WHYYYY EXERCISE ????

karmelkutie310
karmelkutie310 Posts: 50 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay so I have a question that I been holding off on for a while because i felt it was an ignorant question. But being that I still don’t understand, I felt that someone may be able to enlighten me on the topis or somehow explain to me in such a way that I “get” it.

Okay, so here it is : WHAT is the point of exercising, if I’m going to be forced to eat all my calories back?

My calorie budget it 1200 a day, and I thought the point of exercising was to burn calories in an attempt to lose weight? Right?

When I complete a workout, its like okay, now I HAVE to eat 2000 calories? Isn’t this defeating the whole purpose of me working out? Don’t I work out for the sake of the calorie deficit?

I figure if I’m supposed to eat these calories back, then I might as well just not work out and stay under 1200 calories right? Am I missing something here?

I have been trying to figure this out for the longest…. I understand I don’t HAVE to eat the calories back, but I just want to know why I am “supposed” to... Thanks for feedback in advance !!

****okay don’t get me wrong, I AM going to exercise reguardless… too many benefits to pass up, plus I’m currently preparing myself for a 5k race I signed up for in Dec…. just wanted to know why the calories were supposed to be ate back. I set my own goal of 1200 cals so MFP didn’t calculate it for me !

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Cardio – Is good for heart health, endurance, and will help burn some extra calories.
    Strength – Is good for body appearance, strength, and will help burn fat (helps maintain LBM)

    So, in other words:

    I'm exercising so I can look and feel better.

    10reasonstoworkout.png
    7-best-reasons-to-exercise-5a.jpg
  • victoriavoodoo
    victoriavoodoo Posts: 343 Member
    It puzzles me too. I think for some people, it has to do with not wanting to eat so little. If they work out, they can then eat a bit more. Or if they go over calories, they can then go work out and it's not a mistake anymore.

    For others, building/maintaining muscle is as important as losing fat.

    I think. I don't eat exercise cals so I don't know for sure.(but I also don't work out for hours a day so I don't create gaping deficits; if I did I would eat some of it back.)
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    So you have less loose skin when you hit goal. I lost 120-130lb before without much exercising and when I did finally exercise it was all cardio and little resistance training. I had a ton of loose skin, got depressed, and have nearly doubled what I weighed. Work out. It's worth more benefits than just this, but if you're losing weight for vanity's sake like most people, this is a good reason to work out.
  • missmegan831
    missmegan831 Posts: 824 Member
    No you exercise to be fit and healthy... your calorie deficit is already figured into that 1200 calorie goal per day so say you burn 500 cals on the treadmill you would therefore have only 700 calories in your 'bucket' for the day which after a while puts your goal too low to maintain and stay healthy... and btw, you arent forced to eat the exercise calories back, but you should focus more on meeting your goal...exercise in my opinion is a bonus.. in the beginning (November) i didnt exercise bcuz i was still lazy and was losing weight without it.. but now I do lifting and cardio alternating days and will be fit & fabulous in the end... best wishes on your journey and no worries.. dont over think it... its a lot easier than all the math that sometimes gets involved...:wink::wink:
  • guessrs
    guessrs Posts: 358 Member
    You'll look better, feel more energy, more muscle means your body burns more calories even at rest. Also I feel good, positive after a workout.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Because MFP automatically creates a deficit for you. 1200 (which is actually way low for a lot of people) is what you eat if you want to lose weight while doing zero activity. If you exercise, and burn 600, and don't eat it back, you are netting 600 calories that day. That is not enough to fuel the activity you are doing. Yes, you will lose more weight at first. But you will eventually stall, feel tired and lethargic, and gain weight again when you go back to eating 'normally'.

    You can lose weight without exercise, all you have to do is create a deficit, but you won't look the way you want. If you want to be fit, strong, and healthy, eat and move.
  • elyelyse
    elyelyse Posts: 1,454 Member
    Your mfp calorie goal already has a deficit built in. When you exercise you create a larger deficit. The problem with that is that we need food to power our bodies, and working at too high a deficit can cause various issues including fatigue, brittle nails, thinning hair, skin problems, and if it goes on for long enough, a slow down in metabolism. The purpose of exercise is not primarily to lose weight by burning calories. So, why exercise? Cardio is good for your health from a cardiovascular perspective. strength training not only makes us strong but helps us to retain muscle while losing weight. Exercise is general is great for self-esteem, and helps with balance and coordination. And yes, the yoga class and 2.5 miles that I walked today allowed me to have a serving of the new Haagen Dazs flavor, Bourbon Pecan Prailine guilt free, because I earned it!!!
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    Agree with all the other posters.

    Also theres no point having the best body in the world - If you can't even jog up the stairs without passing out :laugh:
  • Zaniejane
    Zaniejane Posts: 329 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    Have you read this?
    Also check out the group eat, train, progress. You will find the answer to your questions there.
    Basically, and I know nothing about you, your goals, or your TDEE, if you don't eat back calories there is a possibility you aren't eating enough. Many of us have lost weight very successfully while eating a sustainable amount.

    I calculated TDEE and took off ten percent and lost weight .
  • chezjuan
    chezjuan Posts: 747 Member
    If you are following the standard MFP settings, your deficit is completely accounted for, and they assume exercise/additional movement is done for reasons other than losing weight. Not eating back yurt calories when following standard MFP settings can create too large of a deficit.

    You can always et your activity level higher and not log exercise (or leave out the calories) or try something like TDEE- 20% if you don't like eating them back.

    I lost all my weight eating back the calories. I exercise to get in shape, not for weight loss.

    edit: took me so long to type, I should have said "what they said... :laugh:
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    Agree with all the other posters.

    Also theres no point having the best body in the world - If you can't even jog up the stairs without passing out :laugh:

    You also probably won't have the best body in the world without exercise.
  • 230137isntmyweight
    230137isntmyweight Posts: 256 Member
    Because I don't want to be skinny fat, I want to be lean. I want to be able to carry something without asking a guy, to outrun a zombie, and generally feel good.
  • victoriavoodoo
    victoriavoodoo Posts: 343 Member
    Why did you post the same question here and in the fitness sub forum?
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    inspiration1.jpg
    reasonstobefit-tumblr.png

    e0fq0g.jpg
  • Zaniejane
    Zaniejane Posts: 329 Member
    I'm going to add this because I don't think anyone else has said it: if your goal is to lose weight, you don't have to exercise to reach your goal.
  • Mslmesq
    Mslmesq Posts: 1,000 Member
    Good for cholesterol levels (decreases bad cholesterol), improves mood, increases metabolism.
  • karmelkutie310
    karmelkutie310 Posts: 50 Member
    inspiration1.jpg
    reasonstobefit-tumblr.png

    e0fq0g.jpg

    I LOVE THIS !! Thanks Im going to add it to my blog :)
  • PippiNe
    PippiNe Posts: 283 Member
    The truth of the matter is, yes, you can sit back, do nothing at all and eat your 1200 calories a day and still lose weight. Some people do. Your body will lose weight because you are eating at a calorie deficit per week. If you choose to not exercise though, your body will not appear lean and muscular as it becomes thinner. For example, your butt may still be saggy, you may have areas of loose skin that does not stretch back to where it should, your arms may still be jiggly because you have not strengthened the muscles underneath through exercise.

    Without exercise you will not reap some of the benefits of losing weight - strengthening your heart muscle and you likely will not be able to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol as much as you could if you dieted AND exercised.

    Eating back your calories is a necessary part of dieting the MFP way. You already are eating as few calories each day as your body needs to exist. If you don't eat back what you burn through added exercise, you will not have energy to complete simple everyday tasks. Hope this helps :o)
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Are you frigging kidding me right now? Why bother brushing your teeth? Why bother showering? Why bother wiping your *kitten*? Why exercise?
  • karmelkutie310
    karmelkutie310 Posts: 50 Member
    Are you frigging kidding me right now? Why bother brushing your teeth? Why bother showering? Why bother wiping your *kitten*? Why exercise?

    I enjoy exercise. Relax. I was being “sarcastic”… I should’ve asked “why eat calories back”. thanks for reading tho...
  • karmelkutie310
    karmelkutie310 Posts: 50 Member
    The truth of the matter is, yes, you can sit back, do nothing at all and eat your 1200 calories a day and still lose weight. Some people do. Your body will lose weight because you are eating at a calorie deficit per week. If you choose to not exercise though, your body will not appear lean and muscular as it becomes thinner. For example, your butt may still be saggy, you may have areas of loose skin that does not stretch back to where it should, your arms may still be jiggly because you have not strengthened the muscles underneath through exercise.

    Without exercise you will not reap some of the benefits of losing weight - strengthening your heart muscle and you likely will not be able to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol as much as you could if you dieted AND exercised.

    Eating back your calories is a necessary part of dieting the MFP way. You already are eating as few calories each day as your body needs to exist. If you don't eat back what you burn through added exercise, you will not have energy to complete simple everyday tasks. Hope this helps :o)

    it actually does, thanks a lot !!!
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    you eat at a deficit to lose weight

    you exercise so that you actually like the results of losing weight.


    Losing weight with no exercise is totally doable. But people are rarely happy with the results in the mirror.
  • sophiemama
    sophiemama Posts: 62 Member
    For me two reasons

    1. Because I actually enjoy exercising now (yes I've become THAT person)
    2. Because I get to eat more and food is awesome
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    so I can fake like im in the workout video with Shaun T
  • qwerty1895
    qwerty1895 Posts: 45
    No, the point of exercise is to preserve muscle. If it's weight training. Cardio - I don't know, I don't do it.

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