How many calories to replace due to exercise?

rachelleigh4988

My goal right now is 1200 calories a day. I'm working out 6 days a week. My question is, when I work out, how many of those calories that I burn should I replace? For example, if I burn 500 calories during a work out, MFP will update my net calories to 1700. Should I eat all 1700 calories in the day? Or only replace half of the calories burned during the workout so that I eat about 1450 calories a day?

Any guidance is much appreciated, thanks!

tuckervc

Some people eat them all back. I eat at least half to all. I know that this weekend will be high calorie for me so I am only eating half back today, tomorrow and Friday to balance out things for the week. You should be eating back some of them.

rachelleigh4988

Thanks Tuckervc. It feels kind of strange to eat more when I'm not hungry (and dieting!) but I guess my body needs it to lose the weight. I haven't had this problem when dieting in the past, so it's a weird feeling for me.

tuckervc

Sometimes I might not feel hungry so I will drink some chocolate milk. That gives me something sweet and helps with my protein. I really struggle with hitting that goal somedays. And a favorite snack is peanut butter and apples or a bowl of cereal.

rachelleigh4988

Those are great tips. Thank you so much!

melisafilsinger

Im glad you asked that question cause I was wondering the same thing!!!! :0)

cay2810

me too!