Exercise Cals? Are they a must?

shaleah77

I am not going to publish a hypocritical "do as I say, not as I do" post to make anyone feel better or ease their frustration. :laugh: My post did not contain any direct advice, nor contain the words "you should'. I also didn't 'dog' anyones advice. I shared my personal experience on a public forum :drinker: I've also read the links along with a lot of other information here and elsewhere.

TaraJ16

Ok, so do these numbers look better then? (First is calories, then carbs)

No Excercise Days

Total: 1,209 ~ 179
Goal: 1,210 ~ 166
Remaining: 1 ~ -11

Days I excercise (burning approx 460 cals)

Total: 1,517 ~ 228
Goal: 1,670 ~ 229
Remaining: 153 ~ 1

So this way instead of eating none of my 460 excercise cals, i'll be eating 307 of them? So would that work, or do i have to eat that extra 153? i'm a really picky eater, and don't know what the heck else to add in there

BrendaLee

Ok, so do these numbers look better then? (First is calories, then carbs)

No Excercise Days

Total: 1,209 ~ 179
Goal: 1,210 ~ 166
Remaining: 1 ~ -11

Days I excercise (burning approx 460 cals)

Total: 1,517 ~ 228
Goal: 1,670 ~ 229
Remaining: 153 ~ 1

So this way instead of eating none of my 460 excercise cals, i'll be eating 307 of them? So would that work, or do i have to eat that extra 153? i'm a really picky eater, and don't know what the heck else to add in there

You have two options- you can follow MFP as closely as you can for a few weeks, and see how that works for you, or you can just play it by ear, and see what happens. I'd say you'd be fine with not eating that 153 calories, but if you're hungry, eat them.

wks7777

I talked to a trainer the other day and he said that a 150 lb woman (me) should be eating 1700 cals a day if u dont work out and 1900 approx if u do work out .Im doing strength trainig and cardio everyday. MFP gives me 1200 cals a day so obviously i need to eat my exercise calories. The reason for this is, the average person in a normal day burn 2000 calories, this is average some more some less BUT 1200 calories is not enough for anyone except for a 90 lb person. MFP gives u this assuming u will work out as well becuz thats how u lose weight (with diet and exercise) and assuming u will eat the exercise calories.l will be the first to admit i didnt know this until the other day and had planned to only eat the 1200 but after this i trust him and i trust the people who have been here for a whlie that say to eat the exercise calories. The reason u need to is if ur strength training u need those calories to build muscle (to burn fat around the muscle). While u may lose weight by eating only those few calories, its very unhealthy and can lead to heart attack and stroke becuz ur starving ur body. Me id rather live and lose weight slowly, then to die and lose weight fast.

stormieweather

Ok, so do these numbers look better then? (First is calories, then carbs)

No Excercise Days

Total: 1,209 ~ 179
Goal: 1,210 ~ 166
Remaining: 1 ~ -11

Days I excercise (burning approx 460 cals)

Total: 1,517 ~ 228
Goal: 1,670 ~ 229
Remaining: 153 ~ 1

So this way instead of eating none of my 460 excercise cals, i'll be eating 307 of them? So would that work, or do i have to eat that extra 153? i'm a really picky eater, and don't know what the heck else to add in there

In my opinion, that looks fine. Personally, 1450 calories is enough for me (that is my goal without exercising), so instead of trying to shove more food I really dont' want in my mouth on the days I work out, I've found just eating a protein bar and some dreamfields pasta (that is a treat!) on my workout days is more than adequate.

TaraJ16

i'm going to give the above a try and see how it works out for me, and if nothings happening then i'll adjust again.