This is why people gain weight, and why losing it is so hard.
Replies
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I'm 5'5'', my goal weight is 150 (which BMI tells me is at the very peak of Normal, just 1 lb away from overweight) and I work a job were I can't get up and walk around often. Comes out to 1899. Even if I take a walk/jog/run in the morning or evenings I'd really only pick up 200-300 calories.
I'm sure you're running it right- just want to play with/ballpark some numbers, if you don't mind: What's your age and height for BMR? I'm not a big believer in the accuracy of BMI for fat and weight.
I'm 27, 5'5'' and will (hopefully) weigh in the neighborhood of 150-155
What do you currently weigh? PM me if you'd like.
Why you so interested in a nominal BMR? It's only relevant as a base to his activity and purposeful exercise
He's talking about his maintenance at goal
As he loses weight he needs to adjust his idea of normal
Cos seriously..4500 is nowhere near normal
Obviously.
That said, go to foods are, as noted, pretty calorie dense. It may be time to restructure eating habits. As noted, adding activity throughout the week will bring those numbers up.
Yes, I am very willing to walk/jog/run in the evenings when I get off work. I just know it will add about 300(give or take) calories to my budget. That would put me at 2200, which I still feel is low.0 -
So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
You have to understand though that with a higher TDEE (at your current weight) you do NEED to eat at a certain level to feel satiated. When your TDEE drops as you lose weight your caloric-need-to-reach-satiation is also going to drop.
That future version of yourself will be able to feel full at 1900 calories in a day even if current you cannot because that future you won't require nearly as many calories as you do now.48 -
I hear you, man. It's a tough habit to break... but in many cases, you don't need to. If you like your foods as stated, you can bank calories for later in the day. I'm coming from the same place as you and I promise, the more you wean yourself from those foods you feel "you must have to be happy", the less appealing they'll be. There's definitely a detox phase but again, if you're banking calories and adding activity, you can have the best of both worlds.8
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Don't be discouraged! I promise that after a while, you feel so great and your body adjusts to a lower calorie intake and more nutrient dense food that you don't even think about the alternative. And you still can have those foods that you enjoy, just in smaller portions!
P.S. My TDEE is basically 1,350 - at least you are almost at the 2K mark! Much more reasonable.3 -
I'm not saying that I can't eat 1900 calories every day, I'm just saying that, and no offense and its nothing personal, nothing on that list looks very good to me at all. I mean I am willing to eat all of those things, I'm not a picky eater, but its not what I want. I find happiness in food that taste good, things that are fried, things that have a lot of cheese and/or creamy sauces, I like soda. That's where its so hard. I'm not saying I can't do it, I'm upset because I know I'm not going to be happy doing it.
Slightly off the wall suggestion.... Learn to cook perhaps?
1900 calories of well cooked/prepared tasty, high quality, food is far more satisfying that 1900 of calorie dense fast food.22 -
I dunno man. I'm 5'4F (23 years old), GW is 130. I calculate my maintenance calorie intake for being 135 lb (without exercise) to be 1700. Right now, I'm not really suffering under the calorie restriction. Some things I have to sacrifice (Like eating more than two pieces of pizza ; ; ), but it's not like I'm starving. I should be okay to follow a maintenance restriction once I get to it. Especially since I'm certain my stomach will have shrunk some. And this is taking into account that I'm not..necessarily eating clean at the moment. Last night I had a Lean Pocket and a cup of those Green Giant Steamers: Lightly Sauced Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli things. The other day I ate 4 pieces of pizza. I went a little over, but then I worked it off with some cardio.
And I do plan to remain active. I probably won't be as active. It might end up only being 3 days a week, or when I eat a particularly big meal. At that point I'd probably just buy an elliptical for my home instead of a gym membership.
That being said, I'm not a breakfast person. I never have been. When I eat breakfast, I don't feel any different. I stop being hungry momentarily, but then I'm hungry LONG before lunch starts. That lasts a bit, and then I'm hungry the last few hours of work, and the hour after when I get to the gym. Then I eat.
However, I grew up in a very low income household, and I grew up hungry...so I'm kind of used to it. I never had breakfast, and I also never really brought lunch to school either (which is probably why I gained the wait in the first place. When I got a job of my own, I was eating so much more food than I would have eaten).6 -
RhapsodyWinters wrote: »I dunno man. I'm 5'4F (23 years old), GW is 130. I calculate my maintenance calorie intake for being 135 lb (without exercise) to be 1700. Right now, I'm not really suffering under the calorie restriction. Some things I have to sacrifice (Like eating more than two pieces of pizza ; ; ), but it's not like I'm starving. I should be okay to follow a maintenance restriction once I get to it. Especially since I'm certain my stomach will have shrunk some. And this is taking into account that I'm not..necessarily eating clean at the moment. Last night I had a Lean Pocket and a cup of those Green Giant Steamers: Lightly Sauced Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli things. The other day I ate 4 pieces of pizza. I went a little over, but then I worked it off with some cardio.
And I do plan to remain active. I probably won't be as active. It might end up only being 3 days a week, or when I eat a particularly big meal. At that point I'd probably just buy an elliptical for my home instead of a gym membership.
That being said, I'm not a breakfast person. I never have been. When I eat breakfast, I don't feel any different. I stop being hungry momentarily, but then I'm hungry LONG before lunch starts. That lasts a bit, and then I'm hungry the last few hours of work, and the hour after when I get to the gym. Then I eat.
However, I grew up in a very low income household, and I grew up hungry...so I'm kind of used to it. I never had breakfast, and I also never really brought lunch to school either (which is probably why I gained the wait in the first place. When I got a job of my own, I was eating so much more food than I would have eaten).
Man, that pizza analogy hits me hard though, talkin about eating two pieces and four being "overboard". I can eat an entire pizza myself, and I don't mean on a dare or because someone said I couldn't. I mean like, I ate the last piece and reached for another one and said "well hell, I guess I ate it all". I hope my appetite shrinks like everyone says, but i feel like its gonna be really hard to maintain my goal weight when I get there.2 -
I'm 5'5'', my goal weight is 150 (which BMI tells me is at the very peak of Normal, just 1 lb away from overweight) and I work a job were I can't get up and walk around often. Comes out to 1899. Even if I take a walk/jog/run in the morning or evenings I'd really only pick up 200-300 calories.
I'm sure you're running it right- just want to play with/ballpark some numbers, if you don't mind: What's your age and height for BMR? I'm not a big believer in the accuracy of BMI for fat and weight.
I'm 27, 5'5'' and will (hopefully) weigh in the neighborhood of 150-155
What do you currently weigh? PM me if you'd like.
Why you so interested in a nominal BMR? It's only relevant as a base to his activity and purposeful exercise
He's talking about his maintenance at goal
As he loses weight he needs to adjust his idea of normal
Cos seriously..4500 is nowhere near normal
Obviously.
That said, go to foods are, as noted, pretty calorie dense. It may be time to restructure eating habits. As noted, adding activity throughout the week will bring those numbers up.
Yes, I am very willing to walk/jog/run in the evenings when I get off work. I just know it will add about 300(give or take) calories to my budget. That would put me at 2200, which I still feel is low.
Funny how it all feels relative. I'm at about 2400 calories now and for me, that's a deficit. 2400 calories is like heaven. That's a whole Digiornos pizza and a morning shake and a protein shake with carbs and protein and fat to spare. I'm in heaven.
23-2400 really is a decent amount of calories- especially if you bank. It'll all fall into place as you progress. One step at a time and it'll come naturally.4 -
Yes it's hard
Losing weight is hard
But being fat is hard too
Just pick your hard49 -
I'm 5'5'', my goal weight is 150 (which BMI tells me is at the very peak of Normal, just 1 lb away from overweight) and I work a job were I can't get up and walk around often. Comes out to 1899. Even if I take a walk/jog/run in the morning or evenings I'd really only pick up 200-300 calories.
I'm sure you're running it right- just want to play with/ballpark some numbers, if you don't mind: What's your age and height for BMR? I'm not a big believer in the accuracy of BMI for fat and weight.
I'm 27, 5'5'' and will (hopefully) weigh in the neighborhood of 150-155
What do you currently weigh? PM me if you'd like.
I try not to stress myself out with scales to often. I started at 280ish and I estimate I am in the 265 range now.
Consider though, that after spending this time getting in shape that your smaller, healthier body will not want or crave as many calories to feel comfortable or satisfied.
This is why you hear so many people say "it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change". I know, I know, it's a cliche...but things don't become a cliche because they're not true.
You can never go back to how you used to live, or you will come straight back to where you are
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I like Kommo's post!
OP and all, it's only hard if you are constantly hungry, craving or feeling low energy.
Eating would be just a thing to do once you have taken care of those issues. In fact to some people, such as my brother in law, eating is kind of a chore.
Sometimes I feel like a portion isn't enough per my craving, strong appetite, but other times it feels like I HAVE to eat a lot to sustain living.
You should base your eating on your energy expenditure, not some number. When you eat enough, any more food will feel like too much. And, obviously when you don't have to eat, you'll earn that time and the $$$ that otherwise goes to it for other things.1 -
And again, this is why you're obese. (you're technically obese right, by medical standards?). You're seriously going to need a paradigm shift. Learning to cook is a good start. Learning, knowing, the calorie content of foods is a good start. You're probably one who would really benefit from using a scale to weigh foods (when you do eat at home).RhapsodyWinters wrote: »I dunno man. I'm 5'4F (23 years old), GW is 130. I calculate my maintenance calorie intake for being 135 lb (without exercise) to be 1700. Right now, I'm not really suffering under the calorie restriction. Some things I have to sacrifice (Like eating more than two pieces of pizza ; ; ), but it's not like I'm starving. I should be okay to follow a maintenance restriction once I get to it. Especially since I'm certain my stomach will have shrunk some. And this is taking into account that I'm not..necessarily eating clean at the moment. Last night I had a Lean Pocket and a cup of those Green Giant Steamers: Lightly Sauced Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli things. The other day I ate 4 pieces of pizza. I went a little over, but then I worked it off with some cardio.
And I do plan to remain active. I probably won't be as active. It might end up only being 3 days a week, or when I eat a particularly big meal. At that point I'd probably just buy an elliptical for my home instead of a gym membership.
That being said, I'm not a breakfast person. I never have been. When I eat breakfast, I don't feel any different. I stop being hungry momentarily, but then I'm hungry LONG before lunch starts. That lasts a bit, and then I'm hungry the last few hours of work, and the hour after when I get to the gym. Then I eat.
However, I grew up in a very low income household, and I grew up hungry...so I'm kind of used to it. I never had breakfast, and I also never really brought lunch to school either (which is probably why I gained the wait in the first place. When I got a job of my own, I was eating so much more food than I would have eaten).
Man, that pizza analogy hits me hard though, talkin about eating two pieces and four being "overboard". I can eat an entire pizza myself, and I don't mean on a dare or because someone said I couldn't. I mean like, I ate the last piece and reached for another one and said "well hell, I guess I ate it all". I hope my appetite shrinks like everyone says, but i feel like its gonna be really hard to maintain my goal weight when I get there.
It's gotta be a life style or as you say: it will be very difficult to maintain. That lifestyle can include some pizza. But, given your height, goal weight, and sedentary lifestyle, not a lot of pizza.13 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
Where are you getting essentially 1900 calories for maintenance? I'm almost 42 and 5'10" @ 180 and without exercise I can pretty easily maintain on 2400 - 2500...with regular exercise it's closer to 3,000. I was losing like 1.5 - 2 Lbs per week eating 1900 calories when I first started MFP and I was only 220 Lbs.
Also, when talking about TDEE one should include exercise in the conversation...because TDEE includes exercise activity.
I'm 40, 5'2 and I will get 1500 for maintenance when I reach 120. Height makes a big difference!6 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
Where are you getting essentially 1900 calories for maintenance? I'm almost 42 and 5'10" @ 180 and without exercise I can pretty easily maintain on 2400 - 2500...with regular exercise it's closer to 3,000. I was losing like 1.5 - 2 Lbs per week eating 1900 calories when I first started MFP and I was only 220 Lbs.
Also, when talking about TDEE one should include exercise in the conversation...because TDEE includes exercise activity.
I'm 40, 5'2 and I will get 1500 for maintenance when I reach 120. Height makes a big difference!
Activity makes more
Calling @WinoGelato4 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »You have to understand though that with a higher TDEE (at your current weight) you do NEED to eat at a certain level to feel satiated. When your TDEE drops as you lose weight your caloric-need-to-reach-satiation is also going to drop.
I have to keep reminding myself of this. When I think my prospective maintenance calories sound stupidly low, it's because at my current weight that would not be enough, but I'll likely feel differently then - at least physically.2 -
Breath
Relax. You've got this. Don't worry about what you need to eat to maintain right now, just focus on your loss. From reading your posts, it seems like there is a mental barrier on portion sizes and how the perception and satiation will change as you lose. As you go you'll learn how to eat a lot for fewer calories. That's the trick. You can eat a ton of spinach for not so many calories, and the greater the protein the longer you will feel satiated. It's a learning curve, but you can do it. Don't give up. Don't feel discouraged. We've been there and many of us have done it, and you're no less a person than any of us.
I believe in you. Don't get discouraged about the future yet, work at this one day at a time, one meal at a time if you need to. One step.19 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
Where are you getting essentially 1900 calories for maintenance? I'm almost 42 and 5'10" @ 180 and without exercise I can pretty easily maintain on 2400 - 2500...with regular exercise it's closer to 3,000. I was losing like 1.5 - 2 Lbs per week eating 1900 calories when I first started MFP and I was only 220 Lbs.
Also, when talking about TDEE one should include exercise in the conversation...because TDEE includes exercise activity.
I'm 40, 5'2 and I will get 1500 for maintenance when I reach 120. Height makes a big difference!
Activity makes more
Calling @WinoGelato
Obviously...I thought we were comparing sedentary numbers for the sake of all other things being equal
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Put on some muscle and you can eat more. Also, your activity will dictate how much you can eat. The issue with people in the US is that our portions for food when we eat out are HUMONGOUS. Many times it's enough to feed 3, but used to serve just one.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Very true. My friends tell me I eat like a bird b/c I rarely am able to eat 1/3rd of the food on my plate at a restaurant, but it's like I actually ate enough to feel full. I didn't just keep eating because it was there.
I was at a business lunch, and she asked if I didn't like my food b/c more than half of the food was still there but I was full. I think people don't know what a real portion is any more or what it feels like to be full and not stuffed.13 -
RhapsodyWinters wrote: »I dunno man. I'm 5'4F (23 years old), GW is 130. I calculate my maintenance calorie intake for being 135 lb (without exercise) to be 1700. Right now, I'm not really suffering under the calorie restriction. Some things I have to sacrifice (Like eating more than two pieces of pizza ; ; ), but it's not like I'm starving. I should be okay to follow a maintenance restriction once I get to it. Especially since I'm certain my stomach will have shrunk some. And this is taking into account that I'm not..necessarily eating clean at the moment. Last night I had a Lean Pocket and a cup of those Green Giant Steamers: Lightly Sauced Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli things. The other day I ate 4 pieces of pizza. I went a little over, but then I worked it off with some cardio.
And I do plan to remain active. I probably won't be as active. It might end up only being 3 days a week, or when I eat a particularly big meal. At that point I'd probably just buy an elliptical for my home instead of a gym membership.
That being said, I'm not a breakfast person. I never have been. When I eat breakfast, I don't feel any different. I stop being hungry momentarily, but then I'm hungry LONG before lunch starts. That lasts a bit, and then I'm hungry the last few hours of work, and the hour after when I get to the gym. Then I eat.
However, I grew up in a very low income household, and I grew up hungry...so I'm kind of used to it. I never had breakfast, and I also never really brought lunch to school either (which is probably why I gained the wait in the first place. When I got a job of my own, I was eating so much more food than I would have eaten).
Man, that pizza analogy hits me hard though, talkin about eating two pieces and four being "overboard". I can eat an entire pizza myself, and I don't mean on a dare or because someone said I couldn't. I mean like, I ate the last piece and reached for another one and said "well hell, I guess I ate it all". I hope my appetite shrinks like everyone says, but i feel like its gonna be really hard to maintain my goal weight when I get there.
I eat a big salad with three pieces of pizza, which I chew slowly, and am satisfied. (My OH eats the other 5 pieces. Not having leftovers helps me to stop eating.)
Are you hitting your fiber goal daily? That really helps with fullness.4 -
eveandqsmom wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
Where are you getting essentially 1900 calories for maintenance? I'm almost 42 and 5'10" @ 180 and without exercise I can pretty easily maintain on 2400 - 2500...with regular exercise it's closer to 3,000. I was losing like 1.5 - 2 Lbs per week eating 1900 calories when I first started MFP and I was only 220 Lbs.
Also, when talking about TDEE one should include exercise in the conversation...because TDEE includes exercise activity.
I'm 40, 5'2 and I will get 1500 for maintenance when I reach 120. Height makes a big difference!
Activity makes more
Calling @WinoGelato
LOL thanks!
41, 5'2, 120 lbs, and maintenance of 2100. Truly can see the impact of activity as I've not been able to fit in as many steps recently due to summer heat, busy work schedule, traveling and thus my average calories burned from my FitBit dropped from 2200 to 2100 in the last couple of months. Sad, I miss that extra glass of wine...
Average steps 12K and circuit training 2x/week (down from 15K steps and 3x/week weights).10 -
Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
And again, this is why you're obese. (you're technically obese right, by medical standards?). You're seriously going to need a paradigm shift. Learning to cook is a good start. Learning, knowing, the calorie content of foods is a good start. You're probably one who would really benefit from using a scale to weigh foods (when you do eat at home).RhapsodyWinters wrote: »I dunno man. I'm 5'4F (23 years old), GW is 130. I calculate my maintenance calorie intake for being 135 lb (without exercise) to be 1700. Right now, I'm not really suffering under the calorie restriction. Some things I have to sacrifice (Like eating more than two pieces of pizza ; ; ), but it's not like I'm starving. I should be okay to follow a maintenance restriction once I get to it. Especially since I'm certain my stomach will have shrunk some. And this is taking into account that I'm not..necessarily eating clean at the moment. Last night I had a Lean Pocket and a cup of those Green Giant Steamers: Lightly Sauced Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli things. The other day I ate 4 pieces of pizza. I went a little over, but then I worked it off with some cardio.
And I do plan to remain active. I probably won't be as active. It might end up only being 3 days a week, or when I eat a particularly big meal. At that point I'd probably just buy an elliptical for my home instead of a gym membership.
That being said, I'm not a breakfast person. I never have been. When I eat breakfast, I don't feel any different. I stop being hungry momentarily, but then I'm hungry LONG before lunch starts. That lasts a bit, and then I'm hungry the last few hours of work, and the hour after when I get to the gym. Then I eat.
However, I grew up in a very low income household, and I grew up hungry...so I'm kind of used to it. I never had breakfast, and I also never really brought lunch to school either (which is probably why I gained the wait in the first place. When I got a job of my own, I was eating so much more food than I would have eaten).
Man, that pizza analogy hits me hard though, talkin about eating two pieces and four being "overboard". I can eat an entire pizza myself, and I don't mean on a dare or because someone said I couldn't. I mean like, I ate the last piece and reached for another one and said "well hell, I guess I ate it all". I hope my appetite shrinks like everyone says, but i feel like its gonna be really hard to maintain my goal weight when I get there.
It's gotta be a life style or as you say: it will be very difficult to maintain. That lifestyle can include some pizza. But, given your height, goal weight, and sedentary lifestyle, not a lot of pizza.
And I would add to this that there were a lot of things I could do four years ago when I started all of this that I can't do anymore simply because I'm smaller and can't fit that kind of food into my belly anymore...it just doesn't fit.13 -
I'm not saying that I can't eat 1900 calories every day, I'm just saying that, and no offense and its nothing personal, nothing on that list looks very good to me at all. I mean I am willing to eat all of those things, I'm not a picky eater, but its not what I want. I find happiness in food that taste good, things that are fried, things that have a lot of cheese and/or creamy sauces, I like soda. That's where its so hard. I'm not saying I can't do it, I'm upset because I know I'm not going to be happy doing it.
It is entirely possible to re-program all of these feelings. In my 20s, I subsisted on Whoppers, Dr. Pepper and Snyder's Pretzel Pieces.
Now, full-sugar pop makes me feel like my teeth are rotting, and the only fast food that I can sort of tolerate is Taco Bell (it seems the least heavy).
How did this happen? By learning to cook, learning to see food as fuel, and learning to stop emotionally investing in food.
It's possible that counseling can help with those things. But it takes some work either way.
12 -
Here ...not even hit 1900 calories ...under maintenance ...will drink and eat that this weekend instead ..I know the sodium is out but I'm not that bothered
And I logged my dinner in the wrong place (peanut butter and jelly sandwich)
I'm not saying that I can't eat 1900 calories every day, I'm just saying that, and no offense and its nothing personal, nothing on that list looks very good to me at all. I mean I am willing to eat all of those things, I'm not a picky eater, but its not what I want. I find happiness in food that taste good, things that are fried, things that have a lot of cheese and/or creamy sauces, I like soda. That's where its so hard. I'm not saying I can't do it, I'm upset because I know I'm not going to be happy doing it.
Ice cream was my go-to food. I still eat ice cream, but far less often, and my servings are 1/4 the size they used to be. I don't miss it, to which I attribute getting plenty of protein, fiber, and exercise.4 -
I know it is not fair and those skinny people like I work with eat everything. Well it is what it is. But it feels good to wear my clothes now, really good. I log every day, yep a pain. But it was a worse pain being heavy so I am trying to suck it up and be disciplined.7
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WinoGelato wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
Where are you getting essentially 1900 calories for maintenance? I'm almost 42 and 5'10" @ 180 and without exercise I can pretty easily maintain on 2400 - 2500...with regular exercise it's closer to 3,000. I was losing like 1.5 - 2 Lbs per week eating 1900 calories when I first started MFP and I was only 220 Lbs.
Also, when talking about TDEE one should include exercise in the conversation...because TDEE includes exercise activity.
I'm 40, 5'2 and I will get 1500 for maintenance when I reach 120. Height makes a big difference!
Activity makes more
Calling @WinoGelato
LOL thanks!
41, 5'2, 120 lbs, and maintenance of 2100. Truly can see the impact of activity as I've not been able to fit in as many steps recently due to summer heat, busy work schedule, traveling and thus my average calories burned from my FitBit dropped from 2200 to 2100 in the last couple of months. Sad, I miss that extra glass of wine...
Average steps 12K and circuit training 2x/week (down from 15K steps and 3x/week weights).
I'm also a big proponent of chosing activity over low calorie as a way of establishing a comfortable deficit. Get a lot of flak for that for whatever reason, usually centered around not everyone being able to be active or having time to be active.
I mean personally at my current weight I think my NEAT is for maintenance is something like 2100 calories but with my activity I'm eating on average 2400 calories to be losing 1 pound a week.7 -
4500 calories is a lot of calories. I have had days like that and I feel really *kitten* afterwards.
If you can make a bit of a change of thinking where you eat healthier foods most of the time and still allow yourself some good stuff at times I think you will be able to do it.
Stop looking at what you are doing now as just a stop gap measure as well. Learn the habits you will continue to use once you hit maintenance weight. Right now at your weight you should be able to lose weight eating 1800 calories a day... do it for a while and train yourself now. What I eat now to lose weight is close to what I anticipate to being my maintenance when I hit goal weight. I don't plan on changing much when I get there.6 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »eveandqsmom wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
Where are you getting essentially 1900 calories for maintenance? I'm almost 42 and 5'10" @ 180 and without exercise I can pretty easily maintain on 2400 - 2500...with regular exercise it's closer to 3,000. I was losing like 1.5 - 2 Lbs per week eating 1900 calories when I first started MFP and I was only 220 Lbs.
Also, when talking about TDEE one should include exercise in the conversation...because TDEE includes exercise activity.
I'm 40, 5'2 and I will get 1500 for maintenance when I reach 120. Height makes a big difference!
Activity makes more
Calling @WinoGelato
LOL thanks!
41, 5'2, 120 lbs, and maintenance of 2100. Truly can see the impact of activity as I've not been able to fit in as many steps recently due to summer heat, busy work schedule, traveling and thus my average calories burned from my FitBit dropped from 2200 to 2100 in the last couple of months. Sad, I miss that extra glass of wine...
Average steps 12K and circuit training 2x/week (down from 15K steps and 3x/week weights).
I'm also a big proponent of chosing activity over low calorie as a way of establishing a comfortable deficit. Get a lot of flak for that for whatever reason, usually centered around not everyone being able to be active or having time to be active.
Yep - I agree. I eat more now than I did before I lost my weight, because I'm way more active.4 -
Aaron_K123 wrote: »So I just did a little experiment. I started out just trying to see how many calories I would be able to eat per day once I reach my goal weight. The number was shockingly low. My TDEE, not including any exercise, will be 1899. That number hit me hard, I don't know how I can possibly live my life eating that few calories. I mean right now It's one thing because I am working very hard to cut weight, but to look up and see that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, because maintenance is so low calorie, its very discouraging.
So here's were the experiment comes into play. I thought, you know what, I've never just booked out a normal "non deiting" day, lets see how many calories that is. So I went into MFP and loaded up what I would eat on a normal day. Over 4500 calories!!! HOLY S**T!!!! No wonder people get so fat so quickly without even realizing whats happening!
So my takeaway: I don't know whats worse, thinking about how easy it was to get this way without even realizing what was going on, or thinking about how miserable its going to be trying to eat at maintenance once I get to my goal weight.
You have to understand though that with a higher TDEE (at your current weight) you do NEED to eat at a certain level to feel satiated. When your TDEE drops as you lose weight your caloric-need-to-reach-satiation is also going to drop.
That future version of yourself will be able to feel full at 1900 calories in a day even if current you cannot because that future you won't require nearly as many calories as you do now.
Fabulous addition to the thread. OP how many calories is MFP giving you for a 1-2Lb loss per week?4 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Here ...not even hit 1900 calories ...under maintenance ...will drink and eat that this weekend instead ..I know the sodium is out but I'm not that bothered
And I logged my dinner in the wrong place (peanut butter and jelly sandwich)
I'm not saying that I can't eat 1900 calories every day, I'm just saying that, and no offense and its nothing personal, nothing on that list looks very good to me at all. I mean I am willing to eat all of those things, I'm not a picky eater, but its not what I want. I find happiness in food that taste good, things that are fried, things that have a lot of cheese and/or creamy sauces, I like soda. That's where its so hard. I'm not saying I can't do it, I'm upset because I know I'm not going to be happy doing it.
Ice cream was my go-to food. I still eat ice cream, but far less often, and my servings are 1/4 the size they used to be. I don't miss it, to which I attribute getting plenty of protein, fiber, and exercise.
I have 2 - 2.5 servings of cookies a night. I go through a tub of cookie dough in about 3-4 weeks, but it hasn't slowed my weight loss. I found a way to fit that in by lowering my intake a breakfast and lunch. It may take some finagling, but there are ways to fit things in.
Almost every Sunday, my grandparents and I will go to this local restaurant. What I eat there is normally about 800 calories b/c I know that's half my calories for the day, I don't eat breakfast and I treat it as my lunch and dinner and fill the rest of my calories in with light snacks. It's doable, you just have to make it work for your lifestyle.12 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
And again, this is why you're obese. (you're technically obese right, by medical standards?). You're seriously going to need a paradigm shift. Learning to cook is a good start. Learning, knowing, the calorie content of foods is a good start. You're probably one who would really benefit from using a scale to weigh foods (when you do eat at home).RhapsodyWinters wrote: »I dunno man. I'm 5'4F (23 years old), GW is 130. I calculate my maintenance calorie intake for being 135 lb (without exercise) to be 1700. Right now, I'm not really suffering under the calorie restriction. Some things I have to sacrifice (Like eating more than two pieces of pizza ; ; ), but it's not like I'm starving. I should be okay to follow a maintenance restriction once I get to it. Especially since I'm certain my stomach will have shrunk some. And this is taking into account that I'm not..necessarily eating clean at the moment. Last night I had a Lean Pocket and a cup of those Green Giant Steamers: Lightly Sauced Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli things. The other day I ate 4 pieces of pizza. I went a little over, but then I worked it off with some cardio.
And I do plan to remain active. I probably won't be as active. It might end up only being 3 days a week, or when I eat a particularly big meal. At that point I'd probably just buy an elliptical for my home instead of a gym membership.
That being said, I'm not a breakfast person. I never have been. When I eat breakfast, I don't feel any different. I stop being hungry momentarily, but then I'm hungry LONG before lunch starts. That lasts a bit, and then I'm hungry the last few hours of work, and the hour after when I get to the gym. Then I eat.
However, I grew up in a very low income household, and I grew up hungry...so I'm kind of used to it. I never had breakfast, and I also never really brought lunch to school either (which is probably why I gained the wait in the first place. When I got a job of my own, I was eating so much more food than I would have eaten).
Man, that pizza analogy hits me hard though, talkin about eating two pieces and four being "overboard". I can eat an entire pizza myself, and I don't mean on a dare or because someone said I couldn't. I mean like, I ate the last piece and reached for another one and said "well hell, I guess I ate it all". I hope my appetite shrinks like everyone says, but i feel like its gonna be really hard to maintain my goal weight when I get there.
It's gotta be a life style or as you say: it will be very difficult to maintain. That lifestyle can include some pizza. But, given your height, goal weight, and sedentary lifestyle, not a lot of pizza.
And I would add to this that there were a lot of things I could do four years ago when I started all of this that I can't do anymore simply because I'm smaller and can't fit that kind of food into my belly anymore...it just doesn't fit.
Absolutely true.0
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