Sick...only netted 297 calories today! HELP!

Losing2Live69

I am shocked. MFP makes such a big issue out of exercise calories. The creators of this site encourage us to eat them back. You know the little warning that pops up when you don't eat enough....it tells you that you are eating too few calories and you are going to go into starvation mode? Anyway, I only netted 297 calories today because I got sick after being out in the hot sun for almost 6 hours. I was shocked when I finalized my food diary and didn't see the warning!! Are they condoning eating this way? It certainly doesn't reflect what they suggest about exercise calories. I'm kinda baffled! What are your thoughts on this?

i_love_vinegar

Sorry this is a bit off topic, but I will eat around 200 calories less than my 1,200 goal sometimes and I never received a warning about starvation mode. Hmmm...does this mean that 1,200 calories is NOT the be-all-end-all for starvation mode?

I think it is okay to only net around 300 calories if you are sick...just make sure to stay hydrated!!!

sophjakesmom

One day is not going to hurt. If it extends over several days, it will impact your ability to lose.

erickirb

I am shocked. MFP makes such a big issue out of exercise calories. The creators of this site encourage us to eat them back. You know the little warning that pops up when you don't eat enough....it tells you that you are eating too few calories and you are going to go into starvation mode? Anyway, I only netted 297 calories today because I got sick after being out in the hot sun for almost 6 hours. I was shocked when I finalized my food diary and didn't see the warning!! Are they condoning eating this way? It certainly doesn't reflect what they suggest about exercise calories. I'm kinda baffled! What are your thoughts on this?

The warning only comes up after you hit complete entry. Have some juice to get some easy calories.

nicxox

I've noticed that I only get a warning if I eat less than 1200 calories, if I NETT less than 1200 then I don't get a warning... (this doesn't happen very often by the way lol)

erickirb

Sorry this is a bit off topic, but I will eat around 200 calories less than my 1,200 goal sometimes and I never received a warning about starvation mode. Hmmm...does this mean that 1,200 calories is NOT the be-all-end-all for starvation mode?

I think it is okay to only net around 300 calories if you are sick...just make sure to stay hydrated!!!

1200 is not the be all and end all, for some it might be 1500 or 1350 and for others it might be 1100 or so. MFP chose 1200 based on research and the fact it is difficult to get all the required macro nutrients (fat, carbs, protein) and micros (fiber, vitamins and minerals, etc) on anything less than 1200 cals/day is quite difficult. So if you eat only 1200, or less, you don't have room for treats, you need to make every calorie count.

DonnaLFitz

It's just a suggestion. I regularly eat well below the MFP limit (I don't eat my exercise calories either) and I'm fine. Nothing to stress over. Do what feels right.

blpope

Yeah, the warning only pops up if you eat less than 1200 calories period (not net).

Panda86

If you eat at least 1200 calories, the warning doesn't come up (even if you don't eat exercise calories).

27strange

I've noticed that I only get a warning if I eat less than 1200 calories, if I NETT less than 1200 then I don't get a warning... (this doesn't happen very often by the way lol)

Agree with this. I have only gotten the warning when I ate less than 1200 calories for the day, not when I net less than 1200. I don't eat back my exercise calories typically so I eat between 1200-1500 per day and have had quite a few days lately where my net was 500 for the day (i.e. eating 1,200 calories while working off 700 calories through exercise = net 500).

erickirb

Agree with this. I have only gotten the warning when I ate less than 1200 calories for the day, not when I net less than 1200. I don't eat back my exercise calories typically so I eat between 1200-1500 per day and have had quite a few days lately where my net was 500 for the day (i.e. eating 1,200 calories while working off 700 calories through exercise = net 500).

This is not healthy at all, if you continue netting below 1200 (may be 1350 or 1000 for you) you may end up losing a large % of lean muscle instead of fat. If you want to lose mostly fat, slow and steady is the best approach and you need to eat your exercise cals back (if you have 75+ lbs to lose you could probably get away with only eating some, not all back)

I just noticed you are a guy, Your minimum net should be more like 1500-1600. that would be 1500 + your exercise cals at the very least.

WomanofWorth

I am shocked. MFP makes such a big issue out of exercise calories. The creators of this site encourage us to eat them back. You know the little warning that pops up when you don't eat enough....it tells you that you are eating too few calories and you are going to go into starvation mode? Anyway, I only netted 297 calories today because I got sick after being out in the hot sun for almost 6 hours. I was shocked when I finalized my food diary and didn't see the warning!! Are they condoning eating this way? It certainly doesn't reflect what they suggest about exercise calories. I'm kinda baffled! What are your thoughts on this?

I don't think they're conditioning people to undereat. Most people don't exercise for 6 hours in the heat. If you have a goal of 2300 calories but you exercise away 2000 of them, you're working too hard hon. What the others are saying about total calories is correct as well.

Losing2Live69

I am shocked. MFP makes such a big issue out of exercise calories. The creators of this site encourage us to eat them back. You know the little warning that pops up when you don't eat enough....it tells you that you are eating too few calories and you are going to go into starvation mode? Anyway, I only netted 297 calories today because I got sick after being out in the hot sun for almost 6 hours. I was shocked when I finalized my food diary and didn't see the warning!! Are they condoning eating this way? It certainly doesn't reflect what they suggest about exercise calories. I'm kinda baffled! What are your thoughts on this?

The warning only comes up after you hit complete entry. Have some juice to get some easy calories.

I did complete my entry! That is how I know it didn't come up. I had a net total of 297 calories today and there was no warning.

sarad777

I may have seen this warning, but have ignored it. :-) 1200-1400 is my goal but some days I eat under it. Some days I just don't want anymore.

mermx

I enjoy every last one of my calories (exercise also) glass of wine, some salted peanuts at the end of the day. I suppose it is going to be a way of life and not a `diet`. What I am trying to say is make the most of your calories, don`t take away things you may enjoy and have a little treat if you have some spare calories (fat/carbs/protein). You may live 10, 20 30 + years and you have to have a treat to eat now and again, it`s just like buying a new outfit that you maybe cant afford. You save up for it and then buy it. Good luck x

preacher_lady

My doctor told me yesterday not to even worry about the net. It's how many calories you eat. She told me to try to stay between 1,000 - 1,200 for my size and I would be fine. She doesn't even have a problem with me staying at 1,000 as long as I'm feeling good, I'm healthy and I have energy. I really don't think you have anything to worry about.