Should you eat back the calories you burn?

kentmac

I get this question all the time... so here's my answer! Like usual, it's not an easy yes/no, but I tried to keep it short n sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTNzK8QALJM

Kent McCann Fitness

SideSteel

I get this question all the time... so here's my answer! Like usual, it's not an easy yes/no, but I tried to keep it short n sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTNzK8QALJM

Kent McCann Fitness

Kent,

You make good points here but you're neglecting (EDIT: Not by intent--- perhaps neglecting is too strong a word but hopefully you understand my point) a very important detail that is directed at the specific audience you made this video for (Myfitnesspal).


MFP calorie recommendations are not exercise inclusive. When MFP recommends a base caloric intake, the calculation tools are not factoring in caloric expenditure due to exercise. This is unique to MFP as far as I can tell, because traditional methods (Katsch-McArdle, Mifflin, etc) will include an activity factor that takes into consideration an aggregate of exercise expenditure.


Because of this, people who are using MFP SHOULD eat back a portion of E.A.T. or they will be creating a very massive energy deficit.


People using an external TDEE estimation tool will already be accounting for an estimate of expenditure and therefore should not eat back exercise calories, for reasons you mention in the video. This distinction is very important especially given that you are addressing people who are likely using MFP's base tool for intake recommendations.

momofthreesons

I do everyday... I've lost 40lb since April on MFP. My activity level here is set for sedentary.

r0se125

I have always wondered. I generally try not to eat back them at all. But I allow myself to go over my daily calories on days I burn ALOT otherwise I feel sluggish.