So confused about what to do w/ cals vs exercise

awelch79

A little background: I have lost almost 50 pounds since starting this journey (not all on MFP) and am 10 lbs away from my goal of 20% bodyfat. I have been doing well since starting MFP, and have continued losing. HOWEVER, I realize that I have been reading my calorie counts totally incorrectly.

WARNING: The explanation below is only a rant that decribes why Im an idiot and you can still help me without knowing my excuse...if you arent interested in that, feel free to scroll down!
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Does anybody else HATE how everything is listed in the diary:

My example so far today (3:46 pm):
Totals 825
Your Daily Goal 2,464
Remaining 1,639
*You've earned 1034 extra calories from exercise today

I look at that and think "Okay, theres 825 calories so far today." When in actuality, I am an idiot because I was used to looking on the mainpage and seeing exactly how many calories I had left INCLUDING exercise calories and was reading it incorrectly.

BECAUSE on the main page under your daily summary, your exercise calories are already worked into the equation.

Again, my example form 3:46 today:
Calories Remaining 1639
Goal 1430
Food 825
Exercise - 1034
= Net -209
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When I finally started reading it correctly I am REALLY low on my net calories. For the last week my NET calories were: -600, 182, 590, 1431, 279, 1596, 433, and 622! I dont know what to do. Granted, I am using MFPs calorie count, so some of them are probably higher than they are in reality so I am going to look for an HRM. I am an admitted gym rat and I wont give up any of my classes. Do I just need to eat more in my meals or stay away from low fat/no fat foods? Eat more frequently?

Any input would be helpful. Im sorry because I know a million people ask the "eat your exercise calories" question. I WANT to, but just am having a hard time.

Angelabec

If what you have been doing is working for you, why change now?

mermx

All you can do hun is start again tomorrow...knowing what you know today... Y ou can not go back to eat those calories.


But big congrats on your super weight loss X :-)

Sarahbara76

I have a hard time too getting all my calories without being over in carbs or sugar ..I hope someone can help ..going over in protein and veggies is good tho even if they push you over crabs or sugars it's a trade off and a serving of veggies can be double or tripled and help get you closer. I am only 2-3 pounds away from my goal and it's tougher near the end because your body is clinging to the calories for dear life!!

seasonalvoodoo

Do not eat anything low fat...try 2% milk, greek yogurt, use olive oil to cook, eat avocados, peanut butter, almonds...those foods will add calories and healthy fats.

smjones2

Hi awelch! I am certainly no expert, but I work for the Y and have learned a ton from my fitness and nutrition friends (I too love the classes). First, congrats on your great success! 50 pounds is so awesome! Second, I too find these online tools to be slightly confusing. So, third, my best suggestion is: You can never have enough of the healthy stuff. Counting calories is so so helpful for someone like me who makes horrible food decisions some days - it truly puts it in perspective. At the same time, it can get hard to know what to do! Since you are devoted to those last few pounds and love working out - eat! Your body needs the nutrition. Your body and metabolism will thank you. Choose protein, vegetables, dairy or fruit in that order (according to my trainer). And yes, keep healthy fats in your meals. I hope that helps and I wish you the best in your endeavor. Feel free to add me, I'm still new

zooflute

Not exactly sure I'm understanding your question, but I mostly look at "remaining calories," and try to end the day with 200-400 calories left, if I can. If I have a very sedentary day, I'm happy if I only eat 1200 cal. and break even. I may have to consciously eat more if i manage to run more though.

Sounds like you're doing well!

awelch79

Sorry---I did go on and on and on and on.....

-my main problem is that I have a very hard time eating back my exercise calories (not arguing about whether I should-I COMPLETELY agree with the theory that I should feed my body to maintain my exercise obsession) but I cant give up my exercise classes. I am addicted and even been accused of having a "workout disorder". All days with the exception of Friday and Sunday, I work out hard two hours a day...and I have to or Im basically a beeotch. :ohwell: 1/2 of the days I burn in the range of 600-700 and the other half anywhere from 1000-1100 calories. Of the last 7 days, the only days I was in the thousands of calories consumed were my rest days. One day I was -600! And Im not hungry or starving....Im full most of the day and when I feel hungry between "meals/snacks" I have a piece of fruit.

Yes, I lost 50 pounds in the last year and a half, but I had a lot to lose and now that I am on my last 10-11 pounds, its not coming off as fast as the rest has since I started MFP.

So my question was, what are some ideas for what I can do to build up my calorie intake WITHOUT giving up my workouts. I know I should get an HRM to have a more accurate count than the database on MFP, but other ideas are welcome.

**edited to say this stinks because for the past year and a half I have trained myself to "eat less-move more" and now Im trying to wrap my brain around eating more calories. Im having a really hard time changing my mindset.**