Net Calories

sissy60504
sissy60504 Posts: 21 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I read on somewhere that you should not go below 500 net calories on a given day. Here's my dilemma. MFP has set my daily calorie goal at 1200. I work out some days twice a day. I also wear a HRM to estimate calories burned. Which is more important: staying below the 1200 or above 500 net calories?

Today, for example, after logging my food plan, I am currently at around 800 calories(I know I will add more as I snack throughout the remainder of the day). However, even if I hit 1200 calories, when I work out again, I would only be able to burn around another 350 calories or I will below the net 500 threshold.

Any insight on which is more important for me to monitor is truly appreciated.

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    If MFP has given you a goal of 1,200, you want to *net* 1,200. Netting 500 is a terrible idea.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    If MFP has given you a goal of 1,200, you want to *net* 1,200. Netting 500 is a terrible idea.

    This^

    1200 NET = 1200 + exercise calories. MFP gave you a goal with zero exercise built in. That way people who can't exercise, still lose weight.

    Netting 500 is a recipe for lean muscle mass. Working out should help you keep lean muscle, but your workouts need fuel.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    If MFP has given you a goal of 1,200, you want to *net* 1,200. Netting 500 is a terrible idea.

    This^

    1200 NET = 1200 + exercise calories. MFP gave you a goal with zero exercise built in. That way people who can't exercise, still lose weight.

    Netting 500 is a recipe for lean muscle mass. Working out should help you keep lean muscle, but your workouts need fuel.

    I know what you mean, but you might want to clarify for OP that netting 500 is a recipe to *burn* lean muscle mass.
  • sissy60504
    sissy60504 Posts: 21 Member
    So I should eat back my exercise calories because there are others who state don't eat back the exercise calories?
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited March 2016
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    TeaBea wrote: »
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    If MFP has given you a goal of 1,200, you want to *net* 1,200. Netting 500 is a terrible idea.

    This^

    1200 NET = 1200 + exercise calories. MFP gave you a goal with zero exercise built in. That way people who can't exercise, still lose weight.

    Netting 500 is a recipe for lean muscle mass. Working out should help you keep lean muscle, but your workouts need fuel.

    I know what you mean, but you might want to clarify for OP that netting 500 is a recipe to *burn* lean muscle mass.

    Ooops! Yes - to burn lean muscle.

    Op - your body is using calories 24/7. Basic bodily functions require calories too: heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.

    Netting 500 means a substantial number of your "basic bodily function" calories are coming from fat stores and existing lean muscle mass. These are fuel sources. Unfortunately 100% of weight loss isn't fat loss, I wish it were. A moderate deficit, strength training and meeting protein goals help us keep more existing lean muscle mass.

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    not sure where you got the 500 net number from, but the min is actually 1200 net for women and 1500-1600 for men, depending on your stats 1200 net may not even be enough.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    sissy60504 wrote: »
    So I should eat back my exercise calories because there are others who state don't eat back the exercise calories?

    There's also people who put their dogs in the microwave to dry them....
    Be careful who you imitate.

    Understand the tool you are using. There's loads of good info in the sticky threads at the top of each forum.

    1200 + exercise calories may or may not be an appropriate goal for you. You may have put in a too aggressive rate of loss but only you know your stats.

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