Eating exercise calories

susan749

This has probably been discussed time and again, but I haven't been using MFP very long. I generally burn 200-250 calories on thr days I purposely exercise. I try for at least 4 times a week. I know those are added to my daily calories intake but not sure if I should use them or not. Any information is greatly appreciated.

drefaw

Check out this thread right here .....same Q ...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/972394-confused?page=1#posts-14845769

michelle7673

The short answer is yes, because MFP has already built in a deficit for you. Some people eat back "most" of them, but not all, because they are compensating for possible under-logging of calories or over-estimation of calories burned. But the general answer is yes.

Sarahnade42x

I've heard from other members that you ideally only want to eat about 20% of your exercise calories back, but personally I don't eat any. If I remember right, MFP initially asks about your activity levels and exercise to determine your calorie goal, so eating your exercise calories back would be sort of like eating them twice.

EmmaKarney

I've heard from other members that you ideally only want to eat about 20% of your exercise calories back, but personally I don't eat any. If I remember right, MFP initially asks about your activity levels and exercise to determine your calorie goal, so eating your exercise calories back would be sort of like eating them twice.

This is incorrect.

Your activity level you enter in MFP covers your activity level outside of your purposeful exercise. You should really eat back your exercise calories to come in as close to your goal as possible. It's called a goal for a reason.

cwolfman13

This has probably been discussed time and again, but I haven't been using MFP very long. I generally burn 200-250 calories on thr days I purposely exercise. I try for at least 4 times a week. I know those are added to my daily calories intake but not sure if I should use them or not. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Exactly why would do you think MFP would up your calorie goal if you weren't meant to eat those calories back? Do you think MFP is trying to trick you into gaining weight? It is a goal...a goal is something to be achieved.

When I was doing MFP I always at back my exercise calories. It is how this tool is intended to be used. Google NEAT method for weight loss...MFP uses the NEAT method which makes any exercise you do an extra activity that needs fueled.

cwolfman13

I've heard from other members that you ideally only want to eat about 20% of your exercise calories back, but personally I don't eat any. If I remember right, MFP initially asks about your activity levels and exercise to determine your calorie goal, so eating your exercise calories back would be sort of like eating them twice.

NO....just no. This person has no idea what they're doing or talking about apparently.

ScatteredThoughts

The sticky threads at the top of the following forum section are worth reading:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/9-general-diet-and-weight-loss-help

jasonheyd

Like others have said, yeah, you should be eating at least some of the exercise calories back...

I'd say if your goal is weight loss, then you may not want to eat *all* of them back, if only because calorie burn estimates from HRMs and other sources tend to be a little generous.

If part of your exercise routine involves weight lifting, or your goal is to build muscle while losing some fat, then definitely eat them back. Without getting into a discussion of whether anyone but a "newbie" can gain muscle while losing weight, if you're not eating enough to fuel muscle repair, you're going to lose ground on your lifting and probably risk more injuries (that's pretty much true even if your exercise is focused on more intensive cardio).

Like it or not, the best approach is probably to try to be as consistent as possible (in terms of exercise, tracking food, and hydration) for a couple of weeks and see what happens, then tweak it from there.

I usually find that I need to stay around 100-200 calories under my exercise-adjusted goal if I want to continue losing weight and not lose ground on exercise. Over a period of a few weeks, If I eat more than that, then weight loss stalls but I tend to see improvement in lifting results. Any less than that, weight loss increases but I lose ground in lifting results.

cityjaneLondon

I eat back all my exercise calories and sometimes go over by 50 or so. I have lost 42 lbs in 10 1/2 months. No it's not super quick, but it is sustainable as I love my food and hate to go hungry. I feel terrific.