Using the App Properly

ChargersSB
ChargersSB Posts: 5
edited February 28 in Getting Started
Hello everyone,

I am new to using MFP. This is my first time keeping track of calories etc. I have always been so stubborn and against it, but finally came to the realization that doing so is the only way I can stay on top of my goal and be aware of what I am consuming.

With that said, I had a question on how to use the app properly.

In the diary MFP has my goal calories (1560), food, exercise, net and remaining.

So lets say I have the following scenario:

Goal: 1560
Food: 680 (not a full day yet)
Exercise: 340
Net: 340
Remaining: 1220

Is my goal to consume that remaining 1220 and get the remaining to zero, or consume 880 (1560 - 680)? I keep seeing posts about eating back the calories you burn. Is that the right way to go about this? If I am eating back my calories burned, isn't that defeating the purpose of trying to burn calories?

Or is it that MFP has 1560 to lose 1 lb a week with absolutely no exercise or calories burned; in which case I need to "eat more" to make up for those burned calories?

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help.

Replies

  • MeganAnne89
    MeganAnne89 Posts: 271 Member
    MFP sets your calorie goal for you to hit regardless of whether or not you exercise in a day.

    If you don't exercise, MFP wants you to hit 1560.

    If you do exercise, MFP still wants you to hit 1560. So it expects you to eat those exercise calories back (meaning technically that day you will have consumed 1900cals).

    1560 is what you should eat to lose weight, right? It's not the amount that you would need to eat in order to stay the weight that you are now. So eating back exercise calories doesn't defeat the purpose.
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    I eat back about 50% of the calories I burn. That leaves wiggle room for calorie creep.Eg. when I taste while I am cooking.
  • ChargersSB
    ChargersSB Posts: 5
    I see okay, that makes sense. I just wanted to be sure. So I should go off of the remaining calories (whether I exercise or not) and get that to zero for the day (or at least close).

    Perhaps leaving a bit extra for wiggle room.
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