will keep your metabolism going well.
  • cassybubby
    cassybubby Posts: 37 Member
    I've read the same kinds of things. As far as I'm aware, as long as you're EATING at least 1,200 calories a day, any calories gained from excercise is ok.
  • JenBrown0210
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    If your net calories are below 1200 it can be bad and put your body into starvation mode. You would have to do that everyday. I wouldn't make a habbit out of it. You could also try having something calorie rich, like wheat toast with peanut butter or some nuts. I only got to 950 calories yesterday, being sick I just didn't want to eat, I woke up today and was starving so I ate a little over my 1200. You have to do what is right for your body, but if you are consistantly eating under 1200 a day you may want to see a dietician and make sure your eating healthy for your body. I hope that helps.
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Here are some good threads that explain how MFP is set up (built in deficit), metabolism, and why it's important to eat to fuel the body. MUST READS! Good luck to you!

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

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

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