question about calorie deficit

When you put into MFP how much weight you wanted to lose per week it calculated how many calories you need to eat per day to lose that much - the deficit is built in. MFP means for you to eat all of your exercise calories per day.

Now, will you lose weight faster if you don't eat your exercise calories, or don't eat all of them? Depends on your body and your weight and how many exercises calories you have, etc etc and etc etc. To be a healthy weight loss you shouldn't lose more then 2 lbs a week (if severely over weight, or just starting weight loss it is usually acceptable to lose more then that). Also, to no go into starvation mode you should not have less then 1200 calories so those are 2 more numbers that effect the equation.

Personally, I don't 'plan' on eating all of my exercise calories every day... mostly because I tend to have no problem eating those extra calories (oops) and because I tend to go over a little on my calories on days I don't work out. By following this made up system (albeit made up system) if I average out a week's daily calories I will end up on target.

Everyone will have an opinion on both sides... everything between "yes you MUST eat every exercise calorie and I lose 2lbs a week every week with no platues" and "I have 3000 exercise per day and I don't eat a single one of those and I lose at least 2lbs a week every week with no platues".

In the end, you'll want to do what makes sense to you and that you know you can make a part of your life style. Next you'll need to see if it is working for you, and if not, tweak as needed until it is.

Hi I'm also on 1200 calories a day. I try never to go over that unless I've done something to earn more calories. I don't go crazy with exercise, I walk to and from work (40min each way) and if I really want chocolate or anything else I'm craving, or even a can of coke or two, then I might do a little more exercise. I found in the first two weeks the weight was coming off nicely leaving only 20-50 calories. Now I find I need to leave a few more for the weight to keep coming off. I also don't think of this as a diet, it's a fun game between the computer, my sister and I to see who can still lose weight and eat the things we enjoy eating......

Have fun with it is all I can say. And if you want that piece of chocolate have it but work out at home in front of the tv or at a gym, in the park or wherever before you eat it so you have the calories there.

I have a step at home that cost very little, (you put it in front of the sink so kids can wash their hand). I watch tv and step if I feel I really need that food.