More calories after exercising?

DRose · 12-02-2008, 03:17 AM

I know that you're supposed to eat more calories on the days you exercise, but I always feel too guilty to eat more. For example, I ate my normal daily allowance today. Then I burned about 650 calories through cardo and 30ds, I know I should eat more but I'm so proud of myself for exercising that I feel like I don't want to ruin it...

Here we go again · 12-02-2008, 03:26 AM

Drose- it's always wise to eat some protein after you workout. sometimes when it's later at night, I'll eat 2 boiled eggs (white only) and 2 pieces of sliced turkey breast. lots of protein very little cals.

HVEECK · 12-02-2008, 04:46 AM

I dont eat more on the days that I work out. I just try to eat a little less on the days that I dont work out. If that makes sense

If you feel like you "should" eat more, than snack on vegies, fruit or like "here we go again" said, lean protein.

mayness · 12-02-2008, 02:07 PM

Back when I was consistently counting calories

I tried to deal with this a few ways.

For a while, I had it planned out so that I would eat the same number of calories every day, knowing how many minutes/hours per week I would be exercising, to make it all average out to the right number. It takes a little more math and planning, but it also motivates you to do your planned workouts because you've already eaten those calories throughout the week and you NEED to do the exercise to lose the weight!

kelli32 · 12-03-2008, 12:12 PM

I don't necessarily eat more or less when I work out and when I don't. I tend to start my mornings with hard boiled eggs and cottage cheese on toast if I'm working out early though so that I can last through my workout. I wouldn't say the number of calories I eat are different I'm just more conscious of what those calories are from, I tend to make them contain more protein and avoid empty calories a lot more on the days I work out.

Thighs Be Gone · 12-03-2008, 12:15 PM

I work out everyday and log all my food. I don't eat more either. There are some days I naturally want to eat more and other days when I can get by on a lot less. As long as I am headed the right way w/inches and on the scale, I don't worry about it.

KLK · 12-03-2008, 12:16 PM

I don't eat any more on the days i workout, but mostly because for me that kind of thing usually gets out of control. What starts as "Oh, I'll make myself a flax waffle with a half serving of natural almond butter for a little boost" quickly turns into a whole different beast and I wind up eating A LOT more.

kelly315 · 12-03-2008, 12:20 PM

Maybe eat something that won't just contradict the calories you burned, but will rather improve what you did while exercising.
Protein! Eat 100 extra calories in peanuts or fish or some good protein- that way, even though you don't have as big of a calorie deficit, you don't have to feel like you wasted your time exercising.

fiberlover · 12-03-2008, 12:31 PM

For me, it really depends on how much exercise I get. I don't want my net calories to get super low, as I am afraid that my body won't get enough nutrients for daily functioning. However, I don't normally eat more unless I burn 500 or more calories in a day. On days that I run and lift, I will eat more - cause I'm hungry!!