Late Workouts and Eating Back Calories

RyanneRose

I don't have an opportunity during the day to get in a nice workout until my daughter goes to bed. This means I don't start until around 8pm. I figure exercise is exercise so it can't be all bad, but I've read it's better to do it earlier in the day. I can't currently do this so I'm not asking if I should change my time. Just wondering if anyone knows if that's true.

Also, on a related note, I burn between 400-500 calories when I do get to my workout, but then do I eat them back if it's so late? I thought eating late was a general no-no.
Yesterday I was already below my calorie goal by a few hundred (never really stopped to eat), and then I did my workout at night which had me back to needing pretty much my whole day's calories (around 1300-something) again at 9pm. I ate a banana and some junk (bad, I know) just to fill the calorie count a little bit. But in general, should I just live with whatever I've got by the time my workout's done even if it's too low, or should I try and really eat back what I burned (obviously meaning not with junk)?

AllTehBeers

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol

CN: Meal frequency and timing does not matter. When you eat or do your workouts is totally personal preference.

Also, if you know you are going to work out, you can use that few hundred calorie buffer to bulk up your meals throughout the day. If you are feeling hungry between meals or don't feel like you're getting full enough, you can add a bunch of calories to a meal.

ETA: Eating a little junk is okay. I find it keeps me from completely falling off the "diet wagon" and I enjoy what I eat. I don't feel forced to eat stuff. If you have a few hundred calories left and you want an ice cream sandwich, that's okay.

There's so much pressure to "eat perfect" when losing weight, but the key to sticking to it is ENJOYING what your'e eating.

beautifuldiskize

If you're not hungry, don't eat your calories back. I think most people try NOT to eat their calories back in general. Only eat if you're hungry

I'm not sure at all about the time thing, but I remember someone saying that the time of day doesn't matter.

Best wishes.

megsmom2

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol

CN: Meal frequency and timing does not matter. When you eat or do your workouts is totally personal preference.

Also, if you know you are going to work out, you can use that few hundred calorie buffer to bulk up your meals throughout the day. If you are feeling hungry between meals or don't feel like you're getting full enough, you can add a bunch of calories to a meal.

This. If you know you're going to the gym, plan an average workout's calories into your meal earlier in the fay. You don't have to eat it back after the workout, the total per day ends up the same.

Tysonlovesweights

I am in a similar situation timing wise, and often find myself with six or seven hundred calories to eat after my workout. I tend to just use an ISO protein shake.....barely any carbs, but lots of fuel for muscle repair and maintenance. the low carb thing will help keep insulin levels on an even keel, so you don;t have to worry as much about storing the calorie intake as fat. I rarely eat back ALL my calories from a workout, but I do try and eat just a bit after my workout to help with recovery. hope this helps/gives you another perspective

DopeItUp

Eat back your calories. Eat them after your workout, before your workout, whenever you want. It does not make a difference. Simple. Don't overcomplicate it

MicheleWE

I was having the same problem so I went back a few weeks and averaged my calories for the three week period then I used that as my daily goal and did not eat exercise calories back. It worked out very well. I didn't have an excess to eat at the end of the day and I could add things like healthy oils into my breakfast, lunch and snacks. I also use excess calories to add my favorites like cheese, and peanut butter back into my diet.

RyanneRose

Thanks, everybody I guess I'm still finding my footing with the tracking thing and paying attention to everything. I've worked out before, and I've dieted before, but never really payed attention to either. Trying too hard to "get it right", still.

ETA: Eating a little junk is okay. I find it keeps me from completely falling off the "diet wagon" and I enjoy what I eat. I don't feel forced to eat stuff. If you have a few hundred calories left and you want an ice cream sandwich, that's okay.

There's so much pressure to "eat perfect" when losing weight, but the key to sticking to it is ENJOYING what your'e eating.

Completely depriving myself of "junk" is what killed pretty much any diet I've ever tried. I'm trying to eat better, but I'm not totally cutting out everything I enjoy. That just leads to ruin in my case.