Eat under daily requirement?

lulu_1

hi, is it okay to eat under the budget if you aren't going to do exercise or will that be counterproductive?

ChristieStearns

Personally I think it's okay once in a while, just as it's ok to go over once in a while. What matters is consistent healthy choices. I think undereating consistently will cause you to feel lethargic and have less energy. It can also have the effect of making your body actually hold ON to fat because it's worried about starving. I wouldn't worry if it's a little, like say 100 under, but if you consistently eat way under it could definitely be counterproductive as well as unhealthy. Consulting with an nutritionist is never a bad idea either! They can help you figure out what's right for YOU.

Captain_Tightpants

I always try to get under by 100-200 or so - just to account for the high likelihood of underestimated intake and overestimated exercise cals earned.

That said, if you're way under - like 500 or more, yes, that could be detrimental in the long run (now and then it won't hurt).

Pebble321

It's not going to hurt you to go either over or under every now and again but it's not necessary to eat less because you don't exercise.
If you are using MFP as designed (ie. you haven't included exercise in your daily activity level) then you need to add more on days you exercise, not take away cals on days you don't.

mntlblonde01

The app for my phone always yells at me if I don't eat my minimum calorie goal, because you put yourself at risk of putting your body in starvation mode where it will hold onto everything because it knows there's not enough energy coming.

lulu_1

I always try to get under by 100-200 or so - just to account for the high likelihood of underestimated intake and overestimated exercise cals earned.

That said, if you're way under - like 500 or more, yes, that could be detrimental in the long run (now and then it won't hurt).

Personally I think it's okay once in a while, just as it's ok to go over once in a while. What matters is consistent healthy choices. I think undereating consistently will cause you to feel lethargic and have less energy. It can also have the effect of making your body actually hold ON to fat because it's worried about starving. I wouldn't worry if it's a little, like say 100 under, but if you consistently eat way under it could definitely be counterproductive as well as unhealthy. Consulting with an nutritionist is never a bad idea either! They can help you figure out what's right for YOU.

I am on a 1200 cal. diet. i don't get a chance to do formal exercise everyday, however i do keep moving and I randomly dance and walk around a lot or even just pace. I also fidget a lot. But i don't count that as exercise cause i don't know how much i have done. So i was wondering if it was okay. you guys can check out my food diary if need be to get more information.