eating back exercise calories

krislshoe

Ok so I have only dropped .02lbs since last Tues. I have not cheated and work out 6 days a week. I usually eat my 1200 calories a day (there were 2 days I was under by about 200 calories but I dont make that a habit) I dont usually eat back my exercise calories and I usually burn 350 to 400 in my workouts. My question is......do you think i havent lost more because I havent eaten back my exercise calories?
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erickirb

You have to eat more. the 1200 minimum is net calories. if you eat 1200 then burn 350 your net calories are only 850. Your body needs fuel (food) to perform exercise.

IrishChik

Something else to remember, muscle weighs more than fat.

carrieliz81

Yeah, you need to eat more.

Sandeee

I don't eat back my calories and like you workout 6 days per week. Last week dropped only .2 for the whole week and just weighed in and lost 1.1 lbs in 3 days. It fluctuates weekly.

cocacole77

You need to eat back at least half of your workout calories or you will go into starvation mode. When you complete your food and exercise diary it will tell you below the "complete diary" button if you are eating to little and are in danger of starvation mode. If you don't get enough fuel your metabolism slows down

allykat8

You definitely need to eat at MINIMUM 1,200 calories a day. Your body may have just plateaued for a while (that happens to me plenty), it could be holding on and storing fat because you are not giving it enough fuel, any number of things. I do not believe it is b/c you ate exercise calories.

What is your typical day like?

krislshoe

I babysit 3 little boys ages 3, 18 mo. and 10 mo.........I always stick to my 1200 a day calories.....I have 3 kiddos of my own but they are all in school....I usually do about 45 min on the elliptical 3-4 nites a week and then walk the dog (very brisk pace) for an hour the other nights......I do all of this around my 3 boys baseball schedule (games, practices etc) We do lead a very hectic life.

jurgitafit

I babysit 3 little boys ages 3, 18 mo. and 10 mo.........I always stick to my 1200 a day calories.....I have 3 kiddos of my own but they are all in school....I usually do about 45 min on the elliptical 3-4 nites a week and then walk the dog (very brisk pace) for an hour the other nights......I do all of this around my 3 boys baseball schedule (games, practices etc) We do lead a very hectic life.

Oh wow! Your body is definitely taking your uneaten calories personally.

In other words, I do think you're not eating enough. This is a problem for many people-- they exercise too much for their caloric intake or are not eating enough for their exercise. It is a fine line between eating enough calories and eating too many for weight loss. But in your case, I think you're definitely undereating, especially on those day when you are 200 calories under you goal. Just try upping your calories for couple of weeks and see what happens! :happy: