NET...WHAT IS IT?

xoCaseyox
xoCaseyox Posts: 19
edited September 24 in Health and Weight Loss
Hiya just wondering if someone could help me out....

My calories for the day are 1200, I've eaten spaghetti on toast (394 calories) and had a cappacchino (74 calories) which alotgether is 468 calories. This is giving me a net of 468. When I exercise and say I burn 400 calories, the calories remaining go to 1132 and the net goes to 68? what does this mean??

Replies

  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    It means that its giving you back the calories you burned.So its like you only ate 68 since your burned 400
  • xoCaseyox
    xoCaseyox Posts: 19
    So am I safe to eat the extra 400 then that I burned off? or am I doing it wrong?
  • xSophia19
    xSophia19 Posts: 1,536 Member
    Right, whenever you do excercise and you record it in your diary it takes away the calories burned from your total calories that you have had! Its very weird as i got a bit confused at first, but when i record my excercise and it takes the calories away from what ive eaten i do not eat them calories back up i just leave it! and so far after doing that for the last 2 months i have lost 16lbs :)
  • xoCaseyox
    xoCaseyox Posts: 19
    Okay, I'm assuming it doesn't matter if you eat them back or not, so the net is just the total amount of calories that you've eaten is it? x
  • Edestiny7
    Edestiny7 Posts: 730 Member
    Because your daily goal is only 1200 calories, you MUST eat ALL of your calories, including your exercise calories, to maintain a net of 1200 calories. 1200 net calories is the minimum for women. 1500 for men. Look at my profile for what has worked for me.
  • redwngs13
    redwngs13 Posts: 194 Member
    I always see people say that as a general rule it's a good thing to keep your net at around 1200 calories. If that means eating back exercise calories, then I'd say do it. One of the great debates on these boards is to eat or not eat exercise calories, some people swear by not eating them, others swear by eating them. I guess it's up to you whether or not you want to eat them, but keep in mind the 1200 net minimum.
  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
    Your net calories are the calories you've eaten - the calories you've burned. Yes, it is safe and (by most) recommended to eat them back. Not everyone does, but you need to fuel your body in order to survive and to lose safely. If it's any help, I've been doing this for a month and have eaten back every last calorie I've ever burned off (I like to eat) and have lost 12 pounds so far
  • xoCaseyox
    xoCaseyox Posts: 19
    okay thank you!!
    Its just all a bit confusing, when it says that I have say 1400 cals left after exercising then I will still lose weight if I eat them all will I? Sorry to be a pain, as long as I keep my net to 1200 I'll still lose it will i? xx
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Okay, I'm assuming it doesn't matter if you eat them back or not, so the net is just the total amount of calories that you've eaten is it? x

    Not quite, net is what you must eat to lose your goal mount of weight per week. the calculation used by MFP is based on a caloric deficit, if you are set to lose 1 lb/week your calorie goal gives you a deficit of 500, now if you workout and burn 300 your deficit is now 800 so to keep you at your goal you must eat back the 300 you burned, in order to hit your goal of a 500 cal deficit.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    okay thank you!!
    Its just all a bit confusing, when it says that I have say 1400 cals left after exercising then I will still lose weight if I eat them all will I? Sorry to be a pain, as long as I keep my net to 1200 I'll still lose it will i? xx

    yes, that is the only way to lose your goal amount. Not eating 1200 may lead to more of a weight loss but not necessarily, but to lose your goal weight, assuming your MFP goal is 1200 you must eat 1200 net (1200 plus exercise calories)
  • Lori07
    Lori07 Posts: 136
    I find it hard to figure out as well but I'm trying to eat them back if it doesn't seem to work I will try not eating them and see what that does.lol
  • lisa_lotte
    lisa_lotte Posts: 216
    I was stuck at the same weight for ages, and then I started eating my calories back and started losing again. I always try and get as close to 1200 NET calories as possible - but be careful not to go over on carbs, fat, sat fat etc (im normally over on protein but dont worry too much as MFP sets that really low)

    Have a read of these, they may help:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficit

    Lisa
  • xoCaseyox
    xoCaseyox Posts: 19
    So basically then, after exercise where it says remaining calories left 1500 thats what you got to eat, whatever your remaining calories thats what you have left x
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    So basically then, after exercise where it says remaining calories left 1500 thats what you got to eat, whatever your remaining calories thats what you have left x

    yes
  • xoCaseyox
    xoCaseyox Posts: 19
    Thanks!
    I must sound so dull haha!!
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