When You Exercise

1Ceddie
1Ceddie Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Do you have to eat back your calorie?

Replies

  • SrClaire
    SrClaire Posts: 13 Member
    I guess it depends what your goals are.

    If you are trying to gain weight you would need to eat back what you expended plus some extra.
    For maintenance you would need to eat what you expended.
    If your goals are performance related (like endurance running) then you probably need to eat at least almost as much as you burned.

    If you are trying to lose weight then no, you do not need to eat back your calories.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    To use MFP as intended, yes. That being said, MFP's exercise database notoriously overestimates calories burned, so you should probably only eat half of them back.

    ETA: MFP includes your calorie deficit to lose weight in your calorie goal already. There is no need to create a larger deficit with exercise (which can also backfire on you). Remember, you need to keep your body properly fueled for the 'extra' work you're putting it through with exercise. So yes, by all means, eat your calories.
  • thegreatcanook
    thegreatcanook Posts: 2,419 Member
    I don't eat mine back unless I do a ton of activity and end up with a defecit over 800 cals...I am trying to lose weight. Feel free to add me!
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Depends.

    If you have an extreme weight loss goal (1.5-2 pounds per week) then you already have a large deficit 'built in'. So eating some extra for cardio could be useful.

    If you have a low to moderate goal (.5-1 pounds per week) then I think its not as important, because your deficit from food is not as great.

    In the end though, you have to decide based on what you think is right for you. Judge by your energy levels.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    This really....really needs to be required reading when you joint the site.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/818082-exercise-calories-again-wtf

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