Exercise Calories

HelenDaleyGarnett
HelenDaleyGarnett Posts: 19 Member
edited November 25 in Health and Weight Loss
So I started tracking my food intake about 3 weeks ago now,ive lost 2 pound so far. To be honest I thought It would be more but never mind got to start somewhere!
The food part has been pretty easy as I dont have a big appetite anyway so Ive just cut out the sugar snacks for fruit and im also under my calorie goal each day.
I walk about 4 miles with the dog every day and do a fitness dvd or rowing machine most days.
Im 8 stone 8 and 5 ft so not overweight i just want to lose a few pounds that have crept on since having a hysterectomy just over a year ago for cervical cancer.
The thing im not so sure on is do I eat back the exercise calories I gain back or not? Im going to struggle if im meant to do that because 1200 calories is perfect for me, I dont want to be stuffing myself if im not hungry just to eat back the calories.
Many thanks

Replies

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    You certainly should eat some of those calories back. Especially if you're doing intense exercise like rowing.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Ideally yes you should be. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503681/exercise-calories-do-i-eat-these-a-video-explanation
  • bikecheryl
    bikecheryl Posts: 1,432 Member
    I would eat back half...... only because a lot of exercises are over calculating the calories.
  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
    I'm a fellow shortie here. The reality is that the 1200 number gives most of us that are vertically challenged a very small deficit. Especially when we don't have much to lose. When I was losing it did not matter what my activity level was set at, except the most active, my calories given were 1200 for 1 pound a week loss. To lose around 1/2 pound a week I set my calorie goal at 1200 calories and ate back half my exercise calories. On more active weeks my loss was closer to 1 pound though. You really just have to play around with how much of those exercise calories you eat back to get a sustainable weight loss by monitoring your progress.
  • Bekah7482
    Bekah7482 Posts: 246 Member
    I personally dont.

    Right now you are at a good rate of loss for the amount you have to lose. Eating back your exercise cals will create a smaller deficit slowing your weight loss. If what you are doing is working and you are not dizzy/fatigued/hungry then why change it? Seems like you have found what works for you.
  • ccsernica
    ccsernica Posts: 1,040 Member
    edited March 2018
    HelenDaleyGarnett wrote: »
    So I started tracking my food intake about 3 weeks ago now,ive lost 2 pound so far.

    As you say, you are not overweight, so you are actually losing weight at a reasonably fast pace. We would normally expect that rate of weight loss in someone with a lot to lose.

    Others have already answered your question, but I would encourage you to adjust your expectations. Slow and steady does the trick.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    ccsernica wrote: »
    HelenDaleyGarnett wrote: »
    So I started tracking my food intake about 3 weeks ago now,ive lost 2 pound so far.

    As you say, you are not overweight, so you are actually losing weight VERY fast. We would normally expect that rate of weight loss in someone with a lot to lose.

    Others have already answered your question, but I would encourage you to adjust your expectations. Slow and steady does the trick.

    I think she’s saying 2 pounds in three weeks, so .67 pounds per week
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Is your rowing machine a Concept2?
    There's a calorie calculator on their website which allows you to adjust for your weight to make the estimates pretty reasonable.
    Walking is also easy to get a reasonable calorie estimate.

    Don't understand why you are in such a rush with little weight to lose?
    You are going to have to account for your exercise when you get to goal weight so why not now?
  • ccsernica
    ccsernica Posts: 1,040 Member
    malibu927 wrote: »
    ccsernica wrote: »
    HelenDaleyGarnett wrote: »
    So I started tracking my food intake about 3 weeks ago now,ive lost 2 pound so far.

    As you say, you are not overweight, so you are actually losing weight VERY fast. We would normally expect that rate of weight loss in someone with a lot to lose.

    Others have already answered your question, but I would encourage you to adjust your expectations. Slow and steady does the trick.

    I think she’s saying 2 pounds in three weeks, so .67 pounds per week

    True. I'll remove "very". This is still fairly speedy for a shorter person already of healthy weight.
  • HelenDaleyGarnett
    HelenDaleyGarnett Posts: 19 Member
    Thanks all for your replies. With never trying to lose a couple of pounds before I didn’t know what was quick or slow. Guess I’m doing ok!
    As for being in a rush,I am! Holiday to cyprus in 9 weeks is my motivation,want to look good in a bikini!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories