Exercise calories?

Lindsey_81

I'mnew to this and I have read some posts on this subject and people are torn, some eat all their exercise calories back and some say they do not. My plan is to atleast make my net calories come to 1200, I do not want to eat to little calories but I also want to lose atleast 1 lbs a week. How are you handling your net calories?

HMonsterX

I personally do the same as you, make sure my net calories >1,200.

But, it's down to each person. Also it depends on how big you are and how much and how fast you want to lose it. A very large person has a much wider margin of "error", so to speak.

Mallory0418

I am NOT an expert by any means, this is strictly my opinion...

I work out very hard in the mornings, which makes me really hungry through out the day. I try my hardest to keep as close to 1200 calories as possible but sometimes your body just NEEDS more calories. I usually end up using 200 - 300 of my exercise calories after I've burned around 900 calories in my workout that morning. I'm not sure how helpful that is...just telling you what works for me!

JeneeMarie

Its all about what you are eating. I have lost 2 pounds in 3 days....staying just at 1200 cal a day. What kind of food plan are you on or what is your daily intake look like?

hillm12345

Even if I work out, I try not to go over 1200. If i'm hungry, I use those extra calories but if I'm full, I don't eat my exercise calories. I found that if I don't eat my exercise calories most the time, then when I go over and don't exercise I don't gain. Again, it's a personal choice.

pomesky

I try not to eat my exercise calories, because I'm not sure how accurate they are. I would hate to be eating calories I didn't really earn. On the other hand, if I dip into those calories a little I don't beat myself up.

PlunderBunneh

Read through some of these. Can't argue with science.

http://www.shouldieatmyexercisecalories.com/

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/173853-an-objective-look-at-eating-exercise-calories
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/153704-myth-or-fact-simple-math-3500-calories-one-pound-eat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/TrainerRobin/view/myth-or-fact-calories-in-versus-calories-out-3500-calories-one-pound-and-should-i-eat-my-exercise-calories-62012
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/230930-starvation-mode-how-it-works
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/231636-the-eating-when-you-re-not-hungry-dilemma
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/175241-a-personal-view-on-exercise-cals-and-underfeeding
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/302589-eat-more-to-lose-more-explained

doughnutwretch

I'm not great about eating all my exercise calories back, frankly because I just don't eat that much in a day, but since MFP already factors the deficit for you, you should be trying to eat back as much of those calories as possible. Those nutrients are vital for your body to have energy and burn fat rather than muscle. Throw in an post-workout protein/carb shake if you're having a hard time meeting your goals.