Is exercising and eating more better than just eating less?

DemoraFairy

So MFP says to eat back your exercise calories, but I'm struggling to find where I can (healthily) eat that many calories. Yesterday I was 230 calories less than my goal, but couldn't possibly eat any more that day.

So is there any point in me exercising if I'm eating less calories than I should be anyway? Ignoring things such as increasing muscle and stamina, if I'm only interested in getting thinner, does exercising have any advantage over just eating less?

gingerjen7

Tone. If you don't do any exercising you can lose weight, but you're more likely to end up "Skinny Fat"--weighing less but still being flabby.

edge_dragoncaller

Tone. If you don't do any exercising you can lose weight, but you're more likely to end up "Skinny Fat"--weighing less but still being flabby.

What She said.

If you exercise it can help your body tighten up the excess skin and give you a more fit appearance rather than just a lower weight.

Koldnomore

if I'm only interested in getting thinner, does exercising have any advantage over just eating less?

Nope. Also my goal. I don't give a rats butt if I'm "skinny fat" I have no need or desire to wear a bikini and the only person who sees me nekid loved me at my largest and likes my smooshiness. I eat 1800 cal / day which is already nearly impossible for me. I don't need the extra calories from workouts.

I lose 1-2lbs per week and have done since I started apart from the few weeks when I wasn't eating enough.

Game8

If you're trying to lose weight, the goal is to intake less calories than your body needs.

Now whether you exercise or not you will lose weight. However, if you workout you will maintain more muscle mass, lose mostly fat, tone up your body and overall you will be more healthy. The end result will be better too. There's a difference between being just skinny and being LEAN.

EmilyOfTheSun

If you're not hungry then don't eat them all back. Definitely try to eat some back though. In healthy foods.

Danielle817

bump

RandomMiranda

Working out is good for overall energy level and emotional stability (endorphins) and a good stress release. If those aren't concerns for you, and you don't have trouble staying under your calories and you don't care about toning, then I guess you don't HAVE to exercise. I don't usually eat back all my exercise calories, because I'm not hungry enough, but it is very difficult for me to stay within my calorie goals without exercise. I also like that I feel stronger and more confident, because even if my body isn't where I want it to be, I can do things I couldn't before, like running.

Mrsbrandnewmeslimandtrim

bump

kimharper13

If you're trying to lose weight, the goal is to intake less calories than your body needs.

Now whether you exercise or not you will lose weight. However, if you workout you will maintain more muscle mass, lose mostly fat, tone up your body and overall you will be more healthy. The end result will be better too. There's a difference between being just skinny and being LEAN.

^^^^^^^THIS

gddrdld

If you're trying to lose weight, the goal is to intake less calories than your body needs.

Now whether you exercise or not you will lose weight. However, if you workout you will maintain more muscle mass, lose mostly fat, tone up your body and overall you will be more healthy. The end result will be better too. There's a difference between being just skinny and being LEAN.

^^This

wareagle8706

if I'm only interested in getting thinner, does exercising have any advantage over just eating less?

Nope. Also my goal. I don't give a rats butt if I'm "skinny fat" I have no need or desire to wear a bikini and the only person who sees me nekid loved me at my largest and likes my smooshiness. I eat 1800 cal / day which is already nearly impossible for me. I don't need the extra calories from workouts.

I lose 1-2lbs per week and have done since I started apart from the few weeks when I wasn't eating enough.

When people say "skinny fat" it implies that you are just as unhealthy even though you are thinner than you were when you were overweight. This means you can still have the same health problems - blocked arteries, high blood pressure, risk of heart disease and stroke.

Exercising helps, in accordance with healthy eating habits, to reduce the chances of heart disease and other health problems.

So, you "not giving a rats butt" if you're skinny fat seems really ignorant to me. If you care to still have health problems because you "just want to be skinny" then by all means. No one said anything about looking good in a bikini. Excercise isn't as much about "looks" as it is about HEALTH.

jenluvsushi

Eating less= weight loss. Looking good naked= exercise.

meggonkgonk

It also largely depends on how overweight you are. You can safely run larger deficits if you need to lose say 50-60 lbs vs 10-20lbs.

Miche11e5

I've found that exercising has caused my body to be SMALLER even if the number on the scale doesn't go down.

So, if you want your pants/dress size to go down, I think you should exercise, but if your not hungry, don't "eat back" those calories. If you just want the scale to show you a smaller number, eat fewer calories than you burn.

Good luck!

DemoraFairy

Thanks for all the replies! I am still interested in toning and such so I'll probably stick with the gym, my main problem is eating back all the calories in healthy foods. I can just pour chocolate down my throat to get the calories back, but I feel that isn't the best solution...

riveradee

I used to do that..eat the calories back
but a friend of mine who introduced me to this site said..noooooooooooo you're not supposed to do that
now i'm not..and i'm seeing results..
but i also exercise 4/5 times a week..

JennyLisT

Nope. Also my goal. I don't give a rats butt if I'm "skinny fat" I have no need or desire to wear a bikini and the only person who sees me nekid loved me at my largest and likes my smooshiness. I eat 1800 cal / day which is already nearly impossible for me. I don't need the extra calories from workouts.

I lose 1-2lbs per week and have done since I started apart from the few weeks when I wasn't eating enough.

Why wouldn't you want to exercise? (I'm not talking about daily motivation, I mean in general).

It's not about being attractive or thin to me. It's about feeling better and being healthier, and if you ever come across a doctor that says, "Nah, don't exercise. Whatever.", slap them and find a new one.

shivaslives

If you want to be skinny, just eat less. If you want to be healthy, exercise. Most of us here will agree that the latter is preferable.

yarwell

In the diagram below CR is 25% calorie restriction through eating less, CR+EX is 12.5% of calorie reduction and 12.5% of exercise. Both lose fat and fat free mass. They didn't do "eating back your exercise calories". From one of the published CALERIE study papers. Diet alone is as effective as diet + exercise to the same deficit.

IronSmasher

The benefits of exercise are extensive. Here are some good ones

http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/benefits-of-exercise

v_snowdrop

So is there any point in me exercising if I'm eating less calories than I should be anyway? Ignoring things such as increasing muscle and stamina, if I'm only interested in getting thinner, does exercising have any advantage over just eating less?

Well if you really don't care about anything but the number on the scale then no, there is no point in exercising. Weight loss comes from restricting calories...

Just don't expect anyone here to support that approach, lol

amoffatt

Eating less= weight loss. Looking good naked= exercise.

This is what I want!. I have been skinny and fat, but in the end it is how I feel. I look at myself naked the most and not happy.:sad: I hate myself and the way I look and to be happy with me, I exercise. Plus, a bonus it makes me feel better, have more energy and strength.

shivaslives

Thanks for all the replies! I am still interested in toning and such so I'll probably stick with the gym, my main problem is eating back all the calories in healthy foods. I can just pour chocolate down my throat to get the calories back, but I feel that isn't the best solution...

That's definitely not the way to get the calories back. If you aren't hungry don't eat. But you also may want to look at more nutrient and calorie rich foods to give you the fuel you'll need. I supplement with protein bars. Also, spread the food out; eat 5 smaller meals a day.

Regarding eating back your exercise calories, I only lost 90 lbs last year doing that. I personally found better results keeping my daily calorie deficit consistent.

Koldnomore

When people say "skinny fat" it implies that you are just as unhealthy even though you are thinner than you were when you were overweight. This means you can still have the same health problems - blocked arteries, high blood pressure, risk of heart disease and stroke.

Exercising helps, in accordance with healthy eating habits, to reduce the chances of heart disease and other health problems.

So, you "not giving a rats butt" if you're skinny fat seems really ignorant to me. If you care to still have health problems because you "just want to be skinny" then by all means. No one said anything about looking good in a bikini. Excercise isn't as much about "looks" as it is about HEALTH.

I'm sorry but I did not say I was unhealthy. I am not. I have perfect blood, low cholesterol and a healthy heart rate/ pulse. I have regular medical exams and since I have never been 'morbidly obese' I don't have and have never had 'health problems'. I don't eat crap, I don't have emotional eating problems and I move around a lot in my life. Not everyone has the same goals and not everyone who is overweight has health issues.

What IS 'really ignorant' is the sanctimonious reply. MY health, MY life, MY body is none of YOUR business.

LizL217

Exercise is great, it will help keep you motivated during this journey because you'll be getting stronger, feeling better, and maintaining lean muscle mass.

Things to keep in mind in terms of calculating how much to "eat back":
- MFP often overestimates calories burned. A heart rate monitor will give you a more accurate reading, but otherwise just build in some extra cushion.
- Make sure you're getting enough protein, particularly on days when you're exercising. Milk or a hard-boiled egg makes a good post-workout snack so that you can send a little protein to your muscles to help them rebuild.
- Everyone is different - some people eat back all of the calories they burn, some eat back none, some half, etc. Trial and error will really be the only way to figure out what works for you. But make sure you diligently follow one approach for at least a few weeks, tracking everything, before you decide if it's working or not.

v_snowdrop

What IS 'really ignorant' is the sanctimonious reply. MY health, MY life, MY body is none of YOUR business.

tell her girl!

astrampe

What IS 'really ignorant' is the sanctimonious reply. MY health, MY life, MY body is none of YOUR business.

If you put a question re your health, body, life on an open internet chat board, it becomes anybody's business......

gingerjen7

Thanks for all the replies! I am still interested in toning and such so I'll probably stick with the gym, my main problem is eating back all the calories in healthy foods. I can just pour chocolate down my throat to get the calories back, but I feel that isn't the best solution...

You don't HAVE to eat back your exercise calories. I don't eat mine back because I'm not hungry.

That said, since I'm close to my goal, I have been increasing my calorie intake toward maintenance. I still don't eat back my exercise calories, but I do eat more calories per day and it probably evens out since I am typically burning more through exercise than I did when I started.

^That's not advice and I'm not suggesting that what works for me will work for you. I'm just saying that if what is keeping you from exercising is an inability to eat back your exercise calories in a healthy manner, then you don't have to eat them.

TeaBea

Thanks for all the replies! I am still interested in toning and such so I'll probably stick with the gym, my main problem is eating back all the calories in healthy foods. I can just pour chocolate down my throat to get the calories back, but I feel that isn't the best solution...

On days when you are short calories look for calorie dense options. A small handful of nuts or a tablespoon of peanut butter ..... (both are a source of good fats).

Add a little olive oil to your veggies ..... avacado is also high calorie & nutritious.

gingerjen7

When people say "skinny fat" it implies that you are just as unhealthy even though you are thinner than you were when you were overweight. This means you can still have the same health problems - blocked arteries, high blood pressure, risk of heart disease and stroke.

Exercising helps, in accordance with healthy eating habits, to reduce the chances of heart disease and other health problems.

So, you "not giving a rats butt" if you're skinny fat seems really ignorant to me. If you care to still have health problems because you "just want to be skinny" then by all means. No one said anything about looking good in a bikini. Excercise isn't as much about "looks" as it is about HEALTH.

I'm sorry but I did not say I was unhealthy. I am not. I have perfect blood, low cholesterol and a healthy heart rate/ pulse. I have regular medical exams and since I have never been 'morbidly obese' I don't have and have never had 'health problems'. I don't eat crap, I don't have emotional eating problems and I move around a lot in my life. Not everyone has the same goals and not everyone who is overweight has health issues.

What IS 'really ignorant' is the sanctimonious reply. MY health, MY life, MY body is none of YOUR business.

I'm confused. You're in perfect health, have never had health issues or problems, you eat well, you move around a lot, you don't eat emotionally. How did you end up overweight in the first place? Furthermore, if your health is perfect and your partner loves the way you look and you don't care about the way you look, then why are you trying to lose weight? If it's not for health (the best and most important reason) and it's not for appearance (the most common reason) then what's it for?