Why increase calories when you work out?

lafolkerts

I just joined MFP and I have a question. My recommended calorie intake is 1,200 per day to reach my goal weight. I worked out this morning and burned 514 calories. On my food diary it says 'you've earned an extra 514 calories today'. Should I be eating these extra calories? I thought the goal was to work out and eat the recommended daily intake in order to lose the weight.... I don’t know how I will lose weight if the website just adds what I burned to my calorie intake.

Can some please let me know if I should still eat 1,200 or the 1,714.

Thank you!!

RGv2

Probably somewhere in the middle. I don't add my exercise until the end of the day so I don't see it.

What MFP does is tell you how you would lose weight in comparision to your lifestyle. If you didn't workout you would need to take in only 1200 calories per day to meet your goal. If you work out, you can take more in. So technically, you should be able to take in the 1500 and still lose weight. Personally I don't eat back my workout calories, but to each their own.

Remember, that if you do work out, you're going to need more fuel that day.

lafolkerts

Thank you so much! I will do the same as you. I didn't really want to eat all of those calories but I also didn't want to starve myself because I know that isn't good too. I will stick around 1,400-1,500. Thanks again for the advice!

mulderpf

Agreed, you should eat some of it back - maybe not exactly all, because MFP can be inaccurate with estimating calorie burn, but I would definitely not exercise and not replace some of the lost energy. The fact is, your body needs energy to burn energy and it's easier to get some sources of energy than others. Think about the reason why they don't let morbidly obese people just starve until they've reached their goal weight...

Let your body get the energy it needs, don't do anything to excess, because even though you might get some good short-term results, the long-term results for people taking things to the extreme tend to be very disappointing.

AmyRhubarb

The way MFP is set up, you are supposed to eat back those exercise calories, and by doing so will still be at a deficit for the day (meaning will have consumed less than your TDEE, or total daily energy expenditure).

One way to look at eating more when you workout - at 1200 calories, you're at the minimum recommended calories per day for women, and probably less than what you've been eating. Then you're pushing your body through a tough workout, and burning 500 calories off. Asking the body to do more on less calories is rough! You might lose some weight at first, but eventually it will slow down, and if you're not fueling your body for regular daily activities and those workouts, you give it a reason to store fat rather than burn it.

A good rule I follow is to make sure my NET calories at the end of the day are at least at my BMR. I used this thread and the tools at the links in it to calculate my BMR and my TDEE. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 I know as long as I'm eating in between those two numbers, I will lose weight. Gives me more freedom with my food, and I stay well fueled for my workouts and daily life. Check it out!

Welcome to MFP and best wishes on your fitness journey!

fishgutzy

I'm with the "eat some but not all" back crowd. I usually don't come close to eating them back when my exercise calories are over 2000. That would be more than doubling my eating for the day. So on the chart I have weeks showing me more than 6K below my calorie target, yet I'm am nowhere near feeling like I am starving.

neverstray

I just joined MFP and I have a question. My recommended calorie intake is 1,200 per day to reach my goal weight. I worked out this morning and burned 514 calories. On my food diary it says 'you've earned an extra 514 calories today'. Should I be eating these extra calories? I thought the goal was to work out and eat the recommended daily intake in order to lose the weight.... I don’t know how I will lose weight if the website just adds what I burned to my calorie intake.

Can some please let me know if I should still eat 1,200 or the 1,714.

Thank you!!

1200 is at a deficit. When you workout, it puts you at a further deficit. This can be unhealthy.

Before making a snap decision, you should search the forums and read up on this. Some people eat every last calorie and have success. Some people find eating half or so is the right amount. And, some people claim that eating none is the answer. You have to find what works for you. There are too many variables. Some people underestimate their calories and over estimate their workouts, as an example. Some people have slower metabolisms than average, so of course, this online tool will be off a bit by however much that is.

karenwill2

I just joined MFP and I have a question. My recommended calorie intake is 1,200 per day to reach my goal weight. I worked out this morning and burned 514 calories. On my food diary it says 'you've earned an extra 514 calories today'. Should I be eating these extra calories? I thought the goal was to work out and eat the recommended daily intake in order to lose the weight.... I don’t know how I will lose weight if the website just adds what I burned to my calorie intake.

Can some please let me know if I should still eat 1,200 or the 1,714.

Thank you!!

1200 is at a deficit. When you workout, it puts you at a further deficit. This can be unhealthy.

Before making a snap decision, you should search the forums and read up on this. Some people eat every last calorie and have success. Some people find eating half or so is the right amount. And, some people claim that eating none is the answer. You have to find what works for you. There are too many variables. Some people underestimate their calories and over estimate their workouts, as an example. Some people have slower metabolisms than average, so of course, this online tool will be off a bit by however much that is.

This! If I eat mine back, I gain weight. So I never log any activity but if I go over a little, I don't freak out either.