Cals Consumed or Net?

Johlawrence

Which number should I go by? The number of calories I consume, or my net calories after exercise? My net cals are very low and I am not losing. My calorie intake goal is now 1600 (after being at 1200 and not losing) and I am burning between 300-400 most days, some days more. Please help. It is so frustrating to be eating so well and exercising every day and not losing on the scales. I have lost and gained the same 2 pounds for the past 3 weeks. HELP!!!!:grumble:

JessyJ03

Eat your calories back.

Go by your net calories. Your net should be what your number was set at

So you are told to eat 1500 to lose 1 lb per week

You exercise 500 calories burned.

1500+500=2000 total calories with your net only being 1500

Your deficit is built into the plan so any exercise calories are intended to be eaten back.

ashley_cooper8

LOL.. Im sorry but im confused also. Your answer has helped. So my goal is 1,200. so that means my NET needs to be at 1,200 at the end of the day? i burn about 500 calories a day. Id really appreciate the help, Could you inbox me? Thanks! :bigsmile:

Whiskybelly

Eat back calories you burn off by exercising, plus your 1200 a day. So Net.

srhershey

Eat your calories back. It doesn't have to be all the calories, but most of them. I started MFP only eating close to 1200 even when I would work out. MFP would say I've earned 500 more calories but I wouldn't eat them back and I wasn't losing any weight. Once I did more research, I realized that by only eating 1200 and burning 500 from working out, I'd only net 700. I wasn't eating enough. I started to eat most of my calories back and I'm losing again. Look at your net calories and go by that.

anie8989

This makes alot of sense of why I maybe haven't lost in the last week. I will try that going forward today!