Net calories?

america_c
america_c Posts: 60
in Health and Weight Loss
I've got a burning question.

My calorie intake was about 1400-1700 on most days and I burn 500+ a day (according to MFP). When I first started I noticed my net calories were under 1000 on several days, but I wasn't hungry and I've been eating good, at least better than I used to. My friend says I should *not* worry about hitting "starvation mode" and I should just listen to my body, if I'm hungry eat, if not move on. I'm not too sure I believe that. What I've been trying to do now is net above 1200, so I started eating just a little bit more at certain meals.

So my question is, should I worry about my net calorie intake being under 1200 or just my intake or not at all?

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Think of it this way.

    Your body requires a certain amount of calories just to function. Without getting out of bed, your body uses calories (not many, but some). Then your body needs more for daily activities and exercise. The net on MFP, means that is how much you are giving your body to do function outside of exercise (so for your organs to work and daily activity). This is where BMR (basal metabolic rate) and TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) come in.

    Example:
    BMR: 1560 (amount body needs before exercise/daily activity)
    Eat: 1560
    Exercise Burn: 500
    Net: 1060 (you only gave your body 1060 calories to function)
    ***I pulled these numbers out of thin air. They vary person to person***

    With the way MFP is designed, your net should match your calorie goal as close as possible. 100 over or under isn't going to hurt you in the long run.

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