Does once a week exercise count?

I am generally active in the day (1hr walking to and from work, then on my feet at the hospital all day), but I don't do any strenuous exercise per se. However, most weekends I do a hike which apparently burns around 2000 calories. I do eat enough to make sure I'm not feeling shaky on hike days, but I am pretty sure I don't eat anywhere near 2000 extra calories. So, my question is, does this once-a-week exercise contribute to a higher daily activity level and calorie burn and up my daily calorie allowance, or does it "not count" because it's all in one day?

I ask because I'm maintaining/sometimes gaining a little on around 1700/day. I am short (5'3") and not overweight (131) and not young (29), but I upped my calories a few months ago thinking it would jumpstart a bit more weight loss, even if very gradual, and it hasn't. Am I thinking I am burning more than I really am?

Alternatively I am trying to convince myself to be happy to maintain at this weight (it's not quite my goal, but whatever, I look ok, I've lost 50lb) - so is this my maintenance calories? I was hoping to be able to go a bit higher to be honest, and I've allowed myself to put on 3 or 4 lb whilst increasing my calories and tried not to care, but, um, I'd quite like to stop putting the weight back on now!

ps. I have lost weight slowly and healthily over many years and though I did not count calories for the first few years I am very sure I was not undereating. If my metabolism is shot to **** eating the exact weight loss recommendations of this site, that is very unfair!!

The once a week exercise just adds to your overall 'moderate activity' level.  If you're eating a little more on the day you go hiking that makes sense.  I'd say you should be losing weight on 1700 cals a day given the amount of exercise you do.  However, if that's not happening, have a day where you get your 'total burn' (maintenance calories) and then drop down to 1500-1600 instead.

Good luck

29 IS young. I'm 31 and I'm young.

Sorry that didn't help much but you made me feel old for a second! Good luck though

x

haha whisperer I'm sorry. I only said it so no one thought I was a teenager! I still get IDed a lot, heh. It doesn't help that I dress like a muppet.

thanks jane as always, sigh, being slim is way more stressful than being overweight, I tell you. I was quite happy with myself back then, figured I was just talented in other areas and being on the bigger side was a good way to filter out the shallow blokes!