Eating Exercise Calories

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MackAttack360
MackAttack360 Posts: 5 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I visited my doctor today who is helping me with my weight loss goals, and explained how MFP wants its users to eat back their exercise calories, and the reasoning behind it . She did not reccommend that I eat back my calories, that I am to stick to 1200-1300 per day, and that if exercising makes me feel a little more hungry or in need of more fuel, then to have a healthy snack. She said that if I have 3 good, healthy, balanced meals a day, containing the proper balance of all nutritional needs, then it is not necessary to continue eating throughout the day, regardless of exercise. Simply, eat your three square meals a day, and if you're legitimately hungry somewhere in between, have a small snack. It would be quite strange for my body to go into "starvation mode" if I was having 3 nutritious meals every day. I will be leaving my calories burned from exercise separate from my daily intake from eating. Does anyone know if it is possible to make it so that my food diary can stay separate from what goes on in my exercise log? I know that it is simple math, but itd be nice to be able to turn off how it includes my exercise calories into what I need to eat that day. Also, is anyone else on here NOT eating back those calories from exercising?

Replies

  • MissingMyOldSelf
    MissingMyOldSelf Posts: 689 Member
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    In hopes of NOT starting any arguments with this topic..... but since you asked, I only eat back my calories if I'm hungry, or feel like I will be hungry before bedtime. If I'm not hungry, I'm not going to force myself to eat when I'm not ready for food. If your doctor put you on specific diet, I'd follow that 100%. Like today, I have 265 extra calories, but I've only got down that I'm going to eat about half of those back. I've got a lot of food on my "menu" for the day already, and I don't know how I'm going to eat the rest of the calories.
  • foremant86
    foremant86 Posts: 1,115 Member
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    Follow the orders of your doctor, it's your prerogative.

    Just remember that doctor's are not nutritionists.

    If you're not going to eat your exercise calories then don't log your exercises, simple as that.

    Perhaps if people on here used the search feature and actually went back and read all of the people who complain about not losing weight and struggling because they only eat 1200 calories and then when people suggest they eat more, and they do, they start dropping the pounds....maybe then people will stop questioning eating exercise calories. but i digress
  • phiddy23
    phiddy23 Posts: 103
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    I don't log my exercises, I just put them in exercise notes so I know I've exercised. I don't put in the calories burned but you easily could. Check out my food diary if you wanna see what I mean.
  • kari1740
    kari1740 Posts: 45 Member
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    I don't eat my exercise calories back either. I see it as I work out to burn the calories, not to workout so I can eat more during the day.
  • gduguay14
    gduguay14 Posts: 1
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    Everyday I make sure I have eaten 1300-1400 calories per day and I don't eat back my calories from exercise...My plan is too lose 10 lbs by New Years, and I feel like with exercise almost everyday and that many calories I can easily stay healthy and lean on my journey!
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
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    Try this.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/390145-should-i-eat-my-exercise-calories
  • strawberryromper
    strawberryromper Posts: 64 Member
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    I would also not log my exercise if that was how I intended to do things. Use fitocracy, another MFP account ooor just don't bother since truly, the bulk of MFP seems to be wrapped up in keeping track of food/nutrition.
  • Misiaxcore
    Misiaxcore Posts: 659 Member
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    Personally, the less I eat the less I lose...
  • mamamialove1
    mamamialove1 Posts: 4
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    i never eat back my exercise cal i thing it defeat the purpose of exercising thats just me .:smile:
  • Kalrez
    Kalrez Posts: 655 Member
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    Ya know how in history class covered a chapter about the Russian revolution? You talked about it for a little while, then went on to something else? That's pretty much all of the nutrition information that doctors get. It's one course amid hundreds. General Practitioners know a little about a lot of stuff, unlike specialists who know a lot about a little.

    I'm not saying to bunk your doctor's advice in favor of MFP's strategy. But when you think about it logically ....

    Eat 1200 calories.
    Work out for an hour or two, burn 2000 calories.
    End the day with -800 calories

    That means you've given your body nothing.

    I don't always eat the entirety of my exercise calories back. But I do eat back enough so that I net between 1200-1500 calories everyday. I want to make sure that I'm feeding my body enough fuel to keep going.
  • michele_lynn
    michele_lynn Posts: 66 Member
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    if you log your exercises in the "strength training" section instead of the "cardio" I'm pretty sure it doesn't count the calories back to you.. haven't tried it, but remember reading somewhere.
  • 4lafz
    4lafz Posts: 1,078 Member
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    Sounds like you WANT to log your exercise - so go ahead and do it. Those calories will just be left over. You will still see your total line (NET) for the calories you wish to consume.
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
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    My Dr. Who is part of a weight loss practice says the same thing. I've seen 2 other DrMs there and they have AAL given me the same response, don't eat them. Stick to the diet you are following. If you are hungry eat more protein to satisfy your hunger.
  • latinahada
    latinahada Posts: 168
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    For me, it's simple...If I'm hungry I may eat some back, if not then I don't. Personally, I eat several times a day and that works for me. Everyone is different. Good luck to you!!
  • SusanMcAvoy
    SusanMcAvoy Posts: 445 Member
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    I try real hard to not eat my exercise calories. Some days I do because I go over but I try to stay between 1200 - 1300 calories. I am healthy and feel nutritionally sound. I would never eat if I wasn't hungry. By the way, I take a multivitamin and fish oil every day. Good luck :flowerforyou:
  • coyoteo
    coyoteo Posts: 532 Member
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    I just try to make sure I get around 1200 calories per day and I don't TRY to eat back my exercise calories, because usually I'm not hungry...and I'm not going to eat if I'm not hungry, that would be counter productive. I think everyone's bodies are different. Do what works for you.
  • Nomomush
    Nomomush Posts: 582 Member
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    That's exactly what my doctor. nutritionist, AND trainer told me. But as you know, there are also LOTs of experts on MFP. We just have to listen to who we individually believe are true experts. For me, it's my doctor, trainer, and nutritionist.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
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    Try this.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/390145-should-i-eat-my-exercise-calories

    nice try but some people like losing muscle. Gives that nice stringy look.

    What kalrez said was correct - You would not believe how many doctors just tell people to eat 1200-1300 calories.

    I mean if its working for you then great, but for most people this is a recipe for failure. I have seen my coworker try twice at her doctors urging and fail. I wish her doctor would tell her to workout so she can eat more and still lose weight -- she struggles and struggles and then binges. My MFP friends who eat that little and don't work out mostly either binge or fall off the wagon or fall into states of exhaustion where they can't workout at all because they aren't getting enough food. The only people who can do it are people with a LOT to lose.
  • foremant86
    foremant86 Posts: 1,115 Member
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    Try this.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/390145-should-i-eat-my-exercise-calories

    nice try but some people like losing muscle. Gives that nice stringy look.

    What kalrez said was correct - You would not believe how many doctors just tell people to eat 1200-1300 calories.

    I mean if its working for you then great, but for most people this is a recipe for failure. I have seen my coworker try twice at her doctors urging and fail. I wish her doctor would tell her to workout so she can eat more and still lose weight -- she struggles and struggles and then binges. My MFP friends who eat that little and don't work out mostly either binge or fall off the wagon or fall into states of exhaustion where they can't workout at all because they aren't getting enough food. The only people who can do it are people with a LOT to lose.

    skinny fat is hot! don't you know!!

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