calories?!?

nikkis01

Hey guys

I have about 1600 calories a day as an allowance but I earn more with exercise. Am I meant to use up my daily allowance AND my extra exercise calories?

I find I eat more than enough with just my daily calories and exercise later on in the day (due to work) so end up having loads left at the end of the night.

Does weight loss work better if you stick to just your daily calories or should I be using up my extra ones as well?

What does everyone else do?

tami101

I usually eat my exercise calories back. I joined last month and have lost 14 pounds, so it's working for me!

DarrellHodge

Before you get too tied up into the numbers. Use some BMR calculators other than MFP and get a average. It comes down to you knowing your body. You have to make sure you eat enough calories to keep your body out of starvation mode. If the body thinks that you are not getting enough to eat, it will start using up muscle for engery instead of fat. There are tons of article on this subject but most neglect to state that everybody is different. The basics:

-Use more calries than you eat
-Eat enough calories to not feel hungry.
-Spread the calories out over 5 to 7 meals and snacks a day to keep the metabolism as active as possible.
-Know that you can't change your metabolism, but you can make it kick in more often by eating several small meals.
-Do strength training: Muscle will burn fat.
-Do your cardio at least 3 times a week.
-Do not over do it: Rest is very important in the weight lost equation.
-3500 calories equal 1 pound.
-On average a 2 pound lost per week is safe. When you first start a program, it will be more but will even out over time. Expect it and accept it.

Just my 2 cent worth. Good luck on your quest; You got this!

My name is Darrell and I'm READY, are you?

dreamzvt

Before you get too tied up into the numbers. Use some BMR calculators other than MFP and get a average. It comes down to you knowing your body. You have to make sure you eat enough calories to keep your body out of starvation mode. If the body thinks that you are not getting enough to eat, it will start using up muscle for engery instead of fat. There are tons of article on this subject but most neglect to state that everybody is different. The basics:

-Use more calries than you eat
-Eat enough calories to not feel hungry.
-Spread the calories out over 5 to 7 meals and snacks a day to keep the metabolism as active as possible.
-Know that you can't change your metabolism, but you can make it kick in more often by eating several small meals.
-Do strength training: Muscle will burn fat.
-Do your cardio at least 3 times a week.
-Do not over do it: Rest is very important in the weight lost equation.
-3500 calories equal 1 pound.
-On average a 2 pound lost per week is safe. When you first start a program, it will be more but will even out over time. Expect it and accept it.

Just my 2 cent worth. Good luck on your quest; You got this!

My name is Darrell and I'm READY, are you?

Great reply and very informational. Love it

Alexstrasza

Before you get too tied up into the numbers. Use some BMR calculators other than MFP and get a average. It comes down to you knowing your body. You have to make sure you eat enough calories to keep your body out of starvation mode. If the body thinks that you are not getting enough to eat, it will start using up muscle for engery instead of fat. There are tons of article on this subject but most neglect to state that everybody is different. The basics:

-Use more calries than you eat
-Eat enough calories to not feel hungry.
-Spread the calories out over 5 to 7 meals and snacks a day to keep the metabolism as active as possible.
-Know that you can't change your metabolism, but you can make it kick in more often by eating several small meals.
-Do strength training: Muscle will burn fat.
-Do your cardio at least 3 times a week.
-Do not over do it: Rest is very important in the weight lost equation.
-3500 calories equal 1 pound.
-On average a 2 pound lost per week is safe. When you first start a program, it will be more but will even out over time. Expect it and accept it.

Just my 2 cent worth. Good luck on your quest; You got this!

My name is Darrell and I'm READY, are you?

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I would also look into TDEE calculators.

http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

nikkis01

Thank guys!! I will take a look at all youve suggested tonight