What do you do with your earned calories from exercise when maintaining?

I eat them when I'm hungry.

It depends on whether I'm hungry or not, but even if I don't eat them same day, I usually eat most of my exercise calories back within the week.

47Jacqueline wrote: »

I eat them back. That's what your supposed to do. That's vigorous workouts though, not a leisurely walk. If you're tracking steps you'll notice that your tracker subtracts them when you add a real workout until you get to a significant number.

Also, anyone who's counting a 2mph walk as a workout is kidding themselves.

I'm sorry Jacqueline, but this really is not a supportive statement.
Some people have struggles you know nothing about. If they are walking 2mph everyday. That's fantastic! Because they could be on the couch with a handful of chips, but instead they made the decision to go for a slow stroll.
Perhaps you should 'walk' 2mph in someone else's shoes.

I've been in maintenance for over a year and I've always eaten my exercise calories back, even now.

SLLRunner wrote: »

47Jacqueline wrote: »

I eat them back. That's what your supposed to do. That's vigorous workouts though, not a leisurely walk. If you're tracking steps you'll notice that your tracker subtracts them when you add a real workout until you get to a significant number.

Also, anyone who's counting a 2mph walk as a workout is kidding themselves.

Does this include my aunt who walked that slow every single day while taking chemotherapy for breast cancer?

Or my friend who is my age, has MS, and has to use a walker?

Believe me, to those two, a 2mph walk IS a workout.

Healthylife4us4 wrote: »

47Jacqueline wrote: »

I eat them back. That's what your supposed to do. That's vigorous workouts though, not a leisurely walk. If you're tracking steps you'll notice that your tracker subtracts them when you add a real workout until you get to a significant number.

Also, anyone who's counting a 2mph walk as a workout is kidding themselves.

Perhaps you should 'walk' 2mph in someone else's shoes.

Yep.

i agree, everyone is different in health and ability. I don't eat back my calories. When I was losing weight I ate according to 12-1350 cals a day and lost 150 pounds. I figure in my daily exercise as part of keeping my sugar stable and keeping my legs active to keep my circulation going. I'm IDDM on a pump, for me my calories have to be consistent to keep my diabetes in control- Timing of my food is important but adding is rare.

williams969 wrote: »

I eat (or drink) every one of them. If not on the day I burned them, then certainly within the week (I save them up for a weekend indulgence, for example). I did the same when I was losing, too (utilizing the "MFP" NEAT method).

And, my exercise calories earned include all activity, from leisurely stroll to full-on power walk (I use Fitbit). Hasn't let me down in nearly a year of use.

That's a relief to know @williams969 . Because I've been struggling big time lately to NOT eat my exercise calories back

christinev297 wrote: »

47Jacqueline wrote: »

I eat them back. That's what your supposed to do. That's vigorous workouts though, not a leisurely walk. If you're tracking steps you'll notice that your tracker subtracts them when you add a real workout until you get to a significant number.

Also, anyone who's counting a 2mph walk as a workout is kidding themselves.

Real nice... :huh:

SLLRunner wrote: »

47Jacqueline wrote: »

I eat them back. That's what your supposed to do. That's vigorous workouts though, not a leisurely walk. If you're tracking steps you'll notice that your tracker subtracts them when you add a real workout until you get to a significant number.

Also, anyone who's counting a 2mph walk as a workout is kidding themselves.

Does this include my aunt who walked that slow every single day while taking chemotherapy for breast cancer?

Or my friend who is my age, has MS, and has to use a walker?

Believe me, to those two, a 2mph walk IS a workout.

Healthylife4us4 wrote: »

47Jacqueline wrote: »

I eat them back. That's what your supposed to do. That's vigorous workouts though, not a leisurely walk. If you're tracking steps you'll notice that your tracker subtracts them when you add a real workout until you get to a significant number.

Also, anyone who's counting a 2mph walk as a workout is kidding themselves.

Perhaps you should 'walk' 2mph in someone else's shoes.

Yep.

Seriously. Lots of people walk for exercise: either they like it, it’s what fits best into their day, or because that’s what their current fitness level or circumstances allow. I respect anyone who makes an effort to move more and be active - no workouts are more “real” than others. Sheesh.

OP, congrats on your achievements! I’m still trying to lose, so I usually don’t eat back exercise calories, at least unless I’m ravenous. At maintenance I’d probably eat back around half, just because they’re usually overestimated. I think what works best is trying some formula and seeing how your weight reacts to it over time. Best of luck!

47Jacqueline wrote: »

I eat them back. That's what your supposed to do. That's vigorous workouts though, not a leisurely walk. If you're tracking steps you'll notice that your tracker subtracts them when you add a real workout until you get to a significant number.

Also, anyone who's counting a 2mph walk as a workout is kidding themselves.

What if it's a ten mile walk?

That's like 1213 calories for me at 2 mph.. I'll be walking ten miles on Sunday at around 3 mph.

I'm one of those people who log my walks. Even my slow ones.