Explain net calories

Nsdnjbl

So I have a daily diet of 1300 calories. Today I ate 1376 but I exercised for 225calories burned which gave me more calories to eat??

I thought I was supposed to eat my daily calories and try and burn 3500 weekly calories to loose weight.

I'm confused. Thanks

Athijade

MFP already figures in your deficit. So those 1300 calories is FOR weight loss of whatever you input when you signed up.

For example, I am set to lose 1lb a week which is a 500 calorie a day deficit. MFP already figures out what I can eat based off of that. When I work out, I can eat those calories back because I am still set to lose that 1lb a week.

Nsdnjbl

Ok, thanks. I *think* I understand now!

Anayalata

To elaborate further...

Your BMR is what's necessary for your body to function. It's calculated based off your Gender, Weight, Height, and Age. (MFP has one if you want to check it out).

If you put Sedentary as your activity level, I believe MFP adds something like 500 calories to your BMR and you get the calories that you need if you wanted to MAINTAIN your current weight.

Since 3500 calories roughly equals one pound of fat, MFP subtracts 500 calories a day from your daily caloric intake that would have been necessary for you to maintain your current weight (for 7 days, 7*500=3500) and you lose 1 pound a week (if the world was perfect).

People differ on opinion on whether or not you can or should eat your exercise calories. I normally don't, but sometimes I will.