Another net calories question

lil_pulp

OK, I KNOW that this kind of question has been asked and answered a gazillion times already. But:

I want to know that I'm eating enough calories (MFP's goal for me is 1200).

Should I be trying to eat until my "Remaining Calories" is close to zero or until my "Net Calories" is 1200?

Thanks!

-LP

dlaplume2

Net calories is 1200.

Mads1997

Until your 'remaining calories' are as close to zero.

TiDinzeo

I *think* they're both the same You net calories are food - exercise and remaining calories is goal - net calories.

But I could be wrong.

kristarablue

YES...go to the following URL, it has mad wisdom.

www.shouldieatmyexercisecalories.com

But ultimately, you want to lose weight, burn fat and be toned, eat your net of the 1200 or whatever goal MFP has for you.

lil_pulp

Thanks.

But what's the point of MFP giving me a "remaining calories" number that will not get me up to 1200 net calories?

-LP

Edit: Since I joined (maybe 10 days ago), I've been eating until I have about zero calories left. But I just saw my report that says I'm well under 1200 net a day.

lil_pulp

Does the "remaining calories" number NOT include my exercise calories?

(I'm sorry I'm being so slow--I've spent a few days trying to figure this out by using search features and stuff on this site and for whatever reason, just can't understand. I feel remarkably dense.)

-LP

gailosborne

Hello,

I am wondering if there is a technical problem for some reason on yours!

For me they make the same number in the end

If I eat 1500 cals and my goal is 1600 cals, but then do exercise and burn 400 cals

- my goal will be to eat another 500 cals

- my net will only be 1100

They will both make 1600!

I think this is right???

schobert101

They should be the same. If you eat all your remaining calories your net calories will be your goal. That is how the math works. If yours are not can you post specifics of your goal, your intake and your exercise calories to figure out why not?

kristarablue

Ok, I was confused about the net calorie thing when I first started. You are not being slow, trust me, it took me a while to get it. So here is the skinny...if you have eaten 1200 calories and you burn through 500 calories exercise calories, your net will only be 700 even if you have already eaten 1200 so you need to eat an additional 500 to make your net 1200 but your overall will be 1700. Because MFP subtracts your exercise calories from your total eaten calories to make it net.

MFP alread gives you a deficit for your daily calories that is why you want to make sure you eat back your exercise calories.

1200 calories given daily
- 500 exersice calories
700 net
+500 extra eaten calories
= 1200 net but 1700 overall

I hope I did not confuse you more.

lil_pulp

Thanks for the replies. Even though I was quite sure this was not the case at first, it turns out that my own bad math skills were to blame for the confusion. Sorry and thanks!
-LP

baisleac

Your NET calories (on your home page) should be as close to the daily goal MFP set for you as possible.

Your REMAINING calories (on your homepage and food diary page) should be as close to zero as possible.

MFP builds in a deficit for you based on the information you gave it: height, weight, lifestyle, goal weight loss, etc.. All you need to do is follow the calorie goals it gives you.