The staggering question about net vs. total calories for the

ncole3

I have this lingering question, which I posted on FB and got some responses but I need your help. Let me first say I am on MFP to loose fat....lots of it. I am still not sure how to approach the whole net calories vs total calories consumed on a daily basis. I am not sure if I should eat back all my exercise calories or not. Here's the situation specified below:

Current calorie intake limit: 1580
When I workout 5-7 days a week I burn: 700-850 per work out. (I usually workout in the evenings)

I have been noticing that I feel a little weak the morning after exercise because I don't really eat back the exercise calories because after a workout. I usually eat exercise recovery food like yogurt or smoothie with some protein (chicken/fish/rice protein in the smoothie). Even if I eat dinner, I still end up with a deficit of 600-1000 when I exercise.

Should I be eating back all of my exercise calories or some of them? I need your help guys...it's important for me to strategize this process, so I can be as successful as possible with my goal.

erickirb

I am usually all for eating exercise cals but you can also try eating just some of them. MFP urges you not go go below 1200 Net, so if you are unsure, try eating enough of them back to get you to 1200 NET.

So if MFP gives you 1580 and you burn 700 it tells you to eat 2280 to net 1580, you can try eating 1900 on days you burn 700 and 2050 on days you burn 850, this will get you to a net of 1200 (1900-700 or 2050-850).

Eating all of your calories becomes more important the less you have to lose, so try netting 1200 now and if it works for you stay there if not change it up. Just give it 3-4 weeks before deciding to change things up.

mikethom

You should read this post http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

agthorn

I have been noticing that I feel a little weak the morning after exercise because I don't really eat back the exercise calories

This is your body trying to tell you that it's not cool trying to keep you running 24 hours a day on only 750-850 calories. Eat em back.

ncole3

Ok. This make sense. That really helps me to structure my eating plan. Thank you!!!

russelljclarke

I think my experiment may see the end of this debate finally - please see http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/russelljclarke and feel free to befriend/bookmark if you really want the answer to this question

ncole3

Thank you very much.....I appreciate your advise.

ncole3

Thank you all for the advise. I will try to eat some of them. I kinda feel like I'm overeating, but since it's better to be safe than sorry...I will eat.