What are net calories?

Amy_B

I've basically just started this calorie counting stuff. What are net calories? Should I eat my exercise calories back? If it matters, I am breastfeeding a 2 month old. I am aiming for 1800 calories per day, and I burn anywhere from 200-700 calories in exercise alone depending on the day. That doesn't include the breastfeeding. Thanks!

Amy_B

I've basically just started this calorie counting stuff. What are net calories? Should I eat my exercise calories back? If it matters, I am breastfeeding a 2 month old. I am aiming for 1800 calories per day, and I burn anywhere from 200-700 calories in exercise alone depending on the day. That doesn't include the breastfeeding. Thanks!

SHBoss1673

net means at the end, after all things are added in and removed.

so your net calories for a day are all your calories for the day, adding in exercise.

net deficit is how big the deficit is between your maintenance calories plus exercise calories minus your consumed calories.

So remember

net deficit(in calories) = (maintenance calories + exercise calories) - calories consumed

Amy_B

When MFP shows my calorie "daily goal," is that for loss or maintenance? I know it raises if I exercise.

KatWood

It depends on what goal you inputted.

For me a gave it a weightloss goal of 1lb per month. Thus, my daily goal calories already takes into account the deficit needed to lose 1 lb/week without exercise. If I exercise, those calories increase my daily amount to allow me to still lose just the 1 lbs/month.

I do recommend eating your exercise calories.

MTGirl

When MFP shows my calorie "daily goal," is that for loss or maintenance? I know it raises if I exercise.

That has a deficit factored in - either 500 calories for 1 lb loss or 1000 for 2 per week, etc. Unless when you signed up you chose to maintain.

KatWood

How do you know you burn 200-700 calories per day?

I am betting it is much more than that, especially since you are breastfeeding.

At 186 lbs, I burn approx 1,700 calories a day. Thus to lose 1 lbs per week, my fitness pal has me eating 1,400 calories a day without exercise.

KatWood

Sorry my math is off a bit.

I guess since the defict is 500 cals a day for me, my maintanence calores would be closer to 1900 a day.

KatWood

Sorry again. I'm a fool. I see now that you meant you burn 200-700 a day in exercise.

I'm having an off day ...

Amy_B

So, if I'm eating my exercise calories, should my "remaining" be around 0 then? I put I wanted to lose 1 pound/week.

MTGirl

It should work like that for you. Understanding we are all different metabolically - but I would at least give the system a chance! Go with what it says for at least 3 - 4 weeks, then see if you losing. If you don't by then, maybe start playing with the numbers a little - for a lot of people, MFP works great just the way it is set up. Congratulations on your loss so far!

Amy_B

Thanks! That seems like a lot of calories to eat if I'm exercising a lot, but I guess that makes sense. I just don't want to mess up my milk supply.

BTW, the 22 pounds lost are from the day I gave birth 2 months ago. LOL I did lose 45 pounds before getting pregnant last time, but for some reason, I am impatient this time and trying to figure things out all over again to see if different things will work.