how do i use the calorie counter ?

raytiff
raytiff Posts: 8
in Health and Weight Loss
why every time i exercise my calorie intake goes up? i'm confused because i want to lose weight not maintain or gain and also i have a heart rate monitor with chest strap and it tells me that in one hour and forty five minute walk with the dogs i burned 1249 calories!! so i'm not to sure if its correct but i don't no if i should eat the calories it gives me as extra ? very confused

Replies

  • halkowich28
    halkowich28 Posts: 2
    The idea is to end up around 0 by the end of the day. They have underestimated your calorie intake to lose weight but you need to eat more when you work out because it's not enough to be healthy. My estimated calorie intake is 1200 calories but that's not realistic when you do activities during the day, I would be sick if I walked the dog, played with my kids, cleaned my house etc and only ate 1200 calories. So you add up your exercises, then eat the extra calories to sustain you through the day. Today I ate about 1600 calories but I rode my bike for 30 minutes and painted a room for an hour which made my calorie intake come out almost to zero. I've been doing this for 3 months and I've lost 11 pounds so far, so it does work. I hope that makes sense.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    Read the FAQs...you're supposed to est back your exercise calories..a deficit is already built in to the number MFP gives you. Keeps you from going too low and hurting your metabolism and making it harder to achieve your goal.
  • raytiff
    raytiff Posts: 8
    OK thank you very much i get the idea now i love how every one is so interactive on this site it makes it much better when people communicate thanks again

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