certain this has been asked before

amberrrogers

So does anyone eat their exercise calories? Or do you just let them be? Im lost as to what I should do. MFP recommends 1700 calories for me in a day. I usually only eat about 1200 (or less really) and usually have at least 500 exercise calories everyday. So my question is, Am I supposed to eat my exercise calories or not?

vim_n_vigor

The intention of this site is that yes, you eat back your exercise calories.

kristilovescake

There are TONS TONS TONS of threads on this.. you'll probably get the best results by searching the forums (using the search button above). Everyone has their own opinion, but searching the old forums will probably get you the best info.

sc1572

I eat back as many as I can, but if I'm not hungry...I don't eat!

kristilovescake

p.s. I almost always eat mine My body needs the fuel!

taso42

it probably has. if only there were a way to look up prior discussions on the topic.

Rachaelluvszipped

Hi, no worries..just check out the websites below..and it should help you! :flowerforyou:


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/6556-the-answers-to-the-questions

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/9433-expectations

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

SUgrad04

I'm just getting started myself, but I think it works like this: the calculation of your daily calories is based on 1) your current weight, 2) the number of pounds you'd like to lose per week, and 3) whatever you said your normal activity level was (for most people, it's sedentary, because not many of us have active kinds of jobs). So the daily calorie level is your BMR (based on weight and your stated activity level) minus the number of calories you need to cut back on per day in order to lose the average amount per week you're shooting for.
If, when you set your goal, you stated an activity level that assumed a certain amount of exercise, I think that affects the calculation and your daily calorie allowance is adjusted upwards. In effect, the program would take into account the number of calories you're likely to burn through activity in a week, and adjust the math accordingly. In which case, I don't think you would want to eat the calories you burn in exercise, or you'll lose slower than you would like.
That's my understanding of it, anyway...

killagb

I'm just getting started myself, but I think it works like this: the calculation of your daily calories is based on 1) your current weight, 2) the number of pounds you'd like to lose per week, and 3) whatever you said your normal activity level was (for most people, it's sedentary, because not many of us have active kinds of jobs). So the daily calorie level is your BMR (based on weight and your stated activity level) minus the number of calories you need to cut back on per day in order to lose the average amount per week you're shooting for.
If, when you set your goal, you stated an activity level that assumed a certain amount of exercise, I think that affects the calculation and your daily calorie allowance is adjusted upwards. In effect, the program would take into account the number of calories you're likely to burn through activity in a week, and adjust the math accordingly. In which case, I don't think you would want to eat the calories you burn in exercise, or you'll lose slower than you would like.
That's my understanding of it, anyway...

Slower than you would like = healthier and more sustainable

Granted, the more weight you have to lose, the higher deficit your body can deal with, but once you get down to 10-20lbs left, you better think about eating them back!

ilookthetype

it probably has. if only there were a way to look up prior discussions on the topic.

Someone should suggest it in the suggestions forum...