Should I be eating my exercise calories?

Not to be mean but you may trying using the search function on the forums as this topic is discussed constantly. Everyone has a different opinion but I have always eaten the majority of mine and lost 82 lbs.

Most people agree that it does not matter what time of day you eat. I eat whenever I want. I try to use the majority of my calories for nutrient dense healthy foods but I do allow myself a treat everyday. It keeps me motivated and keeps me from cracking and pigging out on junk food.

Yes, you should. That's how the site is designed to work. You have the same calorie deficit whether you exercise or not.

As far as what to eat? The same foods you eat the rest of the day. Just slightly larger servings As you get more used to exercise, you'll know about how many calories you'll be burning per activity, and be able to plan your day accordingly. It's harder to eat them all if you don't take that into consideration all day long, but if you know you're going to burn, say, 400 calories, add an extra 100 calories to each meal and have a small extra snack, rather than trying to make up an extra 400 cal at the end of the night.

I highly recommend eating protein after working out; I usually like a little (generally natural) sugar too. I'll often have something like an apple with peanut butter or trail mix. You really should eat within an hour of finishing your workout. (This is athlete talking.) I also prefer to have a small snack before working out (like a granola bar). The rest of my "bonus" calories I eat throughout the course of the day. Depending on the type of classes you're taking, you might also find that you have a higher potassium need and would want to address that.

http://www.shouldieatmyexercisecalories.com/

Eating most of your carbs in the morning and then burning them off in the day is awesome, and keeps me awake! I tend to get that 2:30 feeling in the day and since starting this, I have MORE ENERGY and have dropped an amazing 42 lbs so far and it has taken me about 6 months. I eat whatever I want as long as it doesn't kill my calories. I try not to eat past 8 pm either. This app has taught me how to eat and what to stay away from. I found that you can easily drink all of your calories up, thats why those crystal light packets are good for something sweet to add to your water, if you don't want plain water that is. I burn through my exercise as well and am still losing, and you will plateau often, dont stress, it is still working, dont give up!! We will all be there for you, since we are all in this together!! Good luck!

I agree...search the other threads on this for a wealth of information...

However...my doctor told me NOT to eat my excercise calories as long as I wasn't hungry...which I rarely am...until I have lost 50 of the 83 I intend to lose.

Down 44...I am actually less hungry than before...so I am curious to see what he says next time I go in.

My doctor pretty much said the same thing. As long as I'm eating 1200 nutritionally dense (which I do) calories... if I'm not hungry.... I can have a greater calorie deficit because my weight is so high. Once I'm closer to being a normal weight range, to have that high of a calorie deficit really isn't achievable while still eating 1200 calories... unless I want to work out 5 hours a day.

During my diet journey, how I deal with the exercise calories depends on the day. As a general practice, though, I almost never eat my allotted calories after exercise. The way I've been doing it is shooting for 1200-1500 calories a day intake. Then exercise is extra.

I am basing this number on the fact that I have read that to eat less than 1200 will put your body into starvation mode. Some days, especially if I've burned over 1,000 calories at the gym, I eat closer to 1800 calories. There has not been a single day since I started that I've gone over 1900 calories in a day. I feel pretty good about that.

I make sure to switch it up so I'm not eating exactly the same thing every day. There have been several birthday cupcakes and Valentine's chocolate-covered strawberries in that time, but my pants keep getting looser.

I don't know what I weigh, because I'm not going to step on the scale until the Gold's weight loss challenge is over in 7 weeks, but my legs are looking more toned and my back fat is almost gone. I can only assume that means 20-25 pounds in the last 5 weeks. Yes, I know the weight loss is going to slow down eventually. I'm just going to have to power through.

As another poster commented, I sometimes don't feel hungry in the evenings, but I will force myself to eat something small anyway. I try not to eat after 8:00, but if I still have calories left and I want that sugar free chocolate mousse, I'll have it.

I do not want to "bonk" when I go to the gym - as someone mentioned, I agree that your body does need fuel to go-go-go. So, I make sure to eat small things regularly: chicken, lettuce, cheese, fruit smoothie from my blender (not commercial), eggs, etc. Almost exclusively high-nutrient items, but some salty and sweet stuff thrown in there to keep it interesting.

I make sure to have a serving of whey protein after every workout. I know that this represents a precious 140 calories, but it's got protein and other nutrients. I have been following this regimen for five weeks and have not once felt close to running out of steam or being dehydrated. So far, so good. Good luck to you!

However...my doctor told me NOT to eat my excercise calories as long as I wasn't hungry...which I rarely am...until I have lost 50 of the 83 I intend to lose.

Down 44...I am actually less hungry than before...so I am curious to see what he says next time I go in.
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My doctor pretty much said the same thing. As long as I'm eating 1200 nutritionally dense (which I do) calories... if I'm not hungry.... I can have a greater calorie deficit because my weight is so high. Once I'm closer to being a normal weight range, to have that high of a calorie deficit really isn't achievable while still eating 1200 calories... unless I want to work out 5 hours a day.
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I have read other posts about this, and got so confused. Differing opinions. So I am listening to you, who has actually spoken with a physician.
Im not gonna force feed my exercise calories if I am eating healthy foods all day and am simply not hungry. I suppose when I get close to my goal, and have a bit more education, I will reconsider, but for now, will follow your doctors advice as my doctor didn't have a take on it.....
However, on those rare occasions, like Valentines Day, i will exercise and use those for alcohol calories :drinker: LOL

However, on those rare occasions, like Valentines Day, i will exercise and use those for alcohol calories :drinker: LOL

Definitely...even though my doc said not to eat them for weight loss...it doesn't mean I CAN'T eat them for fun.

off topic, but how do you quote someone??

off topic, but how do you quote someone??

You press the quote button at the bottom of their post.

I already answered on this thread, but I'm adding to it now...

My feelings on this:
* Eat a caloric deficit to lose weight.
* Exercise to gain good health.
Eating more calories - while maintaining a deficit (but a reasonable one) does not negate the health benefits gained through exercise.



... but hey, what do I know? I've only shed 130 pounds, decreased my body fat from a whopping 56% to 22-ish%, and shed nearly 100 inches from all over my body... the wh