Is burning 650 calories enough?

Kalliejc
Kalliejc Posts: 36
in Fitness and Exercise
Two years ago I lost almost 50 lbs. it took about 8 months and I was burning between 400-600 calories per workout. I was also drinking a lot of wine.

I have gained back 40 of those lbs due to myriad excuses ;) and finally am back in the game. It just clicked one day. "what the heck are you doing, kallie???" So, about 11 days ago I jumped back on full throttle. I've lost 5 lbs.

THIS time however, I've bumped my minimum calories up to 600. And I'm staying away from alcohol.

The reason I ask this is because I'm seeing so many posts where people are burning 1000 plus calories........and I'm wondering if I should rethink my workouts. (I will start weight lifting this week).

I'm 5'10". Currently 245. (My profile picture is at 210 two years ago - I have NO recent pics).

Replies

  • xsmilexforxmex
    xsmilexforxmex Posts: 1,216 Member
    I think the calories burned shouldn't cause you to be more than around a 500Calorie deficit... too much and your body won't sustain itself. I do my typical workouts and burn 250-600.. if I do a class like zumba it will burn over 1000 for a hour.. It just depends how you workout but if you are going to push to 600+, eat back some of those calories. God luck :)
  • timboom1
    timboom1 Posts: 762 Member
    The number of calories burned in the workout is only half the equation. If you have a calorie deficit you will lose weight. This can be done by burning 0 during workouts and just not eating as much or some combination. Track both the calories in and out and make sure you have a reasonable deficit and you will lose. Add some fitness activity and you just be in better shape.
  • megleo818
    megleo818 Posts: 595 Member
    I keep reading that "weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise". That's definitely been true for me. I exercise every day and burn about 400-900 per day usually, but if I don't watch what I eat (and drink!) it doesn't do squat. So to answer your question, I think you need a balance of exercise and calorie control.

    Oh, and good on you for getting back on track!
  • ifyouknew
    ifyouknew Posts: 68 Member
    The calories per workout really aren't that important- they key is a calorie deficit. So yes, you can lose weight with 600-calorie workouts, as long as you have a calorie deficit, but you won't be able to eat as much as if you were doing 1000-calorie workouts. (And you will be doing less exercise so you won't get strong/fit as quickly.) The relly important thing, as you found out the last time around, is to do something sustainable over the long term. If you don't mind your 600 calorie workout but you hate 1000 calorie workouts, then I would say your 600 calorie workouts are actually better, because you're more likely to still be doing them a couple of years from now.
  • Tony_Brewski
    Tony_Brewski Posts: 1,376 Member
    I burn between 1200 and 2500 calories a workout. But thats just me.
  • Kalliejc
    Kalliejc Posts: 36
    I keep reading that "weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise". That's definitely been true for me. I exercise every day and burn about 400-900 per day usually, but if I don't watch what I eat (and drink!) it doesn't do squat. So to answer your question, I think you need a balance of exercise and calorie control.

    Oh, and good on you for getting back on track!

    I've heard this a lot recently as well and it makes me happy! :) I get so bored in the gym.....and my daughter is in the childcare room so I feel like I need to hurry and get her......I did 670 the other night and it seemed to take forever.......I'll get better, I know.....patience is not a virtue of mine. ;)

    Thanks to all.
  • Kalliejc
    Kalliejc Posts: 36
    I burn between 1200 and 2500 calories a workout. But thats just me.

    What do you do to burn this many calories and how long does it take you?
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    Yep, as some of the above posters said, it is not about how much you burn, it is the energy balance that matters. To lose weight, energy in (calories consumed) must be less than what goes out (your TDEE).

    If you burn more, then eat more. If you move less, eat less. There are obvious benefits to moving and eating more (increased metabolism, fitness, endurance, strength etc), but as far as strictly losing weight - just stay on the negative side of the energy balance and you're good.
  • amandasimms6807
    amandasimms6807 Posts: 2 Member
    You should purchase a HR monitor to track how many calories you are burning so that you know exactly. Also diet is most important and it is essential that you fuel your body with not only those calories but foods that are good for your body too.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    The calories per workout really aren't that important- they key is a calorie deficit. So yes, you can lose weight with 600-calorie workouts, as long as you have a calorie deficit, but you won't be able to eat as much as if you were doing 1000-calorie workouts. (And you will be doing less exercise so you won't get strong/fit as quickly.) The relly important thing, as you found out the last time around, is to do something sustainable over the long term. If you don't mind your 600 calorie workout but you hate 1000 calorie workouts, then I would say your 600 calorie workouts are actually better, because you're more likely to still be doing them a couple of years from now.

    There's your answer all up in there.
  • queenhiphop
    queenhiphop Posts: 286 Member
    Lol I burn about 250 cals per workout. I lose 1-2 lb a week tho. I don't see the point in doing anymore because I know I wouldn't be able to commit to that for the rest of my life.
  • MissTomGettingThin
    MissTomGettingThin Posts: 776 Member
    You should purchase a HR monitor to track how many calories you are burning so that you know exactly. Also diet is most important and it is essential that you fuel your body with not only those calories but foods that are good for your body too.

    This.
    With a HRM you will find calories are most likely lower than machine guestimates which a lot of people use, or the MFP database
    I am convinced there are people on here who post workouts of over 1000 calories for a workout that would be significantly less if they used a HRM.

    Good Luck and well done for starting again.

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