Should I exercise to burn more calories than I eat?
Asked by anonymous on Oct 10, 2008
in Eating Disorders
I just got out of an institution for my eating disorder (bulimia) and I was wondering if I’m doing good by burning every calorie I eat through exercise?
Answer
Don’t try to exercise away the calories you eat because physical activity accounts for only some of the calories you burn. Most of your calories are used to provide basic functions, such as heartbeat, breathing and warmth. If your goal is to gain, then eat more calories than you burn, but if your goal is to maintain, then eat and burn approximately the same number of calories. After discharge for an eating disorder, it is easiest to follow your nutritionist’s advice. Usually, they advise not to count calories because calorie counting is considered to be an “eating-disordered behavior”. Read about behaviors indicative of eating disorders at About.com, and join Calorie Count's Eating Disorders Recovery Group.
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