Exercise Calories question

krissypea79

Hey everyone! I had a question about exercise calories...are we supposed to be eating them back or does that not matter? I'm on a 1200 calorie a day plan. I exercised 280 calories today (making my total 1480), and after all my meals were logged, I was 9 calories short of 1200 for a total of 1,191. I'm not hungry, and I haven't felt starved because I am eating well-balanced meals, taking vitamins and drinking tons of water. I got concerned because I got a little message in red saying that I am eating too few calories, and was curious if I am supposed to be eating back the calories I burn with exercise. If so, I don't know when I am going to find the time (or desire), as I feel quite satisfied with what I've been eating!! I'm not sure what I should be doing!! Thanks in advance for the guidance!!

~Kristin


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

aa1440

A few calories doesn't matter. When I first started I was eating back all my calories. Now I burn about 2000 calories a day when I work out. It's hard to eat 4000 calories a day. Just try it different ways and see what works best for you.

anamikaraks

The opinion I trust on this made the most sense and came from a registered dietician. If you feel tired like you can't find the energy to work out, then eat some back. If you feel good and you can keep up your energy level and not eat them back then don't. In the end we are all different and we have to find what works for us. So for me some days I eat them back and some days I don't.

FaithHopeBELIEVE

The opinion I trust on this made the most sense and came from a registered dietician. If you feel tired like you can't find the energy to work out, then eat some back. If you feel good and you can keep up your energy level and not eat them back then don't. In the end we are all different and we have to find what works for us. So for me some days I eat them back and some days I don't.

Completely agree. This is what I do. I'm usually hungry though. There have been a few times I wasn't hungry when I started on here and made myself eat. Looking back I wish I did not do that.

Troy67

This is the biggest topic on the forums. Half the people say eat them back, the other half say don't. Everyone's body is different. Try both and see what works for you. I was always getting feedback about not eating my exercise calories back. I tried it every day for 2 weeks and didn't lose an ounce. Quit doing it and went right back to losing. Just experiment and do what works for you. Good luck with your eforts.

Troy

CoraGregoryCPA

I recommend not eating your exercise calories back. My min calories is about 1450. Then I don't eat any exercise calories on top of that. I've heard from others that if you aren't hungry then don't eat in order to reach your calorie goal. I'm pretty sure your body will tell you if you really need to eat or not. If you are hungry, by all means make sure you have your min water intake and/or eat. Dehydration can cause hunger too.

The "not eating your exercise calories back" doesn't make sense to me. I didn't start losing weight until I STOPPED eating my exercise calories, but at the same time I increased my calories to 1450 from 1200. So I guess in a way I am eating my exercise calories back.. but even on the days that I don't exercise, I still eat 1450 calories.

You gotta try different things and see what works for you. Make this easier rather than harder. Be aventurous!

SmartFunGorgeous

Finally! People are making sense! Work with it to find what works best for you... Best advice out there!

krissypea79

Thanks everyone!!! I guess it really is trial and error, and I can't be afraid to try and see what works. I will say that I do not have any desire to eat the 289 calories that I would be technically short (if eating them back is what I should do). I've felt full and satisfied all day long. So I guess that's what I'm gonna do for now!! If nothing's happening then perhaps I will up my calories and add a little more to my meals throughout the day!!! Thanks guys!