new and feeling overwelmed

SummerAlaina

I don't see how it is possible for you to be going over on your calories and still be in starvation mode. You should be eating the calories you gain from doing exercise.

So lets say that MFP has told you to consume 1400 calories per day. If you don't exercise you should eat 1400 and you won't be in starvation mode. If you eat your normal allotted amount of 1400 and then exercise, burning more than 200 calories, you will net less than 1200 calories for the day. When you net less than 1200 you are entering "Starvation Mode". So using that same example, eat your 1400, exercise burning let's say 300 calories, then eat 300 more calories. This will ensure that you are staying at the predetermined deficit that MFP has set up for you.

I hope this makes sense. Also, just read through the message boards here, there are many people who have asked and answered many questions that will help you.

I need an explanation as to WHY someone would eat back the calories that they burned off with excersize. That makes no sense. If you are supposed to eat 1500 calories a day, that's what you eat and that is it!

The reason why you would eat back your exercise calories is because MFP is already calculating a deficit. I'll use myself as an example. I am guessing that before I started using MFP I was consuming 2000-2200 calories per day. According to my info, and wanting to lose one pound per week, MFP has told me to eat 1530 calories. This in and of itself is a deficit compared to what I was eating and what my body needs to maintain weight. If I were to exercise and burn approx. 350 calories, I would only be netting 1180 calories for the day. I know their is debate about whether or not starvation mode is legit but I am simply trying to explain in terms of how MFP calculates things. At 1180 calories I would be considered in starvation mode. If I were to eat back my 350 exercise calories I would be back at 1530 which is still a deficit, therefore I still lose weight.