Net calories versus total calories?

zozzabubba
zozzabubba Posts: 137 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I've heard a lot on here "don't go under 1200!"...and I never do, in terms of TOTAL calories eaten, as that is my MFP-set goal, however, I have some days when I work out very intensely and burn anything from 500 to 1100 calories (all through varied fun stuff - dancing, swimming, bike riding etc.).

On these days I'll usually up my calories to 1600-1700, which is, obviously, above the 1200 that I should never go below. However, this means that some days I'll only NET 500-600 calories. Is this bad? For me, I can't see it as beneficial to have some days having to stretch all the way up to 2300 calories just to net the bare minimum, as regularity works for me and going to 2300 one day will make it SO hard to go back down to 1200-1500 the next.

Help?

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • Genkaku
    Genkaku Posts: 27 Member
    When I just started, I was dedicated to 1300 calories a day, as well as working out everyday. I find with eating less I obviously have less overall energy, so the workouts suffer a bit. But other than that, I think as long as you aren't passing out after a workout, it's safe to say you're doing good. I would net under 800 a day for something like 4 months straight, and I didn't have any crazy health issues or anything pop up.

    Long story short, keep it up, you're doing good!
  • zozzabubba
    zozzabubba Posts: 137 Member
    When I just started, I was dedicated to 1300 calories a day, as well as working out everyday. I find with eating less I obviously have less overall energy, so the workouts suffer a bit. But other than that, I think as long as you aren't passing out after a workout, it's safe to say you're doing good. I would net under 800 a day for something like 4 months straight, and I didn't have any crazy health issues or anything pop up.

    Long story short, keep it up, you're doing good!

    Ok, thanks! Would you say it's worth eating the extra snack before a workout so that you're more able to give it your all and potentially burn more? Or skip the snack and have the workout suffer just a bit. I was facing that dilemma today, and decided to give the snack a miss, but really regretted it an hour and a half in!
  • fallonrhea
    fallonrhea Posts: 388 Member
    If you're hungry - I'd definitely go with the snack. I know when I'm hungry it's my body's way of telling me I need more fuel. :D
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    It's all about the "net".
  • TexanThom
    TexanThom Posts: 778 Member
    Exercise calories....Eat Some-Leave Some.
  • SammieGetsFit
    SammieGetsFit Posts: 432 Member
    Personally, I "try" to keep my net near 1200. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. However, I have a hard and fast rule I try to never break no matter what the numbers say: If I'm not hungry, I don't eat. So some days when my net is 700, but it's because I've eaten 2100and burned 1400, I don't worry too much. Though, I do try to take a "rest" day the next day where my net is back up to my 1600 goal and I burn off very little of it. We'll see how well that works for me weight-wise over the next few months. But for now I have energy for workouts and spontaneous activity, and I rarely feel hungry when I'm not actively planning/prepping my next meal.

    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • mcarter99
    mcarter99 Posts: 1,666 Member
    I ignore 'net' and listen to my body.
  • stonegirldancing
    stonegirldancing Posts: 37 Member
    I recently started having the same concern. I like to eat 1200 on days I both do & don't exercise. However, the days I do exercise scare me and I intuitively decided to start upping my snacks. I'll be adding more fruits and snack bars on the days I exercise, both for my energy and to ensure maintenance. We all are different folks, though, and I do agree to just listen to your own body and do what makes sense. Best of luck to you!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Would you say it's worth eating the extra snack before a workout
    Never. At least not if you're intending to get some fat off. Have a high protein small snack after exercise.

    http://ajpendo.physiology.org/content/273/4/E768.full " In summary, small elevations in plasma insulin before exercise suppressed lipolysis during exercise to the point at which it equaled and appeared to limit fat oxidation."
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I ignore 'net' and listen to my body.
    which channel do I find my body on ?
  • Hksalex
    Hksalex Posts: 144 Member
    I eat about 1200 -1400 calories.. i work out twice a day, Morning, Night, by the end of the day the total amount of calories ive eaten just disappear. when i logged it, it puts me in the negative haha (which is a good thing) :) + it does not include the Calories i burn during sleep...
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