Should I up my calories?

littlehedgy
littlehedgy Posts: 192 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just got my bike!! We are putting it together as we speak, I am so excited I found one I can ride! I will be biking, leisurely about 1-3 miles initially then up to 4-5 miles a day. Which will change my activity level. Should I up my calories to reflect the change in activity or just leave it at 1200 to lose the weight?

Replies

  • heartsherps
    heartsherps Posts: 57 Member
    Just count it as exercise calories and eat back half to all of them.
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    I would up your activity level. If you don't have an HRM, it's an easier estimate. Plus, I've found HRMs to be less accurate when recording 'leisurely' work-outs.
  • littlehedgy
    littlehedgy Posts: 192 Member
    I worry about all this BMR and TDEE business. Riding would be a daily, or near daily occurrence so I am wondering if that just changes my TDEE or also my BMR...? I don't want to be eating so little that my body protests, but I want to have a high enough deficit to reach my goals
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
    I find it more motivational to leave my activity level at sedentary and track my exercise.
    It's nice to feel I've earned a treat and to eat back some of my extra exercise calories and

    Also when I track I get to see the change in how much more I am now capable of.
    I'm a firm believer in baby steps so change isn't always so noticeable, unless I look back at my journals
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    I worry about all this BMR and TDEE business. Riding would be a daily, or near daily occurrence so I am wondering if that just changes my TDEE or also my BMR...? I don't want to be eating so little that my body protests, but I want to have a high enough deficit to reach my goals
    Do you know what your BMR even is? 1200 calories per day is low.. Your BMR doesn't change with exercise, it changes with changes to your body composition. TDEE changes with activity level. Pick a number between BMR and TDEE and eat that amount. Don't worry about having a "high enough deficit to reach your goal." Your goal will be reached no matter if your deficit is 1500 calories per day, or 200 calories per day. It just may take longer. And it should, if you really only have 20lbs to lose.
  • littlehedgy
    littlehedgy Posts: 192 Member
    My BMR is apparently 1403 calories. and my TDEE at sedentary was calculated at something like 1700 calories. I figured the BMR wouldn't change but needed to be certain. I don't feel comfortable eating more than I am now until I am more active. But I still don't know if I should just log it as exercise or up my general calorie level.
  • alexsis88
    alexsis88 Posts: 36 Member
    Well I would add a couple hundred more calories since u are doing more exercise. Your body will need and want the extra energy. And u won't be as tired. If you are not sure just try it for a week or so and see how you feel. And it will do wonders to your metabolism :)
  • Beezil
    Beezil Posts: 1,677 Member
    Either up the calories with activity level or add in the exercise manually. As long as you are accounting for the extra activity in some way, I don't think it matters much how you do it. :) Congrats on the new bike, hope you enjoy it! The weather is getting perfect for biking. I definitely want to get mine out soon! :flowerforyou:
  • dcordy
    dcordy Posts: 5 Member
    I upped my calories.

    Up yours!

    lol...couldn't resist
  • selig0730
    selig0730 Posts: 509 Member
    add it to your exercise and eat your calories back

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