Question on calorie intake

ebenso1

I know that there has been quite a bit of discussion on whether or not to eat back the exercise calories. I am allowed 1200 calories a day and then I am allowed my exercise calories. I try not to eat those calories because in my mind it seems like a waste of time exercising and then eating back those calories that you burned. Now today when I finished my food diary it told me I am not consuming enough calories and I may be putting my body into starvation mode. I think 1200 calories a day is plenty, I definitely am getting plenty to eat and am not hungry. I still am losing about 1.5 lbs a week consistently. Any thoughts on this subject?

healthycurves2012

1200 calories is the absolute minimum you should eat, BEFORE factoring in exercise. On less than 1200 calories it is impossible to get all the nutrients your body needs to function. If you are exercising, you definitely need to be eating more. I eat 1700 calories/day and exercise 5 times per week, and I'm losing approximately 1 lb. per week. You need to make sure you're doing something you can maintain. I know that if I only ate 1200 calories, I would be absolutely starving and more likely to binge. My mantra is everything in moderation. You are going to burn out if you don't properly fuel your body for the exercise you're doing.

wahmx3

You need to eat back your exercise calories, your goal should be to net no less than 1200 calories per day or else you risk losing muscle not fat and wrecking your metabolism.

o_delaisse

You need to eat back your exercise calories, your goal should be to net no less than 1200 calories per day or else you risk losing muscle not fat and wrecking your metabolism.

And don't forget that the heart is a muscle.

I'm currently trying to up my intake, struggling at the moment but I have faith in those who say to net no less than 1200. I have a long experience in netting at much lower, and it gets pretty grim.

thecazstewart

Keep an eye on your NET figure on your food diary page. You should try and aim to get this to 1200 by the end of each day after exercise.

That's the easiest way to make sure you eat back your exercise calories - think of it as fuelling a fire.

HonkyTonks

Yes you should eat those calories back. Exercise for health and fitness. Create the deficit through diet.