NEWBIE QUESTION!

gardengal1970
gardengal1970 Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I recently started using MFP....I am an active girl,so the days that I do log in exercise I end up adding calories....SOOO my question is...will I still lose weight if I eat the calories it gives me?....As a nurse I know that if cut out 500 calories each day (total per week 3500cal) you will lose a pound...but I am confused to why they would want to put the calories into the "calories available"...and not a "calories burned"!....Anyone able to shed some light on this for me?!...thanks!

Replies

  • Briantime
    Briantime Posts: 175 Member
    Hi there!


    I am new here as well and by no means an expert, but the way I understand the concept is that after entering your information, MFP calculated the number of calories you can consume to lose weight at your desired pace. Adding available calories via excercise means that you could eat all of those calories and still maintain your weight loss goal pace. Of course, eating less can accelerate your weight loss...


    Brian
  • city_of_frogs
    city_of_frogs Posts: 101 Member
    I put in my calories burned purely to see how hard I am working to burn the fat.
    I don't eat back my exercise calories. However, some people do.
    Some people only want the 500 (or what ever they nominate) calorie deficet, so when they exercise, they eat back what they have burned.
    Personally, I find this counter productive for weight loss, but to each their own.
    If someone wants to eat a treat, or go to dinner with friends, they will exercise more to earn those calories.
  • WaxMama
    WaxMama Posts: 369 Member
    To eat or not to eat exercise calories, that is the question. And a big one here on MFP! Everyone will have different opinions, but you need to figure out what works for you. As a nurse, I'm sure you know calories are fuel... bottom line, if you're eating enough for your body to fuel your organs and keep you energized, I wouldn't worry about eating exercise calories back. Most people eat some back, you don't have to eat all of them. I don't know how much you're burning, but if you're burning a lot, it's a good idea to eat them back. Some of my friends burn 600 or more calories in one day, every day, and in that case yes, you should definitely eat them back! Also, MFP's exercise calories aren't very accurate. Consider getting a HRM if you plan to eat them back or you'll eat more than you actually burned...
  • gardengal1970
    gardengal1970 Posts: 4 Member
    I totally agree with you!.....I want to maximize my weight loss ability.....So I am with you!....I plan on only "using" them if I have a special event.....a cheat cushion!
  • gardengal1970
    gardengal1970 Posts: 4 Member
    I wish there was a "LIKE" button....(FB,addict here!) As you would all get my "LIKES" as you have all been sooooo helpful and supportive!

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