How exactly does calorie deficit work for workout calories?

astunningimpact
astunningimpact Posts: 27 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi Everyone,

My name is Ashley and I'm relatively new here. I just started posting regularly on July 1st and am really enjoying all this site has to offer. Can someone please explain to me some specifics of how the MFP calorie deficit works. I understand eating at a deficit should result in weight loss. But what about the extra calories that it adds after you enter your workout? Do I need to be eating all the calories I burn off at the gym? I often workout at night and then find it difficult to eat all those calories back before I go to bed. Also, if I have a deficit for a few days, does that mean I can eat those calories on another day that week? (I have read lots of threads on this, and there seems to be a lot of debate).

Thanks in advance!
:flowerforyou:

Replies

  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    MFP sets your calories limit at a deficit automatically. If you use that number you will lose whether you exercise or not. If you exercise...you're creating another deficit, which may bring your calories level down to unhealthy levels. So, you need to eat some or all of those calories. Be conservative-- MFP tends to estimate high on exercise calories, or use a HRM to get it accurately. But this keeps you at healthy metabolic levels, and lets you eat more on gym days! Good luck!

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