Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Eating my exercise
As a three times Weight Watchers veteran, I was ALWAYS told at meetings to eat my exercise points. So now that I've been adding up my food and exercise on http://www.loseit.com/ I have been eating my exercise calories for the mostly every day. However, I've only gone over my daily calorie limit twice since I've started counting calories and really haven't been losing weight. I've gone up and down and am down 0.8 from the start a month ago, which I realize is better than gaining, but it's not what I was expecting. I put in my weight, height, age, etc. and entered in that my goal loss each week is 1.5 lbs. So according to loseit, my daily calorie input is around 1,500 cals. On average, I burn between 300-500 calories in exercise daily. I've been reading a lot of blogs, discussion boards and I've noticed that many people are only eating 1,200 cals/day. Plus exercising on top of that and not "eating their exercise". That just doesn't add up to me. So let's say you do a 400 cal. workout and eat 1,200 cals. So your body is only working with 800 cals. for the rest of the day? It just doesn't seem like enough and that your body would rebel. Can someone explain this to me? Is my 1,500 cals. too much? Maybe these people are just MUCH smaller and shorter than me. I'm 5' 8" and 183.8 lbs. (Yes, I did just share my height and weight...yeah I didn't intend to do that til I reached my goal weight, but I think this info is important in figuring out calorie intake) Maybe I just need to stop eating my exercise calories? We had a Sole Sister conversation about this a few weeks ago. Most people say not to eat the calories unless you save them for a special treat or big dinner out. That's what I'm trying this week. However, today I ended up eating half of my exercise calories because I ate three servings of Snackimals. But half is better than eating ALL of them I suppose. I also realize it's not all about the number of calories, but what kind of nutrients are in those calories. I feel like I'm doing pretty well with eating a good balance of protein, veggies, fruits, dairy and grains. I could definitely do less cheese and grains, but I feel good about what I'm eating for the most part. I'm going to try not eating my exercise calories and see how that goes and then possibly adjust. Help me out here if you think I'm onto something or if I'm completely off track. Thanks.
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I find I do best when I eat half of my exercise calories and as for your calories I have worked out my RMR and eat that (it's about 1600 for me) it sounds a lot but I've been reading a book that basically says you have to eat to lose weight - your body needs fuel to burn fat and produce muscle (when eating the right food too of course), it goes totally against 'normal' diet rules but when I was reading it it seemed to make sense to me. I've only been trying it for just over a week though so don't have definite results to share (although I lost two pounds last week) but I'd take a few weeks and first try eating your RMR and leaving your exercise then the next week eat half your exercise then the next eat 1400 and so on - its a lot of trial and error but if you're like me then you've got the rest of your life to work it out so there's no hurry!! As a foodie I want to be able to eat as much lovely food as possible AND lose weight!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with it, I hope it all starts working for you
Thanks so much for your comment Hannah. It makes sense that your body needs fuel to burn off that fat and create more muscle. What is the name of the book you are reading? I will definitely try out your suggestions and keep you updated! Good luck from one foodie to another :)
DeleteAs a blogger everyone knows my height and weight and that I am the worst singer every. It's like we are all friends you just put it out there.
ReplyDeleteI can not survive on 1,200 calories, I'd cut a b*&$#. Not worth it. My goal every day is 1,600 calories which is pretty reasonable. I'll admit some days I am 1,500 some days 1,700. I don't eat back my calories on most normal day. If I am doing an average or even really hard hour long workout I find my 1,600 is still enough. When I start getting up to half and full marathon runs then I find I need to eat a bit more. (For me usually 1,700-1,800 on 12-16 run anything 17 miles and up I am eating 1,800-2,000). That's is what workd for me and just some examples. Hope it helps.
Abby I LOVED your bravery and everytime that song is on, I just can't get it of my head! Yes, your comment definitely helps me get some perspective. I would be one angry woman too if I only ate 1,200 calories...I'd probably just end up crying 3,000 calories later over an empty gallon of ice cream. 1,600 sounds like a good number for me to shoot for. Thanks!
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