Learning to use my calorie deficit

justinefoote5
justinefoote5 Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I am so very new at this. But I am curious. So I plan to take in 1400 calories each day and want to burn an average of 500 calories per day. Am I supposed to keep eating until I am at 0 calories left after my work out? Or do I want o keep that deficit there to ensure weightloss.

Replies

  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    I'd definitely eat back some of your exercise calories but maybe not them all (sometimes the calorie burn estimates are a wee bit high). Experiment for a few weeks till you find what works for you.
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    your 1400 calorie goal is net of your exercise. so calories eaten - exercise calories burned = goal deficit.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    In theory, yes. Eat until you are at you goal. In reality, eat at least half of the difference to leave a buffer in case your estimates are off on either your calories or your burn.

    I have always eaten all of the difference and I think I have done alright :wink:
  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member
    You have already set a deficit in calories by eating at 1400. You would lose weight at this, even with no exercise. When you add the exercise in, you are increasing your deficit even further and it may stress your body. It depends on your settings. If you are already set to lose 2 pounds a week, then you should eat most of them back, since that is the maximum recommended safe rate of loss. If you are set to lose 1 pound a week, you have a bit more flexibility.

    For myself, if I have used my heart rate monitor (HRM), then I trust the number of calories burned to be consistent. They may not be exact, but it will be closer than a random exercise in the database. Depending on the day, I may eat all of them back (if I feel hungry) or I may eat just a small portion of them. If I do eat them back, I try to make it a high protein meal to help rebuild my muscle mass.
  • justinefoote5
    justinefoote5 Posts: 2
    That is a very valid point. I do have a chest strap HR monitor that I think I should get going again. I purchased it last year but by the time I got it winter rolled around and I wasn't out and about anymore. However. I am eating my full calories and then when I work out I eat a small meal after too. Even if I have eaten my days worth, just because I feel its important to eat after regardless. Not a huge meal of course but a shake or a bar etc..

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