help! confused by exercise calories/under calorie goal

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wallacam194
wallacam194 Posts: 91
in Health and Weight Loss
serious question... am i supposed to eat what i burn off exercising because when i log for the day it tells me i am under my calorie goal and it will make me gain weight because im putting my body in starvation mode. can anyone clarify this for me? is it bad to be under my calorie goal? i am supposed to be taking in 1800 cals a day and trying to lose 70+ lbs. i run/walk at least 2 miles 2-4 miles a day and seem to always be under my calorie goal for about 500 cals. should i eat those 500 cals that i have left over from excersising or no?

Replies

  • kayelrick
    kayelrick Posts: 31 Member
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    Some people do and some people don't. This site recommends that you do. However I don't unless I am still hungry . . . .
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
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    eat them, but its only 500 calories. I wouldn't sweat it.
  • vintx
    vintx Posts: 34
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    make sure you are at least eating 1200 cals a day so you don't go into starvation mode. as to eating back the calories you burn off, that is up to you. for me, it depends on the day and my hunger level. if i'm not hungry, i don't eat them which will probably (hopefully) equate to weight loss.

    good luck on your goals! :)
  • Dexy_
    Dexy_ Posts: 593 Member
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    Unless you are full, I'd reccomend eating at least half. I usually eat all of them 'cause I'm hungry :)
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
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    Here ...read this old forum post...answer there. very scientific! basically if you're BMI is in normal range then YES... If overweight and heavier you can afford not to so long as it's not outside of what your body needs too much... anyway...all there!


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo
  • chubiD
    chubiD Posts: 260
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    I think you should at least eat 50% of you excercise calories. I've been doing that (even eating all of them) and losing weight. You're already in a calorie deficit, so don't be hard on yourself.
  • Nanyamka92
    Nanyamka92 Posts: 1
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    what is recommended is that you do not eat less then 1200 calories a day. if you do then that is starvation mode for your body and then your muscles are being consumed by your body. if your calorie goal is 1800 and you burn 500 then you have eaten 1300 calories for the day which is fine. however if you feel hungry and your still under your 1800 then get a healthy snack. this thing avergaes out what you should and shouldn't go over based on the information you first provide. keep in mind that this is your body and you set your own goals.
  • tristalyn5314
    tristalyn5314 Posts: 9
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    I go to a specialist and Im trying to lose around the same amount of weight as you mfp says my daily cal intake should be around 1800 before exercise my doctor put me on 1600 and told me not to eat my exercise calories I usually exercise 70mins a day on the elliptical burning around 840cal but I keep my intake under 1600 and I lost 25lbs the first month when you have more weight to lose you lose more rapidly in the beginning so why not take full advantage.
  • frycase
    frycase Posts: 43
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    It's just warning you that you're TOO far under your calorie goal. I'm quite often under mine too, but I usually don't get the warning. I only got it once when I was WAY under my goal for a day. I'd say you're probably fine to keep going the way you are, just keep an eye on your weight loss. Mind you, I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist or anything, but I *am* a random person from the internet, so almost the same thing, right? :D
  • Dexy_
    Dexy_ Posts: 593 Member
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    The point of eating back exercise calories is that you stay HEALTHY! You may lose weight a little bit slower, but you don't want to end up what we call "skinny fat" losing weight properly takes TIME. Don't cheat your body!
  • IceQueen327
    IceQueen327 Posts: 10 Member
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    bump
  • missikay1970
    missikay1970 Posts: 588 Member
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    i was eating them back but now i don't. i'm losing much easier now. i eat 1400 calories per day, and do not factor in my work-out/exercise at all. (meaning, if i "earn" 300 calories through exercise, i still only eat 1400 calories)

    good luck :smile:
  • wallacam194
    wallacam194 Posts: 91
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    thanks for the help everyone! i understand a lot better now! :) good luck everyone!!!
  • audaciousred
    audaciousred Posts: 6
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    I've been trying to solve this mystery forever! I went to a nutritionist this week and she said that women should not eat exercise calories - within reason (if you're burning 1000 calories a day or something, then that's another story...). I weigh 166 and am aiming for 150 pounds. So I'm eating 1500 calories a day and she wants me to burn 2000 calories a week. I'm aiming for about .75 pd loss a week. She said men have more leeway with exercise calories, but unfotunately women don't get that advantage:-)

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