Calories WTF I don't even...

keithcw_the_first

Crossed over to here from Livestrong after I got my FitBit. Tried losing weight at 1900. Tried losing weight at 1890. Tried losing weight at 1700. All were met with moderate success but somewhere in the neighborhood of nine pounds over four months. Nothing earth-shattering.

My energy levels were shot, I said "Screw it let's see what's happening on the 'Gaining Weight' boards".

Now I'm trying to choke down nearly 3,000 calories a day.

I was hungry before at 1800. I'm hungry now at 2800+. How does this work? What am I even doing?

Ninkyou

It could be the types of foods you're eating.

Protein & Fiber will keep you fuller longer.

Lrdoflamancha

Try 4000 to 4500 calories... That should do it...

diannethegeek

Look for foods higher in protein, fat, and fiber. These help us stay full and more satisfied longer. If you're using MFP's default settings, try to consider protein, fat, and fiber as minimums to reach every day rather than maximums to stay below.

Drink plenty of fluids. Some people really do confuse thirst and hunger.

Get plenty of rest. This includes sleeping enough and taking rest days from the exercise. Sometimes our bodies look for food when they're exhausted.

Play around with your meal timings. Some people do really well on 5-6 small meals a day and others feel like they want to gnaw their own arm off eating like that. Skipping breakfast, eating breakfast, 16:8 fasting, 6 small meals, 3 larger meals, snacks, no snacks, meal timing won't make a big difference to your weight loss, but it may help your hunger levels, mood, concentration, gym performance, etc. throughout the day. Don't be afraid to try a different way and see if it helps.

Wait it out. If you know you're eating enough and the other steps above aren't helping, you may just have to wait it out. Our bodies send out hunger signals partially out of habit. If you eat at a certain time every day your body will start to get hungry at that time. The good news is that these signals can be retrained to stop telling you to be hungry all the time. The bad news is that you may just have to be hungry for a little bit while that happens.

I also think it's important to remember that there's a habitual component to hunger. This goes along with point #6, but if you eat because you're bored or you're used to eating in front of the TV or in the car or whatever it is or if you eat when stressed or emotional, then you can replace those habits with others that are better for you. Things like keeping water on hand to sip instead of snacking or picking up hobbies that keep your hands busy or that get you out of the house more can help out a little while you're retraining your hunger cues. You might need to pay attention to why you're eating/hungry or what you're feeling when you eat and try to replace food with other things, but it can be really beneficial over time.

keithcw_the_first

Lrdoflamancha wrote: »

Try 4000 to 4500 calories... That should do it...

That can't be right... I'm 5' 11", 193. I've never eaten that much on purpose, for an extended period... ever. I'm sure I've binged that much but man I can't even fathom doing that on purpose.

Does it really work? I mean, assuming you're lifting heavy every week like you're supposed to?

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

keithcw_the_first wrote: »

Lrdoflamancha wrote: »

Try 4000 to 4500 calories... That should do it...

That can't be right... I'm 5' 11", 193. I've never eaten that much on purpose, for an extended period... ever. I'm sure I've binged that much but man I can't even fathom doing that on purpose.

Does it really work? I mean, assuming you're lifting heavy every week like you're supposed to?

the poster was being sarcastic.
I have to admit that I'm confused by your post. You're trying to LOSE by UPPING your calories? Did I read that right or am I having a Friday moment?

keithcw_the_first

BinkyBonk wrote: »

keithcw_the_first wrote: »

Lrdoflamancha wrote: »

Try 4000 to 4500 calories... That should do it...

That can't be right... I'm 5' 11", 193. I've never eaten that much on purpose, for an extended period... ever. I'm sure I've binged that much but man I can't even fathom doing that on purpose.

Does it really work? I mean, assuming you're lifting heavy every week like you're supposed to?

the poster was being sarcastic.
I have to admit that I'm confused by your post. You're trying to LOSE by UPPING your calories? Did I read that right or am I having a Friday moment?

Negative; I wasn't clear in my initial post but I'm trying to gain and find the prospect, as someone who spent high school fat and college fatter, to be terrifying. And physically difficult and generally confusing.