Extra, unplanned workout = lots of extra calories

im a newbie to MFP and have read the posts about eating your calories and how the counters work.
But I have a problem that Im unable to find an answer to.....


I have 858 calories left and my dinner is only around 350-400.
I was feeling really motivated today and I did an extra unplanned workout tonight so that's why...(I didn't eat for it)
Should I just let these calories go or eat them??
I don't want to eat late, or bad...
Eat a big breakfast tomorrow?

Thoughts?
Thank you!

Replies

  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    Some people eat them all back, some people don't. I eat them if I'm hungry and I forget about them if I'm not. Go with what you feel and if you're hungry later, eat.
  • pili90
    pili90 Posts: 302 Member
    I had the same question, this is good to know!
  • Sarahalley16
    Sarahalley16 Posts: 6 Member
    That's a great question! I think it depends on you as an individual, since I've seen different people have success both ways (eating them back vs not).

    I've lost 50 lbs and kept it off by going along with the philosophy that if I've got extra calories to eat and I'm hungry, go for it in a healthy way... if I'm not hungry, it's fine for me to not eat those calories back. (But I always, always eat at least 1200, if not 1500.)

    It's worth noting what you do, and if you try the opposite approach some day in the future, see how it affects your weekly weigh in :)
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    Eat if you are hungry. If you are not hungry then don't eat. There are many days I have a surplus of 800 or more calories. Especially when I spend 3 hours in the gym. I am not really hungry on workout days and alot of times find it hard to eat on a strenous workout day so I bank the calories. Then If I am hungry the next day, which usually happens I eat over my calories. As long as you are staying under for the overall week you will be fine.
  • NCchar130
    NCchar130 Posts: 955 Member
    If I'm hungry I eat them, if not, I don't.

    Something I do (and I know others on here have posted about doing this too) is 'bank' them, if I don't eat them. I keep a spreadsheet so I can track certain things as I lose and I look at the overall week. So if I go 'under' today by 300 calories, there may be another day this week when I'm extra hungry. If I go over that day by 300, it's a wash. Or I might spread it out over several days. It gives you a little more freedom that way. I've consistently lost weight while doing this so don't be scared!
  • Reneeisfat
    Reneeisfat Posts: 126 Member
    Thanks for the guidance. I agree, I was just worried about fueling my body for workouts.
    I'm not going low carb but more like less carb and decided to have a bit of goat cheese on endive and a drizzle of red apple balsamic...sweet, crunchy and light.

    Hope I have this problem everyday where I actually wanted to workout!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    You may that you are hungrier than normal at breakfast tomorrow. But one day isn't going to make a difference. These are the days I use to have a high calorie treat, like a piece of cake. :bigsmile: