Calories Eaten Vs Calories Burned Confused Please Help

sexymomaalways
sexymomaalways Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am wondering on this tracker about calories burned vs calories eaten....I have been under my calorie intake almost everyday so far which is 1200. I always thought to loose weight someone had to burn more calories than they eat....so if that is true do I have to burn over 1200 calories?? And also If I do burn that much and log it the tracker tells me to eat more LOL Im not sure if I am misinformed or what please help!!!

Thanks

Replies

  • kshiraakshara
    kshiraakshara Posts: 119 Member
    MFP already figures in a calorie deficit when they figure out your calorie goal. You should be netting at least 1200 calories a day (probably more, unless you're really short). That means when you exercise, you need to eat those calories back.
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    MFP already calculates a deficit for you. Your goal is to eat 1200 calories. So, exercise gives you more calories. Your body needs X amount of calories to function properly (organs, muscles, etc) need energy. So, your goal is NOT negative calories. It's to NET 1200. Hope this helps ;).
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    You burn calories just being alive - exercise just adds to that amount. If you want to use MFP correctly then your net should not be lower than 1200.
  • sexymomaalways
    sexymomaalways Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks!! This has helped so basically I need to look at my net and make sure it is 1200 everyday! I really have beeen trying to eat more....my old patterns were that I was not hungry all day and then would eat in the evening ....I know I was putting myself into starvation mode so I am now eating 5 X per day but healthy and still can not seem to reach it any suggestions on that??:smile:
  • sexymomaalways
    sexymomaalways Posts: 4 Member
    Pretty short...5"4....I have a lot of weight to loose so trying to loose 1.5 pounds per week not sure if it will work or not but understanding the tracker better will help! Thanks !
  • TheWorstHorse
    TheWorstHorse Posts: 185
    Pretty short...5"4....I have a lot of weight to loose so trying to loose 1.5 pounds per week not sure if it will work or not but understanding the tracker better will help! Thanks !

    1.5 pounds a week is a good, achievable goal. Good for you. Stay at it, exercise regularly, log everyday, don't be tempted to eat way under your calorie goal to "make things go faster" and you will get it done.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    you don't necessarily have to burn more calories than you eat…your body needs around 1,600 odd calories just to survive.

    But I know exactly where you are coming from..eat less, move more is my mantra.

    But I did discover I got far better results weight-loss wise when I was eating more than 1,200 calories whilst exercising, but clearly it's different for different people.
  • sexymomaalways
    sexymomaalways Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks for the encouragment!! I like that...eat less move more! Mantras are great.. might steal that one! :wink: And yes my mission in life is to log everyday results or not because its really helping me change my routines and that is what I think its all about! Thanks!!
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    I'm 5'3.5 " and lose about 1 lb a week netting 1650. It all comes down to logging consistency in the long run. Also, this is definitely worth a read!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • khallmt
    khallmt Posts: 5 Member
    Ok, I want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly as well. I've eaten under the net calorie amount every day because I was sure that in order to lose weight I couldn't eat more than the 1670 calories I'm given. Am I hearing that I want to make sure I do eat all of the 1670 calories? How will I lose weight this way?
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Ok, I want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly as well. I've eaten under the net calorie amount every day because I was sure that in order to lose weight I couldn't eat more than the 1670 calories I'm given. Am I hearing that I want to make sure I do eat all of the 1670 calories? How will I lose weight this way?

    Because when MFP figured out the number of calories you need it already did the subtraction for you. The number it gives is the number with your deficit already factored in.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Ok, I want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly as well. I've eaten under the net calorie amount every day because I was sure that in order to lose weight I couldn't eat more than the 1670 calories I'm given. Am I hearing that I want to make sure I do eat all of the 1670 calories? How will I lose weight this way?

    because when you put all of that info in initially and tell MFP you want to lose a pound per week or whatever, MFP estimates and gives you a calorie goal based on that goal...you calorie goal isn't a maintenance level of calories, it includes the deficit as per your stated goal.
  • TeriaShae
    TeriaShae Posts: 144 Member
    Hello,
    Your body is naturally burning calories through everyday activities, (i.e. sleeping, laying on the couch, cooking).
    This being said, if your calorie intake is set at 1200 calories, then your net calories should be equal to 1200 calories.

    For example- If you burn off 200 calories in a day then you should be eating 1400 calories.
    Why? Because 1400-200=1200

    Being female you do NOT want to let your calorie intake get below 1200!
    I stress this very much because if you take in less than 1200 calories your body will go into "starvation mode".

    Starvation mode is extremely bad for out bodies because our body recognizes it and will do everything to keep from "starving" (even though you are eating).
    This being said, your body will hold onto fat cells instead of burning them.

    However, the 1200 calories that you are eating, I recommend being healthy foods. Since all calories are not created equal.
    1200 calories of whole grains, fresh produce, and lean meats and very different than 1200 calories of sugary candy and ice cream.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    I know there are ways to figure out that - but I suck at math!!!

    I got a Fitbit One that syncs with MFP. I let it figure out how many calories I burned, and since it syncs with MFP, the Fitbit site will show me a chart of how many calories in vs. calories burned. I LOVE that chart!!! As long as I burn more than I eat, I lose weight!

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