exercising so I can eat

Keep up the good job - you are paying attention to your calorie intake so you are able to maintain. If you weren't tracking it this way it would way to easy to go over all the time!!

I have a hard time eating my exercise calories. I've lost 6 pounds in a month, and I don't eat my extra calories. I'm afraid that I'll be off, no matter how accurate I am on the counting/calculating. I've only allowed one cheat day this month. A BIG part of my problem that I had was eating NUTS and using too much EVOO in cooking. Cutting those things out really decreases my calorie intake. I should probably be eating more, but I feel satisfied. If I am truly hungry at night, I will grab a treat (or two) but I'm still under my intake 95% of the time. Maybe I shouldn't be doing this???

The calorie limits on MFP are from equations - they are not correct for everyone. In fact, if you do the calculations with the Mifflin st jeor equations, you'll see a difference from what MFP gives you. Seems they add in a bit of over-eat so if that you eat slightly over, you will theoretically still lose.

The Mifflin-St Jeor equations are:
Male: BMR = 10×weight + 6.25×height - 5×age + 5
Female: BMR = 10×weight + 6.25×height - 5×age - 161

These equations require the weight in kilograms, the height in centimeters, and the age in years. To determine your total daily calorie needs, the BMR has to be multiplied by the appropriate activity factor, as follows:

* 1.200 = sedentary (little or no exercise)
* 1.375 = lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week, approx. 590 Cal/day)
* 1.550 = moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week, approx. 870 Cal/day)
* 1.725 = very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week, approx. 1150 Cal/day)
* 1.900 = extra active (very hard exercise/sports and physical job, approx. 1580 Cal/day)

Just Google for more info.

I have no idea how people eat 1200 calories a day and some still find it hard to meet that. I wish I was one of them!

It is baffling until you do actually eat 1200 calories a day...your body just get's accustomed to it. I was doing that for a bit, some days I just wasn't hungry enough to make 1200, but when I upped my calories from that I found that my hunger level adjusted, and 1200 did not cut it anymore. Call that the starvation mode at work if you want, but I don't really know why it is

Most new to MFP dont realize that setting the program up to lose 2lbs a week is folly.
This sets 99% of the people on here below BMR and yes you do lose weight.
2lbs a week could translate into 1lb fat and 1lb lean mass.

My advice is do the research.

Learn what BMR TDEE and your Body Fat is.

If you dont then we will see you when you post the
"I'm on 1200 calories and lost 10lbs but nothings happening!"
Or "How do I not be Skinny-Fat?"
Or "Why am I now having heart issues?"

I have people on high calorie diets 5'2" and up who only work out 3 times a week losing inches of fat and no lean mass loss.
Most of them eat 1600 to 2000 calorie diets.
Ages from 18-65.
Body Fat % from 15-55%

As a challenge to all of you, I would love for you to take pics of the information labels in your local supermarket that say "Averages based on a 1200 calorie diet" and post them on this thread.


Sustainable weight loss is made first in the kitchen then while you sleep.
Everything else is secondary!

I exercise for chocolate and ice cream.

I've used food to motivate myself to exercise before. "I want Chipotle!" Husbands response: "Did you exercise?" He knows I'll workout for Chipotle. Mmmmmmmmmm, chipotle.

I would kick my hubby's *kitten* if he said that to me lol!

But, yes I workout harder/longer if I know I'm wanting to pig out a little.

I'm so glad everyone else does the same thing I do!! Good to hear!

Absolutely. I need a T-shirt that says "I do cardio for ice cream".

Yes, this is me! I have to have my evening sweet. Sweets are a great motivator to exercise.

Absolutely. I need a T-shirt that says "I do cardio for ice cream".

YUP! When I ran a half-marathon last month there were some spectators holding a sign that said, "Keep running if you love dessert." Sounds about right! I love exercising, so I don't see it as "punishment" for eating or a necessary evil or anything, but I definitely love getting to eat more because of it. When I read about people who "can't possibly eat back their exercise calories" I'm like :embarassed:

I have a hard time eating my exercise calories. I've lost 6 pounds in a month, and I don't eat my extra calories. I'm afraid that I'll be off, no matter how accurate I am on the counting/calculating. I've only allowed one cheat day this month. A BIG part of my problem that I had was eating NUTS and using too much EVOO in cooking. Cutting those things out really decreases my calorie intake. I should probably be eating more, but I feel satisfied. If I am truly hungry at night, I will grab a treat (or two) but I'm still under my intake 95% of the time. Maybe I shouldn't be doing this???

I always eat my calories back and I make sure I eat all my calories every day unless there's a meal out or something I know I'll need some cushion for. I exercise to eat, sorry that's how it is with me. Working out is still very inconvenient. I have three kids under 4 and they make it very difficult. Hopefully my attitude will change. Anyway, I've managed to lose 19 lbs in 50 days. Just make sure you're logging everything and use a scale.

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Will do cardio for CHOCOLATE!

That's really interesting. I eat a lot more than most of my MFP Pals and I've had really awesome success. If I only eat 1200 cals, then that's a weird day for me. Usually I eat between 1600-1900 and I am completely transforming my body like this. I always wondered about the "based on a 2,000 cal diet" thing, too.

You wouldnt drive a car 80 mils per hour with little to no oil and gas right?

I have a hard time eating my exercise calories. I've lost 6 pounds in a month, and I don't eat my extra calories. I'm afraid that I'll be off, no matter how accurate I am on the counting/calculating. I've only allowed one cheat day this month. A BIG part of my problem that I had was eating NUTS and using too much EVOO in cooking. Cutting those things out really decreases my calorie intake. I should probably be eating more, but I feel satisfied. If I am truly hungry at night, I will grab a treat (or two) but I'm still under my intake 95% of the time. Maybe I shouldn't be doing this???

What's wrong with nuts?

Absolutely. I need a T-shirt that says "I do cardio for ice cream".

Mine will read "I do cardio for wine" :drinker:

This is the main reason i started to exercise!over a year in and now exercise is an everyday habit! and not just for the cals but for the strength,tone and endurance benefits too.

This^
I started exercising so I could eat more, but now my day is missing something without it. I started with treadmill, went to elliptical and now do Jazzercise, weight training and Tai Chi regularly. I keep adding more variety to my fitness activities. When I retire, I hope to add yoga to the mix. Then, who knows?