Scared of Calories

leooftheyear

So one of the things that I have noticed, more so when I was on Weight Watchers, but it is still somewhat occurring now that I'm back on MFP and I am eating at maintenance for the NROLFW program. I notice that I am almost afraid of eating all my calories incase I go over or if I need some extra at the end of the day or if I go over another day....however, I am just drawing the conclusion that this is the piece that was/is leading me to binge/be STARVING, neither of which are good for performance at the gym.

I decided to try something a little difference this week, I eat my breakfast between 7-8 then a mid morning snack at about 10 then lunch between 12-1 then another snack at about 3-4 then dinner when I get home 6-7.... This is how I ate yesterday, and I left the gym feeling FANTASTIC, I was not STARVING and I noticed that my perform was actually a lot better, I had a lot more energy to keep up in my Body Combat class.

I realize this comes from a long time of hearing my mothers voice in my head "you need to eat salads" "carbs are bad for you" etc. but even with this realization it means that I am starting to realize this is a life style not a diet. I think part of the reason I failed last year was because I felt like it was a diet and I was not eating right and trying to exercise out a bad diet and it just was not working.

I am starting to embrace the fact that I can eat 2000-2200 calories per day and I will not gain 10-20lbs, as long as I'm putting in the time and effort at the gym and I am eating right.

williams969

leooftheyear wrote: »

I am starting to embrace the fact that I can eat 2000-2200 calories per day and I will not gain 10-20lbs, as long as I'm putting in the time and effort at the gym and I am eating right.

YAY! The light bulb has clicked on for you! Looking at your diary and seeing your exercise/activity level, you sure can eat 2000 calories. And those carbs--that's for your energy/performance; they are completely necessary, as you've seen. Congrats and keep going!

terbusha

That’s great! Eat for performance and progress will come. If you want to perform at optimal levels, you need to fuel your body right. Food is gas for your engine. That’s all it is. Carbs are for sure not bad. No food is. People get into trouble with weight simply because they’re eating at a calorie level that their body’s cannot burn through in the day. I eat 400+ grams of carbs and ~100 grams of fat/day, and I’m in great shape. You just have to eat at your body’s ability to process the amount of calories you’re brining in. You rock! Feed your body with quality at the right quantity and you’re going to make 2015 your year.

leooftheyear

terbusha wrote: »

That’s great! Eat for performance and progress will come. If you want to perform at optimal levels, you need to fuel your body right. Food is gas for your engine. That’s all it is. Carbs are for sure not bad. No food is. People get into trouble with weight simply because they’re eating at a calorie level that their body’s cannot burn through in the day. I eat 400+ grams of carbs and ~100 grams of fat/day, and I’m in great shape. You just have to eat at your body’s ability to process the amount of calories you’re brining in. You rock! Feed your body with quality at the right quantity and you’re going to make 2015 your year.

Thank you!!! I just started looking into the Eat More to Weigh Less group and it makes a lot of sense and everything is starting to come together for me

no wonder I was barely losing weight and completely miserable eating 1500-1700 calories/day and going to the gym 5-6 days a week

Azurite27

Great realization. I know that I can't stay under my calories unless I pre-plan meals and snacks and only make small adjustments during the day. You have the right idea of not looking at any food as "bad" now. Just work on moderation.