Calories burned Topic


Should I add the calories I burned from my workout to my eating calories for the day?


Yes that’s a very good question!

I’m looking for that same answer as well


Greetings! That is a great question. If your goal is weight loss (Many users on MyNetDiary are using the app for weight loss) then we suggest NOT adding back the calories burned through activity to your daily calorie goals. That is not to say that exercise is not important. It is very important for mental and physical well being! If you are trying to lose weight, keep exercising, though don't add your calories back. Hope this helps~ Best, Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)


I have a question about this. If you are still meeting your required daily calorie deficit, doesn’t adding the calories your burn from exercising allow you to eat more, but still stay track to lose weight at the same pace?


Personally depends on how much exercise I’ve done.
If I’m already in a calorie deficit of 500-800 and the. I exercise again 500-800 cal that’s a even bigger deficit.

For example I personally eat very little when I’m struggling with my mental health.

So some days I only eat 500cals.
I will then exercise at least an hour which is 800cal.
With the food alone in in a major deficit. And then an even bigger one with the exercise.

If I’m doing well I eat around 1500 calories and exercise atkeadt a 3rd. But if I’m hungry after I don’t mind eating backs few of those as my body needs it.

On days where I don’t exercise much I stick firmly to my calories without eating any back.
If I did a killer workout I will eat some back to balance out the feeling.

Work out how and what works for you!
It’s not bad if you do eat some and it really discourages me if I’m in the red even though I’m heavily in a deficit.


Hi U1188367685- It really depends. The predictive equations would say yes, you should be losing weight if you are eating less calories than your body needs. Though I have seen in my Nutrition practice that people lose weight faster if they don't eat back the calories they burn through exercise. It is great that the app gives you an estimate of the calories burned through activity, though some people notice if they eat those additional calories they don't meet their weight loss goals. I'd suggest experimenting with both- For example, for 2 weeks you eat back the calories burned through exercise and then for 2 weeks you don't and see how this impacts the scale. Best, Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)


Problem is people overestimate the amount of calories they burned then over eat the amount they think they've burned. 500-800 calories is a lot. What are you doing to burn that much. I weigh 225 and am 5'11. It would take me about an hour on my road bike at 16 MPH to burn that much. Better to not add the calories burned or only a small percentage


Would you suggest turning the auto pilot off then as well?


Hi Aluther- I would suggest keeping autopilot on.
Let us know how this goes for you. Tracking is a powerful tool that can really help to reach weight/body composition and health goals!
Best, Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)


I have an Apple Watch but use the extra calories gained from the burn (around 600 for 60 min of treadmill) to build some contingency. I typically stay fairly close to my calorie range - but if I go over a bit, the exercise burn covers the deficit. This has worked well for me.

Calories burned