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    Burning big, eating little..

    Posts: 2,046 Member
    edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
    Most days im burning 700,800-1000 calories a day and most days I feel like i have to force myself to eat extra calories to meet my 1200 net. Should i try to lower the burns and eat to balance it out or can i still eat my calorie range (1500-1800) and get by if i have days with bigger burns?

    Feel free to look at my diary...I do eat in moderation and still have my favorite food/treats if i have the calories in them--my sodium is good on most days, but i do have my days i go way over.

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    Replies

    • Posts: 327 Member
      My own opinion is that, if you're eating 1500-1800 a day, you don't have to worry about eating back all your exercise calories - unless you start feeling hungry. Just make sure you're eating a balanced diet, getting all the nutrients - lots of protein and lots of vegies, a few carbs from complex sources like whole grains - and drink lots of water, I think you should be fine.
    • Posts: 497 Member
      I don't net 1,200. I eat as much as I need to not be hungry, usually 1,500-1,800, and exercise 800-1,200. As long as I am eating more than 1,200 and not starving myself, and still feel able to hard-core cardio and strength train, then I see no reason to force myself to eat more and I definitely won't exercise less :) Sometimes I splurge and go way over on calories, but usually because of a reason - bday party, friend invites me out to dinner, too much wine, etc.

      This has worked for me for the last 3 months - 13 weeks, 15 pounds lost. I was aiming for a pound a week so this is perfect. Add me as a friend if you want to chat more or take a look at my diary :)
    • Posts: 62 Member
      You need to find what is working for you and stick to it. Many on this board are going to tell you to eat more. My advice is don't force feed yourself. My wife took the advice of those on here and ate her exercise calories back and upped her calories only to be met by consistent weight gain. We have adjusted her calories down and she is losing again. I am sure many will disagree with me but you need to find what works for you. Remember everyone has a different metabolism and what works for some may not work for another.
    • Posts: 114
      Trust your body - do not force yourself to eat. Studies support that you can go as low as 700 calories net, without an issue of a change to your metabolism. MFP is very conservative.
    • Posts: 12,294 Member
      how are you calculating calories burned? If you are not using a HRM you are probably over estimating.
      And are you weighing and measuring all your food? If not you are probably under estimating
    • Posts: 12,294 Member
      Trust your body - do not force yourself to eat. Studies support that you can go as low as 700 calories net, without an issue of a change to your metabolism. MFP is very conservative.

      Maybe if you have 100+ lbs to lose. If I went on 700 cals net I would lose muscle as I don't have much fat, and losing muscle is one of the ways your metabolism slows down. so 700 may be safe for some people and others may need 1600 Net.
    • Posts: 6,128 Member
      I never ate back all of my calories on big burn days (unless it's a weekend, then I drink a substantial portion of them), I aim for eating back half when I was in weightloss mode. I have found that as I've lost the weight and am now in maintenance those big burns are harder to come by, and I'm hungrier than ever.
    • Posts: 336 Member
      I generally burn 1000-1100 cals a day and I rarely eat over 1200 cals total -- not net. On long run days, I'll eat more protein, but still pay attention to calorie intake.

      126 days, 38 lb down and gone from unable to run to my mailbox at the end of my short driveway to running 13.7 miles on Saturday. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat. My body can feast on the abundance of "extra" I have *hanging* around -- if you know what I mean. :)
    • Posts: 12,294 Member
      I generally burn 1000-1100 cals a day and I rarely eat over 1200 cals total -- not net. On long run days, I'll eat more protein, but still pay attention to calorie intake.

      126 days, 38 lb down and gone from unable to run to my mailbox at the end of my short driveway to running 13.7 miles on Saturday. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat. My body can feast on the abundance of "extra" I have *hanging* around -- if you know what I mean. :)

      Now since you only have 20 lbs to go you will be losing a lot of muscle eating less than 1200 Net. the less you have to lose the smaller your caloric deficit should be. I would suggest either burn less or start eating more now to avoid losing a large % of lean muscle.
    • Posts: 2,046 Member
      I wear a HRM (Polar FT4), sometimes I use MFP when my HRM is acting up..(not wanting to register the heart beat) and I try to weigh my stuff on my food scale (I own the same one the biggest loser contestants use) and when i see the serving amount, and amount on the food scale--it doesn't sound right..i dunno..
    • Posts: 422 Member
      If you are feeling worn down and have little energy, I would say to eat more. If you are feeling good and strong I wouldn't worry about it! I am a big burner as well and I never hit my net calories. I have found that as long as I consume between 1400-1800 calories(NOT NET) I feel my best. You just need to listen to your body... it will always let you know!
    • Posts: 114
      You need to find what is working for you and stick to it. Many on this board are going to tell you to eat more. My advice is don't force feed yourself. My wife took the advice of those on here and ate her exercise calories back and upped her calories only to be met by consistent weight gain. We have adjusted her calories down and she is losing again. I am sure many will disagree with me but you need to find what works for you. Remember everyone has a different metabolism and what works for some may not work for another.

      Yep, I'm the wife! I found it really hard to eat back the calories...I was full! I found it very detrimental to force feed myself. I don't know where the magic # of 1200 came from, because it's different for everyone. Listen to your body, consult your Dr and a nutritionist if you feel you should.
    • Posts: 19
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