Net calories and exercise.

hannahro
hannahro Posts: 20 Member
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
My goal for weight loss is to take in 1200 calories daily. Does this mean at the end of the day I need to have a net amount of 1200? If I eat 1200 and burn 500 through exercise should I eat another 500 to prevent myself from entering into starvation mode? I know I need my calorie expenditure to be greater than my calorie intake, but could this be preventing me from losing weight?

Replies

  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    If your goal for the day is 1200 - make sure you NET 1200. So, yes.. if you eat 1200, workout and burn 500, eat another 500 to bring your NET back to 1200.
  • jonikeffer
    jonikeffer Posts: 218 Member
    If your goal for the day is 1200 - make sure you NET 1200. So, yes.. if you eat 1200, workout and burn 500, eat another 500 to bring your NET back to 1200.

    What she said. :smile: Remember, MFP is already building a calorie deficit into the number (1200) is is telling you to eat, so when you exercise, you can eat those back without touching the deficit the system is already building in for you. When you are set to the lowest number(1200) MFP will allow, it is highly advisable that you do make sure to NET that number and eat your exercise calories back. If you were set to eat 1500, you would be safer to not eat them back I'd you didn't want or need to.
  • mark03264
    mark03264 Posts: 334 Member
    If you set up MFP right then the daily calorie goal that MFP gives you already has a calories deficit built in to lose weight. That said, you should be eating close to your calorie goal each day including eating back most of your exercise calories. If you net too far under this goal than you run the risk of slowing or even stopping fat loss.
  • hannahro
    hannahro Posts: 20 Member
    Perfect! That's really helpful! :) So if I eat 1200 and don't workout, I will still be at a caloric deficit, correct?
  • mark03264
    mark03264 Posts: 334 Member
    Perfect! That's really helpful! :) So if I eat 1200 and don't workout, I will still be at a caloric deficit, correct?

    Correct!
  • chloe328
    chloe328 Posts: 2
    Perfect! That's really helpful! :) So if I eat 1200 and don't workout, I will still be at a caloric deficit, correct?

    Just remember it is still a good idea to work out a few times a week!!! Diet is only part of the equation =]
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