HELP!!! Confused about Calorie Deficit

melanie3900
melanie3900 Posts: 28 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am new to losing weight. I'm currently using the Body By Vi shakes and excercising (4 mile walk every day, 3x week strength workout with resistence tubes). But I am SOOOO confused with this Calorie Deficit thing. When I work out, am I supposed to replace the calories burned back with food?? My daily food journal will say "You've earned an extra XXX calories". Help, very confused. On day 8 of my 90-day weight loss challenge, and want to make sure I'm really doing things right to get the best results. Please help, Thanks!!

Replies

  • CantarellaMiyani
    CantarellaMiyani Posts: 91 Member
    The goal that MFP gives you is with the deficit already worked in, and when it modifies that goal due to exercise, the deficit remains. So you can eat back your exercise calories, and it's a good idea to eat back at least some of them. Many of us choose not to eat them all back, though, as long as we're over about 1200 cals a day (MFP yells at you if you're under this minimum).
  • 8goodgirl0
    8goodgirl0 Posts: 127 Member
    as long as we're over about 1200 cals a day (MFP yells at you if you're under this minimum).

    Is that 1200 net calories?
  • MrsM1ggins
    MrsM1ggins Posts: 724 Member
    You have a "My Home" page which you should be able to see when you log in. There's a "calories remaining" number at the top which is coloured green.

    You should plan to eat enough to get that number as close to zero as possible without letting it go RED. That's all there is to it! Just enter your food and exercise and let MFP do its thing.

    Explanation:
    As you add food the number counts down until you get to zero, then it goes red which means you're eating over your allowed calories. If you exercise MFP adds the calories you've burned to your daily allowance so you can see that you're allowed to eat those too. Just don't let the "remaining calories" number be red at the end of the day - the built-in MFP calorie deficit will take care of the weight loss, assuming you've set your goals up as aiming for a loss.
  • melanie3900
    melanie3900 Posts: 28 Member
    Thank you guys SOOOO much! I guess I was thinking way too in to it. Makes me love MFP even more!!
  • NataBost
    NataBost Posts: 418 Member
    You have a "My Home" page which you should be able to see when you log in. There's a "calories remaining" number at the top which is coloured green.

    You should plan to eat enough to get that number as close to zero as possible without letting it go RED. That's all there is to it! Just enter your food and exercise and let MFP do its thing.

    Explanation:
    As you add food the number counts down until you get to zero, then it goes red which means you're eating over your allowed calories. If you exercise MFP adds the calories you've burned to your daily allowance so you can see that you're allowed to eat those too. Just don't let the "remaining calories" number be red at the end of the day - the built-in MFP calorie deficit will take care of the weight loss, assuming you've set your goals up as aiming for a loss.

    This is probably the best explanation I have seen regarding this topic. Thank you.

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    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods

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