Net calories?

cptnjck0209

So I always eat my minimum of 1200, but mostly don't go over 1400/1500. My exercise is usually 600-900 cals a day meaning sometimes my net cals are low like 350!
I've read on here that people eat their exercise calories? I usually don't, or only eat a small amount of them like 100-200 cals. Last week was my first week, weighed in this Monday (Halloween) and I'd lost 6.5lbs but I figured it was a kick-start amount and because I have like 90lbs to spare but now I'm worried I'm doing it wrong?

Any advice/opinions would be much appreciated! I don't feel hungry like I need to eat more but I don't want to lose unhealthily and lose muscle-mass/go into starvation mode... Does my extra stored fat save me from these things?

Thanks! =D

Puffins1958

I'm not here that long, but most of my friends feel you should eat your exercise calories. I generally don't do that, and under normal circumstances are below 1000 calories a day. It just works out that way, I don't plan that.


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snookumss

You are under eating, but don't worry too much YET. One week or two won't hurt you too much. You do need to make sure your net is much higher though otherwise you will definitely stop losing weight healthily (if you don't plateau from it!). Some days I work out and burn 800-1k calories and I can eat all I want and not reach my calorie limit. The "Net" is the magic number dearie... make sure thats not below 1200 After that, in the future, you can start paying attention to the magical question (to eat back, to not eat back...) when it really matters.

rockerbabyy

i try to always eat to net 1200 at least. sometimes i eat all my exercise calories..which isnt hard since my normal daily goal is like 1370.
its really best to fuel your body. yes youll lose weight if you dont eat your exercise calories, but you could also be losing lean mass and harming your metabolism.

cptnjck0209

Does it make a difference if I'm weight training to keep my muscles?
I just don't feel like I need more food but yeah, maybe it's a first few weeks thing and then I'll start getting ravenous once my metabolism wakes up
Thanks guys

_Ben

So I always eat my minimum of 1200, but mostly don't go over 1400/1500. My exercise is usually 600-900 cals a day meaning sometimes my net cals are low like 350!
I've read on here that people eat their exercise calories? I usually don't, or only eat a small amount of them like 100-200 cals. Last week was my first week, weighed in this Monday (Halloween) and I'd lost 6.5lbs but I figured it was a kick-start amount and because I have like 90lbs to spare but now I'm worried I'm doing it wrong?

Any advice/opinions would be much appreciated! I don't feel hungry like I need to eat more but I don't want to lose unhealthily and lose muscle-mass/go into starvation mode... Does my extra stored fat save me from these things?

Thanks! =D

The more weight you have to lose, the faster you will lose. Also when starting out, you have a LOT of water weight that you will lose. I personally dont eat back my calories (except on events like holidays, and still try to avoid it). Its a highly debated point. Just do what works best for you, everyone is different

Artemis_Acorn

Those of us who are in the "obese" or "overweight" BMI ranges have more leeway in terms how much of the exercise cals we eat back without having to worry about the dreaded starvation mode. Some days I exercise just so I can eat them back LOL. But other days, especially if I'm not hungry, (that can be a side-effect of exercise) I eat my base calories and "live off the fat of the land" for the rest. Make sure you pay attention to the nutrition in your base calories and you should be fine. As you approach a normal weight you have less fat to burn and you DON'T want to force your body to burn muscle, so at that point, you should be eating your exercise calories back.

rockerbabyy

Does it make a difference if I'm weight training to keep my muscles?
I just don't feel like I need more food but yeah, maybe it's a first few weeks thing and then I'll start getting ravenous once my metabolism wakes up
Thanks guys

the weight training would help a bit but even then, if you arent eating enough to repair your muscles after a workout its not gonna do much good. easy ways to add some calories without eating a ton..using full fat mayo and salad dressings, using olive oil in cooking, add some avocado to sandwiches, or a slice of cheese or some nuts i love almonds

TavistockToad

So I always eat my minimum of 1200, but mostly don't go over 1400/1500. My exercise is usually 600-900 cals a day meaning sometimes my net cals are low like 350!
I've read on here that people eat their exercise calories? I usually don't, or only eat a small amount of them like 100-200 cals. Last week was my first week, weighed in this Monday (Halloween) and I'd lost 6.5lbs but I figured it was a kick-start amount and because I have like 90lbs to spare but now I'm worried I'm doing it wrong?

Any advice/opinions would be much appreciated! I don't feel hungry like I need to eat more but I don't want to lose unhealthily and lose muscle-mass/go into starvation mode... Does my extra stored fat save me from these things?

Thanks! =D

if someone was on here saying they ate 350 calories a day, would you think that was enough?

with the exercise you do, thats essentially all you are eating, which isnt very healthy. you will lose muscle along with the fat if you are not eating enough. I would say try and make sure you net at least 1000 -1200 calories per day.

claire_xox

every second thread is this question, everyone has an opinion on it and the forums are split. Do what YOU want.

thankyou4thevenom

Does it make a difference if I'm weight training to keep my muscles?
I just don't feel like I need more food but yeah, maybe it's a first few weeks thing and then I'll start getting ravenous once my metabolism wakes up
Thanks guys

This is the MFP stance on eating your exercise calories
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

Give it a read and then decide. Once thing I know this is a hotly debated topic and you need to find out what works for you.

As for waking up your metabolism this is a myth. People who are overweight have a metabolism that runs faster then those that are skinny. You simply need more calories to exist. The leaner you get the less calories you need. Unless you're looking to be a body builder you're going to need less calories not more.