Occasional Under Eating?

50452

I woke up late this morning and really didn't feel like eating until lunch. I made a nice salad with some chicken and was perfectly satiated.

When I went to log in my food, I could see that if I only eat dinner, I would have almost 900 calories to eat to get my minimum in. Large and/or calorie laden dinners is a behavior I am trying to extinguish, so I didn't want to do that. Another behavior that I am determined to change is eating during non mealtimes. It's been going well thanks to all of you who provide all the support and good advice.

So, in the interest of making up more lunch calories, I added an apple w/2 T of peanut butter. I still have quite a few calories to eat for dinner. It is too soon in my new eating regime to overindulge. I kind of like to keep dinner in the 500 - 600 calorie range.

What is the predominant thinking on occasional calorie dips? If I eat only 1000 today but get back on track tomorrow, will that adversely affect my body's ability to lose weight? Would it go into starvation mode with one day of under eating? I'm just not that hungry.

I suppose I could do dessert .

FatMoojor

Dont fret it. A day of under eating isn't going to make any difference in the long run. Your body isn't going to suddenly think your starving.

Eat your normal dinner and move on to tomorrow.

LAWoman72

Well, unless it's severely "under," I don't worry, personally. That's just me. I have the occasional not-very-hungry day just as I have the occasional wow-I'm-hungry day. I figure if it's only occasional and I'm getting within the ballpark of my calorie goal the majority of the time, I probably don't have a problem.

If it were frequent I'd probably be concerned.

50452

LAWoman72 wrote: »

If it were frequent I'd probably be concerned.

*snort* I wish.

Metruis

Do you feel full and satisfied? Then it doesn't matter. You won't lose less weight because you didn't eat enough... it doesn't work that way. Trust your body. If it's like 'yeah, we're cool'... listen, because someday it'll be like 'NO, I AM STARVING FEED ME FEED ME FEEEEEED ME', and it'll all balance out.

Don't force yourself to eat if you're not hungry.

chubbard9

50452 wrote: »

I woke up late this morning and really didn't feel like eating until lunch. I made a nice salad with some chicken and was perfectly satiated.

When I went to log in my food, I could see that if I only eat dinner, I would have almost 900 calories to eat to get my minimum in. Large and/or calorie laden dinners is a behavior I am trying to extinguish, so I didn't want to do that. Another behavior that I am determined to change is eating during non mealtimes. It's been going well thanks to all of you who provide all the support and good advice.

So, in the interest of making up more lunch calories, I added an apple w/2 T of peanut butter. I still have quite a few calories to eat for dinner. It is too soon in my new eating regime to overindulge. I kind of like to keep dinner in the 500 - 600 calorie range.

What is the predominant thinking on occasional calorie dips? If I eat only 1000 today but get back on track tomorrow, will that adversely affect my body's ability to lose weight? Would it go into starvation mode with one day of under eating? I'm just not that hungry.

I suppose I could do dessert .

It happens. That would be like being sick for a day and not being able to eat anything... Just stay on track for the most part, a day under isn't going to hurt you...

esjones12

Sometimes I wish I had that problem. I try to keep mine pretty even so the next day I'm not "starving". I have a hard time moving calories around or looking at the weekly intake vs daily....it just gets me off track and OCD-ish. So I focus on daily....and I never feel not hungry for my calories lol.

But yea, the occasional day won't hurt. If you feel extra hungry the next day, don't be afraid to go over. Try not to go under 1200 more than you have to though. Your body needs that to sustain itself properly.

Ellaskat

50452 wrote: »

I woke up late this morning and really didn't feel like eating until lunch. I made a nice salad with some chicken and was perfectly satiated.

When I went to log in my food, I could see that if I only eat dinner, I would have almost 900 calories to eat to get my minimum in. Large and/or calorie laden dinners is a behavior I am trying to extinguish, so I didn't want to do that. Another behavior that I am determined to change is eating during non mealtimes. It's been going well thanks to all of you who provide all the support and good advice.

So, in the interest of making up more lunch calories, I added an apple w/2 T of peanut butter. I still have quite a few calories to eat for dinner. It is too soon in my new eating regime to overindulge. I kind of like to keep dinner in the 500 - 600 calorie range.

What is the predominant thinking on occasional calorie dips? If I eat only 1000 today but get back on track tomorrow, will that adversely affect my body's ability to lose weight? Would it go into starvation mode with one day of under eating? I'm just not that hungry.

I suppose I could do dessert .

your calorie counts dont matter in 24 hour cycles, only over time. Many of us (including me) find it more useful to track calories over the last 7 days, instead of daily. This allows you to have more wiggle room some days, and to tighten the reins on other days. I know for myself, this works much better. I personally would be stifled by trying to eat exactly the same cals daily; by tracking over time, I can have an occasional treat, or dinner out, without it effecting my overall weight loss. I've lost 11 pounds in 8 weeks; and 4 dress sizes! From an 8, to a 0/2.

ElizabethKalmbach

I permit myself to be under as often as I am over. You can go back and look at your eating history and see how often you fall in one category or the other, and if it looks like you're trending too much one way or the other, you can make adjustments. Your body won't always work like clockwork, and even when it does, it might not be on the same schedule as the rest of the world.

Or take the opportunity to have some dessert. (Which is what I did yesterday when I discovered that loading a trailer after a surprisingly filling low calorie dinner had put me behind by 700 unexpected calories... >_<)

callsitlikeiseeit

as long as its only occasional, its not a big deal. no different than being over occasionally. it all balances out.

50452

Oh, what a relief. I was hoping I would get these type of responses, but was ready for anything. Being a bit OCD really does help me - I respond well to boundaries.

You guys are great. Thank you for the thoughtful responses.

Tubbs216

During the week I often have low days, to make up for higher weekends. It usually balances out and if you're not making a habit of it it will be fine.