Counting calories confusion!

superkitty7
superkitty7 Posts: 26
edited September 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I always get confused when I'm calculating calories. I eat my goal calories and I exercise which gives me a deficit, which means I can eat more and still lose weight right? That's how it seems on the calorie count area of MFP.

109062.png
Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Food Diary

Replies

  • I always get confused when I'm calculating calories. I eat my goal calories and I exercise which gives me a deficit, which means I can eat more and still lose weight right? That's how it seems on the calorie count area of MFP.

    109062.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Food Diary
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    Welcome Kitty!:flowerforyou:

    This site differs from others in it does not assume you will do the exercise you promise to do!

    I have noted on other sites I was given 1400-1500 calories a day, because I said that I would exercise 45 min a day 5 days a week. But what if I DONT exercise (which more often than not occurs to the best of us!)

    MFP sets you up with a deficit in calories, then you earn the calories back when you exercise.

    SO if you have 1400 calories with no exercise, then do 20 minute walk and earn 100 calories, you get to eat 1500 cals that day and still lose your 1-2 pounds a week.


    I hope this helps!:flowerforyou:
  • ah makes sense I was wodering about that as well t hank you
  • Mangoaddict
    Mangoaddict Posts: 1,236 Member
    It makes you want to work for those calories!!
  • ranaelynn
    ranaelynn Posts: 115 Member
    Certainly encourages me to work out - I do NOT want to try and live on 1200 cal a day, god bless the gym :laugh:
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    I have been known to dance for butter!
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member
    I have been known to dance for butter!
    :laugh: :laugh: :huh: :noway: :bigsmile:
  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
    I don't see how this works. I just added my exercise and my calorie allowance did not change. Am I doing something wrong?
  • :smile: :wink: ::glasses: I like to bounce for my butter!
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    I don't see how this works. I just added my exercise and my calorie allowance did not change. Am I doing something wrong?

    did you put it under cardio?
    if you do it in the 2nd area it will not give you extra calories in the food area.

    If you lifted weights, then add it as such in cardio
  • Huh! Maybe I ought to put 0 exercise in under my goals? I do exercise a lot but I don't want it to assume I am going to do it as much as I say I will. Thanks for that!
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