exercise and additional calories

kinmae

Hey Guys,

Ok so the thing says I should be eating about 1800 calories a day, but when I put my exercise in it wants me to eat more. Should I eat all the calories that it says or just stay with the original 1800? I just want to see if I'm doing it right because I want to be successful.

Thanks,
Katie

davidrt

thats a good question, i tried and just cant eat that much

WifeMomDVM

Katie,

So glad you want do to things right! So many people get confused about this - yes eat your exercise your calories. MFP has made a deficit for you already with the 1800 so eat that on the days you don't exercise.

When you do exercise, you are creating a larger deficit and need to fuel your body. So eat back your exercise calories, if you're not sure about how many calories you burn, some people decide to eat back only 1/2 of their exercise calories to allow for error in underestimating calories consumed or overestimating calories burned.

Good luck!

blueeyedtraveler

You should always eat back the calories that you're burning off. For example, I try to eat around 1200 a day. I just got home from Zumba and burned a little over 900. Therefore, today, I should technically eat 2100 calories.

kao708

Do what works for you. Eating back calories doesn't work for everyone so you have to decide what works for you.

Essentially, the thought process is that you should not eat less than 1200 net calories per day if you are female. Net calories would be total eaten - total burned. If you eat 1800 and burn 800 you would have a net of 1000 and probably want to eat back at least 200 to keep your intake from going too low.

Again, there is NO right way and it works different for everyone. Some people eat them all, some half, some none. People have had success on every method...it's mostly trial and error and doing what works for you.

Good luck!

www.ShouldIEatMyExerciseCalories.com :bigsmile: This is just kind of cute and gives another perspective.

Larius

Calorie-dense foods that include protein are a good choice, such as cheese, peanut butter, or any nuts.

My personal opinion is that eating exercise calories becomes more important the closer you are to your goal, but is a good habit to start early.

lindalou4850

I think that you would be eating to many calories a day if you eat back your calories that were burned.Exercise is good but that does not mean you should consume more calories.