Do you eat back your exercise calories?

I eat back every one of them. I have no shame in saying that I love food! :)

If you don't, why not?

Replies

  • Johnell82
    Johnell82 Posts: 10 Member
    I do, some of them.. Just depends on the day.. If I'm really hungry I do!
  • tonytoo
    tonytoo Posts: 307
    No. I worked hard to burn those calories. Why would I eat them back?
  • GrammyNanner
    GrammyNanner Posts: 88 Member
    Not too many, because I'll gain weight or maintain.
  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    Yep, all of them.
  • juliannorton1000
    juliannorton1000 Posts: 81 Member
    I generally try to stay below 2000 after I add in my workout. Workout generally puts me around 2500 for a calorie budget.

    Though, hell, if I have an upcoming event later that day that I know is going to have me eating/drinking a bit, I'll work out real hard earlier that day so I can enjoy the night later.
  • 18guyhornet
    18guyhornet Posts: 195 Member
    Yes but throughout the week not just on workout days - still at a daily/weekly deficit!
  • momofthreesons
    momofthreesons Posts: 162 Member
    Yep!
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    No. But that's only because I eat 21k calories a day and I work with my TDEE -20% for a cut. :3

    If you use the MFP method they give you, you should definitely be eating them back or you will be putting yourself at too far of a deficit.

    Well done, OP. :flowerforyou:
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Yes I worked hard to earn those calories. Why would you not eat them back?
  • No. I burn around 300-500 cals a day. Need to shift the weight!
  • Moonbeamlissie
    Moonbeamlissie Posts: 504 Member
    I typically do not eat back my calories because as tony said.. i worked hard to get rid of them I don't want them back. I do use them as back up. If i go over then at least I have some to back me up.
  • 18guyhornet
    18guyhornet Posts: 195 Member
    Yes I worked hard to earn those calories. Why would you not eat them back?

    ^^^That's why he's on my FL!!! Eat them back!!!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Yep.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    I don't really believe the calorie counts on MFP (think they're too high) so I don't eat back all unless I'm pretty hungry. I will generally eat back some, so long as I did something significant that day.
  • No, not really, because if I do, I'll end up gaining and maintaining so why would I when I worked hard??
  • LadyPakal
    LadyPakal Posts: 256 Member
    I'll eat most of them - don't want to double dip so I generally leave a few uneaten.
  • rachdun
    rachdun Posts: 63 Member
    I eat my Exercise Calories back, but I put in about 75% of Calories burned originally.
  • jjio
    jjio Posts: 2 Member
    i was wondering the same thing! If you don't eat them back do you loose more weight??
  • ShaSimone
    ShaSimone Posts: 270 Member
    No but my calorie intake already factors in my activity level and exercise calories aren't extra, even though MFP adds them back. What I do, so that I don't see them is...when I put in exercise I put 1 calorie burned. Then at the end of the day, when I am absolutely done putting food into my mouth, I put in the actual amount of calories burned. Out of sight, out of mind. But I'm paying more attention to my hunger/thirst/boredom signals.
  • kellyg55
    kellyg55 Posts: 8 Member
    Hi. I always eat back my calories from my workout. They are healthy calories but you need to fuel your body. Kelly_Beachbody Coach
  • Tam2oh
    Tam2oh Posts: 27
    I want to net around 1800 calories a day so I do eat back my exercise calories if I need to get to 1800 calories. I already have myself at a deficit of 1000 calories based on my TDEE.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Yes I do. I wouldn't be a very, umm, pleasant person to be around if I didn't. :wink: I'm still losing at an average of 2lbs per week. The only thing that is going to make me re-evaluate is if my weight loss stops for an extended period of time.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    i was wondering the same thing! If you don't eat them back do you loose more weight??

    Yes you can lose more weight but huge calorie deficits are not better. They can lead to hunger, moodiness, being tired, getting sick easier, over eating, low performance during workouts, lower mental focus, harder to meet nutrient needs, muscle loss, weight regain and lots of other issues.

    A moderate calories deficit is easier to maintain and easier to reverse out of once you get closer to your goal weight.

    This is not a case of "more is better".
  • KPMP1992
    KPMP1992 Posts: 66
    Yes I worked hard to earn those calories. Why would you not eat them back?

    Exactly! :)
  • salvyhead
    salvyhead Posts: 66 Member
    Yes.
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
    I eat most back. If I don't I won't lose weight.
  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    I use the MFP method so I do eat back at least a portion of my exercise calories.