who doesn't use the exercise function?

bitterbrownie
bitterbrownie Posts: 369
in Health and Weight Loss
What are your thoughts on the MFP way of adding on calories burned compared to eating a standard consistent number regardless of exercise?

goal-wise, I'm looking to cut fat, got about 2% to go. Exercise 3-5 times a week doing weights and cardio

thanks for any help

Replies

  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I think it's personal preference.

    I prefer a set number. The main reason is because when I would have a rest day, I'd find it really hard to stick to that number of calories (2000) because I was used to around 2500-2700 when I exercised! I found it much easier to stick to my goal by just upping them to a higher amount, somewhere in the middle and let that be the same every day.
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    Im the same as heidi....mine is set to a constant calories of 1800...and i add details into the notes section of the food diary :)
  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    OP, if you want to eat a set number of calories, you need to use a method that takes your exercise into account. Go figure your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) and eat at a slight deficit from that--since you're so close to goal, maybe take 10% off.

    What you're doing right now--taking the MFP number of 1271 (which is too aggressive for your goal anyway) and not eating your exercise calories back the way MFP intends you to is leaving you with days where you net 500-800 calories--not healthy.

    Go here and figure out how to run your numbers: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    And good luck.
  • SenseiCole
    SenseiCole Posts: 429 Member
    I'm a short *kitten* and my cals is 1200 a day, if I don't exercise and use at least some of those cals I find it very hard and would starve
  • LibbyFelicity
    LibbyFelicity Posts: 16
    I don't input my exercise because I don't think their calculator for how much you've burned is accurate, so I just eat a set amount each day regardless of exercise.
  • vondabridges
    vondabridges Posts: 7
    I dont eat my exercise calories only my 1800 every now an then will treat myself to something im really craving once a week!!!!
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    I'm happy eating 1400 so it's a nice bonus to "earn" myself some more calories by exercising :)

    MFP works great for me.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    I am training to attempt to build strength primarily, and lose fat as possible, which is a pretty fine line to walk. I use the 1% IFCALC site to decide on my calories for rest days and workout days, and just force my workouts to log in as the difference between them.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    OP, if you want to eat a set number of calories, you need to use a method that takes your exercise into account. Go figure your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) and eat at a slight deficit from that--since you're so close to goal, maybe take 10% off.

    What you're doing right now--taking the MFP number of 1271 (which is too aggressive for your goal anyway) and not eating your exercise calories back the way MFP intends you to is leaving you with days where you net 500-800 calories--not healthy.

    Go here and figure out how to run your numbers: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    And good luck.

    all of this!
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    OP, if you want to eat a set number of calories, you need to use a method that takes your exercise into account. Go figure your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) and eat at a slight deficit from that--since you're so close to goal, maybe take 10% off.

    What you're doing right now--taking the MFP number of 1271 (which is too aggressive for your goal anyway) and not eating your exercise calories back the way MFP intends you to is leaving you with days where you net 500-800 calories--not healthy.

    Go here and figure out how to run your numbers: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    And good luck.

    Ditto.
    I am doing the TDEE with activity level method.
  • UrbanLotus
    UrbanLotus Posts: 1,163 Member
    I don't input my exercise because I don't think their calculator for how much you've burned is accurate, so I just eat a set amount each day regardless of exercise.

    It's not, but I use the calories burned count from my HRM instead
  • SueGeer
    SueGeer Posts: 1,169 Member
    I don't use the exercise function per se. I have a Fitbit and I just use the calorie adjustment from that.......it automatically syncs to MFP. If I add exercise separately on MFP I'll be duplicating.....
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Flat number of calories every day wouldn't suit me at all.
    Partly because I do 5:2 fasting but mainly because my exercise calories burned vary massively from day to day (0 to 3,000) so I eat to fuel my exercise.
  • bitterbrownie
    bitterbrownie Posts: 369
    [/quote]

    It's not, but I use the calories burned count from my HRM instead
    [/quote]

    yeah i don't mind how you put in exercise - i input from an HRM, but i'm wondering whether to not bother recording that anymore
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    I have my BMR calculated using my activity level and exercise so I changed my calories goal to a mid range and try to eat about that amount daily, I don't worry about 100 calories under or over my goal since I know it is a range. I do add my exercise into the notes of the diary so I can look back at what i am doing (or not doing).

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