Confused about eating back exercise calories

emzmc
emzmc Posts: 85 Member
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
I am soo confused about eating back excerise calories. I see so many conflicting advise on MFP and on the internet about it.
I don't feel hungry and when I do eat some cals back, at the end of the day I feel totally stuffed.
Just don't really know what to do :s

Replies

  • janeinspain
    janeinspain Posts: 173 Member
    If you're not hungry, just don't eat them. There's a big difference between a daily intake of 1200 cals and one of 1600. If you're closer to the latter, you probably don't need them. I find it quite difficult to get to 1500 some of the days if I do it only with healthy calories. Just be careful to get enough protein and fat to avoid future slip-ups.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    If you're hungry, eat them. If you aren't hungry, don't eat them. Everyone's body is different. For me personally, if I don't eat them - I gain weight. Do what works for YOU. Yes, this website is designed for you to eat them back, but if it isn't working for you - - then don't. :)
  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    Do what you want, the rest of us are. Since I started eating all my exercise calories back (yesterday that gave me almost 2,000 cal) I've been losing weight faster than when I wasn't. I also find it hard to believe that some people have gotten over weight when they can't seem to eat......I think some people try to make this harder than it is. Good luck, I love to eat and I exercise more so I can.
  • emzmc
    emzmc Posts: 85 Member
    Thanks everyone. That's really cleared it up for me!
  • Kilter
    Kilter Posts: 188 Member
    The reasoning behind eating back the calories and losing more weight than when you don't was explained to me by a nutritionist.

    When you don't eat enough, your body goes into starvation mode. Instead of burning calories it stores them (in all the places we don't want).

    When you are exercising on top of this, your body needs to get it's energy from somewhere and finds it easier to consume muscle than fat. Exactly what you don't want of course.

    When you do eat back the calories (or at least as large a portion of them as you can comfortably do) your body has something that it can consume more readily during exercise. You also give your body what it needs to increase your metabolism which helps you burn more calories.

    Do what works for you, but be aware of what your body needs for your future goals.

    S
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