To eat or not to eat...

grimm1974
grimm1974 Posts: 337 Member
edited October 3 in Food and Nutrition
Okay, so I've never exercised much. I am looking to lose over 100lbs, so I have a large calorie intake currently of 1950 calories due to my size. So, here is my problem. I've began doing walks every day. Today , I did a 5 mile walk as well as some exercises on the Wii Fit. For today, I have only taken in a net of 580 calories due to burning off around 900 calories. I've eaten plenty. I do not even feel like eating. Should I actually force myself to eat even though I have absolutely no hunger? I've never been a big eater despite what my size says. I've just always taken in a lot of empty calories due to sodas. I just really want to avoid messing up my metabolism.

Replies

  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I think that with as much weight as you have to lose, it is okay to not eat the exercise calories back. But I could be wrong, and I've always eaten mine....
  • nkziv
    nkziv Posts: 161 Member
    I'd say no. Listen to your body.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I'd say listen to your body as well. If you've been eating good foods instead of empty calories, your tummy is probably nice and satisfied, even with the low net calories for the day. :)
  • grimm1974
    grimm1974 Posts: 337 Member
    Sounds reasonable. I guess I just never expected that this would be my problem once I start counting calories. I used to get 0 exercise and drink like 4-5 sodas a day. By adding exercise and kicking the sodas to the curb, I've dropped around 1300 calories a day from my diet. I guess I've just never done the math until now.
  • jodiekm
    jodiekm Posts: 12
    Only when I stopped eating my exercise calories did I really start losing. I think you are fine being under your allotted calories. It takes alot of calories for your body to go into the "starvation mode". Good luck.
  • girard5
    girard5 Posts: 109 Member
    In my opinion you need to eat to lose. If you are in that big of a deficit on a daily basis my mind tells me your body is in starvation mode and this might lead to (if it hasn't already) slow or no weight loss. I would suggest to try more smaller meals throughout the day to rev your metabolism and make sure you are eating a good mix of healthy carbs, lean protein and veggies throughout the day and a few servings of fruit as well. Good luck!!!
  • silkysly
    silkysly Posts: 701 Member
    What are you eating now? (Your diary is hidden) Are you eating healthy or are you just eating by the numbers? (I mean you don't care, just staying under your calories.) You might want to consider eating healthy including drinking lots of water. You need to take in the necessary calories too. It’s important.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    There's a difference between not eating back your exercise calories and netting below a healthy level. I think it's safer to at least net 1200 calories. I would hope the people who argue NOT eating back their exercise calories are at least netting 1200.
  • deegarcia19
    deegarcia19 Posts: 98
    Don't eat any of your exercise calories. When you put your workout into your phone, do it just for the satisfaction and to see at the end of the day what you would weigh in "5" weeks. Don't eat those calories.
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    Don't eat any of your exercise calories. When you put your workout into your phone, do it just for the satisfaction and to see at the end of the day what you would weigh in "5" weeks. Don't eat those calories.

    Really bad advice. If that's what works for you, fine, but in general this is misinformation -- please don't spread it.

    However, to the OP -- if you are truly not hungry today, don't eat any more. But you shouldn't make it a habit to net that low. Try introducing some healthy calorific foods, like nuts and nut butters.

    And congratulations on going cold turkey on soda. Excellent :)
  • healthybabs
    healthybabs Posts: 600 Member
    I also have about another 100 to lose. Do eat what MFP recommends on a daily basis. Many days I do not eat back my exercise calories but I do eat my recommended 1450. When I do eat them back, I have had a really strenuous workout and I am hungry enough to do it. Stick with your complex carbs, lean proteins, fruits and veg and by all means stay off the soda. I am not a soda drinker but I do love sweets (ice cream, chocolate anything). I started taking L-glutamine which has really helped to curb my sugar cravings. It is a nutritional supplement, not a drug or anything like that. You might want to ask your doc if it is ok for you to take something like that if you are having a hard time with sugar.
    Feel free to add me as a friend, but I would ask that you open up your food diary so when you ask for some suggestions, others can help you out.
  • deegarcia19
    deegarcia19 Posts: 98
    Don't eat any of your exercise calories. When you put your workout into your phone, do it just for the satisfaction and to see at the end of the day what you would weigh in "5" weeks. Don't eat those calories.

    Really bad advice. If that's what works for you, fine, but in general this is misinformation -- please don't spread it.

    However, to the OP -- if you are truly not hungry today, don't eat any more. But you shouldn't make it a habit to net that low. Try introducing some healthy calorific foods, like nuts and nut butters.

    And congratulations on going cold turkey on soda. Excellent :)

    How is this misinformation? Why would you eat your exercise calories? If you are eating enough food calories theres absolutely no need to eat your exercise calories. Maybe you should do some research.
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    Don't eat any of your exercise calories. When you put your workout into your phone, do it just for the satisfaction and to see at the end of the day what you would weigh in "5" weeks. Don't eat those calories.

    Really bad advice. If that's what works for you, fine, but in general this is misinformation -- please don't spread it.

    However, to the OP -- if you are truly not hungry today, don't eat any more. But you shouldn't make it a habit to net that low. Try introducing some healthy calorific foods, like nuts and nut butters.

    And congratulations on going cold turkey on soda. Excellent :)

    How is this misinformation? Why would you eat your exercise calories? If you are eating enough food calories theres absolutely no need to eat your exercise calories. Maybe you should do some research.

    Maybe you should. :)

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo
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