Anyone else not eating their exercise calories

mdawson2112
mdawson2112 Posts: 26 Member
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
I added my exercise calories for one week and was under all week and gained 2 pounds. I have set myself on a goal of 2000 cal a day and only report 1 cal for my cardo so I don't get the exercise cals. Anyone else do this?
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Replies

  • mew623
    mew623 Posts: 3 Member
    my group does not eat the extra calores awarded for exercise. We ignore them, i like you ate the extra calories and gained a few lbs, nevver again.
    Stick to your normal calories and you will be all good.
    Me:drinker:
  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    I do not. I wouldn't eat all of the exercise calories back if I did, maybe just half. Too much room for error to risk eating all 100%.
  • kathyc609
    kathyc609 Posts: 258 Member
    I never eat them back. I actually don't even record them - I know what I have done And consistentlpy lose weight so I don't bother.
  • Mommyofseven
    Mommyofseven Posts: 64
    I do not eat the extra calories awarded for exercise. I figured, what would be the point of exercising at all...just to eat more? The point of exercising is to burn the calories I eat, not let me eat more.
    I think that anyone eating the extra Cal's awarded would put on weight or just not lose any.
    Good luck in your quest.
  • knelson422
    knelson422 Posts: 308 Member
    I don't bc I don't think the calorie count for the workout is accurate, has been off for some people by over 200 calories. Also, on biggest loser, those people work out ALL DAY LONG and eat about 1800 calories, so why should I eat more than that? I know there are people who do, and it works for them. It doesn't work for this body, so I don't.
  • Anathama
    Anathama Posts: 82 Member
    Nope. I exercise to burn calories.

    It seems people do this because they are afraid of losing muscle mass. However, I'm going from 363 and my goal is 223, so I expect that I will lose muscle mass in my legs no matter what, just because they will be carrying 140 lbs less!
  • bbbgamer
    bbbgamer Posts: 582 Member
    I wouldnt point the finger at any calorie in particular, be it an "exercise" calorie or just a "regular meal" calorie. You may just consider cutting your total calorie intake back a little. Also the calories burned tends to be great over estimated. Its not obvious not working for you, just dial the calories back a little and you will do fine. Good luck!

    And yes, keep exercising. exercising generally means healthier. People at an ideal weight who are maintaining that exercise will typically be healthier than those that dont. They aren't exercising to lose......
  • godricshollow
    godricshollow Posts: 274 Member
    I do not eat the extra calories awarded for exercise. I figured, what would be the point of exercising at all...just to eat more? The point of exercising is to burn the calories I eat, not let me eat more.
    I think that anyone eating the extra Cal's awarded would put on weight or just not lose any.
    Good luck in your quest.

    I exercise for health primarily, not so much to lose weight. I eat back 50-80% of my exercise calories, mostly because MFP has me eating 1360 calories a day so if I didn't eat them back, I'd be living on 860 calories a day, which isn't healthy at all :( I never let myself get below 1200 but that is just a personal preference.
  • KelliW_runner
    KelliW_runner Posts: 150 Member
    I sync with fitbit and most days I will eat my exercise calories earned. I have been consistently losing weight. Mainly I listen to my body cues. If I am very hungry I will eat the calories. If I am not, I don't.
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    I only eat about a third of mine. I don't trust how accurate I am at counting my calories and how accurate the machine is at calculating that. So far I've been losing 2 pounds a week. I also have a few slip ups on the weekends occasionally which may be attributing to my weight loss.

    It is all about knowing what is best for your body.
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    sometimes I'll eat a snack if I get really hungry at the end of the day, but for the most part, no I don't eat mine.
  • ashleab37
    ashleab37 Posts: 575 Member
    I *allow* myself to eat up to half, if I feel like it. Mine are from a HRM though, not from the MFP estimates.
  • wiggleroom
    wiggleroom Posts: 322 Member
    I record my workouts, but I stick to 1400 calories consumed, regardless. (I burn between 300 and 500 calories, depending on the day and the workout).

    This helps me on my weekends, when I don't exercise. When I was eating back my calories (my base intake was set at 1200 at the time), it was really hard to cut back on those days! And then I found myself eating an extra thing here and there because I knew I could just hop on the stepping machine and compensate. It got to be a bad pattern with me, where I wasn't truly trying to be healthy.

    There will be a ton of people that tell you they eat their calories back and it works for them. And I don't disagree with them -- I just know what works for me!
  • ATK57
    ATK57 Posts: 302 Member
    I always eat most them back... Maybe that's why I haven't been losing weight as fast as I want to...
  • ChanyRae
    ChanyRae Posts: 112
    Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. It depends on how hungry I am that day. I'm in maintenance mode and already am allowed 1750 a day....if I have a really hard burn its hard for me to eat 2000+ calories a day without eating pure junk!
  • porcupinegirl32
    porcupinegirl32 Posts: 16 Member
    I have a personal trainer and because I'm always reading about people eating their excersice calories back I asked her about that and she told me if I wanted to maintain my weight then to eat the calories but if I'm trying to lose (which I am) then not to eat them. I don't eat them and I usually lose 1 pound a week. I've recently cut out potatoes, bread and pasta and I've actually lost 4 pounds in 5 days. I've been eating brown rice, gluten free pasta and just last night I baked a loaf of gluten free bread, I find it hard to have choices in meals by cutting out the bread or pasta so I decided to eat gluten free.

    Also I understand that if you are trying to build muscle then you would eat back your excersice calories. With my personal trainer I have been building muscle, toning and losing.....1 pound at a time mind you, but they say it's better for it to come off slowly. So I have finally gotten my mind to focus on the overall weight that I've lost (which I am a 1/2 pound away from my half way point) rather than a substantial amount in a short peroid of time. Now that I'm almost half way there I'm excited to lose the second half and reach my goal.
  • byrnet18
    byrnet18 Posts: 230 Member
    I do not eat my calories back. I also wear a HRM so I log those calories instead of what a machine says I burn. I try to eat about 1300 calories a day and I continue to build muscle and lose fat. It works for me.
  • Mommyofseven
    Mommyofseven Posts: 64
    Definately a hot topic! I agree with everyone who says to listen to your body. Everyone is different. For me, the "extra" calories were a mistake. Obviously not for others.
  • Celiamariec
    Celiamariec Posts: 93
    I eat a portion of my exercise calories back, maybe half or a little over. I'm far from a professional in health and fitness, but from what I have read on many sites it's best to eat back a portion so that your deficit isn't too much and slowing down your metabolism. From trying this out the last week, I've lost a couple pounds. I eat right to lose weight, do cardio to improve my heart rate, strength to tone/condition and help raise my metabolism. Food fuels your body, when you workout you need extra fuel. If you are hungry after a workout, don't deprive yourself. Our bodies are different, so whatever works for you is awesome and stick to it. Good luck on your journey! :smile:
  • Mommyofseven
    Mommyofseven Posts: 64
    I have a personal trainer and because I'm always reading about people eating their excersice calories back I asked her about that and she told me if I wanted to maintain my weight then to eat the calories but if I'm trying to lose (which I am) then not to eat them. I don't eat them and I usually lose 1 pound a week. I've recently cut out potatoes, bread and pasta and I've actually lost 4 pounds in 5 days. I've been eating brown rice, gluten free pasta and just last night I baked a loaf of gluten free bread, I find it hard to have choices in meals by cutting out the bread or pasta so I decided to eat gluten free.

    Also I understand that if you are trying to build muscle then you would eat back your excersice calories. With my personal trainer I have been building muscle, toning and losing.....1 pound at a time mind you, but they say it's better for it to come off slowly. So I have finally gotten my mind to focus on the overall weight that I've lost (which I am a 1/2 pound away from my half way point) rather than a substantial amount in a short peroid of time. Now that I'm almost half way there I'm excited to lose the second half and reach my goal.


    Congrats to you! Very sensible advice.
  • wyze
    wyze Posts: 248
    I dont usually eat them back, but I tried eating back my exercise calories this week. I maintained my weight which was not what i was going for. Also i found myself eating random stuff in the name of eating my exercise calories back, and i ended up feeling bloated at night. I have decided to just eat healthy and listen to my body. If i am hungry, i will eat some back. I eat about 1800 cals anyways, thats not a small amount of food :-)
  • SCUBAMomofTwo
    SCUBAMomofTwo Posts: 189
    I agree that the exercise machines and the estimates of calories burned are often not accurate.

    Having said that, I DO occasionally "eat back" all or part of the exercise calories MFP assigns me, but I do so ONLY if I am hungry at the end of the day. I don't eat just because I CAN, kwim?
  • TheFearThatGaveMeWings
    TheFearThatGaveMeWings Posts: 42
    I don't, I don't exercise so I can turn around and eat it all back. That would be a complete waste... In my opinion.
  • Kandace_Riopel
    Kandace_Riopel Posts: 80 Member
    nope not here ... if i get REALLY hungry after a big workout than ill snack back a bit never more than half and i try to keep it less than 200 max each day! .
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    I have a personal trainer and because I'm always reading about people eating their excersice calories back I asked her about that and she told me if I wanted to maintain my weight then to eat the calories but if I'm trying to lose (which I am) then not to eat them. I don't eat them and I usually lose 1 pound a week. I've recently cut out potatoes, bread and pasta and I've actually lost 4 pounds in 5 days. I've been eating brown rice, gluten free pasta and just last night I baked a loaf of gluten free bread, I find it hard to have choices in meals by cutting out the bread or pasta so I decided to eat gluten free.

    Also I understand that if you are trying to build muscle then you would eat back your excersice calories. With my personal trainer I have been building muscle, toning and losing.....1 pound at a time mind you, but they say it's better for it to come off slowly. So I have finally gotten my mind to focus on the overall weight that I've lost (which I am a 1/2 pound away from my half way point) rather than a substantial amount in a short peroid of time. Now that I'm almost half way there I'm excited to lose the second half and reach my goal.
    I am a certified trainer too. What if I told you that MFP already factors in your activity level. Everything you do extra like logging cardio is putting you in a deeper deficit.

    So, eat your calories back if you care about keeping LEAN BODY MASS. Which is much more important then weight dropping on the scale.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I have a personal trainer and because I'm always reading about people eating their excersice calories back I asked her about that and she told me if I wanted to maintain my weight then to eat the calories but if I'm trying to lose (which I am) then not to eat them. I don't eat them and I usually lose 1 pound a week. I've recently cut out potatoes, bread and pasta and I've actually lost 4 pounds in 5 days. I've been eating brown rice, gluten free pasta and just last night I baked a loaf of gluten free bread, I find it hard to have choices in meals by cutting out the bread or pasta so I decided to eat gluten free.

    Also I understand that if you are trying to build muscle then you would eat back your excersice calories. With my personal trainer I have been building muscle, toning and losing.....1 pound at a time mind you, but they say it's better for it to come off slowly. So I have finally gotten my mind to focus on the overall weight that I've lost (which I am a 1/2 pound away from my half way point) rather than a substantial amount in a short peroid of time. Now that I'm almost half way there I'm excited to lose the second half and reach my goal.

    This comes up in every one of these discussions. The problem is, MPF does not use the same formula most trainers use. If you followed her calorie intake, no, you would not "eat back" exercise calories because she has already factored them in. MFP has not.

    Trainers and nutritionists typically use a formula that figures your BMR (what you burn just to survive), then factor in your daily activity (like your job) and how much/how intense you will exercise to get your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) They will then subtract an amount to create a deficit depending on weight loss goal. You don't "Eat back" calories because they are already accounted for.
    MPF figures your BMR, then factors in your daily activity (like your job) to get a TDEE. They then subtract an amount to create a deficit depending on the goal you chose. No exercise accounted for, which is why the site suggests you eat them back.

    For example, when I signed up for this site, I chose a pound a week weight loss goal. It gave me something like 1450 calories. When I worked out, I would burn around 300-400 calories. So I ate 1750-1850 calories, netting 1450 (total eaten - exercise = net)
    I started with a trainer who gave me around 1800 calories to eat and follow her exercise program. Just for fun, I kept logging my food and exercise. Guess what my average net was - around 1400.

    Same end result, different method.
  • BobbieLee1959
    BobbieLee1959 Posts: 605 Member
    Good question, but as I have not yet begun to add (intentional) exercise, I would have to say the answer is no. My SW was 286.5, so at best, exercise has been an effort. What I have done, is enjoyed the freedom to not be winded when climbing the stairs. I have found myself doing much, much more, but mostly because I can! I am very happy at this outcome of losing 10 lbs. and it inspires me to continue counting calories. I will be adding intentional exercise beginning Monday~probably in the form of walking in my neighborhood.

    I also climb a 17 step set of stairs multiple times a day, so I would say I am lightly active compared to mostly sedentary when I started the program 3 weeks ago. If it continues to get easier to move at this rate, I will be walking a mile in no time and then back to the two that I used to be able to accomplish. I keep hearing about the 30 DS and found it in a local store. Have not purchased yet, but I did buy a resistance band and will be using this in addition to the walking next week!

    I doubt that I will eat back my exercise calories or even record them (because I don't want MFP chewing me out!)

    I am currently allowed 1640 calories and have been staying slightly under that at around 1200. If am very hungry with exercise, I may increase to stave off true hunger, but definitely will be staying under the 1640 goal to maintain a weight lose mode!

    I love the support and inspiration of all of you as I seek to reach my goal! Thank you all!
  • FireTigerSoul
    FireTigerSoul Posts: 268 Member
    I don't eat back my exercise calories...I feel I'm doing fine without eating them back. I'm losing weight, and I can feel a difference in my muscles. I might try eating some of them back if I plateau, but for now...no.
  • yuckidah
    yuckidah Posts: 290 Member
    I never eat them back. To me in negates the point of exercising if you're going to consume the hard work afterwards, lol.
  • armaretta
    armaretta Posts: 851 Member
    MFP already sets you up for a deficit without exercise unless you have it set up for maintenance or make it account for an active lifestyle... so you're not really defeating the purpose by eating your exercise calories. You should think of it as fuel for your next workout. Most dieticians and trainers who are telling you not to eat the exercise calories don't realize that MFP already sets you up for a deficit NOT INCLUDING ONE MADE BY EXERCISE.
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