Calories vs Net Calories... help please?

rsellersCST

I've read some conflicting information and it's confusing me at this point.

Currently I'm doing the best I can to focus on eating at least 1200 calories... really focus when I can on good choices, more fresh foods... mindful of protein, carbs, fat... all that. WELL... most of the time I've satisfied with right around there... then I exercise.

I really don't eat back my exercise calories... today for example... I can't even IMAGINE eating back my calories... I am not THAT hungry LOL!

I've had my breakfast, worked out... came home and made a protein shake... then just had my lunch... yet after all that I've only netted 77 calories so far. I've eaten a total of 804 cals and burned 727.

I weigh my food... I measure... all that... HRM when working out etc... so I'm confident in how accurate my numbers are.

That said... IF I'm supposed to NET 1200 calories a day minimum... um I can't imagine eating another 1123 calories today. There was a time I could easily plow that down in a snack... but not anymore.

That said... if it's a matter of simply EATING 1200 calories total in a day minimum I think I'm doing ok... sometimes I'm just short of it... and sometimes just over... as my settings are a goal of 1340 a day for intake.

If there is anyone that can explain this more clearly that would be FANTASTIC! I'm focused on losing the weight right now... doing pretty good so far... about 2 Lbs a week currently... once I get more weight off it's my goal to switch to a greater emphasis on toning... I've heard mixed reviews on attempting to build muscle while trying to lose a fairly significant amount.

I'm a female that started at 242 Lbs, currently at 218 Lbs, goal weight is 145ish Lbs. I'm 5' 3" and I'm 33 years old.

Thank you in advance for any insight you could provide or resources that might help explain. :-)

mydeloo78

Your net calories are what your body has to live on after you've expended calories for exercising. So if you eat 1200 but burn 800, your body only has 400 calories on which to perform the rest of its daily functions. Ususally when people don't eat back their exercise calories, they are setting their daily calories higher to begin with. Up your calories by adding in some higher calorie "good for you items" like nuts, nut butters, avocado, full fat dairy that will add good nutrients but also high in calories. Hope that helps.

rsellersCST

Thank you!