Eating too few calories --> weight gain/slower weight loss?

L568
L568 Posts: 15
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been seeing a lot of posts that people who don't eat back exercise calories or are just generally consuming too few calories will have a harder time losing the weight (and conversely that those who eat more calories are losing faster).

I'm confused. What's the real deal here? I don't eat back all of my exercise calories and often have a deficit of 200-600 calories. Could this actually be hindering my weight loss? Why?

Replies

  • Jenscan
    Jenscan Posts: 694 Member
    Explained here:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo
  • porcelain_doll
    porcelain_doll Posts: 1,005 Member
    I have learned that it's different for everyone. I used to advocate eating every last bit of exercise cals, but I now believe that you simply have to try both and see which is better for you. I know people that get good results doing it both ways.
  • Septembergirl23
    Septembergirl23 Posts: 106 Member
    I have learned that it's different for everyone. I used to advocate eating every last bit of exercise cals, but I now believe that you simply have to try both and see which is better for you. I know people that get good results doing it both ways.

    I agree. I have also found that in different phases of my weight loss, one way works but the other doesn't and then they flip flop.
  • L568
    L568 Posts: 15
    Thank you!!
  • bmmarti3
    bmmarti3 Posts: 53 Member
    I have learned that it's different for everyone. I used to advocate eating every last bit of exercise cals, but I now believe that you simply have to try both and see which is better for you. I know people that get good results doing it both ways.

    It really depends on how many calories we're talking about. I do very little exercise, I walk about 40 minutes 3-5 times a week, and burn an astonishing* 207 calories. Whether I eat the extra 207 calories or not doesn't make a whole lot of difference in the grand scheme of things.

    If we're talking about intense exercise and burning ~2,000 on a 4-5 hour bike ride over an extended period (say 2-4 times a week) that could make for a tremendous difference as to how eating your exercise effects your body.

    Everyone just has to be practical and evaluate your own situation. There are grey areas in all of dieting science. If your eating or not eating 2-600 work out calories 3 times a week it wont really matter. If you're not eating 2,000 work out calories 5-6 days a week you could be on the strong side of "survival mode".

    My opinion is that in most cases 90+%, it wont make a big enough difference to matter.



    * Tongue in cheek - 207 is not a lot
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