arrowhein's Journal, 01 June 2020

I personally just use exercise as “extra”. I keep my calories low enough to lose weight if I don’t do anything all day. So I don’t count calories lost during workouts. 

I typically try to not add in extra calories even when I "burn" them through exercise. That is unless I become very hungry and simply need the extra energy. I always figure there will be days I don't calculate correctly or a feast a little. As long as the direction of your weight and fitness is going where you are aiming... That is the goal, and each person's plan is a bit different! Do what works for you long term!  

I personally wouldn’t because I’m desperately trying to lose. But perhaps if I was in the maintaining stage, I would. 

Ya, that was my logic before I added in a lot of exercise. I just wanted to lose! I don't know if on the days I burn 1000+ cal at a 1200 calorie limit if that is healthy to only have my bodies net to run on 200ish calories or if I should add in even an extra 200-400 calories to provide some boost. I have stalled a lot this last month and some days my net calories due to exercise go negative. Just trying to figure out if I am setting myself up for disaster eating that low and exercising a lot. As I get closer to my ideal body weight, I am more worried about how my body is handling the weight loss than losing large amounts of weight (i.e. I don't want to wreck my metabolism at 24😂). It is nice to hear others don't add back in calories and are doing alright😊 

Ya, that was my logic before I added in a lot of exercise. I just wanted to lose! I don't know if on the days I burn 1000+ cal at a 1200 calorie limit if that is healthy to only have my bodies net to run on 200ish calories or if I should add in even an extra 200-400 calories to provide some boost. I have stalled a lot this last month and some days my net calories due to exercise go negative. Just trying to figure out if I am setting myself up for disaster eating that low and exercising a lot. As I get closer to my ideal body weight, I am more worried about how my body is handling the weight loss than losing large amounts of weight (i.e. I don't want to wreck my metabolism at 24😂). It is nice to hear others don't add back in calories and are doing alright😊 

1200 calories seems low to not add back in calories for sure. ❤️ In fact it just plain seems low! 😁 If you are losing more than 1 to 2 pounds per week, I would be concerned about sustainability once you reach goal, Sometimes it seems like such a game of trial and error for every individual. I try to keep my calories as high as I can and still maintain or drop a bit as needed. Sometimes every day of the week is different. I had a high cal day two days ago, and then yesterday ate about 800cals total but had a about a 850 cal hike /walk of about 9 miles. I'm not an expert, but mixing it up seems to keep the body guessing and life interesting! 😁  

You have done so amazingly well, so I'm guessing that you really can trust yourself to read what your body needs!