Taking in 2000 calories...netting 1000

check out the eat more to weigh less group - they've got some good calculations to help make this decision

mmm. this is a an issue that have interested me.

for example my maintenance is around 2100. I've had days where I did 800+cals of exercise (recorded through my fitbit).

what I find confusing, is if you eat your 2100 cals, which what your body needs at sedentary, is it unhealthy not to eat back the burn / do you need to.

I can understand if someone is eating like 1400 cals and then not eating back say 600 cals is bad, but what about at maintenance SED TDEE.

probably you should eat back 1/2 to 2/3. i think the burn is over estimated.



im not sure if im entirely clear here. maybe someone knows what im on about :P

I think your exercise is overestimated by a goot 1/4 to 2/3.

how are you tracking your burn?

I use the fitness pal. I maintain a 9 minute mile over six miles. Burns 997

I would highly suggest a heart rate monitor that tracks calories. I have found that MFP is generous on calories burned during workouts (cardio machines at the gym do as well). It is a worthwhile investment. You might not be netting as few calories as you think.

in short, yes. eat back your cals from between 1/2-2/3 most of the time.

I say eat!! As a man, 1,000 is way too low. And burning 1,000 sounds about right for 6 miles. I burn about 260-300 on my 3 mile runs (using a HRM) and I'm only 5'3". I'm netting 1,500-1,600 on maintenance. You want to fuel your body if you plan to continue running and weight training. You will also see a lot better muscle retention (assuming you are trying to lose) if you get more calories and a good portion of protein. As for the vitamins, it's very unlikely you are getting them only netting 1,000.

wht are you up 2?? are u trying to get ripped maintain gain ..???

Also just to add eating too little can be hard on your heart as well. So cutting out bad foods was great, but running like crazy & eating low cal can lead to issues as well. & you should make your diary public so we can give you better advice. don't listen to anyone who says eating this low is okay for a male.

A lot of people saying that, as long as I get my vitamins, I'm good.

this here is total bullsh!t.

I used to walk 6mi/day and only take in about 1,200 calories and I lost weight just fine without any decline in my health. As long as you're taking in enough nutrients so that you're not malnourished. I'm not on board with this silly idea that if you are overweight and net less than 1,200 cals a day that the human body is stupid enough to break down muscle instead of excess fat. The human body is the most high tech machine there ever was...it's not going to damage its precious muscle when there is more fat on it than necessary. The only thing you need to worry about is muscle damage from inadequate nutrient intake. Not that I'm a fitness expert or nutritionist or anything (although I am a nurse), but I think the common sense long-story-short answer is: make sure you get your nutrients and eat a sensible amount of food daily, and your body will respond just fine.

I used to walk 6mi/day and only take in about 1,200 calories and I lost weight just fine without any decline in my health. As long as you're taking in enough nutrients so that you're not malnourished. I'm not on board with this silly idea that if you are overweight and net less than 1,200 cals a day that the human body is stupid enough to break down muscle instead of excess fat. The human body is the most high tech machine there ever was...it's not going to damage its precious muscle when there is more fat on it than necessary. The only thing you need to worry about is muscle damage from inadequate nutrient intake. Not that I'm a fitness expert or nutritionist or anything (although I am a nurse), but I think the common sense long-story-short answer is: make sure you get your nutrients and eat a sensible amount of food daily, and your body will respond just fine.

how long did have you been following this regiment?

I used to walk 6mi/day and only take in about 1,200 calories and I lost weight just fine without any decline in my health. As long as you're taking in enough nutrients so that you're not malnourished. I'm not on board with this silly idea that if you are overweight and net less than 1,200 cals a day that the human body is stupid enough to break down muscle instead of excess fat. The human body is the most high tech machine there ever was...it's not going to damage its precious muscle when there is more fat on it than necessary. The only thing you need to worry about is muscle damage from inadequate nutrient intake. Not that I'm a fitness expert or nutritionist or anything (although I am a nurse), but I think the common sense long-story-short answer is: make sure you get your nutrients and eat a sensible amount of food daily, and your body will respond just fine.

This is crazy. Did you look at his photo. I don't believe looking at the picture and not having a public diary that as a nurse you should be suggesting anything other than eating his BMR. You don't know how much water he takes in, his blood pressure, nothing. Just because someone gets nutrients it doesn't say anything about health. And our bodies are not made amazingly, if you watch the first 45 mins of Loyd Pye "Everything You Know Is Wrong" he proves how our feet are not even made to walk perfectly. Our bodies were a rush job and that's why we have so many knee problems, hip problems, from running and walking, etc. So it's not going to eat all fat if it knows it gets good nutrients from muscle as well. I've seen different break downs but its like 75% fat 25% muscle. And even if it's didn't go into your muscle stores, why would you ever suggest 1000 cals as sustainable and looking at his photo he is at goal weight or close. He needs to add in more cals and do some lifting and HITT. He's already cut, go check out his profile and suggest he make his journal public.
sorry if I am offending I just cant believe I heard this from a nurse.

Honestly, I have wondered this too because I don't net quite enough every day either. You have to understand, though, you are underestimating what you are eating while overestimating your burn on a regular basis. Most people do, including me. As long as you are getting the results you want from your calorie intake i.e. fat loss (for me) then you should be fine.

I am glad someone posted with a more measured approach of eating back 1/2-2/3 of exercise calories. I am fairly active, so sometimes it is difficult to meet my net on cardio days. Now that I have my Fitbit I am getting a much better estimate of my TDEE as well, so this approach seems viable!

EDIT: I took a look at your photo; you look a little gaunt, brother. Try to net 1500 at least, especially with that much cardio! Then again, it's a small photo and I have poor vision.