How do Calories work?

[silverknight]

My healthy eating appears to be going well, I'm using a calorie counting app to log my exercise and food intake each day, and I had a question about calories. The app I'm using deducts their estimated calorie burn from my exercise from the amount I've eaten that day "allowing" me to eat more to offset it. Would it be better for me to always stick to the 1400 each day, or eat that little bit more when I've done exercise?

Also, if I don't reach the calorie intake with my main meals, should I try to top it up with snacks or accept that on that particular day I was off?

I'm fairly new to this and I don't want to get it wrong haha.

[albinohedgehog]

Heya.

Personally i would eat as much as you can whilst still losing 1-2lbs a week, as then you will feel more satisfied and itll be easier to stick at it. Especially if exercise makes you more hungry. But also theres no point forcing yourself to eat if your not hungry. So basically i would top up your calories if you want them.

☺

[silverknight in reply to albinohedgehog]

So it's a little bit of trial and error over time? Keeping track of what I'm losing (hopefully) each week and adjusting from there?

[albinohedgehog in reply to silverknight]

Sounds sensible to me. ☺ im basically a newbie too, but personally i think you have to use your bmi but also listen to your body aswell.

[IndigoBlue61]

Yes, I agree, try to stick to 1400 but if you are extra hungry after exercise than have something extra to eat. After a few weeks you will learn how much you can eat and still lose 😊

[silverknight in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thank you! I guess I need to learn to listen to what my body is telling me, although given my tendency towards cravings I kinda wanted to ignore me and stick to the numbers haha.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to silverknight]

Have you checked your metabolic rate (BMR) there should be a link in the newbies thread. This will give you a daily calorie target 😊 1400 is a general allowance, and many people find the BMR checker gives them a higher amount. 😊 It's important not to reduce too low too soon. 😊

[silverknight in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Well my BMR tells me I should have 2426 calories per day, so I'm guessing 1000 below that might be a little too drastic given I want slow weight loss

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to silverknight]

500 a day is the usual deficit, so that makes around the 1926 mark 😊 but that's quite a big difference. Maybe try it for a week and see, but generally the more you can eat and still lose weight the better 😊

[silverknight in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I like the sound of that xD more food is always good in my mind haha

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to silverknight]

Exactly 😊😊😊