Eating on no exercize days

mochamommy
mochamommy Posts: 187 Member
in Getting Started
How does one eat on no exercise days. I'm on 1200 calories a day which seems like NOTHING if I don't exercise. So, do you skip meals on no exercise days so you can have a tasty dinner or something?
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Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Do you really need to be on 1200 calories?
    It looks like you've got about 20LBS that you want to lose. What happens if you tell MFP 1LB a week instead of 2LBS a week?
  • callyart
    callyart Posts: 209
    At lunch and dinner I fill up on veg and salad, so I will have a small portion of a meal and lots of salad and veg.

    I have upped my calories from 1,200 to 1,400 though because I didn't want to be unhealthy while dieting.
  • southerndream24
    southerndream24 Posts: 303 Member
    I use the TDEE method so I eat the same amount of calories, 1853, no matter what. On days I have huge burns like 1000+ I'll eat a little more.
  • mochamommy
    mochamommy Posts: 187 Member
    What is TDEE.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    What is TDEE.
    Using the TDEE approach is a great suggestion.
    Read this
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    It really might make the whole thing much more do-able and comfortable. Much more like life and less like "a diet".
  • SuperCrsa
    SuperCrsa Posts: 790 Member
    On TDEE so my exercise cals are already included in my daily goal, I eat the same 1900 cals each day.
    If my exercise is higher than normal (or what I worked my TDEE out on) then I will eat a portion of the calories back.
  • mochamommy
    mochamommy Posts: 187 Member
    For some reason when I put I want to loose 1 pound a week it only gives me 50 more calories a day. Maybe I'm entering data wrong or something. I CAN do 1200 calories a day, but that's being pretty restrictive and I'm wanting to eat my hand by bedtime. With working out and 1350 to 1400 I'm not hungry.
  • rgunn02
    rgunn02 Posts: 169 Member
    I can't get by on 1200 - so I have to exercise!! And there is no waaay I could skip a meal - that just leads to binging! on days when I know i won't get a work out in I stick to frozen meals for lunch and dinner - I find it helps me with portion control.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    I use the TDEE method so I eat the same amount of calories, 1853, no matter what. On days I have huge burns like 1000+ I'll eat a little more.

    Me too. Check out this calculator: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    TDEE is total daily energy expenditure, so it includes all your activity. Your calorie goal will be averaged over the week to account for everything. I eat 2300/day regardless of whether I work out or not. (I never have 1000+ burns, though - HOLY!! I do resistance training and walking for cardio, so I burn around 300 a day in actual workouts, maybe.)
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    For some reason when I put I want to loose 1 pound a week it only gives me 50 more calories a day. Maybe I'm entering data wrong or something. I CAN do 1200 calories a day, but that's being pretty restrictive and I'm wanting to eat my hand by bedtime. With working out and 1350 to 1400 I'm not hungry.
    Then I'd definitely try the TDEE method. I'm about twice your age and I'm eating more than you are.
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  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    If you use TDEE method, you have to manually adjust the calories MFP provides. MFP is usually wrong, or at least crazy low.
    Right, you'd use the TDEE method then manually set MFP's calories and macros.
  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    No, you rest and refuel, if you have one no exercise day a week eat 2000 calories that day. Then go back to normal on the rest of the days.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    If you use TDEE method, you have to manually adjust the calories MFP provides. MFP is usually wrong, or at least crazy low.
    Right, you'd use the TDEE method then manually set MFP's calories and macros.

    Yeah, macros are really important, too. MFP has protein and fat set super low for women, for some reason. 1 g per pound of lean body mass (or about 0.8 g per pound of body weight) of protein a day is a good place to start.
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  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    I avoid rest days for this very reason. I either cross train or do a very easy workout. Not for everyone, I suppose...
  • cuinboston2014
    cuinboston2014 Posts: 848 Member
    If you use TDEE method, you have to manually adjust the calories MFP provides. MFP is usually wrong, or at least crazy low.
    Right, you'd use the TDEE method then manually set MFP's calories and macros.

    Yeah, macros are really important, too. MFP has protein and fat set super low for women, for some reason. 1 g per pound of lean body mass (or about 0.8 g per pound of body weight) of protein a day is a good place to start.

    The recommendations for protein are actually .8g per KG of body weight, not pounds. Everyone assumes we need to eat crazy amounts of protein and we don't....obviously some people like to eat more and that's fine - not knocking - just clarifying
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    For some reason when I put I want to loose 1 pound a week it only gives me 50 more calories a day. Maybe I'm entering data wrong or something. I CAN do 1200 calories a day, but that's being pretty restrictive and I'm wanting to eat my hand by bedtime. With working out and 1350 to 1400 I'm not hungry.

    When I'm trying to lose, I never net below 1300. And normally I net higher. It makes for slower weight loss, but it's way easier to do and more sustainable. 1200 leaves me starving and mean.

    Net is: how many calories you eat - how many you have burned. Eating 1200 calories and burning 300 calories would leave you at a net of 900, which is pretty low and would leave a lot of people hungry.
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Also, if you have you activity set to sedentary on MFP it will give you fewer calories. Keep in mind few people are actually sedentary.

    I also use my TDEE and have lost more that way, I stopped losing at 1200 except my hair.
  • nohaynicknamesdisponibles
    nohaynicknamesdisponibles Posts: 94 Member
    There is no no-exercise day.
  • jackpotclown
    jackpotclown Posts: 3,275 Member
    I don't eat....in front of people.....just like the tree falling in the forest with nobody around, if people don't see me eating then it never happened, end of story \m/
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I don't eat....in front of people.....just like the tree falling in the forest with nobody around, if people don't see me eating then it never happened, end of story \m/

    That piece of pie is like a dream. It vanishes in the night!
  • cookiealbright
    cookiealbright Posts: 605 Member
    :heart: Welcome to MFP! On rest days, I eat what I normally eat, sometimes over a bit, sometimes under. You have to find out what works for you and someting you can live with. Good luck to ya!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    If you use TDEE method, you have to manually adjust the calories MFP provides. MFP is usually wrong, or at least crazy low.
    Right, you'd use the TDEE method then manually set MFP's calories and macros.

    Yeah, macros are really important, too. MFP has protein and fat set super low for women, for some reason. 1 g per pound of lean body mass (or about 0.8 g per pound of body weight) of protein a day is a good place to start.

    The recommendations for protein are actually .8g per KG of body weight, not pounds. Everyone assumes we need to eat crazy amounts of protein and we don't....obviously some people like to eat more and that's fine - not knocking - just clarifying

    Your 0.8 to 1 KG is recommended protein at maintenance for an average person that is sedentary. If you exercise and/or are in a deficit you need more. some studies suggest as much as 1.6 grams per lb of lean bodymass while in a deficit in order to retain lean muscle. While in a deficit your body wants to shed muscle as it uses more calories, protein, along with a smaller deficit and resistance training will tell your body to keep the muscle, so less will be lost.
  • Afrochic487
    Afrochic487 Posts: 3 Member
    I know what you mean it is tough but it is definitely possible. Like you I am also only allowed 1200 calories a day. Most mornings I have a banana for breakfast which is about 70 cals then I have a salad at lunch with either some mackeral or some chicken breast and that usually comes in at about 400 calories, then for dinner I still have 800 calories left for my meal
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    If you use TDEE method, you have to manually adjust the calories MFP provides. MFP is usually wrong, or at least crazy low.
    Right, you'd use the TDEE method then manually set MFP's calories and macros.

    Yeah, macros are really important, too. MFP has protein and fat set super low for women, for some reason. 1 g per pound of lean body mass (or about 0.8 g per pound of body weight) of protein a day is a good place to start.

    The recommendations for protein are actually .8g per KG of body weight, not pounds. Everyone assumes we need to eat crazy amounts of protein and we don't....obviously some people like to eat more and that's fine - not knocking - just clarifying

    Your 0.8 to 1 KG is recommended protein at maintenance for an average person that is sedentary. If you exercise and/or are in a deficit you need more. some studies suggest as much as 1.6 grams per lb of lean bodymass while in a deficit in order to retain lean muscle. While in a deficit your body wants to shed muscle as it uses more calories, protein, along with a smaller deficit and resistance training will tell your body to keep the muscle, so less will be lost.

    E. you beat me AGAIN!!!! I was answering the OP based on her statement she works out. We do need more protein then. When I went from 60g/day to 100+, I went from 27% BF to 19%, with very little reduction in LBM.
  • mochamommy
    mochamommy Posts: 187 Member
    Yes, I do weight lifting about 45 minutes 2x a week, sometimes 3, plus cardio, and cross training. My gym closes at 5 on Friday so I cant go after work and i am not a morning person so I usually take Fridays off,
  • mochamommy
    mochamommy Posts: 187 Member
    Yep, using TDEE MY calories to loose are WAY higher. Also MFP puts teachers as sedimentary like a desk job, and the website I calculated TDEE does not. So, I should probably adjust a little and be less hangry!!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Yep, using TDEE MY calories to loose are WAY higher. Also MFP puts teachers as sedimentary like a desk job, and the website I calculated TDEE does not. So, I should probably adjust a little and be less hangry!!

    I thought MFP had teachers as light active?
  • Christygogo
    Christygogo Posts: 47 Member
    I've always though MFPs calorie recommendations are pretty low. I set mine at 1350 daily and have been losing! MFP wants me lower .......
    I really set this for my non workout days. I figure that this is supposed to be a long term change, and I truly don't think 1200 cals is sustainable.
    Anyways, if you would like to stay at that caloric intake my advice is this. Eat all the time, like every 2 to 3 hours. Eat meals that are 250-300 cals and then snack on about 100 cals in between. Fruit, veggies, about 14 almonds. This will keep you full. If you go to the cooking light website they have several slide shows for 300 cal meals. Good luck!

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