TOO LITTLE CALORIES?!?!? Thyroid problem?

CharCharJo
CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
This might be a bit of a rant, i'm starting to get really worried so i'm trying to get through to see a dietitian, however in the meantime - i'd really love your opinions.

As my bio says, i'm not a big foody at all, i'm a serial snacker, and that doesn't bother me as all i seem to snack on is fruit, however, since logging everything, i noticed that something isn't right and i cant fix it! I am spot on, on my nutritional values so i know i'm getting everything i need, however my calories are really really low, I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!

The thing that worried me most is, i weighed and measured myself last night and i've put on weight and inches around my bum thighs and waist.

I do have a thyroid problem, i'm due for a check up this month so my weight gain COULD have something to do with that, however if it isn't, is my weight gain because my body isn't consuming enough calories?
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Replies

  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    No, your body does not gain weight from too few calories.

    Do you weigh all of your food?
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    absolutely everything i weigh yeah =/
  • KateTii
    KateTii Posts: 886 Member
    Open your diary - it's the best way we can help.

    (and no you can't gain weight from not eating enough - otherwise people wouldn't starve to death)
  • Pawsforme
    Pawsforme Posts: 645 Member
    Are you having any other thyroid symptoms? I'd pay close attention and make a note of anything so if you need to talk to your doctor after your blood work.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    This might be a bit of a rant, i'm starting to get really worried so i'm trying to get through to see a dietitian, however in the meantime - i'd really love your opinions.

    As my bio says, i'm not a big foody at all, i'm a serial snacker, and that doesn't bother me as all i seem to snack on is fruit, however, since logging everything, i noticed that something isn't right and i cant fix it! I am spot on, on my nutritional values so i know i'm getting everything i need, however my calories are really really low, I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!

    The thing that worried me most is, i weighed and measured myself last night and i've put on weight and inches around my bum thighs and waist.

    I do have a thyroid problem, i'm due for a check up this month so my weight gain COULD have something to do with that, however if it isn't, is my weight gain because my body isn't consuming enough calories?

    Something is wrong here. It's impossible for you to hit your macro nutrients but end up way below your calorie goals. Maybe you're using unreliable database entries.
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    Pawsforme wrote: »
    Are you having any other thyroid symptoms? I'd pay close attention and make a note of anything so if you need to talk to your doctor after your blood work.

    I haven't noticed any of my usual thyroid symptoms at all, no. =/
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    My diary is open, told you i was a snacker :')
  • amyr271
    amyr271 Posts: 343 Member
    Having had a quick flick through your diary, I have noticed that you have only has one day under 1000 calories, the rest were fairly close to your goal. Definitely no 800 calorie days..

    Have missed the point of this post?
  • desweds
    desweds Posts: 126 Member
    Thanks for opening your diary - it really helps.

    Thyroid will create some affect here but thyroid does not make calories appear out of thin air. Please do a search for "thyroid" and see the many fine articles written on this forum in regard to thyroid.

    I'm pretty sure that, like me, you're not accurately tracking your calories. I understand that you call yourself a "snacker" - I'm not sure why you mention that - does the fact that you eat throughout the day in some way prevent you from accurately tracking your weight? To me, if you eat three meals a day or forty, you need to log accurately.

    There are a hundred ways to cheat on yourself from logging accurately. Again, poke around the forums for ways to learn how you can under report your calories on MFP.

    Good Luck, CharCharJo. You will get there!
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    edited September 2015
    A few things.
    Some entries you input are only generic stuff, it would be better to use the exact thing.
    Some things you input are per piece, weighing them and using that would be better.
    You're eating back your exercise calories. The exercise entries in MFP are really unreliable and often overestimate the amount of calories, eating back only about half the amount MFP gives you is usually recommended.

    Those are some things that could accumulate to not make you lose weight. Having a thyroid condition makes those have an even bigger impact since it lowers your energy expenditure.

    As others have said, not eating enough can't make you gain weight, that's just a myth.

    See what your doctor says about your thyroid, then maybe consider seeing a registered dietician about weight loss with such a condition.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Maybe i missed it, but are you on a thyroid medicine to stabilize your condition?

    Also, I agree with @stevencloser

    One thing to consider, as it might make things a bit easier, is reducing the amount of carbs while increasing fats and protein. I know a few members that have thyroid issues that saw greater success with LCHF.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    amyr271 wrote: »
    Having had a quick flick through your diary, I have noticed that you have only has one day under 1000 calories, the rest were fairly close to your goal. Definitely no 800 calorie days..

    Have missed the point of this post?

    Probably eating a lot more than you think you are. And really carb/sugar heavy.
    I am a snacker too.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    This might be a bit of a rant, i'm starting to get really worried so i'm trying to get through to see a dietitian, however in the meantime - i'd really love your opinions.

    As my bio says, i'm not a big foody at all, i'm a serial snacker, and that doesn't bother me as all i seem to snack on is fruit, however, since logging everything, i noticed that something isn't right and i cant fix it! I am spot on, on my nutritional values so i know i'm getting everything i need, however my calories are really really low, I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!

    The thing that worried me most is, i weighed and measured myself last night and i've put on weight and inches around my bum thighs and waist.

    I do have a thyroid problem, i'm due for a check up this month so my weight gain COULD have something to do with that, however if it isn't, is my weight gain because my body isn't consuming enough calories?

    Something is wrong here. It's impossible for you to hit your macro nutrients but end up way below your calorie goals. Maybe you're using unreliable database entries.

    It is possible to hit macro's and end up below a calorie target. But it takes a lot of work, food prep, food planning and good measurements. I've been practicing cron on and off and it works (for me), just takes time and effort.

  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    amyr271 wrote: »
    Having had a quick flick through your diary, I have noticed that you have only has one day under 1000 calories, the rest were fairly close to your goal. Definitely no 800 calorie days..

    Have missed the point of this post?

    Haha no - what im saying is what i eat in normal day comes to about 800 calories, i try and make my calorie amount up after my day is done because i know i've not eaten enough even though im not hungry, does that make sense? =/
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    desweds wrote: »
    Thanks for opening your diary - it really helps.

    Thyroid will create some affect here but thyroid does not make calories appear out of thin air. Please do a search for "thyroid" and see the many fine articles written on this forum in regard to thyroid.

    I'm pretty sure that, like me, you're not accurately tracking your calories. I understand that you call yourself a "snacker" - I'm not sure why you mention that - does the fact that you eat throughout the day in some way prevent you from accurately tracking your weight? To me, if you eat three meals a day or forty, you need to log accurately.

    There are a hundred ways to cheat on yourself from logging accurately. Again, poke around the forums for ways to learn how you can under report your calories on MFP.

    Good Luck, CharCharJo. You will get there!

    I mentioned that because i dont normally have 'proper' meals, my lunch at work is just snacks, i didnt know if having a meal consisting of snacks is a bad thing? but i dont really enjoy meals, my regular 'meal' is cottage cheese on rice cakes, it just seem as 'normal' as everyone else =/
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    Maybe i missed it, but are you on a thyroid medicine to stabilize your condition?

    Also, I agree with @stevencloser

    One thing to consider, as it might make things a bit easier, is reducing the amount of carbs while increasing fats and protein. I know a few members that have thyroid issues that saw greater success with LCHF.

    Yes i am, i've had an underactive thyroid since i was 11, everytime my dosage has had to be put up i've had the same symptoms, but one has never been putting on weight.. whats lchf? :')


  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    It might benefit you to seek the advice of a nutritionist. Have a few sessions and see what's what.
  • scottwilson16
    scottwilson16 Posts: 71 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    This might be a bit of a rant, i'm starting to get really worried so i'm trying to get through to see a dietitian, however in the meantime - i'd really love your opinions.

    As my bio says, i'm not a big foody at all, i'm a serial snacker, and that doesn't bother me as all i seem to snack on is fruit, however, since logging everything, i noticed that something isn't right and i cant fix it! I am spot on, on my nutritional values so i know i'm getting everything i need, however my calories are really really low, I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!

    The thing that worried me most is, i weighed and measured myself last night and i've put on weight and inches around my bum thighs and waist.

    I do have a thyroid problem, i'm due for a check up this month so my weight gain COULD have something to do with that, however if it isn't, is my weight gain because my body isn't consuming enough calories?

    Something is wrong here. It's impossible for you to hit your macro nutrients but end up way below your calorie goals. Maybe you're using unreliable database entries.

    It is possible to hit macro's and end up below a calorie target. But it takes a lot of work, food prep, food planning and good measurements. I've been practicing cron on and off and it works (for me), just takes time and effort.

    It's not possible though....... Take 2,490kcals as an example. You've eaten the following;

    170g PRO
    70g Fat
    295g CHO

    4 cals per gram for CHO & PRO
    9 cals per gram for fat.

    You hit your macros, you can't avoid the number of calories that are associated with them.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    amyr271 wrote: »
    Having had a quick flick through your diary, I have noticed that you have only has one day under 1000 calories, the rest were fairly close to your goal. Definitely no 800 calorie days..

    Have missed the point of this post?

    Haha no - what im saying is what i eat in normal day comes to about 800 calories, i try and make my calorie amount up after my day is done because i know i've not eaten enough even though im not hungry, does that make sense? =/

    "I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!" <
    is what you said in your original post.

    So which is it?


  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    Maybe i missed it, but are you on a thyroid medicine to stabilize your condition?

    Also, I agree with @stevencloser

    One thing to consider, as it might make things a bit easier, is reducing the amount of carbs while increasing fats and protein. I know a few members that have thyroid issues that saw greater success with LCHF.

    Yes i am, i've had an underactive thyroid since i was 11, everytime my dosage has had to be put up i've had the same symptoms, but one has never been putting on weight.. whats lchf? :')


    Low carb high fat.
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    I just got my blood work back and dang no thyroid problems. I wanted a reason, so badly, for the growth of my fat A**. No such luck. I was just eating way more than I thought and relying on food lables to be accurate. For example, I love dried apricots. The package says 7 for 140 calories. When I weigh that in grams it's 4 not 7. You really have to be careful in the USA. Food companies are given a 3
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    amyr271 wrote: »
    Having had a quick flick through your diary, I have noticed that you have only has one day under 1000 calories, the rest were fairly close to your goal. Definitely no 800 calorie days..

    Have missed the point of this post?

    Haha no - what im saying is what i eat in normal day comes to about 800 calories, i try and make my calorie amount up after my day is done because i know i've not eaten enough even though im not hungry, does that make sense? =/

    "I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!" <
    is what you said in your original post.

    So which is it?


    I'm saying what i eat at work and when i get home, it doesn't hit over 800 calories, so i feel like i have to eat alot more when i dont particularly want to to hit my goal...

    Sorry if it doesnt make sense..its hard to explain.. =/
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    I just got my blood work back and dang no thyroid problems. I wanted a reason, so badly, for the growth of my fat A**. No such luck. I was just eating way more than I thought and relying on food lables to be accurate. For example, I love dried apricots. The package says 7 for 140 calories. When I weigh that in grams it's 4 not 7. You really have to be careful in the USA. Food companies are given a 3
    That got cut off. It's a 30% leeway. That can really add up. No wonder Americans have such difficulty being healthy. They are legally allowed to lie.
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    I just got my blood work back and dang no thyroid problems. I wanted a reason, so badly, for the growth of my fat A**. No such luck. I was just eating way more than I thought and relying on food lables to be accurate. For example, I love dried apricots. The package says 7 for 140 calories. When I weigh that in grams it's 4 not 7. You really have to be careful in the USA. Food companies are given a 3
    That got cut off. It's a 30% leeway. That can really add up. No wonder Americans have such difficulty being healthy. They are legally allowed to lie.

    wow..thats harsh :neutral:
  • CharCharJo
    CharCharJo Posts: 22 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    Maybe i missed it, but are you on a thyroid medicine to stabilize your condition?

    Also, I agree with @stevencloser

    One thing to consider, as it might make things a bit easier, is reducing the amount of carbs while increasing fats and protein. I know a few members that have thyroid issues that saw greater success with LCHF.

    Yes i am, i've had an underactive thyroid since i was 11, everytime my dosage has had to be put up i've had the same symptoms, but one has never been putting on weight.. whats lchf? :')


    Low carb high fat.

    oh haha!

    right thank you! :smile:
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I don't understand ..over the past week you have one day at 800 calories the rest are 1400 to 1500, so you are not eating 800 and "gaining". As Steven said your problem appears to be eating back 100% of exercise calories and inaccurate logging so you are more than likely consuming more than 1400 a day, which is why you are showing a gain.

    stop eating back 100% of exercise calories
    get a food scale and weigh all solid foods
    start using correct database entries
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    amyr271 wrote: »
    Having had a quick flick through your diary, I have noticed that you have only has one day under 1000 calories, the rest were fairly close to your goal. Definitely no 800 calorie days..

    Have missed the point of this post?

    Haha no - what im saying is what i eat in normal day comes to about 800 calories, i try and make my calorie amount up after my day is done because i know i've not eaten enough even though im not hungry, does that make sense? =/

    "I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!" <
    is what you said in your original post.

    So which is it?


    I'm saying what i eat at work and when i get home, it doesn't hit over 800 calories, so i feel like i have to eat alot more when i dont particularly want to to hit my goal...

    Sorry if it doesnt make sense..its hard to explain.. =/

    Okay but... it does hit over 800 calories for the most part. You're eating more than you think.

    And think about it.... you are eating, when you're not hungry, because a computer program is telling you too? Ya, that makes sense.

    Cut out carbs and sugars, eat more protein and healthy fat. Eat when you're hungry, don't when your not. Weigh and measure your food, all of your food. Try that for a couple weeks and see how that goes.
  • thankyou4thevenom
    thankyou4thevenom Posts: 1,581 Member
    I'm on mobile so I can't see your diary. There is no way you're gaining weight eating too little. So the options are these.

    1) you're lying to yourself over what you're eating. Self reporting is hard. It's really easy to just forget something you ate especially if you're a snacker.

    2) you're drinking your calories but not logging them.

    3) you're guesstimating your portions. Weigh everything no matter how minor it seems.

    4) you're just not ready to lose, which is leading to the above situations.

    None of the above makes you a bad person, just human like the rest of us.

    Solution? Plan your food for the whole day. Then if you eat something outside of that you'll most likely remember it because it was off plan. Weigh everything. Finally be honest with yourself. It's just food not a moral judgment on who you are.
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    I just got my blood work back and dang no thyroid problems. I wanted a reason, so badly, for the growth of my fat A**. No such luck. I was just eating way more than I thought and relying on food lables to be accurate. For example, I love dried apricots. The package says 7 for 140 calories. When I weigh that in grams it's 4 not 7. You really have to be careful in the USA. Food companies are given a 3
    That got cut off. It's a 30% leeway. That can really add up. No wonder Americans have such difficulty being healthy. They are legally allowed to lie.

    wow..thats harsh :neutral:
    I am sorry. Didn't plan it to sound harsh. Just trying to say you have to be sharp. Trans fat is another place they scam you. Just because it says 0 grams doesn't make it true. That can say zero if it is less than a gram. It took me a long time to figure out that the lables are kind of crap.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    CharCharJo wrote: »
    amyr271 wrote: »
    Having had a quick flick through your diary, I have noticed that you have only has one day under 1000 calories, the rest were fairly close to your goal. Definitely no 800 calorie days..

    Have missed the point of this post?

    Haha no - what im saying is what i eat in normal day comes to about 800 calories, i try and make my calorie amount up after my day is done because i know i've not eaten enough even though im not hungry, does that make sense? =/

    "I never seem to go above 800 calories no matter what, but like i said, my nutritional values and macros are really good!" <
    is what you said in your original post.

    So which is it?


    I'm saying what i eat at work and when i get home, it doesn't hit over 800 calories, so i feel like i have to eat alot more when i dont particularly want to to hit my goal...

    Sorry if it doesnt make sense..its hard to explain.. =/

    Okay but... it does hit over 800 calories for the most part. You're eating more than you think.

    And think about it.... you are eating, when you're not hungry, because a computer program is telling you too? Ya, that makes sense.

    Cut out carbs and sugars, eat more protein and healthy fat. Eat when you're hungry, don't when your not. Weigh and measure your food, all of your food. Try that for a couple weeks and see how that goes.

    cutting out carbs and sugar has nothing to do with it. Just log accurately and get a food scale and eat less of all foods.
This discussion has been closed.