Why is a daily deficit bad?

orsnowboard
orsnowboard Posts: 7 Member
in Food and Nutrition
There have been days where I've exercised and ate healthy but end up with a calorie deficit. Why can't I just leave it as that? For example I had a day where I did the elliptical for 30 mins then high impact step aerobics followed by some weights and ended up with an 800 calorie deficit after I ate a meal that totally satisfied me.

Replies

  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    You mean 800 calories on top of the deficit you already chose when you set up MFP?

    Most people can't lose more than 1-2 lbs/week in fat (unless they're quite obese, which since you've got 16 lbs to go you don't seem like you are). If your deficit is too high (especially when you're already lean), you can end up losing a much higher proportion of muscle than you'd like.

    Additionally, as you have no doubt noticed, getting sufficient nutrients on an intake under a thousand is problematic.

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