Can't understand not being able to get all your calories...

erikalanem

It just blows my mind!! I feel so jealous every time I read this! I literally can't imagine what that is like, or how it leads to weight gain....

Anyone able to enlighten me in my ignorance?

Sublimely_Self_Righteous

I've noticed when I eat a lot of vegetables it can be a challenge.

BioMechHeretic

Usually, those people are miscalculating and/or lying to themselves and/or depriving themselves to be dramatic.

It's just so "amazing" how a 350 pound 5'3" female that's 35 and has been overweight her whole life eating tons of god knows what can download MFP and magically 6 days later "can't bear" to eat 1400 calories in a day.

Ready2Rock206

I've never experienced that problem. :frown:

Crochetluvr

Sometimes I can't get quite to goal because my carb count is too high and I can't find any pure protein to eat to keep it down. I have T2 and have to keep my carbs low. But I don't do it on a regular basis.

However, for someone that has no medical restriction, I don't see how they cant get in all their calories.

How it leads to weight gain? Someone can explain the science of that situation better than I.

Cheeky_0102

when i don't eat meat or processed carbs it takes me a lot to get to 1500 calories in a day

PepperWorm

Usually, those people are miscalculating and/or lying to themselves and/or depriving themselves to be dramatic.

It's just so "amazing" how a 350 pound 5'3" female that's 35 and has been overweight her whole life eating tons of god knows what can download MFP and magically 6 days later "can't bear" to eat 1400 calories in a day.

This times infinity.

jinna86

I've never experienced that problem. :frown:

Me neither. I wish I had problems like that

Enny2405

Stumps me! I look at peoples diaries somedays and notice they dont eat past afternoon tea - um can't rememebr the last time I did that.......

erikalanem

Ive done vegan, gluten free (at the same time) before and didn't have that problem...no, seriously, I did....but I do love to cook, so maybe that's the difference...I made some killer black bean and sweet potato enchiladas....and lots of other great stuff, didn't even lose weight....

LaurenAOK

I never used to understand it either, but lately it's made more sense to me because I've really cleaned up my diet. When you're eating nothing but veggies, fruits, and some lean proteins, it IS really hard to eat enough calories. For that exact reason, I eat "clean" (paleo, actually) about 80% of the time and allow myself treats the rest of the time. Without the treats, I would never even come close to hitting my calorie goals.

Then again, I aim to eat almost 1800 calories a day. It does still blow my mind how some people can't reach even 1200 calories. Like, cook with some olive oil or something! It's really not hard!

araromi2

Usually, those people are miscalculating and/or lying to themselves and/or depriving themselves to be dramatic.

It's just so "amazing" how a 350 pound 5'3" female that's 35 and has been overweight her whole life eating tons of god knows what can download MFP and magically 6 days later "can't bear" to eat 1400 calories in a day.

Not everyone is overweight because of what they eat. Issues with the thyroid can make it even hard for someone to determine whether or not they are hungry and can also stall the metabolism.Now that my thyroid is now properly working when I used to count calories I had trouble reaching my calorie goal

cuddingm

I have had days were I do not meet my calorie count mainly because I am eating foods like celery and watermelon, low calorie or "negative" calorie foods. The gaining weight part of being under calorie intake is that your body is not knowing when it is going to get the proper nutrients next so it holds on to everything that you give it. It puts all the food into fat stores making you gain weight. That is what is commonly called starvation mode. Your body enters starvation mode when not giving proper nutrients for a period of time. I have a few friends that do not eat enough in a day and this happens to them and I have other friends who don't eat enough and are super thin. Depends on the individual.

jennagoogles13

Not being able to eat enough to get to your 1200 calorie goal = 1st world problem...

foot1647

I don't log most of my Veggies or Fruits because I don't feel they should take up my daily food requirements/calories. Fruits and veggies are a necessity to me so I just eat them whenever I want and not log it, unless its with a meal (sometimes) like today I had a banana with lunch and I was at my desk so I just added it all together. But if I want a snack and make a salad with 10 different veggies I just eat it, guilt free anyways so I don't count it.

I couldn't possibly be the only one who does this? My calorie goal according to MFP is 1,650/day (without cardio) and I'm always within 200 calories, give or take, from that without fruits and veggies being logged anyways. I also do measure out with measuring cups and spoons how much I am eating so when when I put 2 tsp of mustard on a sandwich, I actually am. If I say I ate 15 potato chips because that's a serving on the bag I will actually count 15 chips so I can log it correctly. I find it fun and entertaining.

erikalanem

Thank you all for sharing! I def understand better now, I think I am just too much of a foodie, when you give me dietary restrictions, I get creative! But I don't stop eating full meals... Anyways, thanks!!! And some of you made me laugh! I gotta go to bed, my workout is only 6 hours away!!!

operation_cute

1. Not everyone is over weight for the same reason. Me, I got over weight after having 4 children while being under the assumption It was my responsiblity to "eat for two" when in reality I only needed to eat about 400 cals above maintenance.
2. healthy food goes further than junk food. If I eat nothing but ravioli, treats, and pretty much non satisfying food (that is ussually triple the cal intake per serving) I could eat 3000 calories easy without even trying, but when I eat lean chicken breast, and vegies, and things with sufficient protien ect, it not only has a lot less cals per serving (leaving more food to eat through the day) but keeps me full longer.
3. With the dieting myth that you pretty much have to starve yourself to lose weight, so many people's metabolism has been out of wack for years, I see that in my friends here, and my friends in the real world.
4. drinking your calories. I used to drink so many calories, sweet tea alone... I don't even want to think about it lol, but does sweet tea fill you up? no, it just replaced the water that I now drink that has 0 calories. And then theres those that had a soda habit... do you know how much room for food calories that leaves if they gave it up (mostly)?

Point being, not everyone is the same. We came here to learn better eating habits and as you can see from above, can result to a larger food intake than what we were actually eating before.

yaseyuku

I don't usually have that problem myself, but watching portion sizes and eating healthier foods with a lower calorie count could fill you up before your goal (depending on what it is).

Other people have different reasons for having gained weight in the first place. For me, it was mostly drinking (and not watching portion sizes on pasta). When I cut back on this a bit, I definitely couldn't consume even close to the amount of calories I had been drinking a lot.

julialdr

Usually, those people are miscalculating and/or lying to themselves and/or depriving themselves to be dramatic.

It's just so "amazing" how a 350 pound 5'3" female that's 35 and has been overweight her whole life eating tons of god knows what can download MFP and magically 6 days later "can't bear" to eat 1400 calories in a day.

^ This. Denial's a son of a *****.

Gabrielm80

I have a problem with food for over a year. If I eat to fast or too much oil I get dizzy. I also had heart problems from years of heavy drinking, previously a smoker and use to eat super greasy food every day. So I took the wake up call quit all drinking and smoking and ate little to no fats unless it was in veggies, fish, or chicken naturally I didn't eat it. I also at my worse was afraid to eat because I knew eating was going to make me dizzy. So I wouldn't eat but one meal a day. Plus nuts and oats here and there. My bad cholesterol went way down, my heart got healthier and I gained weight. For a year I gained weight which confused the hell out of me. Until last march I found this site and learned about eating too little. The first month I was having trouble breaking 1k calories, but I was eating raw veggies and grilled skinless chicken. Now that I have lost some weight I seem to tolerate oil better but still can't go crazy. I know I am truthful to myself about my intake because I my body forces me to be. I now eat 1.5k or more calories a day but it was a struggle at first and I defiantly wasn't losing much weight until I was closer to 1.5k. It wasn't until I could have a piece of pizza every once in awhile till I went over my goal

If you don't eat enough your body stores all it can in fat and when it does burn energy it burns muscle over fat. So weaker body and fatter body. Starving your body can cause weight gain. That's why all those staving kids in those commercials have little beer bellies. The body is trying its best to optimize your energy take less calories to burn muscle than fat. Thus your BMI is lower. Body is protecting you but at the same time making your fat percentage go up. Every carb that you take in is stored instead of burned as energy

WMackS

The problem isn't getting all the calories, Anyone can eat 3,000 calories of fatty burgers, cake and icecream... It's getting all your calories while hitting your macros (protein/carbs/fat)

Generally, its good to get

1g of protein/lb of bodyweight
0.5g of fat/lb of bodyweight

and fill the rest with carbs. That isn't so easy if you're not used to it

Selendraco

For a long while I ate just one time a day... obviously even with calculations it doesn't equal the min cal amount.
That is not lying or going through denial or not putting in calories.

I was a close to your sarcastic and brash comment

It's just so "amazing" how a 350 pound 5'3" female that's 35 and has been overweight her whole life eating tons of god knows what can download MFP and magically 6 days later "can't bear" to eat 1400 calories in a day. lbs example.

I weighed a lot, only ate once a day and Yes it was a struggle to get out of the habit and eat more and more calories. Eating only once didn't help me lose weight, and before you think it was a huge meal, sometimes it consisted of just a bowl of soup.

Not the healthiest, I will admit but doesn't make all people devious. Even recently eating three meals I didn't reach my minimum goal. It happens.
just showing the other side of the coin.

_Zardoz_

If you don't eat enough your body stores all it can in fat and when it does burn energy it burns muscle over fat. So weaker body and fatter body. Starving your body can cause weight gain. That's why all those staving kids in those commercials have little beer bellies. The body is trying its best to optimize your energy take less calories to burn muscle than fat. Thus your BMI is lower. Body is protecting you but at the same time making your fat percentage go up. Every carb that you take in is stored instead of burned as energy

I'm afraid your understanding of biology is way off. Just because it's written on the internet does not mean it's true

Bearbrat

I don't log most of my Veggies or Fruits because I don't feel they should take up my daily food requirements/calories. Fruits and veggies are a necessity to me so I just eat them whenever I want and not log it, unless its with a meal (sometimes) like today I had a banana with lunch and I was at my desk so I just added it all together. But if I want a snack and make a salad with 10 different veggies I just eat it, guilt free anyways so I don't count it.

I couldn't possibly be the only one who does this? My calorie goal according to MFP is 1,650/day (without cardio) and I'm always within 200 calories, give or take, from that without fruits and veggies being logged anyways. I also do measure out with measuring cups and spoons how much I am eating so when when I put 2 tsp of mustard on a sandwich, I actually am. If I say I ate 15 potato chips because that's a serving on the bag I will actually count 15 chips so I can log it correctly. I find it fun and entertaining.

Lol, I do the same thing with chips, crackers etc....My husband laughed the first time, he said "are you actually counting those chips?" yes, yes I am :laugh: . I do however log my fruit and veggies, only so I know what I'm eating and if I start to feel crappy....it's usually because I'm not eating enough of the fruit/veggie etc.

Gabrielm80

If you don't eat enough your body stores all it can in fat and when it does burn energy it burns muscle over fat. So weaker body and fatter body. Starving your body can cause weight gain. That's why all those staving kids in those commercials have little beer bellies. The body is trying its best to optimize your energy take less calories to burn muscle than fat. Thus your BMI is lower. Body is protecting you but at the same time making your fat percentage go up. Every carb that you take in is stored instead of burned as energy

I'm afraid your understanding of biology is way off. Just because it's written on the internet does not mean it's true

Maybe i didnt explain it right, maybe biology is so complex no one can be completely right with only a single paragraph of information. I have grabbed onto that idea because of my experience and than talking with my GP and a dietician after finding MFP and asking them why this was the case. For me I was gaining weight when my average intake was under 1k and I was so weak I was sitting around all day. Then I increased to about 1.1k and started running. No longer having weight gain or was lossing. Increased to over 1.5k and now I loss weight about a pound or more every week. I am told something that fits what is going on with me than I am going to believe it more than a few people on here saying all people that say they are fat but can't eat to 1.2 k calories are liars. Starvation mode for me seems real. I lived that concept from march 2012 to late march 2013. Of course I wasn't tracking my food until I was on MFP, but my diet was constantly bland and minimal with very little meat protein and for awhile no glutton. When I got weighed in the ER in 2012 I was 20 pounds lighter than the first day I started MFP. Funny thing was before the ER I was always eating greasy tacos half dozen at a time, drinking butt loads of carbs in alcohol and than post ER during 2012 eating so little. The first few weeks I dropped 15 pounds than that stopped and I slowly gained that back and more until I taught myself how to eat more calories while still controlling what type of food I ate. It was my understanding of starvation mode that is helping me loss weight

grimendale

It's a mental thing. What most people really mean is "I can't stand the thought of eating any more healthy food". I can almost guarantee that if they were to get carte blanche to eat dessert, they'd find their appetite. We've all experienced this at some point. Say at Thanksgiving, you eat until you can't even think about another bit of turkey and can't imagine eating any more food. But as soon as someone sets that pie in front of you...game on. It takes time to stop thinking of it as "gross but healthy" food and start thinking of it as just food. I was actually quite excited yesterday when I realized I had a can of sliced carrots I hadn't eaten yet, because I was craving the sweetness of boiled carrots. That is something that fat me would have believed impossible.

zartnew

I've actually dealt with this... although I've never been over 130 lbs. (I'm 5'0.) Lately, I only eat one meal a day, and I'm stuffed... even if it's all junk food, it still doesn't make it enough calories. I tried recently to force myself to eat more calories, even drinking chocolate milk to get some, but I just got full and felt sick.

In my case, I'm only -slightly- overweight, but it still isn't healthy. I have gained weight recently, but I think it's more that the lack of calories/a good sleep schedule make it so I'm completely 100% sedentary... not good.

I was on some medicines before that really made me eat, and at the time, I was upset because I was afraid I was going to gain weight. XD but, now that I'm on my own... I just have no appetite. seriously. Actually, I vaguely remember in gradeschool, my gym teacher would hover over me and force me to finish my food because I was so underweight, so I don't think it's completely a new problem.

But I don't know if it's the fact that I only eat like... 700-800 cals a day that makes me unhealthy. I think it probably has more to do with me being so inactive. (when I do exercise, even a bit of yoga makes me lose weight really quickly. I guess the low calories probably help, but only when I'm actually doing it.) When I'm eating less, it does seem like I lose a lot of muscle though. But again, it's probably the inactivity. still, It does look pretty bad. "skinnyfat" is what they call it I think.
First, I lose weight- but in a sickly way, like if you lose it after the flu. And then, I lose muscle tone... and gain some fat from inactivity. which all in all just makes me look sloppy, and it's definitely not healthy.

It could also just be my perception of myself, too. When I'm too tired from not eating, and I feel ill, I'm not very likely to see myself as healthy, even if I have lost weight. I just look sickly. lol.

zartnew

Frankly, I don't understand why anyone would be jealous though... food is good. It's necessary. And when you can't seem to make yourself get the essentials, it really has an impact on your health. I'm going to have to really try to expand my food intake slowly up again.

Also, If you've ever been to a nursing home, or even a hospital, you can clearly see how not getting enough food can be a huge problem... We need it for so many things. Immune system, energy, mental health, bodily functions... Don't assume that someone is lying when they say it's a problem. I doubt they're doing it to gloat.

We're all just here to get healthy, I think.

Cerdice

I have had odd days when I've got to my evening meal with 700 to 800 calories left. I tend to eat a lot of veggies and fruit so it is possible to eat a low amount of calories and feel full. I don't often have a meal that would pick up those amount of calories (now that I'm being careful over what a portion is) but I am conscious to try and then have a snack later that will help. If that happens to give me an excuse to have some ice cream, well so be it

I think pointing to the fact that people that say this used to be/are fat and therefore how can they genuinely find not eating enough to be a problem, is rather a naiive argument. It is possible that by eating more vegetables and beans etc in place of junk food that people can find themselves fuller quicker and therefore not overeat as they did before. That is part of what many of us need to learn afterall.

phyllisgehrke

Well I hate to tell you all.
But I have a Calorie Goal of 1200.
Most of the time I get only around 1140 calories a day.

I am 66 years old and can only walk about 30 mins a day, I have arthritis in my Hip and back
I also have tendonitis in both feet, just walking the 30 mins a day, is a real feat for me.

I eat 3 meals a day and have 3 snacks.
I log everything I take in my mouth.

I do not work as I am retired and my husband is retired and will be 70 this year.
With all of this being said, I have lost 13 pounds and 2 inches off of my waist.

pinkraynedropjacki

I workout enough to burn off MORE than MFP gives me in calories. I get 1345 (my own setting) and I burn about 1500 at least daily. So for me to eat ALL of that back as well is hard. How is that hard to understand? I'm not able to eat close to 3000 a day, even when I was fat I never ate that much at all. How is that blowing your mind?