Should net calories (after exercise) be below 1200?

gracienkaidens_momma

I know that my goal calories is 1300. What I am confused about is whether or not my net calories should be 1300. I try to exercise at least 4 times a week, so on days that I exercise, should I really pay attention to the net calories and try to keep them at at least 1200? On days I exercise I sometimes only net 900. Is that detrimental to weight loss?

BrianSharpe

If you're a bit below occasionally it's not a big deal, it's when you're consistently below that your body adapts to the lower caloric intake which usually results in a loss of lean muscle mass which in turn reduces your caloric requirements - a slippery slope.

gracienkaidens_momma

Thanks.

gracienkaidens_momma

I almost never have a net of 1200 or more. Maybe that's why I haven't really been seeing a loss. I was making the mistake of just going by the calories from the foods I eat.