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Is not using my exercise calories hurting or helping?

Scott_Chaput
Scott_Chaput Posts: 114
I work out 4-5 days a week for an intense hour each, through spin class or other group exercise that really pushes me. My heart rate chest monitor tells me I am burning about 800-1000 calories per workout.

I have thus far not been using any of the calories from the workout and have been sticking to my before exercise calories. I am never hungry, I never feel as though I am starving myself, I am satisfied and further eating would feel like overkill. I eat close to or at my goal of 1710 every day.

Am I hurting my weight loss by not using these calories or helping?

Replies

  • tehzephyrsong
    tehzephyrsong Posts: 435 Member
    Weight loss happens when you eat fewer calories than you burn. As long as you don't feel hungry or weak, and your faculties are normal, I think you're fine. However, if you're eating 1700 and burning 900, that means you're netting 800 calories; you won't impede your progress if you squeeze in another 400-ish calories per day, and it's probably healthier if your net is higher.
  • It probably wouldn't hurt to eat some more so my net is higher it just seem to me to be counterproductive to work out so much only to use the calories I burned that I want to go to weight loss on more food I don't think I need.

    I eat oatmeal and milk for breakfast, rice, beans, chicken and sweet potato for lunch and usually something with chicken, potatoes and / or rice for dinner, or pasta and meatballs or whatever. Mix in a nature valley protein bar or something... Take supplements too...

    I just don't feel hungry or that I need more but I just don't want to be doing something bad to my body by having so few net calories... I don't want my body to be in starvation mode or anything.

    If I do end up using any exercise calories I do it with a whey protein and milk shake.
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