Is it 1400 calories from food only or is this net (including exercise)?

[sophiamaria]

For example- if I were to not exercise one day and eat 1400, and the next day burn off 200 calories but eat 1600 calories- is this what the plan is asking, or is it to eat 1400 calories regardless of exercise? Hope this makes sense!

[Windswept1]

My understanding is that if you have worked out your calories from the NHS website & put in your activity level then you do not 'eat' your exercise calories.

[gingernut49]

Never eat your exercise calories - they're a bonus!

[gingernut49]

Never eat your exercise calories - they're a bonus when you're trying to lose weight! I logged everything on MyFitnessPal but ignored the exercise calories. I lost three stone in six months.

[sophiamaria in reply to gingernut49]

Good for you! That's amazing. Thanks for your help.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

I have to admit that I do often eat some of my exercise calories. I know I lose small amounts of weight some weeks - and no doubt I would lose more if I didn't eat some of my exercise calories, but at the same time I would feel very hungry potentially if I didn't eat the amounts that I do.

[katedaniels]

I think that you go off the net value but if you want to lose more weight then don't eat them. I find that if I don't eat some of the exercise calories then i'm hungry, though I do like bonus calories. If i'm in need of a treat I will do enough exercise to cover the calories then I don't feel bad about the chocolate, though this is not the approach for quick weight loss.

[fenbadger]

Your question makes sense and so do the answers. If you do 1/2 hour in the gym, then eat a mars bar, you may as well have saved your money and watched tv. It's budgeting with calories. You must use more than you take in. Even if only by a small amount. It's a small victory if your weight doesn't go up. and if it drops even slowly in the long term that's great too. We're not training for marathons.