Exercise calories

picantecreative
picantecreative Posts: 12 Member
edited December 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Have a question on how exercise calories are accounted for. If one's TDEE is 2,400 — making the average hourly calories burned (THEE) 2400/24 = 100 — shouldn't that number be subtracted from the hourly calories we take credit for while exercising? If on an average day you burn 100 cals/hour just doing your normal routine, it seems like burning 600 cals during an hour-long run should only count as 500 cals, since you would have burned 100 cals anyway, whether you were running or not. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but it seems like the discrepancy could have a big long-term effect on the amount of exercise needed to lose a given number of lbs/kg.

Or perhaps, at the very least, one's hourly BMR should be subtracted instead of THEE? I know this complicates things, but I wonder if we're all giving ourselves too much calorie credit for the exercise we do. Thoughts???

Replies

  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    It would be BMR since TDEE already includes the exercise calories.

    I assume that the calories burned refers to additional calories burned. But I could be wrong. :)
  • DixiedoesMFP
    DixiedoesMFP Posts: 935 Member
    If you know your TDEE, then subtract 15 - 20% for a deficit and don't eat back your exercise calories. Since TDEE takes into account your activity level, whatever credit you're choosing to take for exercise is actually counted twice.
  • mommaPeach72
    mommaPeach72 Posts: 30
    I found this on the message boards...very informative. Hope it helps :)http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/6556-the-answers-to-the-questions
  • Sharyn913
    Sharyn913 Posts: 777 Member
    I'm interested to know more about this as well!
  • gjulie
    gjulie Posts: 391
    Do you know what I think if you sick to a reasonable calorie intake for your self and do a bit of exercise it dosnt matter that much.My maths have never been my strong point and if I had to work all that out Id be in trouble,I just think its fairly simple eat less but enough and a bit of exercise to keep fit! its great to track your food intake because it makes you consider what you eat if I was to see 2 chocolate bars and Doritos written in front of me I would think seriously whereas if I didnt log it Id forget in half an hour Id eaten it,I just feel its a great tool to weight loss,I dont imagine everyone burns calories in the same way anyway!
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