We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

possible silly question

RissaBri88
RissaBri88 Posts: 20 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
sooo i was told ur supposed to intake a minimum of 1200 calories a day but then i just read on some other post that its supposed to be 1200 net calories llike after excercise and stuff. which one is it? 1200 under "food" or "net"? thanks!

Replies

  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    Net.

    But that's just my opinion!
  • Kelly_Wilson1990
    Kelly_Wilson1990 Posts: 3,245 Member
    It depends who you talk to. It is quite a controversy on here. I talked with my doctor and nutritionist and both said you do not have to eat back your exercise calories so I don't. Others do and some only eat some back.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    MFP is set up so that you're always eating net calories. Whether or not you choose to is your decision, but I'd recommend ALWAYS staying above 1200 "gross".
  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    I eat a minimum of 1200 cals a day, but always try to net 1200 cals a day...1000 minimum! Sometimes, I'm just not hungry!
  • choconuts
    choconuts Posts: 208 Member
    I'm still trying to clear the mud in my mind regarding this.

    My daily calories are set to 1200. If I earn 300 exercise, and don't eat them back---I'd only be netting 900. So, this is bad? Or should I/we aim to net at least 1200?
  • JRMcCaghren
    JRMcCaghren Posts: 114
    I would say net calories, because you can burn 1200 calories or more during an intense workout. Your body would not like it if your net calories were negative.
  • fit443
    fit443 Posts: 93 Member
    the first day I exercised and didn't eat up the extra calories, a warning popped up at the bottom of my food diary after I submitted my daily entry. It said that dropping below a net caloric intake of 1200 would put my body into "starvation" mode. A friend of mine who lost weight with a reputable organization confirmed that you should "eat back" your calories from exercise. Feels a bit counter-productive at first, but seems to be working okay.
  • kneeki
    kneeki Posts: 347 Member
    There is no magical amount of calories that every human needs to consume to maintain weight. Everyone's body is different. I recommend getting some calipers and getting a good estimate of your lean mass. Once you do this, you should be able to get that solid number you're looking for. ;)
  • RissaBri88
    RissaBri88 Posts: 20 Member
    I only get the warning if i dont consume a min of 1200 not if im under net-wise... Confusing i guess what im doing is working though im losing weight...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories