Going for a run to make up for going over the limits

nbuuifx
nbuuifx Posts: 23 Member
edited August 2021 in Health and Weight Loss
Is this the correct way to do it?

Basically the family wanted a chippy tea tonight, so I participated and had 300g of deep fried chips and 330g of battered cod. To top it off I had a jam and cream filled doughnut.

At this point I was now over my calorie target and over my fat target for the day.

So I went out and did a fairly fast paced run in a hilly area, which added 800 calories to my target.

Is that an ok way to do it?

The fat is still 17g over the target which I can't do much about.

I also I am now under the calorie target - so should I have more calories to meet it?

I was thinking of having a protein shake with semi skimmed milk, but that will add more to the fat.

I haven't reached the protein goal yet today.

My diary should be public to view.
«1

Replies

  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,845 Member
    Regarding the calories burned by your run, this is a good source to check that high number:
    https://exrx.net/Calculators/WalkRunMETs
    Choose net calories, not gross.
  • nbuuifx
    nbuuifx Posts: 23 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I personally don't do unplanned exercise to make up for anything...I just move on with my life. This can ultimately lead to a bad relationship with food and exercise and using exercise as some kind of punishment or penance for overeating. Regular exercise is something that should just become a part of your life whether you're trying to lose weight or not.

    In the grand scheme of things, going over your target for a day is pretty immaterial...what you're doing most of the time is what is important. Also remember that your calorie target is a deficit, it's not maintenance...in many cases, people go over, but they're still under maintenance or at maintenance when it comes down to it. I would also question the 800 calorie burn for going for a run.

    Calories are what is important for weight management. Your macros and going over on this or that macro is pretty irrelevant.

    I do normally do planned exercise, when in my normal routine with 3 nights of either running or cycling (usually 2 x run & 1x cycle). However I've been in holiday for the last few weeks so things have gone off a little. I enjoy running so don't see it as a punishment.

    I'm sure as you say that one day won't make a huge difference but in many ways it gave me a nudge to run which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.

    I'm interested in your question if the 800 calories is accurate. I realise they are just estimates but they are always relatively close no matter what app I use to track it.

    I weigh around 200lbs and ran for just over 35 minutes at an average of 12.2kph. Distance 7.25km. Elevation gain 250 feet.

    Strava, mapmyrun, and my fitness watch (combined with HR) all give similar calorie estimates. But happy to listen to anything that might show that it is incorrect.

  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Use @Lietchi link provided.

    Throw a 2% grade in if that hilly.

    Confirm using NET - which is what you would want to log into MFP with, because it's already accounting for some calories burned during that time and the logged workout is ADDING to what is there.

    For Fitbit or Garmin or likely other - adding a workout manually REPLACES what was already there, so Gross is fine option there.

    But HR-based calorie burn is likely inflated calorie burn.
    Sure Strava didn't get a data pull from something else? In which case it just uses the calorie burn sent, not it's own calc.

    If the exercise was something you normally would have intended to do anyway, the fact you did it after instead of prior and that was because of this nudge - that's not so bad I think.
    The fact you had a deficit to go through before hitting maintenance helped a lot, so actual overage to maintenance would likely have been minimum.

    Some people though treat the whole thing as comments above described - and they learn to dislike exercise.
    Usually doesn't take long to learn 15 min of eating can become a hard 1 hr workout equal - so better just to carry on and enjoy what you had. If it's not a regular thing or can be accounted for.
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,259 Member
    nbuuifx wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I personally don't do unplanned exercise to make up for anything...I just move on with my life. This can ultimately lead to a bad relationship with food and exercise and using exercise as some kind of punishment or penance for overeating. Regular exercise is something that should just become a part of your life whether you're trying to lose weight or not.

    In the grand scheme of things, going over your target for a day is pretty immaterial...what you're doing most of the time is what is important. Also remember that your calorie target is a deficit, it's not maintenance...in many cases, people go over, but they're still under maintenance or at maintenance when it comes down to it. I would also question the 800 calorie burn for going for a run.

    Calories are what is important for weight management. Your macros and going over on this or that macro is pretty irrelevant.

    I do normally do planned exercise, when in my normal routine with 3 nights of either running or cycling (usually 2 x run & 1x cycle). However I've been in holiday for the last few weeks so things have gone off a little. I enjoy running so don't see it as a punishment.

    I'm sure as you say that one day won't make a huge difference but in many ways it gave me a nudge to run which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.

    I'm interested in your question if the 800 calories is accurate. I realise they are just estimates but they are always relatively close no matter what app I use to track it.

    I weigh around 200lbs and ran for just over 35 minutes at an average of 12.2kph. Distance 7.25km. Elevation gain 250 feet.

    Strava, mapmyrun, and my fitness watch (combined with HR) all give similar calorie estimates. But happy to listen to anything that might show that it is incorrect.

    MFP has already assigned anywhere from BMR * 1.25 /1440 and up to BMR * 1.8 / 1440 to every single minute of that run.

    You have to deduct that pre-assigned amount from the gross burn that you see to find out the actual amount you SHOULD be adding to your eating goals.

    Determining all this SHOULD be something done automatically by MFP (and most other similar websites) .. I've yet to run into one that does it.
  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    Sadly,you lost me when you topped off with a doughnut. After a 1000 cal fish +chips!!
    I can only suggest you look for a mentor who might inspire you.
    G luck
  • nbuuifx
    nbuuifx Posts: 23 Member
    nbuuifx wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I personally don't do unplanned exercise to make up for anything...I just move on with my life. This can ultimately lead to a bad relationship with food and exercise and using exercise as some kind of punishment or penance for overeating. Regular exercise is something that should just become a part of your life whether you're trying to lose weight or not.

    In the grand scheme of things, going over your target for a day is pretty immaterial...what you're doing most of the time is what is important. Also remember that your calorie target is a deficit, it's not maintenance...in many cases, people go over, but they're still under maintenance or at maintenance when it comes down to it. I would also question the 800 calorie burn for going for a run.

    Calories are what is important for weight management. Your macros and going over on this or that macro is pretty irrelevant.

    I do normally do planned exercise, when in my normal routine with 3 nights of either running or cycling (usually 2 x run & 1x cycle). However I've been in holiday for the last few weeks so things have gone off a little. I enjoy running so don't see it as a punishment.

    I'm sure as you say that one day won't make a huge difference but in many ways it gave me a nudge to run which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.

    I'm interested in your question if the 800 calories is accurate. I realise they are just estimates but they are always relatively close no matter what app I use to track it.

    I weigh around 200lbs and ran for just over 35 minutes at an average of 12.2kph. Distance 7.25km. Elevation gain 250 feet.

    Strava, mapmyrun, and my fitness watch (combined with HR) all give similar calorie estimates. But happy to listen to anything that might show that it is incorrect.

    800 calories for a 35 minute run @ 200 pounds?

    no way. im not a runner but that cant be right.

    at 182 pounds, female i burn (give or take) 350 MAYBE 400 calories (if it is a harder workout than average) in an HOUR on the elliptical. now, i will say my metabolism is a bit lower than the average, and that calorie burn also has to do with intensity levels (which is an autoprogrammed 'variety' mode of a medium type intensity) but I dont know that I can see 800 calories in a half hour for a run. Maybe someone can educate me on that if it is indeed a possibility for an average runner.

    It depends completely on the intensity of your workout. I'm by no means the fastest runner, however the average speed of runners for my age (for a 5km) is around 11 minutes per mile. I'm running at less than 8 mins per mile on a 7km run. So it is more intense than an average run. I would call it high intensity exercise.

    Looking at it I do think that as suggested above Strava is probably including the calories that would have been burnt anyway which MFP had already accounted for once.

    I've checked out a few calculators and given my speed, weight, distance, time and elevation gain. They come out between 600 and 750 calories.

    I could easily spend an hour on a cross trainer and only burn 400 calories but I also wouldn't feel it anywhere near as much as going for a run.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    While logically there's no real difference between limiting your intake to create a deficit and increasing your output to create a deficit, I have to agree with those who say there could be a tendency in this approach to creating an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise.
  • ToffeeApple71
    ToffeeApple71 Posts: 121 Member
    I have often exercised to get more calories so I can have a specific treat or meal. I usually plan ahead rather than run retrospectively but if you enjoy running, and would have stressed out about eating too many calories if you hadn't run, I don't see a problem. I do enjoy running usually... otherwise I would choose another exercise or forego the treat.

    I wouldn't then go and have a protein shake to meet my new calorie allowance though, only because I don't ever eat 100% of my exercise calories in case there's an error in my calculations. However, if you were hungry, trust your calculations, and are sure you would meet your deficit target, go for it.
  • nbuuifx
    nbuuifx Posts: 23 Member
    I've done exactly what you're describing, but I don't recommend it. It's a slippery slope, and ultimately, I couldn't outrun my fork.

    I changed my calorie goal to a TDEE estimate instead of NEAT so that I wouldn't be tempted to run myself into an injury, trying to allow for more food.

    To be honest on a day to day basis, the calorie goal is easily achievable and I tend to be a little under since starting watching it. I do think I'm eating less between meals since watching though which is probably what is making a difference combined with making tweaks to what I was reading which is hopefully leaving me feeling fuller. So on a normal day I don't really need to do anything additional to buy calories.

    Next week when I get back into my normal routine, I'll be running and cycling weekly again. I enjoy exercise, it is my way of clearing my mind after a busy day at work. I've always run with a rest day in-between to ensure my muscles have chance to recover but would happily run every day. I was looking at a training programme where the rest days included a slow jog instead of a fast run, and they believed that the slow jog actually aided recovery more than complete rest and helped to build a better base level of fitness.

    So I might look into doing a couple of km on the rest days too.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    edited August 2021
    nbuuifx wrote: »
    I've always run with a rest day in-between to ensure my muscles have chance to recover but would happily run every day. I was looking at a training programme where the rest days included a slow jog instead of a fast run, and they believed that the slow jog actually aided recovery more than complete rest and helped to build a better base level of fitness.

    So I might look into doing a couple of km on the rest days too.

    as i said, im not a runner, so what i know is based off being friends with some of the weirdos i mean lovely people. ;)

    i know that (it seems to be the norm) that when training for longer race, at least, they do alternate between longer runs and shorter. I am positive there a reason for this. I do not know what it is, I presume to not overtrain the muscles/ stress them/ some similar reason.

    working out in general.., many people do still do some sort of activity on their rest days. whether it is a walk or light jog - something to be active still, just not quite the workout that is typical. nothing strenuous or taxing, more of a warm up pace type thing.

  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    nbuuifx wrote: »
    I've done exactly what you're describing, but I don't recommend it. It's a slippery slope, and ultimately, I couldn't outrun my fork.

    I changed my calorie goal to a TDEE estimate instead of NEAT so that I wouldn't be tempted to run myself into an injury, trying to allow for more food.

    To be honest on a day to day basis, the calorie goal is easily achievable and I tend to be a little under since starting watching it. I do think I'm eating less between meals since watching though which is probably what is making a difference combined with making tweaks to what I was reading which is hopefully leaving me feeling fuller. So on a normal day I don't really need to do anything additional to buy calories.

    Next week when I get back into my normal routine, I'll be running and cycling weekly again. I enjoy exercise, it is my way of clearing my mind after a busy day at work. I've always run with a rest day in-between to ensure my muscles have chance to recover but would happily run every day. I was looking at a training programme where the rest days included a slow jog instead of a fast run, and they believed that the slow jog actually aided recovery more than complete rest and helped to build a better base level of fitness.

    So I might look into doing a couple of km on the rest days too.

    Sounds like you've got the nutrition in better check than I did - carry on!

    If it changes, and you're running more miles than you can handle because Food Is Awesome, and More Is Better, consider if a static goal number is a better option.

    I have a love/hate thing about running. I'm in the middle of marathon training, and if I didn't need to lose a few more pounds, I'd be adding to the goal to support it, instead of just overeating and hoping that next week I'll actually log properly. (Oops - and then the mask mandate is back, here in Illinois, so I'm adding some stress eating - but that's not at all connected to your question... sorry)

    If it's an occasional thing, and you don't have trouble running on a full stomach like that, I'm not going to tell you to stop. And who am I to tell you that, anyway? This is YOUR nutrition strategy - you do you. Thank you for considering our advice.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    cw106 wrote: »
    Sadly,you lost me when you topped off with a doughnut. After a 1000 cal fish +chips!!
    I can only suggest you look for a mentor who might inspire you.
    G luck

    My partner's brother's family does this sort of thing all the time. In fact, replace "doughnut" with "cupcake" and his nephew did this exact same thing Monday. I feel nauseous just thinking about it.

    Disclaimer, I'm the sort of person who always feels unwell after large meals, and the thought of OMAD makes me feel queasy as well.

    However, I realize plenty of people are fine with large meals. Often they accommodate by skipping meals that day or the next day. So I try not to project My Way onto other people :)

    A run afterwards would feel punitive to me, but as it clearly does not to the OP, and he also made no mention of feeling unwell after the meal, as far as I'm concerned, he made the right decision for this day.
  • Fatgonegirl
    Fatgonegirl Posts: 126 Member
    nbuuifx wrote: »
    Is this the correct way to do it?

    Basically, the family wanted a chippy tea tonight, so I participated and had 300g of deep fried chips and 330g of battered cod. To top it off I had a jam and cream filled doughnut.

    This is where you went wrong! Never eat cod, it's a bottom feeder riddled with parasites. Stick to chippy battered haddock! :)
  • WholeFoods4Lyfe
    WholeFoods4Lyfe Posts: 1,518 Member
    Honestly, what you did is considered "disordered" and is actually very concerning. You are in essence punishing yourself for eating food and is not healthy, especially long term. You need to work on your relationship with food so that "going off plan" isn't the end of the world. You should be able to enjoy your food, and if that means going over sometimes, than so be it. Have you ever considered therapy to address your relationship with food?
  • Fatgonegirl
    Fatgonegirl Posts: 126 Member
    I come from a North Sea fishing community that catches and processes all types of fish. I agree the parasites are unable to infect humans and if you at happy to eat them great. I can tell you that none of us eats cod. If you think haddock is as bad ask a North Sea fisherman what he has for his fish supper.