New with a calorie question

CakeFit21

Hi all, just joined yesterday and already have a question. My target calorie intake was calculated at 1200, once I added my exercise for yesterday, (650 calories) and tracked all of the food I had eaten I had like 860 calories left to use. Am I supposed to eat all of those calories??? Please help!
Thanks!

LavenderBouquet

Hello You should be eating the minimum (1200) for sure, but as for the extra calories for exercise, you don't have to eat them all if you're not hungry. Just see how you feel and if you think you need a bit more for the day.

borncoolest

You dont have to eat all of those calories. If you have eaten too few, it will warn you that your body may enter starvation mode when you hit "complete this entry" under the food diary

jessicajoy87

I consider my exercise calories my emergency calories. I'll eat them if I'm hungry. I try to just stay around my original goal though. Exercised calories really help when TOM visits.

CakeFit21

Thank you so much!

eschreiber

I am in the same boat and I've noticed that those "extra" calories from exercising helps me eat good, balanced meals. I am usually under my calorie count but I've never been quite that far under. Sometimes they also allow me a treat during the day and I don't have to feel bad taking advantage of that, after all, I've earned them! :-)

CardioRS

You dont have to eat all of those calories. If you have eaten too few, it will warn you that your body may enter starvation mode when you hit "complete this entry" under the food diary

Thanks coolest! Totally didn't know that. Does it factor as a percent or do you know? My exercise calories are around 1350 when I run and/or swim so sometimes this seems like a LOT to eat.

CakeFit21

Yea, it does seem like a lot to eat!

How close do I have to get to my 1200 to keep from going into "starvation" mode? I'm not looking for an absolute, but would you say within 100 calories?

I did the "complete this entry" thing, that is really cool. Very motivating!