We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Not eating enough to cover calories burned

metallicamayhem
metallicamayhem Posts: 2
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Where does my body get energy when I don't eat enough calories to match how many I'm burning?

I've only eaten like 600 calories today, and I've burned just over 1000. I'm trying to gain weight. I hope this isn't reversing all my working out.

Replies

  • flinchyny
    flinchyny Posts: 106 Member
    Even w/o exercise. eating just 600 calories won't make you gain weight; in fact, I'd imagine you would lose weight.
  • Pariah
    Pariah Posts: 97 Member
    when you don't eat enough calories your body burns what it already has stored. when you starve yourself you body stops burning fat and starts eating away at your muscles. it's simple math, if you want to gain weight, you have to take in more than you burn, and build muscle.
  • hiddensecant
    hiddensecant Posts: 2,446 Member
    How do you plan to gain weight eating only 600 calories?

    As for energy, your body will attack your muscles first.
  • metallicamayhem
    metallicamayhem Posts: 2
    when you don't eat enough calories your body burns what it already has stored. when you starve yourself you body stops burning fat and starts eating away at your muscles. it's simple math, if you want to gain weight, you have to take in more than you burn, and build muscle.

    That's what I figured. I wasn't done with my daily meals, so I had an amazing dinner. =) I've gaind just over a pound now, and have doubled how many pushups I can do. =) Now that the weather is good, I'm going to start rock climbing again. Thank you for the refresher.
  • blondie4mac
    blondie4mac Posts: 1
    You definitely will not gain weight..You have to eat more calories than you are burning..Your body will eventually go into starvation mode and you don't want that..
This discussion has been closed.

Categories