Understanding MFP intake to achieve goals?

madisondell1
madisondell1 Posts: 5
in Food and Nutrition
I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer.

1. If a workout adds 700 calories to my daily intake, is it important to try to eat them? I usually will not consume the additional amount. Will I store fat as this may be perceived as "under eating". I am allowed 2300 per day before exercise.

2. There is a pie chart that recommends a daily amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates. I'm usually low on my carbs. Will this prevent me from losing the body fat around my waist? I'm 6"2" and weight 216 but I can seen to lose a layer of fat to reveal my abs. (Im also in my 40's)

Thanks!

Replies

  • jilliew
    jilliew Posts: 255 Member
    From my own personal experience:

    1) I don't eat back my exercize calories unless I'm hungry. I work out after work, so I just bring an extra healthy snack, work out, then go home and make supper. I don't log my excersize becuase when MFP tells me I have an extra 500 cal for the day, I go eat a DQ Blizzard. Not good.

    2) No.
  • madisondell1
    madisondell1 Posts: 5
    Thank you Jilliew!
  • ixap
    ixap Posts: 675 Member
    1. I don't think everyone needs to eat back all of their exercise calories. If you have reason to think that your calories burn is being overestimated, then you don't want to eat them all, for instance. 700 is quite a lot -- I'd try to eat at least some of that back so that you don't end up feeling burnt out / run down. It also depends on how big your calorie deficit is otherwise, if that makes sense -- if you are set to lose 2 pounds per week (deficit of 1000 calories per day) you may be more prone to getting burnt out by adding on an additional 700 calorie deficit. If you've set a more conservative goal of half a pound per week (deficit of 250 calories per day) you could probably go without eating back your exercise burns.

    2. No, not at all. In fact I think MFP's ratios are not ideal for most people -- protein and fat could stand to be a little higher in relation to carbs.

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