Question on calorie intake and exercise

thop123
thop123 Posts: 65 Member
So I've gone up 3lbs. I posted a complaint about it and got some responses, I guess its probably because my deficit is 200 less than MFP recommended. Some ppl suggested that I try to eat my goal to make sure I don't eat too little. My question is when I workout and burn a lot of calories (like 600) am I supposed to eat an additional 600 calories so that I'm not under?
My recommended is 1380 so when I burn 600 should I be eating 1980? thanks!

Replies

  • Fat4Fuel2
    Fat4Fuel2 Posts: 280 Member
    It's a personal preference for how you feel. If you're not hungry, don't eat; if you are, then eat. Exercise is supposed to help you create a larger calorie deficit in order to lose weight. However, you need to make sure you're eating at least your BRM daily.
  • thop123
    thop123 Posts: 65 Member
    Thanks for the pointer. Your right BMR is important and I dont want my body to go into starvation mode. Thanks.
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    Yes, please eat them.
  • maybe your goal weight at 125 and 5'7 is a bit too low. I think 131 is a perfectly slender, maintainable weight. Why not focus on strength/muscle gains?
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    You only have 6 more pounds to you goal. You should be on a pretty small calorie deficit to prevent muscle loss and because your body just won't accept big ones. Set your weight loss to a HALF pound a week, and yes, eat your exercise calories.
  • 4HealthyMe
    4HealthyMe Posts: 34 Member
    You only have 6 more pounds to you goal. You should be on a pretty small calorie deficit to prevent muscle loss and because your body just won't accept big ones. Set your weight loss to a HALF pound a week, and yes, eat your exercise calories.

    ^this
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    You only have 6 more pounds to you goal. You should be on a pretty small calorie deficit to prevent muscle loss and because your body just won't accept big ones. Set your weight loss to a HALF pound a week, and yes, eat your exercise calories.

    Yes, this is true. I also agree that focusing on strength training is a good idea.
  • I find if I do not eat back most of my calories I go into starvation mode. I never ever go below 1200 net calories a day. That is supposed to be the magic number.
  • KatieJane83
    KatieJane83 Posts: 2,002 Member
    You only have 6 more pounds to you goal. You should be on a pretty small calorie deficit to prevent muscle loss and because your body just won't accept big ones. Set your weight loss to a HALF pound a week, and yes, eat your exercise calories.


    ^^^^ yup, this
  • You are correct with the math as far as MFP is concerned. With this program, you 'earn' the extra calories you burn in a day..... so if you burn 600 during exercise, you can eat 600 more calories that day. The goal is a steady weight loss of about a pound a week. You can also 'bank' those extra calories if there is a special event coming up- like a few treats at a Christmas party, or a margarita on Saturday night- so that over time, you are losing slowly and steadily.
    If you are otherwise in good health with no cardiac or renal issues, keep with the program and weigh yourself again in a few days. Remember that water weighs 'a pint a pound', and you can be retaining water for any number of reasons- you're premenstrual, work on your feet a lot, had a salty meal or a big salty snack among them, and your body will balance this out on its own. MFP guidelines are conservative but it's really hard to get all the nutrients you need for a healthy body if you eat less than it recommends.
  • thop123
    thop123 Posts: 65 Member
    Thanks everyone for all your help! I think I'll try to set my goal to half an lb and see what happens. Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.