Too many exercise calories????

weaverc · April 2009

I am allowed 1200 calories per day. I exercise probably 5-6 days a week and burn anywhere from 400-750 calories during a workout. Of course, all of those burned calories are added for my calorie intake for the day. If I end up with 1900 calories to eat, that just seems like too much to me. I have a hard time consuming that much food. I am also struggling to lose weight. I haven't lost anything in probably 2-3 week.s Would it be better for me to just eat maybe half of my exercise calories? I have read the posts on eating your exercise calories and I get the theory behind it. Should I cut back on my exercise because I go way over what MFP recommends for me? I love exericising so I would hate to cut back on that, but something isn't clicking because I am not taking off weight. Any suggestions or advice would be awesome.

weaverc · April 2009

I am allowed 1200 calories per day. I exercise probably 5-6 days a week and burn anywhere from 400-750 calories during a workout. Of course, all of those burned calories are added for my calorie intake for the day. If I end up with 1900 calories to eat, that just seems like too much to me. I have a hard time consuming that much food. I am also struggling to lose weight. I haven't lost anything in probably 2-3 week.s Would it be better for me to just eat maybe half of my exercise calories? I have read the posts on eating your exercise calories and I get the theory behind it. Should I cut back on my exercise because I go way over what MFP recommends for me? I love exericising so I would hate to cut back on that, but something isn't clicking because I am not taking off weight. Any suggestions or advice would be awesome.

Dave198lbs · April 2009

"CHRISSY...HAND ME THE BIG KNIFE!!!"
I'M GONNA CUT MY THROAT"

(nick cage in Monnstruck)

kerrilucko · April 2009

weaverc · April 2009

Although it has been tough, I have been trying to eat all of my exercise calories.

sonjavon · April 2009

First - I see that you joined this month, how long have you been working out and trying to lose? (Oh, and welcome!) It's not unusual to go a month without losing anything - it doesn't mean that you're doing anything wrong, sometimes it just takes your body a while to catch up.

Second - I see that you have 30 lbs to lose... the less you have to lose the slower it will come off. Particularly if you have not been in the habit of eating enough.

Third - The more you exercise, the more fuel your body needs. The more you exercise, the more muscle you build - you may be replacing fat with muscle. Don't fret - that's a good thing!

Fourth - Everyone has an opinion on the exercise calories thing.... you will either agree or disagree. Experiment yourself and find out what your body reacts best to... I eat my exercise calories and find that I lose more weight if I eat more.

Fifth - Make sure that you're drinking enough water and eating enough fiber to clean your system out.

helenwood101 · April 2009

Try measuring youself instead. Like whats said above it could be muscle thats making you think you're not loosing fat.

weaverc · April 2009

I did just start with MFP within the last month, however I have been working on my own up till now since January. I fluctuate slightly, but for the most part I have lost about 13lbs since January. I started MFP because I had stalled on the weight loss....and I am still at the same weight. I know it takes time, but I like immediate gratification so it's hard for me to wait.

chrissyh · April 2009

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

"CHRISSY...HAND ME THE BIG KNIFE!!!"
I'M GONNA CUT MY THROAT"

(nick cage in Monnstruck)

Easy now Dave!!!!!

I know what I need to do too but doesn't make it easier for me to eat those calories....I've really been working on it and I still this week was 3/7 days below 1200 due to exercise....I am addicted to exercising at this point and looking for ways to get more calories without blowing it back to old habits....I ate like crap for years it's hard to just turn a switch and change.

soxygirl · April 2009

This may go against the theories out there, but I say listen to your body -- if you're not hungry, don't eat! I look at my exercise calories as an allowance . . . if I am still hungry on the days I exercise or if I want a treat then great, but if I am full I don't force it. The point is to not starve your body, and if your body feels satisfied, it probably is.

However, if I burn a LOT of calories in one workout and I'm still not hungry, I'll have a protein shake to make up for some of it. This is not a perfect science -- it's really about what works for your body, your metabolism, and your lifestyle.

beckyi88 · April 2009

I am new as well, this is only my first week and I'm just going to see what works for me.
Sunday I was over by 500 calories but it was my day off exercise and overall for me it was a great calorie day...1700 total. I'm eating around 1800 calories most days which is a huge reduction for me (probably at least 1000 calories a day less than what I had been consuming). My exercise allotment has been anywhere from 900 - 1600 calories a day which puts me at a daily total allotment of 2100 - 2800. I know I won't lose weight on that intake...I've been trying since August.
I like the approach of using the MFP exercise calories as an allowance. Some days I may want to eat them all, but some days I may not. I think we just have to figure out what balance is best for each of us.

Good luck to you and please know you aren't alone in your confusion!
(yes, I have read the links and info, so I comprehend the theory and science, but it is still an unbelievable concept to me that I can lose weight on 2200-2800 calories a day, when I haven't done that in the past, sorry if we newbies are getting on some of your nerves with our questions! Just avoid our posts if we annoy you.
Please be patient with us...everyone was new once.:flowerforyou: )
Congratulations on your weight loss so far!

ce_fit · April 2009

I am allowed 1200 calories per day. I exercise probably 5-6 days a week and burn anywhere from 400-750 calories during a workout. Of course, all of those burned calories are added for my calorie intake for the day. If I end up with 1900 calories to eat, that just seems like too much to me. I have a hard time consuming that much food. I am also struggling to lose weight. I haven't lost anything in probably 2-3 week.s Would it be better for me to just eat maybe half of my exercise calories? I have read the posts on eating your exercise calories and I get the theory behind it. Should I cut back on my exercise because I go way over what MFP recommends for me? I love exericising so I would hate to cut back on that, but something isn't clicking because I am not taking off weight. Any suggestions or advice would be awesome.

First of all Kerrilucko gave you alot of great info, what I will add is what has worked for me in regards to excercise calories.

When it comes to the amount of calories burned for excercise what are you basing them on. (i.e. the machine read out, this web site or a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). The most accurate measure would be from the HRM.

Once you have determined or refined your calorie burn to be more accurate it is time to experiment. (TIME IS YOUR FRIEND, INSTANT GRATIFICATION MAY OR MAY NOT OCCUR!!!!!) On top of your 1200 calories try eating 100 % of your excercise calories for 3 or 4 weeks. Keep track of your weight loss during that time. Pick one day to weigh yourself, same time, place and in your birthday suit.

After that 3 or 4 week period change your calorie intake to 1200 + 75% of your excercise calories. Keep track of your weight as above.

After that 3 or 4 week period change your calorie intake to 1200 + 50% of your excercise calories. Keep track of your weight as above.

When done this experiment compare your weight loss during the 3 periods. This should help you decide how much of your excercise calories to eat.

For myself I can not eat 100 % of my excercise calories and when I did I would not loose weight. For me I have found that eating about 70% of my excercise calories has allowed me to loose weight on a slow and steady pace.

Take all this great info on this site and modify it till you find what works for you.

Good luck on your journey and thank you for the congrats you sent my way yesterday!! :drinker:

MisoSoup79 · April 2009

I can tell you what worked for me...

I hit a standstill after my initial water weight loss because 1200 net calories wasn't enough for me. I was eating my exercise calories and still not getting enough fuel. I didn't feel tired or hungry, but I just couldn't lose. So I upped my net cals to 1400 (plus I eat all my exercise calories almost every day). I have been losing steadily since I upped my calories.

1200 net calories is great for someone who is obese - morbidly obese. And perhaps if you are at or under 5 feet tall, it may also be appropriate. It was not appropriate for me, and it is not enough for a moderately active woman. 1200 is a bare minimum. But somewhere between 1350 and 1500 is probably going to be optimal for weight loss for someone, like you, who only has about 30 lbs to lose.

I frequently go over my calories by 100-200, especially during TOM. So for me, eating more has led to losing more. I started my journey on January 11 this year. I am very happy with my own progress. This is the first time I've lost weight without "supplements" in my adult life. And because I'm eating 1400-1500 net cals per day, I don't feel deprived or hungry.

jtintx · April 2009

If you are eating your exercise calories and still not losing weight then maybe you really aren't burning as many calories as you think per exercise session? Just a thought.

ivykivy · April 2009

This is exactly what I had to do. I don't use an hrm I use the MFP numbers. I make sure I am breathing hard throughout the entire workout or else I don't count it.

I started off eating 100%; then dropped down to 75% now I've changed to eating 100 above my bmr + no more than 35% of exercise calories.

I know it may sound tedious but I'm in it to win it.

When it comes to the amount of calories burned for excercise what are you basing them on. (i.e. the machine read out, this web site or a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). The most accurate measure would be from the HRM.

Once you have determined or refined your calorie burn to be more accurate it is time to experiment. (TIME IS YOUR FRIEND, INSTANT GRATIFICATION MAY OR MAY NOT OCCUR!!!!!) On top of your 1200 calories try eating 100 % of your excercise calories for 3 or 4 weeks. Keep track of your weight loss during that time. Pick one day to weigh yourself, same time, place and in your birthday suit.

After that 3 or 4 week period change your calorie intake to 1200 + 75% of your excercise calories. Keep track of your weight as above.

After that 3 or 4 week period change your calorie intake to 1200 + 50% of your excercise calories. Keep track of your weight as above.

When done this experiment compare your weight loss during the 3 periods. This should help you decide how much of your excercise calories to eat.

For myself I can not eat 100 % of my excercise calories and when I did I would not loose weight. For me I have found that eating about 70% of my excercise calories has allowed me to loose weight on a slow and steady pace.

Take all this great info on this site and modify it till you find what works for you.

Good luck on your journey and thank you for the congrats you sent my way yesterday!! :drinker:

Too many exercise calories????

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