Understanding the Net Calories?!?!

yazzie03
yazzie03 Posts: 1
edited January 1 in Food and Nutrition
Could someone please explain what net calories are because I am just beginning my fitness journey and I want to make sure I am doing this the correct way?

I understand that my total calories for the day is 1200. But when I workout it adds more calories also? How does this help to lose weight. I am just trying to get a better understanding.

Thank you !

Replies

  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    The deficit is built in. So if your goal is 1200, you could be burning up to 2200 calories in a day before exercise. 1000 calorie/day deficit would get you a weight loss of about 2 lbs/week. So if you exercise over and above that, you should/could eat more. You will get different answers on this one, but that's how it works.

    Total calories eaten - exercise calories burned = net caloric intake
  • Forensi
    Forensi Posts: 56 Member
    If you have 1200 calories that is already a deficit. Normally you might eat 2000 for example to maintain your weight. If you eat 1200 then burn say 600 and don't eat them back, you have effectively only eaten 600 calories, which is way way to low to get nutrients. So to combat this, MFP adds those 600 calories (which gives you your NET Calories for the day) so you can then eat them back and you will still have a deficit of 800 calories. This is done like this so that you aren't under eating and that your weight loss is controlled and you still maintain a good level of health while losing weight. Hope that makes sense.
  • ihateroses
    ihateroses Posts: 893 Member
    In a nutshell:

    The 1200 MFP gives you is already set up for weight loss. If you eat 1200 calories a day and do not exercise you will still (ideally) lose weight.

    If you eat under that number its not really healthy for your body.

    Think of it as: When you exercise you can eat more.
    Instead of: Eating, then exercising it off.
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