To people who've lost lots of weight!

I eat 1500 calorie (BMR) PLUS whatever I burn for exercise - anywhere between 250-600 depending on what I do.

To be honest, I was doing the old WW points system for the first year but even then I ate most if not all of my weekly allowance points and exercise points. I think it ends up being about the same concept if you sign up here with a 1 pound per week loss goal and eat back your exercise calories.

I'm not at the "lot of weight" point yet - but I do eat back my exercise cals. I've been on here for 40 days and have lost 12lbs. Also - in my experience - the MFP calorie burn numbers tend to run higher than what is actually burned - so you may choose to only eat back a portion of your exercise cals. (This theory is based on my purchase of a HRM and the sad discovery that my burn was off on the elliptical by half).

Just an FYI..when you type in your cardio or strength training in MFP, you can adjust your calories burned. You don't have to leave it at what automatically populates. I use a HRM and then adjust it when I enter my exercise time.

Net calories of 200 to 300 will only do your body damage. 7pounds in one week is very unhealthy and most likely only water.

I eat anywhere between 1250ish to 1300ish calories, which includes my workout calories. I have a fitbit and so I calculate how much I can eat more on how many calories I've burned throughout the day according to my FItbit since I never take it off.

So if it tells me I can eat 1400 calories, then I'll eat roughly about 1400. It depends on if I'm hungry! I don't force it. But I usually "net" 1200ish or so calories. I was strictly adhereing to 1200 calories, sometimes (okay a lot!) going lower to about 1100. And that put me into starvation mode (I can only assume because I stopped losing) that I got jolted out of when I went on vacation.

So since then, if I exercise a lot more, then I eat a little bit more because obviously (in my mind) my body wants more fuel! I'm also "really" hungry versus "bored" hungry when I've done some intensive exercising / strength training that I'm learning to tell the difference in the way I feel. It could all be in my mind too! Ha!

Either way, I definitely eat some % of my calories back depending on the night, and that has kept me steadily moving forward! Plus all the stinkin' water I drink.

I average about 1200-1300 a day and do not eat back exercise cals. But if im hungry i will eat. I dont eat just to eat them back though.

bump

I average around 1700-1800 cals per day. I burn between 300-500 on workout days. I eat at least half my exercise cals back.

I try to stay between 1500 and 1650 cals per day (during the week) and burn about 400-600 cals per workout, and I workout 3/5 days. I do allow myself to eat back some exercise cals too. However, on the weekends, I indulge a bit and get closer to 2100-2200 cals per day, working out both days but not eating back exercise cals. I've been on my journey since Jan 2010, and I would definitely tell you to listen to what your body tells you it needs. As you continue on your path, you'll discern what your body is asking for vs. what your emotions are pushing you to consume. Once you tune into your body, it's not hard to tweak your intake to accommodate its needs. It will take time, so be patient and be kind to yourself in the meantime.

Started out being allowed to eat 2000 calories a day and was gradually reduced to 1500.

Started out burning 200 calories a day and gradually increased to 1000.

RARELY eat my exercise calories.

I eat between 1300-1400 calories a day and burn 500-700 a day (5 days a week). I don't always eat back what I burn, but may eat back a few.