1200 Cals?!?! Should I eat my exercise cals?!?!

ashleymmannisto · May 2013

Ok, So I am set at 1,200 calories a day. I make it a goal to eat back all my exercise calories b/c the body needs at least 1,200 calories to go on. But, is that net calories or calories in general? If my goal is 1,200 and I exercise 200 I automatically eat 1,400. Is that how it should be??

Carnivor0us · May 2013

At 1,200 calories a day, I'd eat those back. :-/

ilmb87 · May 2013

I'm guessing you're using MFP calculations, so you should be eating back most exercise calories.

Ready2Rock206 · May 2013

If my goal is 1,200 and I exercise 200 I automatically eat 1,400. Is that how it should be??

YES! Especially if you're eating so few calories to begin with.

likitisplit · May 2013

Yep. Completely on track.

mgmlap · May 2013

Personally...I think you need to eat more food..1200 is too little...Go to this calculator and input your stats..

http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

theCarlton · May 2013

Short answer is yes. But this answer will help you better in the long run. 1200 calories gets pretty miserable, pretty quickly.

Personally...I think you need to eat more food..1200 is too little...Go to this calculator and input your stats..

http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

chandratro · May 2013

yes that is what you should do - I always eat back my exercise cals - i am at 1200 cals a day too. & i have lost 26lbs since January!

iLoveMyPitbull1225 · May 2013

I think so-- 1200 calories suggested by the website includes a deficit already.

ajcamber · May 2013

bump

briabner · May 2013

yes you are doing what you should be. Keep eating your excerise calories back as they come since you are on only 1200 calories. I try to always make sure that I net at least 1200 calories.

WaxMama · May 2013

Since your calories are set so low, you absolutely should eat back your exercise calories! I would, however, suggest that you not eat them all back OR invest in a good HRM because MFP exaggerates calories burned a lot of the time.

ChanceTakr2131 · May 2013

DEFINITELY eat back your exercise calories, and try to up your burn to 500 a day instead of 200.

ak248902 · May 2013

I agree with mgmlap go to this website and calculate what they think you should be eating. 1200 sounds low and yes, you should eat back your exercise calories. Good luck!

http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

CCNYE63 · May 2013

Definitely eat them back, and try to build up your exercise calories so you can eat more.

ashleymmannisto · May 2013

I reentered my info into MFP and it told me to eat 1400 cal/day...I also went to the website and entered in and it also told me to eat 13something just about 1400..so I'll stick with the 1400 a day. Thanks guys!

christianteach · May 2013

I'm at 1200 calories per day. I eat back all my calories if I'm that hungry and don't If I'm not. More times than not, I eat back some but not all. This has been working well for me so far and I will change it if I need to. We are all different so you just need to see what works for you.