Calories in vs. calories burned

jesscoff320
jesscoff320 Posts: 50 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I understand that calorie consumption should not be less than 1200 daily. I've recently started going to the gym and kayaking. Using a HRM, some days I have had very high calorie burns. I know I can eat calories back and usually consume some extra on those days. However, I went back to look at my diary the past couple of weeks and my net (calories in minus calories burned) has been under 500 on several days. One day my net was only 37. Trust me, I'm not a girl who starves herself. I have my daily calorie goal set at 1550, and usually take in more when I exercise. My question is, when I have really high calorie burns should I make sure I consume enough calories that my net is at least 1200?

Replies

  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    Hot topic! 1200 calories is a recommended minimum to get enough nutrients. It is not based on net calories. It is based on total consumption regardless of expenditure. Obviously you need to eat more most of the time if you are burning a lot more, but a lot depends on your current BF% as far as being able to eat only around the burn sometimes. I had a few near zero net days along the way. They balanced out as I had plenty of BF to fuel me on those days.
  • notworthstalking
    notworthstalking Posts: 531 Member
    I do think you should try, but I get the whole sometimes it's a lot of food . Do you generally know the day before that your going out kayaking? I know marathon runners or anyone doing big days once a week would have a hard time eating I all in one day. That's where calorie loading (mostly carbs) comes in. You could eat over the day before , or even a 100 or so more on rest days. Also I find if I have a busy day the next ay I am starving. Again I can go over that day.
  • jesscoff320
    jesscoff320 Posts: 50 Member
    Thank you. Usually the kayaking is planned. Last week, I went to the gym, got home and my husband wanted to go explore in the kayak, it was over three hours of rigorous kayaking.
    Thus is helping. I appreciate the advice.

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