average calories or varied?

c2sky

I'm just wondering how many of you average out an amount that is consistent versus eating an extra 1200 exercise calories one day and 300 another day, and none on a rest day. I hired a dietician (before doing MFP) actually 2 dieticians. One dietician told me 1800 calories per day, with my physical activity and exercise. The other told me 2000 calories a day. But of course MFP varies that daily. Right now, I'm trying to make it between 1800-2000, except on the days that I exercise less. Then I keep it around 1600. This usually gets me well under my calories or slightly over. But it seems easier to be consistent. And I wonder if my body will be less confused.

Thoughts?

crmhaske

MFP is the first place I have ever experienced a fluctuating suggestion of calories to consume based on the exercise done that day. I want to know what their sources are for their medical information, but I can't seem to find any references anywhere. This site has excellent utilities, but it seems to spout a lot of dangerous myths. I would listen to your dieticians.

c2sky

thanks, what else do you all do?

robinaddison

I mostly keep my calories at around 1500/day (which is slightly over what mfp gives me); I don't really eat back my exercise calories, unless I'm hungry for some reason. Not bored, not thirsty, not tired, but truly hungry. A big part of this process for me is learning to listen to my body, so that's the way I do it. And despite what people may say, I've had a slow and steady loss of around 4lbs/month since Jan. No sign of the dreaded starvation mode at all!
Point being, I think there is a bit of an art to this science - you have to tweak the program til it works for you!