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MyFitnessPal Community

Losing weight even though not eating exercise calories

dengarrett

The reasons for eating back your exercise calories make sense to me, but I often don't eat back my exercise calories and am doing quite well at losing weight. Is it just because I have so much to lose now and as I reach lower weights then it will become more critical?

Replies

fteale

I think it's more that you don't need to. I don't either.

Darrickb

good question I've been curious about that also

jrt9999

I am sure you will lose weight both ways...

Personally I view exercising as for building muscle and cardiovascular strength only. So I eat properly to fuel an awesome hard hitting workout.

I eat to lose or gain weight. I exercise for gaining strength.

I lose the same amount of weight each week whether don't exercise or do exercise and eat back the calories. But I tell you what, when I eat back the calories and exercise hard I feel so much better.

Good luck!

monkeybuttsmommy

I think it is (at least for me) going from eating moe than 3000 calories a day and NO physical activity to eating 1300 to 1600 calories a day and doing at least 15 minutes or more of physical activity a day. As I increase my stamina I will need those calories to help increase that intensity.

EricJonrosh

It's an argument that seems to come up about once a day here. Most people say they eat about half of them back. Beware MFP exercise cals are not correct by a longshot. It's a peer built database, and there are things like 2,500 calories for "running around doing errands." My average is 4-600 for vigorous hour long workouts, and I'll eat like 300 back. Seems to be working. Good luck!

newjmf

I think you have to figure out what YOUR body responds to and do what's best for YOU. Personally, I have lost weight both ways. But , I have seen a greater loss in inches since I have started using protein shakes after my workout to nourish my muscles, which enables them to burn the fat that is laying on top of them. That's how I "eat" my exercise calories.

monkeybuttsmommy

This may help if your confused:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

SheilaSisco

It is because you have so much to lose. You would probably lose weight either way, so at this point it probably isn't crucial. However, the more weight you lose, the more imperative it is going to be for you to make sure you are fueling your body sufficiently. If you get into the practice of eating at least SOME of them back now, it will be starting a good habit for later. Besides, the more weight you lose, the less calories you will be allowed, and at some point you might really want or need those calories back. Hope I helped. And good luck!!!

dengarrett

It's an argument that seems to come up about once a day here. Most people say they eat about half of them back. Beware MFP exercise cals are not correct by a longshot. It's a peer built database, and there are things like 2,500 calories for "running around doing errands." My average is 4-600 for vigorous hour long workouts, and I'll eat like 300 back. Seems to be working. Good luck!

Thanks - I record my calories based on my HRM with my BMR calories during the time I exercise subtracted. I am usually about a fourth of what MFP says. I will often eat some of the calories back but I don't make a focused attempt to do so. I guess as long as I continue to feel good and lose then why change? If I hit a plateau then I will see what I need to fix. Unless someone can give me a good reason to do something different.

seadog1

As far as I can tell and some studies back up my experience if your a lot over weight, you will lose weight efficently by cutting down the calories but after a time your body will adapt and your weight loss will plateau and you will become discouraged and start over eating again. Take a look at the article below. The best I can tell you need to eat no less then 20 percent of what it will take to maintain your body weight after you hit a plateau.

http://exercise.about.com/cs/weightloss/a/weightplateaus.htm

tamiller93

I am worried because I cannot get my heart rate monitor to work so I have no idea how many calories I am burning during exercise! Since I don't know how many I'm burning, I am really going at this blind. I could be overeating or undereating. I have no clue. This is especially bad because I don't have a whole lot left to lose.

xlacijeanx

Most success stories OUTSIDE of MFP don't consist of eating exercise calories. I don't even allow myself the calories MFP sets for me because I have seen nutritionists and dietitians and know where my safe zones are. I have substantial weight to lose as well, but it's definitely working for me and has worked for many many many others. MFP way is strong on this forum though, so I'm sure tons of people will say the opposite of me- what works for them, may not work for us or vice versa.

dengarrett

I don't even allow myself the calories MFP sets for me

I compute my own calorie target also based on this formula which should yield a loss of two pounds per week assuming I need 20% of my BMR calories for normal daily activities.

(BMR * 1.2) - 1000

dengarrett

This may help if your confused:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

Thanks - actually, I had already read that article.

uubulldawg06

it has a lot to do with the amount of weight you have to lose right now. I try to eat at least half of my exercise calories back and most of the time its in the form of a protien shake and fruit. That way i am nourishing my muscles after tearing them down. As you get smaller your weight loss will slow down and it will become crucial to eat back your calories.

uubulldawg06

Most success stories OUTSIDE of MFP don't consist of eating exercise calories. I don't even allow myself the calories MFP sets for me because I have seen nutritionists and dietitians and know where my safe zones are. I have substantial weight to lose as well, but it's definitely working for me and has worked for many many many others. MFP way is strong on this forum though, so I'm sure tons of people will say the opposite of me- what works for them, may not work for us or vice versa.

i have done it both ways and founfd greater loss when eating back calories.

StaceyZombie

When I first started logging and lost the bulk of my weight, I didn't eat my exercise calories. I had so much to lose and I just wasn't hungry.

Now that I have about 20 lbs to lose, I do eat back most of my calories...If I'm hungry. I'm not going to force-feed myself. I feel like you should do what your body is telling you....if you're hungry, eat. My simple philosophy :0)

dengarrett

When I first started logging and lost the bulk of my weight, I didn't eat my exercise calories. I had so much to lose and I just wasn't hungry.

Now that I have about 20 lbs to lose, I do eat back most of my calories...If I'm hungry. I'm not going to force-feed myself. I feel like you should do what your body is telling you....if you're hungry, eat. My simple philosophy :0)

Thanks - this make sense.

btw - You joined 12/2009 and only posted six times and chose this one? I feel honored!

maddiex_x

I completely agree with everything staceygrover said !!

amysambora

Lots of great, level headed advice on this thread! As most have already stated, MFP is just a guide, and it's up to you to find your 'sweet spot'. I have honestly never paid much attention to exercise calories, I just try and make sure I'm eating a reasonable amount, within my goals, and I'm not hungry. 1200 cals worked really well for me until I hit a healthy BMI, then I plateaued and had to eat a little more to get things going again. Just do what feels right for you and make sure your HEALTH comes first at all times!

1aprilaries

I just joined Monday & I'm glad I read this topic. I had no idea i was supposed to be eating back my exercise calories!

Kjarlune

This may help if your confused:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

Thank you...Very Helpful

dengarrett

http://exercise.about.com/cs/weightloss/a/weightplateaus.htm

Yep, I had read that one too. It all brings me back to believing I am good until I hit a plateau.

Thanks to everyone!! I love this site. I have learned soooo much!

itsmenatalie

My reasons for eating my exercise calories have nothing to do with the actual weight loss - it's that I need to fuel my body. If I didn't eat them I would get tired and would not have the energy to keep exercising and strengthening my heart and building muscles.

fatboypup

i dont eat mine back

jrt9999

My reasons for eating my exercise calories have nothing to do with the actual weight loss - it's that I need to fuel my body. If I didn't eat them I would get tired and would not have the energy to keep exercising and strengthening my heart and building muscles.

Bingo! A lot of folks get caught up in weight loss only and never really understand calories also = energy, or their goals are weight loss alone.. Take Michael Phelps. When he is hard core training he probably eats 10,000 calories a day, has no fat on him, and is one baddass.

dengarrett

My reasons for eating my exercise calories have nothing to do with the actual weight loss - it's that I need to fuel my body. If I didn't eat them I would get tired and would not have the energy to keep exercising and strengthening my heart and building muscles.

Bingo! A lot of folks get caught up in weight loss only and never really understand calories also = energy, or their goals are weight loss alone.. Take Michael Phelps. When he is hard core training he probably eats 10,000 calories a day, has no fat on him, and is one baddass.

Yeah, when I train for the olympics I do that too

Seriously this does make perfect sense to me. My goal with exercise is to lose weight and get fit and my profession (computer related) does not carry that high of a demand load. But I agree the principals are all the same. I just think that with 130 pounds of excess energy hanging on my body I am ok to let it burn. I think that when I get lower and lower is when I think I have to watch the balance much closer.

dengarrett

My reasons for eating my exercise calories have nothing to do with the actual weight loss - it's that I need to fuel my body. If I didn't eat them I would get tired and would not have the energy to keep exercising and strengthening my heart and building muscles.

Bingo! A lot of folks get caught up in weight loss only and never really understand calories also = energy, or their goals are weight loss alone.. Take Michael Phelps. When he is hard core training he probably eats 10,000 calories a day, has no fat on him, and is one baddass.

Saying this all a little differently - I think it's a little different when you start at 190 trying to get to 145 and 160 to 125 than when you start at 315 trying to get to 180. Now, the range is so large that I think exercise calories just don't matter tha much. As I decrease my stores is when I think it matters.

jrt9999

My reasons for eating my exercise calories have nothing to do with the actual weight loss - it's that I need to fuel my body. If I didn't eat them I would get tired and would not have the energy to keep exercising and strengthening my heart and building muscles.

Bingo! A lot of folks get caught up in weight loss only and never really understand calories also = energy, or their goals are weight loss alone.. Take Michael Phelps. When he is hard core training he probably eats 10,000 calories a day, has no fat on him, and is one baddass.

Yeah, when I train for the olympics I do that too

Seriously this does make perfect sense to me. My goal with exercise is to lose weight and get fit and my profession (computer related) does not carry that high of a demand load. But I agree the principals are all the same. I just think that with 130 pounds of excess energy hanging on my body I am ok to let it burn. I think that when I get lower and lower is when I think I have to watch the balance much closer.

You will be fine not eating all back for quite awhile. Once you build your strength up to burn 500 to 700 calories in an hour your body will tell you it is starving anyways. You will know when to eat them back.

Good luck by the way!

chnkydnknmomma

I don't usually eat back my excersize either, mostly because when I am sticking to my routine, I am eating well and satisfied with my meals. I seem to be losing weight, and definitely inches.