Net Calories

Raynne413
Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I tried searching for this, but there were SO many posts, and after going through several pages, I still couldn't find what I was looking for, so please forgive me if this is a repost.

I'm new to the site and learning how everything works. I track my food here, but I use the FitBit ultra for my fitness tracker (I also wear during my workouts so I don't track my exercise on here). How does the Net Calories work? For example, as of right now, the site shows my goal calories are 1310, my food is 1610 (I went ahead and logged what I'm having for dinner), my exercise is -670 (adjustment from FitBit), my Net is 961, and my remaining calories 349. So basically, what I'm aiming for is the Net to equal 1310, which is also my goal. Is this correct?

Thanks for any help! :smile:

Replies

  • susiebear29
    susiebear29 Posts: 266
    In a word YES!! I know there are loads and loads of different threads about this and some people eat back their exercise calories and some people don't, but the way MFP is designed is that you do eat back your exercise calories yes!! I have to admit I struggle with this sometimes though!! :smile:
  • amandae0182
    amandae0182 Posts: 23
    What i cant figure out about Net calories is how to eat that much. Im a large person, i get 1800 calories a day and burn about 1000 by just walking and running. sometimes i only net 300 calories for the day. i cant figure out how to eat 2800 calories a day unless i go to mc donalds!
  • GnochhiGnomes
    GnochhiGnomes Posts: 348 Member
    What i cant figure out about Net calories is how to eat that much. Im a large person, i get 1800 calories a day and burn about 1000 by just walking and running. sometimes i only net 300 calories for the day. i cant figure out how to eat 2800 calories a day unless i go to mc donalds!

    I think if your body fat percentage is fairly large then eating back your calories isn't essential.
  • healthyhawaii
    healthyhawaii Posts: 11
    What i cant figure out about Net calories is how to eat that much. Im a large person, i get 1800 calories a day and burn about 1000 by just walking and running. sometimes i only net 300 calories for the day. i cant figure out how to eat 2800 calories a day unless i go to mc donalds!

    I think if your body fat percentage is fairly large then eating back your calories isn't essential.

    Not essential ... and for most people, not desirable, I would think. If you have a higher than average BMI (reflecting a larger mass for your height), but would like to maintain it for some reason (e.g., bodybuilding), most will have a diet geared to maintain this. For example, using protein drinks, etc. When I do long run days, I struggle to eat back the calories, but aim for a weekly equilibrium.

    For days I struggle to make calories due to running hard, I start my day with a high-calorie breakfast (500-600+ of a daily 2000+), including coconut oil and various seeds (i.e., calorie-dense foods).

    To the original post, YES, to maintain your weight, MFP already calculates the exercise in the equation. Just be mindful of the calories for the activities MFP gives, because that can vary greatly depending on several factors, including intensity, exercise efficiency, etc.
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
    Thank you everyone for your help! Today is the first day I've actually managed to get my net almost to my goal. Of course, mentally I feel like I'm eating WAY too much (but part of that comes from a history of an eating disorder). I actually think seeing how much I exercise and how much more food I need to eat because of that might keep me from going back to bad habits!

    Thanks again!!

    :flowerforyou:

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