Can't get this figured out

mraphael
mraphael Posts: 4
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
My calorie goal for each day is 1200 calories.
I work out 5 days a week, burning on average 300-400 calories.
My weight is staying put, I am not seeing any change. I am just jumping back in, trying to get back on track with tracking food calories as what I was doing without tracking anything wasn't working anymore.

Do I eat the calories I burn? Do I need to eat more? I should know what to do, it seems I have forever been on a "diet" and I want to just get to my goal. I am beyond frustrated with these 20 pounds I can't seem to get rid of.

I know this ONE THING for sure. Food and me seem to have a LOVE/HATE relationship. I just don't seem to be getting it.

Suggestions Please

Replies

  • billie_bedsole
    billie_bedsole Posts: 4
    U need to net 1200 calories each day. Otherwise your body can go into "starvation' mode and try to conserve.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    My calorie goal for each day is 1200 calories.
    I work out 5 days a week, burning on average 300-400 calories.
    My weight is staying put, I am not seeing any change. I am just jumping back in, trying to get back on track with tracking food calories as what I was doing without tracking anything wasn't working anymore.

    Do I eat the calories I burn? Do I need to eat more? I should know what to do, it seems I have forever been on a "diet" and I want to just get to my goal. I am beyond frustrated with these 20 pounds I can't seem to get rid of.

    I know this ONE THING for sure. Food and me seem to have a LOVE/HATE relationship. I just don't seem to be getting it.

    Suggestions Please

    What's your current weight? Are you training for the marathon or has that not started? What kind of exercise do you do? First, no don't eat back the calories. However, it's possible that your calories are actually set too low but it's hard to determine without knowing your weight and training.
  • Pronoiac
    Pronoiac Posts: 304
    Assuming you have filled out your goals and personal information correctly all you have to do is eat until the green 'calorie goal' number reaches 0 (or near zero). That calorie number will go up in direct proportion to the amout of execise you add, but you still just want that to be close to zero. A lot of people have trouble figuring this out so don't sweat it!

    Good luck
  • imprimez
    imprimez Posts: 36
    Are you keeping track of your calories? You need to make sure you record EVERYTHING you eat and how much you burn during exercise. Once you do that, be sure not to exceed your daily limit for calories. If you stick with it you should start seeing results.

    It's all about discipline.
  • Mathisfun
    Mathisfun Posts: 104 Member
    I am with you, my calorie goal is exactly 1200. No wiggle room. I am not eating back all my exercise calories, but not seeing a change in the scales. Not real sure how to get these last few pounds off.
  • lisapickering
    lisapickering Posts: 374
    Since you are only looking to lose 15 lbs yes, you should probably eat your exercise calories. There are people that don't and people that do... you need to figure out what works for you. I eat back my exercise calories and lose between 0.5 and 1lb per week. When you don't have alot to lose you need to eat more.... not sure why, I'm not expert, but that seems to be what works for people. So since what you're doing now isn't working, give it a try!
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    Net = what your number of calories EATEN for the day AFTER exercise, i.e.: If you eat 1200, burn 600, your net is 600. If you expend 600 calories exercising, you need to refuel.
  • jennykling
    jennykling Posts: 44 Member
    I personally eat the calories I burn during exercise and it seems to be working for me. My goal is set at 1 pound a week but in the first 4 weeks of doing this I have lost 8 lbs. (my goal is 10) Also, the others are right you do not want to put your body into starvation mode then it will hold onto the weight. I also agree that you have to track everything! But when you do you will see the results. You can do it:)! Good luck
  • mark03264
    mark03264 Posts: 334 Member
    It may help if we could see your food log.

    You should be eating close to your calorie goal each day and eating to replace most of the calories burned through exercise. If you set MFP up right to begin with than the calorie goal MFP gives you each day has a deficit already built in to lose weight. By not eating to replace the calories you may be getting too few calories net and causing your body to horde fat.

    Many people say that they can't "eat back" the calories they burn through exercise because they would be stuffing themselves at the end of the day. I fixed this by planning the night before or in the morning what my exercise for the day will be (so I know the approximate calorie burn) and what my breakfast, lunch and snacks will be. This way throughout the day I can "pre-eat" most of the calories I will burn through exercise in the afternoon. Doing this I can still eat a reasonable dinner and not gorge myself in the evening to make up calories.
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