HELP! I don't want my body to shut down.

lillinehan
lillinehan Posts: 9 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi guys!

I need some serious help!
I am currently training for a half marathon. I run 3 to 4 times a week, 60 minutes each, and burn 600-800 calories per workout.
Before I started training, I was eating 1230 calories a day. Comfortably.
Because I am becoming a lot more active, I know I should up my calorie intake - I don't want my body to shut down!

The BMR Calculator on here says that I burn 1368 calories if I were to do nothing but rest for 24 hours. I went in and updated my calorie/fitness plan... But MFP said I still should only eat 1230 a day!

I want to lose a pound a week.
I don't want to starve my body.
I know there's probably some wonderful mathematics out there that can help me calculate how many calories I should be eating each day.
Please help!

Thanks you. :)

Replies

  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    When I was training for each of my half marathons I actually found that I would stall or gain weight if I was netting less than 1500-1600 calories a day. I actually gained steadily at the beginning of my training for the second while netting 1300-1400 calories a day until I realized that I'd forgotten to make the adjustment. Once I did, and started eating more I started losing again. I also had more energy for my workouts and bonked fewer runs.

    Everyone is different, so what worked for me on the calorie amounts may not be the same for you, but I'd say never net less than your BMR, especially when doing such intense training. And also just pay attention to your body. If you are gaining, feeling overly tired, bonking runs, etc., then you would probably fare well from upping your calories.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    If your body shuts down, weight loss will be the least of your concerns
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Hi guys!

    I need some serious help!
    I am currently training for a half marathon. I run 3 to 4 times a week, 60 minutes each, and burn 600-800 calories per workout.
    Before I started training, I was eating 1230 calories a day. Comfortably.
    Because I am becoming a lot more active, I know I should up my calorie intake - I don't want my body to shut down!

    The BMR Calculator on here says that I burn 1368 calories if I were to do nothing but rest for 24 hours. I went in and updated my calorie/fitness plan... But MFP said I still should only eat 1230 a day!

    I want to lose a pound a week.
    I don't want to starve my body.
    I know there's probably some wonderful mathematics out there that can help me calculate how many calories I should be eating each day.
    Please help!

    Thanks you. :)

    When you enter the calories burned from your running, MFP will raise your calories. Basically, you "earn" calories to eat through exercise. So, if you burn 600 calories on a run, you should eat 1830 calories that day (1230 + 600).
  • Vulpes_zerda
    Vulpes_zerda Posts: 1
    From my primitive calculation, you should be eating ~1500 calories, or maybe more, on workout days. 1230 might do you on resting days, but if MFP says to do it when you're running that much....you'll just crash ._.
  • schondell
    schondell Posts: 556 Member
    Eat when you are hungry, stop eating when you're full! Your body will not "shut down" if you're eating food and working out. Try eating a granola bar or anything that is high in carbs and has moderate protein before any major physical activity :)

Categories