Daily calorie intake and exersize?

Scelesta89
Scelesta89 Posts: 5
in Getting Started
When I first signed up I was not active, and my calories were set at 1200 a day.

I'm still mostly sedentary, though I do walk 3 miles everyday along with maybe 10-15 minuets of jogging , and am planning to add strength exercises in every other day.

When it calculates the calories burned it adds more calories to my daily limit.

I have trouble just eating 1200 calories, I cant imagine having to eat more then that. Do I need to eat 1200 plus whatever I burn from exercise or is just a flat 1200 okay?

Replies

  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    MFP creates a goal for you without factoring in your exercise. When you exercise you make that deficit larger, possibly larger than is safe for you body. You run the risk of losing muscle, nutrient deficiencies, etc when you eat too little.

    One of the great perks of the slow-and-steady method of dieting is that it teaches you a lot of really good habits when you reach your goal and transition to maintenance. If you can't eat more than 1200 calories now then I have to ask what you plan to do when you reach your goal? Will you eat 1200 calories forever or are you going to have to relearn how to eat all over again? Why not start some of those healthy habits right now?
  • Scelesta89
    Scelesta89 Posts: 5
    MFP creates a goal for you without factoring in your exercise. When you exercise you make that deficit larger, possibly larger than is safe for you body. You run the risk of losing muscle, nutrient deficiencies, etc when you eat too little.

    One of the great perks of the slow-and-steady method of dieting is that it teaches you a lot of really good habits when you reach your goal and transition to maintenance. If you can't eat more than 1200 calories now then I have to ask what you plan to do when you reach your goal? Will you eat 1200 calories forever or are you going to have to relearn how to eat all over again? Why not start some of those healthy habits right now?

    *nods* okay that makes sense, I really am trying to eat more, i'm just never really hungry, but i'm taking it steps at a time, I use nutrition shakes to help while i slowly start adding more food into my day, If I have to go over 1200 calories due to the deficit being to high then it will take me some time to adjust to eating more, but I can and will. This year is about getting healthy for me, if that means eating more then so be it I will :)
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    MFP creates a goal for you without factoring in your exercise. When you exercise you make that deficit larger, possibly larger than is safe for you body. You run the risk of losing muscle, nutrient deficiencies, etc when you eat too little.

    One of the great perks of the slow-and-steady method of dieting is that it teaches you a lot of really good habits when you reach your goal and transition to maintenance. If you can't eat more than 1200 calories now then I have to ask what you plan to do when you reach your goal? Will you eat 1200 calories forever or are you going to have to relearn how to eat all over again? Why not start some of those healthy habits right now?

    *nods* okay that makes sense, I really am trying to eat more, i'm just never really hungry, but i'm taking it steps at a time, I use nutrition shakes to help while i slowly start adding more food into my day, If I have to go over 1200 calories due to the deficit being to high then it will take me some time to adjust to eating more, but I can and will. This year is about getting healthy for me, if that means eating more then so be it I will :)

    Nutrition shakes are a great start. I don't know what else you're eating, but you can look into adding some more calorie dense foods into your diet. Nuts, nut butters, full fat dairy, cheese, Greek yogurt, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. These are great for boosting your calories without forcing you to eat a lot of extra food.

    You may find that your appetite increases as you start eating more and exercising. But until then start adding a little bit to each meal. Best of luck this year as you get healthy!

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