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New and a little confused

cole0614
cole0614 Posts: 1
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok so Im reading that this is really working for people, Im a little confused because as I have been told all my life in order to lose weight you must burn off more than you consume... On here I am allowed 1200 calories, and its hard to eat that much being as though I go to the gym and burn 500 600 calories while Im there it ends up adding more calories that I need to eat, wouldnt this defeat the purpose???

Replies

  • 0Jaime0
    0Jaime0 Posts: 26
    I was under the impression that the calories it gives back to you after exercises are flex calories - calories you can use or not use.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    MFP already has you in a caloric deficit to lose your goal weight with 1200 calories. The reason it adds exercise calories back it that you caloric deficit would be greater than you goal. On top of that the minimum calories you should consume is 1200 Net. If you workout and burn 400 calories and only eat 1200 your body will behave as if it only ate 800 (1200-400) calories. Food is fuel and if you workout you need the fuel to perform. Exercise has more than just weight loss benefits, will make your shape change increase lean muscle mass, good for your heart and day to day activities will become easier.

    If you are having trouble eating 1200 calories, you might want to change what you are eating. Add a handful of nuts or seeds, dehydrated fruit, nut butters, avocado, juice, use a higher % mild fat milk (switch from 1% to 2%) don't eat "lite" versions of food including salad dressing, sour cream, cream cheese etc.
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