Serious Question about Calories, Just Curious...

stephross88
stephross88 Posts: 846 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Ok, I am curious as to if anyone knows the answer to my question. They say you should never NET under 1200 calories per day, which I usually NEVER do. As a matter of fact, lately I have been eating out of control and hardly coming in under my goal. Ok, so. Say I eat 1500 calories per day(hypothetically speaking) and I exercise 1500 calories off which leaves me at a net of 0. I am still eating plenty but I am just exercising like crazy...is this ok? Thoughts?

Replies

  • MelOdira747
    MelOdira747 Posts: 9
    Remember its calories in and calories out. If you are burning more than you eat, you will lose weight! If you eat more than what you burn in a day (not just exercising, but just standing you burn calories) then you will gain weight.

    I think its fine if your net is less than 1200. The only time you will have an issue is when you hit a plateau. Once you hit your plateau and yoru not losing any pounds then you need to start eating more to help get out of that stance.

    Hope this helps!
  • merrillfoster
    merrillfoster Posts: 855 Member
    You already know the answer. No. As you state, it says not to NET under 1200. 1200>0. So, no, you are supposed to net 1200, not net 0. If you exercise that much you need to eat more.
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    That would leave you with zero calories in order to live. :noway: Those are the calories that feed your heart, skin, kidneys, etc.
  • georgina1970
    georgina1970 Posts: 333 Member
    No it's not alright.
    The net value is your body's requirements to function every day. If your netting below, your body will not function optimally. This can hinder long term weight loss. Particularly if you have a lot of weight to loose.
    Be patient. Slow weight loss (1-2lbs/wk) is better for you and easier to maintain long term.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Ok, I am curious as to if anyone knows the answer to my question. They say you should never NET under 1200 calories per day, which I usually NEVER do. As a matter of fact, lately I have been eating out of control and hardly coming in under my goal. Ok, so. Say I eat 1500 calories per day(hypothetically speaking) and I exercise 1500 calories off which leaves me at a net of 0. I am still eating plenty but I am just exercising like crazy...is this ok? Thoughts?

    No, you're not supposed to net "0", you're supposed to net whatever goal MFP gave you. You already burn the majority of your calories through your normal daily activities. Burning off everything you eat in additional exercise leaves your body with very little (well, nothing) to work with. Even with... what? About 50 lbs left to lose (per ticker)? Your body will not be able to support that kind of deficit long-term, and still be healthy.
  • droneofvelvet
    droneofvelvet Posts: 290 Member
    Lol just try it. You won't be able to do it for more than a week. If you had that kind of will power you wouldn't be here in the first place. Your body will be VERY hungry on that much exercise. Which is great for you, but its also good to nourish your body and eat some of the calories back. They aren't calories, they are nourishing energy full of vitamins, nutrients, etc that your body needs.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    ....why are you burning so much through working out anyway?
  • stephross88
    stephross88 Posts: 846 Member
    This was just a hypothetical question people, I was just curious as if it is ok to net less if you are eating a lot and just exercising a lot.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    This was just a hypothetical question people, I was just curious as if it is ok to net less if you are eating a lot and just exercising a lot.

    It doesn't change the answer any. It's stll no. it's not OK. It's downright unhealthy and not very smart.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Eat above BMR and under TDEE. End of story.
  • Hanfordrose
    Hanfordrose Posts: 688 Member
    This was just a hypothetical question people, I was just curious as if it is ok to net less if you are eating a lot and just exercising a lot.

    My example might be helpful. I cannot exercise, except 30 minutes of upper body workout 3 or 4 times per week, because I am crippled by 2 bad knees. I don't count my exercise, because I have almost no time of just standing and walking like most folks. Call me somewhere between sedentary and comatose. :laugh:

    I eat 1200 calories per day. Without exercise, my body uses that 1200 calories; and I still lose weight. My dairy shows a net of ZERO. When I get my new knee replacements and can actually get up and really use my body to exercise, I will need to add more calories to allow for the added energy expended by my body; and I will still lose weight. If I eat more calories than my basic 1200 plus the amount I would used in exercise, and I will gain weight.

    Maybe this will help...maybe not. :ohwell:

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