Question about eating more calories?

just4me46

I have a question about this. When I started on MFP and entered my goal weight that I wanted to lose, it said I needed to eat 1200 calories. When I enter my exercise calories that I burned, whatever that total is, I try not to go over that amount allowed for the day. Am I on the right track understanding "eating more calories"?

Helenatrandom

Many people here have different opinions on eating back exercise calories, but it is my personal opinion that one is fine so long as they are "in the green" caloriewise, so eating back exercise calories if fine.

Shelby814

Yes. The base calorie amount calculated for you by MFP has a weight loss built into it based upon what you entered as your height, weight, activity level & desired weight loss/week (up to 2#/week). Your exercise earned calories are added on to the amount of total calories you can now consume for the day. I typically try not to eat ALL of them, but do some days. You will find everyone has a different opinion about this. I think you have to do what works for you & it might take you a while to figure out. I didn't initally eat my exercise calories back, but now that my metabolism is cranked up, I find that I'm more hungry & I need to. Good luck!

susannamarie

I have a question about this. When I started on MFP and entered my goal weight that I wanted to lose, it said I needed to eat 1200 calories. When I enter my exercise calories that I burned, whatever that total is, I try not to go over that amount allowed for the day. Am I on the right track understanding "eating more calories"?

Yes. If your weight loss slows or stalls for a few weeks, re-evaluate then.

TXchris

Absolutely! I have been at this for 125 days today and have found FAR more success when I haven't let my net calories drop too low. In fact, I have seen few people lose long term without stalling when working with a net of 1200. What I see happen time and again is that people immediately cut back their calories farther when they stall when more often than not my friends seemto stall when they aren't eating enough! I spent almost 4 weeks stalled myself. I bumped from 1350 calories to 1500 and had a complete turn around! I usually do not eat ALL of my exercise calories when I work out a lot, but I make it a point to avoid having a net below 1200 on any given day and allow myself to eat all of my exercise calories is I really want more to eat. I think it is important to find a balance that you can stick with long term. Go with your gut...literally! If you are hungry, odds are you need to eat a little more.

Feel free to shoot me a message if you have any specific questions. My diary is open to friends and I am happy to let people browse if they are curious to see what is working for me. I just ask that you understand that I eat on the run a lot, so I do not pretend to be nutritionally perfect.

Good luck!
Chris

Highest weight: 232
MFP start weight: 215.9 (11/30/11)
Current weight: 191.6