Do/should you eat your exercise calories?

Melwith9
Melwith9 Posts: 17
edited September 20 in Health and Weight Loss
I am new here..still trying to figure everything out but one thing that has me confused is the idea behind the calories. I am training for a 5k.. I run 25 min a day.. that burns over 300 calories. this isn't going to get any smaller as my running time only increases.. I have a huge problem with getting all my calories in to begin with. At the end of a normal day I will have 300-400 calories that I need to eat in the evenings after dinner.. with adding in my exercise calories that pushes me over 600-700 calories...am I supposed to eat those.. or is it like a bank.. were a big balance is a good thing..lol

Replies

  • Felistorm
    Felistorm Posts: 5 Member
    I've been wondering too. I tend to eat some but not all of mine. Like about half to 3/4 I guess but I've still been losing which is a good thing. I would love to know though :D
  • shellshalla
    shellshalla Posts: 263 Member
    I want to know too! I've currently been not eating my exercise calories and eating 1200 calories a day. I just don't get how it would make sense to eat the calories you "earned" when you're trying to lose weight. Anyone know?
  • aml0484
    aml0484 Posts: 425
    This has always been a big debate on MFP. I think it is a personally preference. First of all your daily calories with out exercise already has a deficit. So you can eat all of your exercise calories and will still lose as you have already burned these off. Personally I have done it both ways. Currently I am not eating my exercise calories because I am eating such a clean diet with such few processed foods. So I am consuming a high volume of food for very few calories. So in the end it is up to you. If you are hungry I say go ahead and eat some or all of them. If you are not hungry I wouldn't eat just to fill a number.
  • fauxdetresse
    fauxdetresse Posts: 40
    you're supposed to eat your exercise calories. working out increases your metabolism and builds lean muscle so when you lose weight, it doesn't look flabby. especially if you eat 1200 calories-- your NET should be at least 1200, not how much you consume.
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