To lose weight do we count gross calories, or net calories?

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SexyPrettyMama
SexyPrettyMama Posts: 76
in Food and Nutrition
I went a bit over in my gross calories, but since I exercised it said my net calories were low and I was under my calories for the day.

My question is can I eat the extra calories I burned during exercise, and still lose weight?
Isn't a point of exercising is the freedom of eating more?
If I should not eat the extra, why?

TIA

Replies

  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
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    Net of course! That's the way MFP is designed.

    Exercise isn't just to burn calories!
    Health
    Fitness
    Retension of muscle mass
    Looks :smile:
  • SexyPrettyMama
    SexyPrettyMama Posts: 76
    Options
    Net of course! That's the way MFP is designed.

    Exercise isn't just to burn calories!
    Health
    Fitness
    Retension of muscle mass
    Looks :smile:

    So I don't feel so guilty then B-)
  • kellehbeans
    kellehbeans Posts: 838 Member
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    Net of course! That's the way MFP is designed.

    Exercise isn't just to burn calories!
    Health
    Fitness
    Retension of muscle mass
    Looks :smile:

    So I don't feel so guilty then B-)

    You shouldn't. As long as your goal for the day is green, relax! Even if it is red, RELAX! :flowerforyou:
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    Net of course! That's the way MFP is designed.

    Exercise isn't just to burn calories!
    Health
    Fitness
    Retension of muscle mass
    Looks :smile:

    this!

    you should net your calorie goal each day
  • Shadowknight137
    Shadowknight137 Posts: 1,243 Member
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    Net of course! That's the way MFP is designed.

    Exercise isn't just to burn calories!
    Health
    Fitness
    Retension of muscle mass
    Looks :smile:

    Agreed.

    Use exercise for health, fun, retaining LBM and fitness or whatever. Use diet to create a deficit/surplus.
  • genjerleigh
    genjerleigh Posts: 3
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    I think you should choose gross instead of net. Counting net calories is like giving yourself permission to eat more calories so you can reach your 1200 goal. If you really want to lose weight choose to go by gross calorie total. And on days you workout you can eat 200-300 more calories then normal
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Options
    I think you should choose gross instead of net. Counting net calories is like giving yourself permission to eat more calories so you can reach your 1200 goal. If you really want to lose weight choose to go by gross calorie total. And on days you workout you can eat 200-300 more calories then normal

    If you eat 200-300 cals more on workout days then that's the same as eating to net!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
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    I think you should choose gross instead of net. Counting net calories is like giving yourself permission to eat more calories so you can reach your 1200 goal. If you really want to lose weight choose to go by gross calorie total. And on days you workout you can eat 200-300 more calories then normal

    If you eat 200-300 cals more on workout days then that's the same as eating to net!

    Heh, I was laughing, but I wasn't going to say it...

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