What does the net mean?

It means you've eaten 363 calories worth of food, and exercised enough to burn 277 calories, which leaves a net of 86 calories so far today because 363-277=86. I hope you plan on eating more today. That's obviously not enough calories.

First of all, you need more food boo-boo! :-)

Calories eaten minus calories burned equals your "net calories". This is how you figure out if your are in a deficit or surplus for weight loss or weight gain while staying healthy and getting the right amount of nutrients. You don't want your net calories to go below 1200 in general. Unless your doctor says its ok---because that is a very low number. Which is why its important to eat at least your BMR. Mine is around 1650. So I try to eat that amount, give or take just a bit, and burn enough through the day to have at least a 1200 net calorie total and a 750 calories deficit. This has meant a 2 lb a week weight loss, a loss of 1/2 an inch every week and a half and a an amazing amount of energy to get through my work outs.

Example: So far today, I ate A LOT. Happy Cheat Day to me! About 1900 calories minus the 500 from working out equals 1400 net calories. Which is good! My FitBIt says that I'm on track to burn about 2600 calories in total today just from living and working out so 1900 minus 2600 equals a 700 calorie deficit. That's also good. It means I'm following my weight loss goals very well.

MFP helps you calculate your net calories so you know that you are losing weigh in a healthy, SUSTAINABLE way with enough calories to give you energy and keep your metabolism chug-chug-chuggin' along. . Keep your net calories at least 1200 each day and you should be comfortable, energized and never hungry. And within reach of your goals.

Aw, sorry! lol, Don't worry. It took me some time to figure it out too. Eat more to lose weight? HUH???

Just make sure that net number is close to 1200 by the end of the day. Log your food. Log your exercise. I just saw your food diary and yeah......you are eating FAR TOO LITTLE. You still have over a 1000 calories to eat for today!

Do you know what your base metabolic rate is? That is how many calories your body burns just being alive. You can find a calculator online. Should give you a good estimate. I'm guessing yours is at the very least 1500. At THE VERY LEAST if not more. You need to eat at least 1500 calories a day or your metabolism isn't getting anything done. You are 20 yrs old. Don't eff up your metabolism. Are you trying to lose weight, maintain or gain?

It's net as in gross vs. net. In other words, gross calories would be the total number of calories you ate today. Net calories would be the total number of calories you ate, minus the number of calories you burned off when you exercised. Basically they're financial terms, gross and net. Does that make more sense?

^^^^ yes^^^^^

Thanks for all the answers. I still don't get it. -_-

You want your net to hit at least 1200. So keep eating till you reach that number.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

if you don't get it, I honestly suggest you DON"T WORKOUT for a few days or weeks even.

JUST EAT AT THE CAL GOAL MFP GIVES YOU when you enter ALL your information HONESTLY and ACCURATELY.

After doing this for a few weeks, start to workout. Make your "net" number at that point match the number you've been doing for weeks. Try that.

It means you have $363, but somebody stole $277 and now you have $86 left, which clearly is nothing at all.

So you need to work until you earn $1114 more, so that you have the bare minimum in order to afford your most basic needs.

It means you have $363, but somebody stole $277 and now you have $86 left, which clearly is nothing at all.

So you need to work until you earn $1114 more, so that you have the bare minimum in order to afford your most basic needs.

^^^^ All of this!^

amen! i agree to this! XD