Exercise Calories

meeigs
meeigs Posts: 2
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I have a question about exercise calories and thought I would throw it out there for some help. I am doing high impact aerobics classes at least 4 times a week. At the end of the day, I always have a TON of calories leftover, and I am generally starving on the days that I do these classes. Am I supposed to eat those calories? Or some of them? Not gonna lie, I maybe got really excited when I saw how many extra calories I get from working out..lol! But I also want to stay on track. Also, I'm struggling with WHAT to eat...I have always been a carb addict, and I am working on that, so obviously I don't want to fill up on high carb/bad for me snacks. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! : )

Replies

  • carrieberrie
    carrieberrie Posts: 356 Member
    There are some people on here that feel very strongly about eating exercise calories. But for me it defeats the whole purpose of exercising! For me eating my exercise calories did not work so I stopped eating them and the weight fell off, so just do what works for you.
  • maroon58
    maroon58 Posts: 289 Member
    i don't eat them because i am usually not that hungry (i exercise at night) but i am trying to at least my 1200 calorie daily intake. some people say that your body goes in starvation mode which then slows down your metabolism and weight loss. idk, i would just see what works for you and follow that.
  • sandyland324
    sandyland324 Posts: 24
    If you're hungry, you should eat - especially if you have the calories to spare. If your body thinks it's starving it will hold onto fat as a future energy source. Try something with a good source of lean protein - a post workout smoothie with a scoop of protein powder, or a grilled lean turkey tenderloin strip on a flat bread with veggies.
    Hope this helps. Great job on getting to they gym 4 times a week!
  • Disciplined74
    Disciplined74 Posts: 298 Member
    So split the difference, Eat half of them. You being hungry is your body telling you that it needs more fuel. One more thing to think about - if your body isn't getting enough protein it will start to eat the muscle to get it. Therefore you may see more benefit from eating a little more calories in the form of lean protein on those days that you exercise. Just a thought. Listen to your body - it will tell you what you need.
  • schoen185
    schoen185 Posts: 23
    I just listen to my body. If I'm hungry I eat them! Sometimes that means all - every single one. Other days it might mean just a few. Usually when I workout I am VERY hungry and the muscle NEEDS that fuel to repair. MFP has a calorie deficit built in so you can eat them. But I think it's best to just listen to your body and eat them just as you need them.
  • DancingDreamer
    DancingDreamer Posts: 520
    if you're actually hungry, then yes go ahead and eat the calories burned (MFP has ALREADY set up a calorie deficit for you, so exercise is just adding more deficit on) but if you arent hungry, forcing yourself to eat those added calories is just silly.

    there's nothing wrong with carbs if they're the good kind, like vegetables! carrots, celery, broccoli mmmm delicious. though i have to agree with sandyland324 that if you're hungry after a workout a good snack is a smoothie, made with lots of yummy fruits, some low cal yogurt, and dash of protein powder (vanilla is best in a fruit smoothie i've found, unless you're craving cake, then chocolate flavor is great, just make sure you dont use orange juice in one with chocolate flavor, somehow it turns out disgusting!)

    great job on getting to that gym! :D
  • meeigs
    meeigs Posts: 2
    Thanks for the tips everyone!! : ) I am definitely trying to up the protein after workouts, specifically on the days that I lift. I am also doing a class at the gym 2-3 times a week that is an hour of weights. But I am not as hungry after that class as I am after the kickboxing classes. Anyway, thanks again for the tips! Love this site!! :)
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