QUESTIONS for an experienced myfitnesspal winner

#1 Eating back your exercise cals... you opened a big bag of worms Some do some don't. Personally I don't.
#2 I agree with you on the drinking. I stick to one drink I am liking the Budwiser 55.
#3 I have changed mine to fit my body's needs. 40% Carbs, 40% Protein, 20% Fat.

Good Luck! Sounds like you are on the right path

1. I usually exercise at night and I eat some-to-most of my exercise calories BEFORE I burn them. In other words, I make sure I eat extra food during the day and, if I'm over my calories before I work out, I am more motivated to get my booty moving. I eat three nutritious, well-balanced meals and at least two healthy snacks each day.

2. Drink 2 glasses of water for every one alcoholic beverage, and avoid the super-sugary mixed drinks (I rarely drink anything at all, but that's a good tip anyway).

3. The national standard is 55%carbs, 20% protein, 25% fat, which is what MFP uses as their default. You CAN change that (under Custom Goals) but I personally am not a fan of "low carb" diets. I eat roughly 50% carbs, 25% fat, 25% protein and have shed 95+ pounds and gained a lot of muscle and am quite fit now, so that works for me, but your own body may have different needs (ask your doctor if you aren't sure what your ratio should be, or just experiment). Make sure your carbs come from fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains instead of processed, sugary, refined junk.

4. I rarely drink soda. Diet soda doesn't have calories, but it does have sodium and the carbonation is bad for your teeth, and the caffeine doesn't hydrate you... basically, I would say it's best not to have every day. Stick to water mostly and maybe have a coke as an occasional treat if you "must" have it.

1. Once you get into a routine you'll have a good idea how many calories you will burn for a particular exercise so you can eat back some of your calories before you do the workout.

2. Don't drink, seriously, no one but you decides what you put in your body and if you're friends are going to stop hanging out with you because you're having a diet soda or a water at the bar then they really aren't your friends, tell them to grow up. Only have ONE drink, or make it a light beer etc.

3. Protein is set low, Carbs set high. So being UNDER your carbs is what you want to shoot for, and being OVER on protein is important, you can change them individually for yourself as well. I do 40% carbs, 30% fat, 30% protein.

4. I didn't completely give up diet soda I just cut back to only once or twice a week to have one. There are people who do not drink diet soda at all, and there is science to back up the reasons it's bad for you. It will likely be the next thing I completely cut out, but I've been working my booty off for a year next month.

Basically you have to decide what's most important to you, I'd rather eat more dinner than have a beer. I'd rather work out thank skip dessert once a week So it's all about balancing your life.

If you know how much you'll be exercising, eat extra during the day to balance out your calorie intake. There's no rule that says you have to eat your exercise calories after you exercise, eat them before! I plan out every day the night before to help me balance everything, it's easier than trying to wing it during the day.

Can't help you out with drinking other than don't do it. I never drink, so I don't have that problem.

The default carb goal is actually set pretty high, 55% of your calories. I have mine set to 40% and I rarely reach it. You must have a really high carb diet. Drinking may contribute to that problem.

I don't see a problem with Diet Coke if it's once in a while, I would not drink it every day. Some of the chemicals in it are possibly carcinogenic in larger amounts.

I would also say there's nothing wrong with full fat peanut butter. The fat in peanuts is good for you. When peanut butter (or anything) is reduced fat, they make up for it with sodium!

1. eat my exercise calories I feel stuffed before bed ??

Know how many you will burn during the exercise and plan to eat a little more during the day to offset this. It is uncomfortable to eat them all back at once in the evening.

2. drinking!

I don't drink. At all? I have maybe 1 cocktail/beer every 6 weeks. It is so rare that I consume alcohol. I can't imagine a life where alcohol is prominent, and have no advice in this area.

3. carb budget?

You can set your own, or talk to a doctor/nutritionist to see what would work best for you!

4. What are people's perspectives on diet coke...

I steer clear of as many chemicals as I can. Diet drinks of any type are full of saccharine, aspartame, nutrisweet... all that zero calorie sweetener stuff is a big NO in my world.

3. Correction...I don't blow my carb budget, rather the 'sugars' budget...maybe because of the fruit? Seriously tho guys, 30% fat diet? ewwww

I am doing 50% fat

1. Lately I'm only able to work out every other day so I generally spread out the exercise calories over those two days. I always eat some of them back but I don't always eat all of them back. You'll find a lot of different opinions about whether to eat your exercise calories back. You'll have to experiment to figure out what works best for you.

2. I do not cut out alcohol. But I am conscious of how it affects me. When I was in my early twenties and trying to lose weight (the first time, haha!) I would save up calories for my weekend nights for alcohol and also prepare for my munchies by bringing guilt free snacks in my purse like carrot sticks or pretzels or a couple of low calorie cookies. These would remind me not to eat that "burrito as big as your head" at the end of the night! Whatever was in my purse would always be better for me than what I'd find on the street.
I also decided before I went out how many drinks I was going to have and would alternate each drink with a club soda or water with lemon/lime. This would keep me hydrated and not go overboard. I think the key to alcohol is planning ahead if you know it can get out of control.

3. Different people feel satiated on different nutrient breakdowns. I personally feel better on a lower fat diet than what mfp calculates for me. Figure out what works for you and change it accordingly.

4. If you can, break yourself of the diet soda habit. If not, allow yourself a treat with it. I don't see a big problem with caffeine as long as you are getting enough water. Caffeine can actually be good for you before a workout or strength training session. I personally drink 2-4 glasses of iced tea a day but I also drink a lot of water. I too have to be careful with the coffee because it causes me to have highs and lows. If you feel crashing and burning from the caffeine, you may want to cut back, but otherwise just make sure you get enough water.

Good luck!