Negative Net cals

user20012001
user20012001 Posts: 22 Member
edited September 2021 in Health and Weight Loss
I’m 110 pounds right now and usually have a negative net calorie intake, or about a 200 net calorie weekly average. This is just the difference between my exercise and food intake not including metabolism or anything. Is having the average net calories be negative good? Will it speed weight loss?

Replies

  • TwistedSassette
    TwistedSassette Posts: 8,825 Member
    Even if you DID have weight to lose, this is a dangerous approach. You're either not eating enough for your body to function, or you're overexercising which can result in injury, or both. Either way, it is not sustainable and it is not healthy. Your body needs proper fuelling to sustain itself, and if you're exercising a lot (which it sounds like you are), then even more so.
  • KickassAmazon76
    KickassAmazon76 Posts: 4,678 Member
    Can you clarify what you mean by negative net calorie intake?

    Are you talking about logging your food in MFP using their guidlines, adding in your exercise, and being about 200 cals under whatever calorie goal they recommend?
    - i.e. MFP recommends 1500, you exercise 250 (so you could eat 1750) and you only eat 1500, therefore being in a deficit of 250 cals)

    - or, MFP recommends 1200, you exercise 1500 and don't eat anything leaving you with having burned 300 more calories than you ate all day

    If it's the first, then that's not bad (though the goal calcs are assuming you break even and therefore you could have eaten 250.

    If it's the scond, then I would say that is not only a bad idea, but incredibly dangerous and could lead to significant health issues.
  • user20012001
    user20012001 Posts: 22 Member
    Can you clarify what you mean by negative net calorie intake?

    Are you talking about logging your food in MFP using their guidlines, adding in your exercise, and being about 200 cals under whatever calorie goal they recommend?
    - i.e. MFP recommends 1500, you exercise 250 (so you could eat 1750) and you only eat 1500, therefore being in a deficit of 250 cals)

    - or, MFP recommends 1200, you exercise 1500 and don't eat anything leaving you with having burned 300 more calories than you ate all day

    If it's the first, then that's not bad (though the goal calcs are assuming you break even and therefore you could have eaten 250.

    If it's the scond, then I would say that is not only a bad idea, but incredibly dangerous and could lead to significant health issues.


    The second one I exercise off about 1200 then eat 1000
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,106 Member
    Can you clarify what you mean by negative net calorie intake?

    Are you talking about logging your food in MFP using their guidlines, adding in your exercise, and being about 200 cals under whatever calorie goal they recommend?
    - i.e. MFP recommends 1500, you exercise 250 (so you could eat 1750) and you only eat 1500, therefore being in a deficit of 250 cals)

    - or, MFP recommends 1200, you exercise 1500 and don't eat anything leaving you with having burned 300 more calories than you ate all day

    If it's the first, then that's not bad (though the goal calcs are assuming you break even and therefore you could have eaten 250.

    If it's the scond, then I would say that is not only a bad idea, but incredibly dangerous and could lead to significant health issues.

    You need more data to make this statement, as it matters both what goal the person in question originally set (e.g., they could have said they want to lose 2 lbs a week and the 1500 goal could already represent a 1000 calorie deficit that already might not be advisable) and their current height and weight (e.g., they might already be underweight.
  • user20012001
    user20012001 Posts: 22 Member
    I have it set to loose 2 pounds per week and my goal calorie intake is 1270 ish according to MFP, and im about 5’5 and female
    Can you clarify what you mean by negative net calorie intake?

    Are you talking about logging your food in MFP using their guidlines, adding in your exercise, and being about 200 cals under whatever calorie goal they recommend?
    - i.e. MFP recommends 1500, you exercise 250 (so you could eat 1750) and you only eat 1500, therefore being in a deficit of 250 cals)

    - or, MFP recommends 1200, you exercise 1500 and don't eat anything leaving you with having burned 300 more calories than you ate all day

    If it's the first, then that's not bad (though the goal calcs are assuming you break even and therefore you could have eaten 250.

    If it's the scond, then I would say that is not only a bad idea, but incredibly dangerous and could lead to significant health issues.

    You need more data to make this statement, as it matters both what goal the person in question originally set (e.g., they could have said they want to lose 2 lbs a week and the 1500 goal could already represent a 1000 calorie deficit that already might not be advisable) and their current height and weight (e.g., they might already be underweight.

  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,912 Member
    edited September 2021
    Being underweight already, setting your weight loss rate at 2lbs per week is a really really bad idea. On top of that you're not even reaching the 1270 calories MFP has given you as a goal for that dangerous weight loss rate.

    You're not reacting to all of the comments stating you should not lose weight. Do you understand what we're saying and why?
  • KickassAmazon76
    KickassAmazon76 Posts: 4,678 Member
    Can you clarify what you mean by negative net calorie intake?

    Are you talking about logging your food in MFP using their guidlines, adding in your exercise, and being about 200 cals under whatever calorie goal they recommend?
    - i.e. MFP recommends 1500, you exercise 250 (so you could eat 1750) and you only eat 1500, therefore being in a deficit of 250 cals)

    - or, MFP recommends 1200, you exercise 1500 and don't eat anything leaving you with having burned 300 more calories than you ate all day

    If it's the first, then that's not bad (though the goal calcs are assuming you break even and therefore you could have eaten 250.

    If it's the scond, then I would say that is not only a bad idea, but incredibly dangerous and could lead to significant health issues.

    You need more data to make this statement, as it matters both what goal the person in question originally set (e.g., they could have said they want to lose 2 lbs a week and the 1500 goal could already represent a 1000 calorie deficit that already might not be advisable) and their current height and weight (e.g., they might already be underweight.

    Yes, in retrospect, I did not word that the way I intended. Thank you for calling it out. I was comparing the two in my head and comparatively, the first was better than the second. But both are bad for the op. That is not nearly enough intake to fuel their body and they could do serious harm to themselves if they keep it up. 😞
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,912 Member
    I think you're well on your way with your appointment, the first step is realising you need help.
    Wishing you well!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,787 Member
    Update. Thank you everyone for the advice, support, and answers. I have an appointment for next week with a therapist who will helpfully recommend a good nutritionist as well. Now hopefully I start a muscle gain journey instead of continuing weight loss. I will try to change my mindset around food and body image, thank you all. Any advice for upcoming journey is greatly appreciated!

    Hooray: That's the perfect strategy, under the circumstances!

    Wishing you the best possible positive outcome from this good plan!
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,437 Member
    Update. Thank you everyone for the advice, support, and answers. I have an appointment for next week with a therapist who will helpfully recommend a good nutritionist as well. Now hopefully I start a muscle gain journey instead of continuing weight loss. I will try to change my mindset around food and body image, thank you all. Any advice for upcoming journey is greatly appreciated!

    Whew. Thank you for checking back in. Seems like maybe you are among the few people who get unexpected responses and take them with the love that they were given with. Your success awaits! Keep up the exercise and also give your body the time to rest and recover that it needs. Just be sure to fuel that body too. It will serve you well when you do.
  • user20012001
    user20012001 Posts: 22 Member
    mtaratoot wrote: »
    Whew. Thank you for checking back in. Seems like maybe you are among the few people who get unexpected responses and take them with the love that they were given with. Your success awaits! Keep up the exercise and also give your body the time to rest and recover that it needs. Just be sure to fuel that body too. It will serve you well when you do.

    I hope so! It will be a difficult journey I think, I appreciate everyones honesty and help. Maybe I will start to feel better, but I think its a lot a mental game at this point :)

  • KickassAmazon76
    KickassAmazon76 Posts: 4,678 Member
    mtaratoot wrote: »
    Whew. Thank you for checking back in. Seems like maybe you are among the few people who get unexpected responses and take them with the love that they were given with. Your success awaits! Keep up the exercise and also give your body the time to rest and recover that it needs. Just be sure to fuel that body too. It will serve you well when you do.

    I hope so! It will be a difficult journey I think, I appreciate everyones honesty and help. Maybe I will start to feel better, but I think its a lot a mental game at this point :)

    Congratulations on seeking some help! That is huge and awesome!!! :heart:

    In the interim, I would strongly recommend setting your rate of loss to NO MORE THAN a half pound a week, and then eating enough food to hit that goal PLUS whatever exercise calories you burn.

    Please don't keep eating and exercising the way you have been... even for a short period, it could have devastating and long lasting effects.

    Big hugs to you.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,106 Member
    Update. Thank you everyone for the advice, support, and answers. I have an appointment for next week with a therapist who will helpfully recommend a good nutritionist as well. Now hopefully I start a muscle gain journey instead of continuing weight loss. I will try to change my mindset around food and body image, thank you all. Any advice for upcoming journey is greatly appreciated!

    Sounds like a great plan! Best of luck! I think you got some recommendations on the recomp process in another thread, so that should be useful.