eat the calories you work out

MrsObundles
MrsObundles Posts: 138 Member
edited October 5 in Food and Nutrition
I normally burn around 600 calories/day. Does this mean I should eat an extra 600 calories to prevent going into starvation mode, or should I just eat the original recommended amount? What does everyone think?

Replies

  • aa1440
    aa1440 Posts: 956 Member
    I hope you are ready for this... There are about 2 million posts on here about eating back calories. Many different opinions. Some people even get mad and argue about this. Be ready.
  • Scorpioangel
    Scorpioangel Posts: 951 Member
    This is so confusing to me I don't know why but I don't get it really! I usually do not personally eat mine back but I have read a few times on here that it's ok to eat them back because when we put our goals in MFP it takes into account our activity level. For me I put in a custom calorie amount though, so I just stick to that. I hope some people have some good feedback for you on here!
  • MariaAlexandra
    MariaAlexandra Posts: 126 Member
    I hope you are ready for this... There are about 2 million posts on here about eating back calories. Many different opinions. Some people even get mad and argue about this. Be ready.

    ^^ I agree on this.

    My opinion. I just say eat until you are satisified. If you feel full/satisfied after your workout, would you like to keep on eating until you are disgustingly full? No, right? O.o If you feel like you want to eat something just make sure it isn't fries or something fattening - kind of defeats the purpose of working out. Make sure you eat protein to help your muscles rebuild. It all depends on YOU. It all depends how you feel after the workout. If you are going to eat something just make sure it's light and healthy.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    For one, it's against site rules to post the same topic in multiple forums. Please remember that in the future.

    Second, MFP is designed for you to eat those calories. Your calorie goal has a built in deficit based on the amount of calories you burn in a typical day without exercise. When you exercise, your body requires more energy, thus you can eat back your exercise calories and still have a deficit.

    There are people who have experienced success both ways, but I strongly urge you to follow the program the way it was designed.
  • kimmiangel
    kimmiangel Posts: 14
    I know that is something that boggles me as well, but for me I really do not try to eat back my calories I just worked off, though i think as long as you are making healthy food choices and mostly have a calorie deficit you will lose weight. But that is just my opinion, I think you should do what you feel in your gut works for you. :)
  • MrsObundles
    MrsObundles Posts: 138 Member
    Lol. Thanks for the warning!
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,224 Member
    I know that is something that boggles me as well, but for me I really do not try to eat back my calories I just worked off, though i think as long as you are making healthy food choices and mostly have a calorie deficit you will lose weight. But that is just my opinion, I think you should do what you feel in your gut works for you. :)
    You haven't worked them off it you didn't account for them to begin with. This of course will never sink in as far as it pertains to posts like this. Not picking on you per se. All deficits should be calculated from a persons TDEE, that would be a good start to end the confusion.
  • PBJunky
    PBJunky Posts: 737 Member
    Please use the search function or join my list of ignored users
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,224 Member
    Please use the search function or join my list of ignored users
    Does that work, curious?
  • hottottie11
    hottottie11 Posts: 907 Member
    I normally burn around 600 calories/day. Does this mean I should eat an extra 600 calories to prevent going into starvation mode, or should I just eat the original recommended amount? What does everyone think?

    Yes you should. Your calorie deficit has already been worked into your calorie allowance. You need for calories to fuel your workouts. I eat up to 2000 cals a day (1500-1600 net) and lose weight.
  • PBJunky
    PBJunky Posts: 737 Member
    Please use the search function or join my list of ignored users
    Does that work, curious?

    Works like a charm, there is a button next to the poster's name with a down arrow...simply select Ingore User...
  • newarkco05
    newarkco05 Posts: 240
    This what has worked for me although everyone is different. I had myself set at 1200 calories but it wasn't working for me. I bumped it up to 1600 (lose 1/2 per week) and am not eating the exercise calories (because I am set at losing 1/2per week). I started doing strength training and cardio a couple times a week so I am still netting around 1300 calories each day. It seemed to do the trick and now the weight is starting to fall off again. Everyone is different tho... You may want to try one way for a few weeks and if it doesn't work then switch it up and figure out what works for you.
  • Maggie_Pie1
    Maggie_Pie1 Posts: 322 Member
    I only use MFP to track my calories eaten. I don't trust MFP's assumptions on how many calories I burn in a day, it overestimates in my opinion. So, if I eat back all the calories it tells me to, then my deficit isn't as much as I would like it to be. Since I'm trying to lose 2 lbs a week, I need a calorie deficit of 1000 calories a day. I bought a bodymediafit that I wear all day and it tells me more accurately how many calories I burn, and I use the calories I tracked in MFP to compare the two numbers and make sure that my deficit is where I want it to be. In the end, I usually average burning between 2500 and 2600 calories a day and eating 1500-1600 calories a day.
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