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walking

parry2008
parry2008 Posts: 2 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Do I have to put in what exercise I have done x is it not better just to have my calories and have the exercise as extra for more weight loss

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Is it better? Not really. You'll lose more weight, sure, but that may mean more muscle loss. And if you exercise enough to create a really high deficit, it can cause some other serious health problems.

    Now, if you follow the TDEE method by calculating through a place such as scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/, then you eat a set number of calories each day and don't have to worry about exercise calories. But you'll be eating more since they're already factored in.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,488 Member
    Second @malibu927.

    Personally I find if I don't eat back a portion of my exercise calories (200 cal burn; eat 125-175 back) after 3-4 weeks my personal life suffers.

    I am too tired and a little grouchy, just don't enjoy life as much. At about the 6-7 week mark my exercise would probably suffer too. Not sure as I am not willing to test it.

    The above is when I am following the MFP NEAT method in which you are supposed to eat back those calories.

    If I follow the TDEE method my weekly calories are just about the same as the NEAT method they are just distributed over the week.

    I use the TDEE method when I plan to exercise consistently for 2-3 months.
    The NEAT method I use when my routine is less predictable.

    Cheers, h.
  • musikplayr
    musikplayr Posts: 29 Member
    I agree with @middlehaitch. If your deficit is unreasonable, you'll get cranky or worse, binge. Sometimes more is just more.
  • parry2008
    parry2008 Posts: 2 Member
    Thankyou everyone x
  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
    It really depends how much your burning too. 100-200 calories probably won't affect you that much, but if you are doing some heavy exercise, or exercising for long periods of time, you will start to feel very fatigued!

    You also want to lose weight at a healthy rate. Losing ten lbs a week seems like a wonderful concept... But it's just plain unhealthy.
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