Should I eat back calories I've burned?

happyfeet7

Hi everybody!

Sorry if this has been addressed before, I've read the stickies but can't seem to find the answer. I'd like to know if I should I be eating back the calories I've burned in the gym?

For example: I'm overweight and have been losing weight for over two months now by eating healthier, going to the gym and creating a calorie deficit. I was told my ideal calorie intake is 1200 in order to lose weight, but the the losses have been very slow (which I suppose is good).

For example, today my overall intake of calories were 1600 and I burned 600 in the gym making my nett intake 1000. So my questions are:

Is my net too low? Is there a chance of "starvation mode" even though I'm eating quite a lot?
Should I be eating 1200 + whatever I burn in the gym? And if so is that the same as just eating 1200 on my inbetween/rest days?
I ask because a friend of mine told me to ignore what I burn in the gym as that is just a plus and concentrate on sticking to 1200.. but that means that on days I burn 500 calories my net would be 700 which is very low.

I'm trying to do this the right way and would really appreciate some feedback from those who actually know what they're talking about. Thank you!

Blatter

What did you do in the gym to burn 600 calories? Just asking because sometimes those machines can be very inaccurate.

Also, what is your height, weight and gender?

happyfeet7

Thanks for the reply! I do a combination of jogging, rowing, crosstraining, biking and swimming. I try to switch it up so it doesn't get boring and try to burn between 500-600 every second day and approx 300 on the others so my body doesn't get used to what I'm up to! I've also been doing weights machines on the 300 cal days to build muscle. Is that even what you're supposed to do?

I'm 5'2, 12.5 stone and female with a small frame which actually puts me in the obese range for my BMI. I really appreciate any advice!

doctorwhogirl

I wouldn't say eat them necessarily, but I would up my calorie intake in general if that's what your activity level is in general. Then if there's a week where you aren't doing that exercise, lower cals.

1200 still quite low, even if you are 5ft 2. Your body needs a certain amount just to function on it's most basic level so give it the extra fuel it needs for exercise!

nice_guy80

its very doubtful if you are burning 600 calories on exercise

what does your diet consist of? you could be eating 1200 calories of crap food.

Mellor

I doubt you are burning 600 cals tbh.

I'd ignore net calories for the most part. There's just too much margin for error and you can end up wiping out a deficit, more so when you are smaller to begin with.
Eat 1200 everyday. If you are planning a tough gym day, you can up it a bit by having a 200 cal snack around gym time (either before/after), but you don't need to have you if you don't feel like you need it.

papu

Starvation Mode – Why You Probably Never Need to Worry About It/

Interesting article , It's based on a Military study which is probably good data , Haven't read the study myself though so I cant comment on it.

Stench Blossoms

Who gave you the 1200 figure? Myfitnesspal?

I'm of the same opinion as the others that you are burning 600 calories. The calorie counter on those machines is way off.