Exercise and Hunger

Just curious if anyone else has this issue.  I've been walking 3-4 miles 3-4 days a week the last few weeks.  I usually keep my calories at 800 and very low carb.   I find that the days I exercise, I am starving.  I eat about 200 calories more, at least.    I use a Map my walk and I've been burning 600-800 calories with each walk, almost as much as I eat.   

Is it ok to eat extra when I exercise?  I don't go to the nutritionist until next month to ask her.

Eating extra with exercise is one of the main reasons that exercise fails to help people lose weight.  If you're just eating back your calories from exercise, you won't actually lose weight since you won't have a calorie deficit.  

I exercise 1-3 hours a day, and I do not eat extra on days I exercise.  I shift the timing of my meals around, but that's it.  

I have never eatenback calories from exercise. It's a horrible idea for anyone who is obese. You may WANT to eat more, but you absolutely don't NEED to.

Calorie estimates for exercise are notoriously very high. I guarantee you aren't burning 800 calories on your walk.

I wouldn't bother eating more on the days you work out, why bother eating back the calories? I'd rework the timing of your meals to the timing of your workouts. Try eating a small meal/snack b4 your workout & a small snack afterwards, that way you won't be starving & be tempted to overeat.

Thank you!  I'm glad I asked.   I will definitely keep it to 800 calories and not give in anymore.   

I agree that you shouldn't try to eat more calories on exercise days.  But you may want to try changing up your macros on those days to include more fat.  Add some nuts or avocado or some olives.  The fat helps the carb and protein you are eating to last a bit longer.  It slows down the digestion so you'll feel fuller for a longer period of time.  

My nutritionist said you may need to increase your carb count slightly on exercise days as that's the big energy burner your body uses. But, your overall calorie count should change much. I would discuss it with your nut.

I swim or do water exercise and I'm always hungry afterwards. Even in college when I use to do synchronized swimming, I was always starving after class. So much for the idea that exercise curbs your appetite! 

Now, I usually have a water on my way home or have some nuts or cheese which holds me over for lunch.