Working out and eating the calories

godsgiftjcp

Okay. I have heard that I am supposed to eat back the calories that I burned during my workout. The problem with that is, I am a mom and I go to the gym anytime of the day when I have time. Like tonight, I went to the gym at 9pm and just got home at 1130pm. From my workout, I burned over 1100 calories. I can not eat that now. What am I supposed to do? Is this going to stop me from losing weight? Someone with the answers please help!!!!

grouch201

I'd say don't worry about it all tonight. Get something in you that has carbs and protein in it, even if it's just a slice of toast with some peanut butter. You need to give your body something back so it knows not to just crunch down on your muscles. Then tomorrow pay close attention to your body. It will tell you when you need to eat by feeling tired, or that familiar twinge in your stomach. Make sure it's good quality food, and not anything processed. Make up some of those burned calories tomorrow because your body will probably be screaming for at least some of them back.

ladyhawk00

Planning is the best solution, but sometimes it's not possible. If your workout schedule is unpredictable, just try to average things out. Try to add more cals during the day, if you are fairly sure you'll be working out that day. And if you have a particularly low cal/high burn day, try to make up a bit of it the next day. Also, a good protein shake/bar, some peanut butter or other good protein/good fats after your workout are a good way to make some of it up.

It's not the end of the world to be low on a very occasional basis, but if it is frequent, it can backfire and lead to a lowered metabolism and muscle loss, rather than fat loss. Keep working at it and good luck!