[carls888]

Hi

I have been doing this with good success on 1200 cal. But I am wondering do you have to include the exercise you do and then eat that many more calories?
I know that 1200 is the lowest you should go, so I am presuming yes you do have to eat more but I want the best results so thought I'd ask the question.

Thanks

C

[Ange]

Most people say you should eat back the calories burnt when you are on such a low calorie intake but in saying that I don't always MFP community have a heap of threads on it.

[matt1972]

I have absolutely no qualifications to say this, but since it's the internet that's never stopped anybody giving out advice, in my current state of largeness I don't feel the need to eat back calories if I have a day or 2 coming in under my goal for the day.

I think that professional athletes and people who are looking to lose that last kg might be better served by eating all their calories back but i am not at that stage just yet.

[spersephone]

If you've taken your profile correctly, you should eat what is suggested for you - not a blanket 1200 as this may be too little for your situation.

If you exercise and burn several hundred calories, it is best to eat back at least half of what you've burned. If you're recording your exercise, make sure you're doing it reasonably accurately so you don't make a mistake with how much you can afford to eat back. Use a heart rate monitor if possible (with a chest strap) for cardio related activities. If you're going on the estimates from the app, they may be incorrect, and you can afford to reduce the amount of extra calories given to you by 10-20% to be on the safe side.

It is wise to eat as much as is advised to you, as your body needs fuel to burn fat. You can get away with not doing this on occasion, but it's best for your own health and wellbeing to eat the right amount.

[carls888]

OK great, thanks to you all.

On afew calorie/exercise sites it states that I am burning around 300-390 cals, I am also pushing a pram with a 5 and 3yo in it and keeping up my speed, but I am not counting that.

I am putting into fitnesspal app that I burn 200cal, so hopefully that will be OK. Sometimes i eat it all, sometimes I don't feel like it, but I don't want to hold weight from not eating what the body needs at minimum.

That said i have 20kg to lose...

But I want this to be a lifestyle change rather than a quick fix, hence the question.

C

[Sofia*]

I lost over 20 ikg using MFP eating about 1400 - 1600 cals a day plus my burnt calories.
My personal opinion is that eating at a higher calorie level is going to be much easier to manage and easier to sustain - which is what counts if you want this to be a long term change not just quick weight loss which bounces back again.

[yummymummycakes]

what is mfp please

[Sofia*]

what is mfp please

Myfitnesspal - www.myfitnesspal.com

It's a website and app that allows you to record your calories in (food) and out (exercise).
Plus an online community for discussion of diet/fitness etc.

It's free.
And the most successful way I've found to lose weight - just because it made me conscious of what I was eating and got me into the habit of being aware of balancing calories in and out.

[TheSmithFamily]

Hello

Great that you have taken these steps!
Great for all your planned travel!!
I joined mfp 5 weeks ago.
I also was recommended 1200 calories.

I do exercise on top of that and never eat back calories as such.

So some days if I do a run and burn 400cals it will say under calorie goal etc.

Cheers and good luck!!

I also had 20kg to loose and have lost 10kg so far ( 10 weeks)

Bron

[carls888]

Cool, good to know.
Wow Bron that is awesome!!!
I am happy at 1200cals and I feel like I have relearned how to eat a portion size.
I love it because I use the app tool everyday. I am not online as yet for it though, just use the app. It makes it so easy to track and figure stuff out.

C