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How important is it to burn a lot of calories

Full4Life
Full4Life Posts: 172 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
How important is it to burn a lot of calories during a workout? Because me? I tend to go for activities that aren't going to put a drain on my energy or take too much time out of my daily routine.

For example, I go running on the days that I have two hours because there's warm-up, cool down and getting ready for work or whatever after which takes longer after a run. I also get hungrier, so I might even need longer to get something to eat. And a run burns less than 400 cal.!

But I look at what some others are doing, burning upwards of 600-700 a workout.

Asides from the time factor, if I am eating within my caloric intake as measured by the software, is it necessary to burn such strenuous amounts during a workout?

Replies

  • make_meup
    make_meup Posts: 42 Member
    I was thinking the same thing? Like if I take in 1122 cal. how much should I burn off to lose a decision amount of weight? But my limit is 1800.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    The more I read about fitness and fat loss, the more I'm convinced that I don't need to have huge calorie burns to meet my goals. The body I'm hoping to end up with is firm, fit, and strong rather than just skinny and soft. The people I've seen here who have that body are the ones who are spending time lifting heavy weights 3 or 4 days a week, and doing less than an hour of cardio around 3 days a week. And they are eating well.

    A couple of great reads here at MFP:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 (There is also a new group following this plan).

    And this one - great story with lots of pics: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/709987-how-wrong-i-was-600-days-of-mfp-lotsa-pics
  • ashlinmarie
    ashlinmarie Posts: 1,263 Member
    Burning a lot of calories just gives you more food. If you don't eat back your exercise cals or don't find yourself being very hungry, the burn is not important. Some days I only burn 200-300 calories and some days I burn 800+. If I know I'm going to be eating more, I try to work out more (like going out for a big breakfast, will run before hand). Usually I only eat about 1300-1400 of my 1650 calories.
  • DOElston
    DOElston Posts: 102
    I'm no M.D. but I believe it's simple mathematics. If your body doesn't have some malady that impedes metabolism, the equation is essentially calories in versus calories burned. Just as an example, if your "resting" daily calorie intake is 1200 and you only take in 1150, you will lose weight because your body has to draw for its stores to make up the difference.

    The benefit of exercise, however, transcends mere "calorie burns"; it augments our physiology and that does all kind of other good things for us! :)
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Time isn't the only factor when it comes to how many calories you burn; Intensity actually plays a more important role! the more intense the workout is, the more calories you will burn, the more fat you will burn during the workout, and the more fat you will burn in the next 24 hours, due to an increase in your metabolism and heart rate - from your body working to repair the "damage" you had done to yourself.

    Doing 1 hour at 60% max effort will burn off 400 calories, but doing 1 hour at 80% will burn off 600-800 calories (depending on the person, of course).

    The only factor you will have to take into account while doing more intense workouts is you will need longer rests between them. If you really push it to 100% (like serious HIIT cardio, or weight lifting), then you should give your body 48 hours of recovery before doing the same thing.
  • themommie
    themommie Posts: 5,033 Member
    the calories and what you eat is about 80% of the equation, if you are eating right you are going to lose weight even if you dont burn huge amounts, find what works for you. I am very strict with my diet but have fibromyalgia which makes it hard to do strenous exercise. I do exercise but do walking, swimming , bike riding, and strength training but nothing strenous my workouts usually burn anywhere from 175-500 and I have lost 105 lbs in 21 mths. i hope this helps
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Excellent question. Calories burned during a workout doesn't make one whit of difference. Controlling your diet is 10x more effective than going for some monster burn. If you burn 400 and drink water after, but the person next to you goes further and burns 600 but has a gatorade after, you both net 400.

    My personal feeling is that if you're working out to hit a particular calorie number you're doing it wrong. Workout to get better, not to burn calories. If you're a runner, try to run further. Out of trail? Then try to run the same distance in less time. If you're a lifter, then try to lift more. If each month you can improve on your time/distance/lifts you will get the body that you want. I promise. Calories burned is something you never need to consider when it comes to choosing your exercise.
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    For me it is most important to commit to exercise for an hour every day. I don't think about the exact calories too much. There are days I give it my all (today running cross country trails for half an hour and then kickboxing for one hour) and days I just go for an hour long walk or hop on my elliptical while I watch TV at home. As long as I am fitting it in and changing it up, it is all good, I like to Zumba, kickbox, walk, run, bike outside, take strength training classes at the gym, and step aerobics. I think it is working because I have had some funny things happen to me lately that indicate I may be looking good (my neighbor staring at me and bumping his carriage into a freezer as he walked by at the grocery store for one LOL). Taking it off slower while you exercise is better anyway and you want to stick with something that doesn't stress you out or make you overthink - because I plan on keeping this up as long as I can move. Good Luck!!!
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    I personally lost most of my weight while sticking to my calorie goals and running 2 to 3 times a week for less than an hour, so most of the time a 300-400 calorie burn. So...is it important to rack up the huge numbers, not for me, but it may be for others. You have to find what works for you.

    I also highly advocate lifting weights. as I have only lost about 5 pounds since January of this year, but went down three sizes due to lifting :)
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,467 Member
    The 2 times I over exercised, I gained a pound. The first time was a mistake....the second time I did it on purpose to see if the same thing happened....it did. So no more marathon exercising. I will do my 45 min., 3 x a week from now on.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    Here is my philosophy.

    I used to burn 2.5k+ cals 5 times a week on a regular bases. I now do maybe 2k a week. I cannot do the 2.5k daily for the rest of my life but I can easily do 2k a week for the rest of my life. I am happier now, I feel healthier now, my pants are feeling much more looser than it was when i was burning 2.5k.

    Basically, do what you can do for the rest of your life
  • Cheri_Moves
    Cheri_Moves Posts: 625 Member
    IMO, It depends on your goals. :drinker:

    ~Just loose weight? Stick to a doable calorie deficit. NO real exercise necessary.

    ~Get fit and loose weight? Workout regularly and eat those calories back.

    ~Fitness greatness and who cares about the scale? Get your workout on baby! And do it RIGHT! (cardio, strength training, sports training, etc.) depending on the "fitness" goal, the burns will be different. Training for a 5K? around 400 a day apx. Training for a half ironman triathlon? Dang, you better get to eating cuz those burns are going to be in the 1,000's sometimes!

    ETA: it also very much depends on your current weight.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Basically, do what you can do for the rest of your life

    This is perfect advice!
  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    You can keep it simple by walking or running 10,000 steps a day and do strength workouts at least 3 times a week and do not attempt to burn a lot of calories but just do it for the physical health benefits. As long as you can limit your eating that's fine. If you want to eat more - then exercise harder.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    It is simply good for your health to exercise every day if you can, some light days, some more intense. Strength training at least 3 times a week. The key to lose weight is simply eat less, move more, and I like to add on listen to your body, rest when it needs rest, workout hard when you feel strong.
  • Cheri_Moves
    Cheri_Moves Posts: 625 Member
    It is simply good for your health to exercise every day if you can, some light days, some more intense. Strength training at least 3 times a week. The key to lose weight is simply eat less, move more, and I like to add on listen to your body, rest when it needs rest, workout hard when you feel strong.

    lovely advice :flowerforyou:
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member

    Basically, do what you can do for the rest of your life


    Perfectly advice!
  • harley47920
    harley47920 Posts: 62 Member
    I've been told by 2 different trainers that I needed to STOP focusing on trying to burn as many calories as I could and to focus on getting my heart rate over 120 for at least 20-30 minutes. It was explained that this will cause my metabolism to increase and I'll continue to burn calories after I'm finished with my exercise.

    I've not noticed any difference when I step on the scales, but my pants are fitting better. :laugh:
  • thoeting
    thoeting Posts: 89 Member
    There's sort of two different things going on here.

    Intense exercise is good for your heart and overall cardiovascular health.

    Burning calories in a steady way is good for weight loss.

    It seems to be important to do both or to focus on what is your current priority depending on your situation and goals.
This discussion has been closed.

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