Do I have to eat the calories I gain from exercise?

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  • JacksMom12
    JacksMom12 Posts: 1,044 Member
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    You can do whatever you'd like. Either way, you'll lose weight. There are tons of different ways to calculate your calories. I tried doing TDEE-x%, but because my activity level varies so much (because of my work) it was too hard to figure out. I eat back exercise calories and although the journey was a little longer, I have been very pleased with the end results.
  • bzmommy34
    bzmommy34 Posts: 229 Member
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    You can do whatever you'd like. Either way, you'll lose weight. There are tons of different ways to calculate your calories. I tried doing TDEE-x%, but because my activity level varies so much (because of my work) it was too hard to figure out. I eat back exercise calories and although the journey was a little longer, I have been very pleased with the end results.

    You look incredible!!! Congratulations on your success!
  • mcflat29
    mcflat29 Posts: 2,159 Member
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    You can do whatever you'd like. Either way, you'll lose weight. There are tons of different ways to calculate your calories. I tried doing TDEE-x%, but because my activity level varies so much (because of my work) it was too hard to figure out. I eat back exercise calories and although the journey was a little longer, I have been very pleased with the end results.

    This gives me hope! 1. Because you look fantastic and 2. because I'm in the same boat with my job. I guess I just kind of had a minor panic attack today when the weight wasn't going anywhere. I was being too rough on myself and I did recently find out I have to be in a swimsuit beginning of May around a bunch of skinny shallow girls -shoot me, please-
    Whew, as I said before, it's making more sense now. Thank you supportive MFP members! :smile:
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
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    No, if you want to loose weight. Yes, if you want to maintain your current weight. Generally speaking.

    This may help a little more if interested:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/NVREST/view/quick-and-dirty-a-quickie-482188

    You must be new...oh look, you are...this site is set up differently than every other site out there....so the answer is...eat them....

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf

    :bigsmile:
  • Mock_Turtle
    Mock_Turtle Posts: 354 Member
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    I think being dogmatic on this is shortsighted when there are so many estimates or even wild *kitten* guesses (for anyone that doesn't weigh all their food or eats out a lot with undefined meals)

    - estimates on calories consumed
    - estimates on your BMR using a correlation
    - estimates on your energy expended for an exercise, the machine vs your HRM vs MFP
    - LOL ****ing L at accurately calculating calories burned lifting weights
    - the ****ing wild *kitten* guess for the 'multiplier' on your BMR to account for daily activity
    - 99% of ppl aren't doing a secondary calculation for TEF that factors in carbs v protein v fats

    Some guidelines (not rules written in stone) and personal trial and error is superior imo.
  • earlswimsuit
    earlswimsuit Posts: 63
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    No! That would make you maintain the same weight.
  • KazSmith68
    KazSmith68 Posts: 85
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    Yes you eat them back. I always eat mine back and I have lost weight.

    I almost never eat mine back and I have also lost weight.



    I am the same, I never eat them back and my results are below :)
  • PunkyRachel
    PunkyRachel Posts: 1,959 Member
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    I try too eat them back. On my heavy exercise days I'm usually under by a couple hundred calories. It's just because I'm not hungry, and I'm not going to force myself to eat just because I have calories remaining. I go over count at least twice a week so I figure it balances out.
  • megster4359
    megster4359 Posts: 11 Member
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    I always eat back my exercise calories. I've lost weight doing it that way.
  • Brad805
    Brad805 Posts: 289 Member
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    I suggest you try without eating them back and see how it goes. We are all individuals and the numbers suggested are merely guidelines. It took quite a while to pack on the few extra lbs, so an extra week here or there is not the end of the world if you learn what works for you. Personally, tracking cardio exercise is easy, but tracking the weight lifting does not seem as effective unless one is monitoring the effort during. I always wear a HR monitor during my weight lifting routines to monitor my intensity. I know my effort varies quite a bit depending on a number of factors.

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