Calorie Goal or Time Goal.

bobbie228
bobbie228 Posts: 53
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
When I started MFP it asks you the question how many workouts per week and length of time and then gives you a calorie goal to meet for those workouts to meet your weightloss goal for the week. I haven;te ver really tried to be too in tuned with it all! I figured any exercise I get in the day is great with hopefully 4-5 constructive gym workouts every week.

MY issue is I can reach my calorie goal for the the workout in 45 minutes instead of the 75 I said the workout would be. I usually run on the ellyptical or treadmill for an hour and burn about an extra 150 calories beyond the goal that day, I then usually do about
40-45 mins of strength training and the hang out with the kiddos at the Y pool.

SO which do you go by more the time or the calorie burn? TO be honest there are days where I could run for 90mins and some I coudl run for 45 and I just need to be done. It all just depends on my day and the night or day before.

Last questions is does everyone eat their workout calories because I really try not o consume those calories back.

Replies

  • SheilaSisco
    SheilaSisco Posts: 722 Member
    I go by calories burned. Also, you should be eating those calories back... or at least enough of them to be netting 1200 every day. If you aren't netting 1200, you're only hurting yourself and damaging your metabolism...
  • 6heatherb6
    6heatherb6 Posts: 469 Member
    no expert here but...I used to walk/jog for 30minutes (about 260 calories) now I try to aim for about 300 calories... just gradually upping it... and I DON'T eat back my exercise calories...I eat a healthy 1200'ish and the 300 are a bonus...and I HAVEN'T gone into 'starvation mode'..I'm still loosing weight!! Yay me..
    All the very best,
    :flowerforyou:
  • bobbie228
    bobbie228 Posts: 53
    I definitely eat 1200 a day! I just don't go over the 1200.
  • SheilaSisco
    SheilaSisco Posts: 722 Member
    If you only eat 1200 and then exercise eventually your body will go into a survival mode... it will store fat and burn muscle in order to conserve energy... and while you might still lose weight for a while, if you keep on going with too large of a deficit, your weight loss will slow down or stop OR you could start gaining weight back. You will also do serious and possibly irreparable damage to your metabolism making it more difficult to keep off or lose weight in the future... It's all been studied and proven. Starvation mode is NOT a myth... why do you think anorexia and bulimia are so dangerous?
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