Under eating. Please help.

kiiibbb112253
kiiibbb112253 Posts: 67 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Update. So I tried and talked with my doctor about my undereating. He said because of my age and my metabolism slowing down, about 1200 calories should be fine anyway. I don't think that is a good idea. Thoughts?

Replies

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,622 Member
    What is your age, height and weight?
  • kiiibbb112253
    kiiibbb112253 Posts: 67 Member
    Alatariel75 wrote: »
    What is your age, height and weight?

    I am 33 year old. I'm 5 feet 9 inches, and 194 pounds
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    edited March 2017
    I see you're also a male.

    What are your goals? You're not very overweight, so I have no idea why your doctor would put you on such a low calorie diet.

    Or why he thinks that at the young age of 33 your metabolism is slowing down. :(
  • CBD92
    CBD92 Posts: 72 Member
    Everyone has a different BMR (basal metabolic rate). This is the number of calories your body burns at rest over 24 hours. For example, if I did nothing but sleep for 24 hours, my body would burn 1660 calories. This calorie burn comes from your heart beating and pumping blood, lungs breathing, metabolism running etc. Your body NEEDS these calories just to function properly. So if your BMR is 1660 like mine, and you're actually eating 1200 calories, you will be starving yourself. This number will come down as you lose weight, so you need to just keep checking the number as your weight goes down (if that is your goal). You can go to google and type in "myfitnesspal BMR calculator" and it'll ask you to put in your info and it will give you your BMR. Make sure you eat a MINIMUM of this number (so for me, 1660). If your goal is weight loss, just simply don't eat any more than your BMR and everything you do during the day (exercise, walking, cleaning etc will count as a calorie deficit since your body is burning up every single calorie you eat just to function). So in other words, if you don't eat any more than your BMR, pretty much everything you do, activity wise, will be a 100% deficit. If your goal isn't weight loss, then you can check your DCN (Daily Caloric Need) by another calculator. This will take your BMR and times it by a specific number (depending on your activity level) and this will be roughly what your body needs in order to maintain your weight. For example, I am fairly active so even though my BMR is 1660, my DCN is well over 2000 calories if I want to maintain weight. So just know your BMR and make sure you eat that, and go from there. And remember that doctors are experts in drugs. They are not experts in health. In fact, doctors get, on average, 10 hours of nutritional training during their many, many years of school. So its really best not to take nutritional advice from a GP.

    cheers!
  • ccsernica
    ccsernica Posts: 1,040 Member
    edited March 2017
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.
  • kiiibbb112253
    kiiibbb112253 Posts: 67 Member
    ccsernica wrote: »
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.
    ccsernica wrote: »
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.

    I want to lose, but MFP put me on 1500 a day. Not 1200
  • kiiibbb112253
    kiiibbb112253 Posts: 67 Member
    CBD92 wrote: »
    Everyone has a different BMR (basal metabolic rate). This is the number of calories your body burns at rest over 24 hours. For example, if I did nothing but sleep for 24 hours, my body would burn 1660 calories. This calorie burn comes from your heart beating and pumping blood, lungs breathing, metabolism running etc. Your body NEEDS these calories just to function properly. So if your BMR is 1660 like mine, and you're actually eating 1200 calories, you will be starving yourself. This number will come down as you lose weight, so you need to just keep checking the number as your weight goes down (if that is your goal). You can go to google and type in "myfitnesspal BMR calculator" and it'll ask you to put in your info and it will give you your BMR. Make sure you eat a MINIMUM of this number (so for me, 1660). If your goal is weight loss, just simply don't eat any more than your BMR and everything you do during the day (exercise, walking, cleaning etc will count as a calorie deficit since your body is burning up every single calorie you eat just to function). So in other words, if you don't eat any more than your BMR, pretty much everything you do, activity wise, will be a 100% deficit. If your goal isn't weight loss, then you can check your DCN (Daily Caloric Need) by another calculator. This will take your BMR and times it by a specific number (depending on your activity level) and this will be roughly what your body needs in order to maintain your weight. For example, I am fairly active so even though my BMR is 1660, my DCN is well over 2000 calories if I want to maintain weight. So just know your BMR and make sure you eat that, and go from there. And remember that doctors are experts in drugs. They are not experts in health. In fact, doctors get, on average, 10 hours of nutritional training during their many, many years of school. So its really best not to take nutritional advice from a GP.

    cheers!

    Thanks. That really helped!
  • TheRambler
    TheRambler Posts: 387 Member
    this is all great information! I'm actually having a tough time as well. I feel full a lot, and in order to hit my daily calories I have to "force it" and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. Eating healthy is making me full LONGER, and it's actually a problem.
  • CBD92
    CBD92 Posts: 72 Member
    Glad to help!
    TheRambler wrote: »
    this is all great information! I'm actually having a tough time as well. I feel full a lot, and in order to hit my daily calories I have to "force it" and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. Eating healthy is making me full LONGER, and it's actually a problem.

    Could you maybe have digestion problems? I don't know the first thing about you, but generally when I hear that it makes someone physically uncomfortable to eat the bare minimum, I tend to think there could be an underlying health concern possibly? for the last 13 months, I have had terrible digestion. The doctors went all over, doing multiple tests, it was only recently I was diagnosed with IBD and it really screwed with my for a long time until I learned what it was and how to deal with it properly. I'm not a doctor, and definitely not suggesting I know what the issue is for you, but perhaps that might be something to look into! You certainly don't want to be starving yourself because eating makes you uncomfortable! Good luck!
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    CBD92 wrote: »
    Glad to help!
    TheRambler wrote: »
    this is all great information! I'm actually having a tough time as well. I feel full a lot, and in order to hit my daily calories I have to "force it" and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. Eating healthy is making me full LONGER, and it's actually a problem.

    Could you maybe have digestion problems? I don't know the first thing about you, but generally when I hear that it makes someone physically uncomfortable to eat the bare minimum, I tend to think there could be an underlying health concern possibly? for the last 13 months, I have had terrible digestion. The doctors went all over, doing multiple tests, it was only recently I was diagnosed with IBD and it really screwed with my for a long time until I learned what it was and how to deal with it properly. I'm not a doctor, and definitely not suggesting I know what the issue is for you, but perhaps that might be something to look into! You certainly don't want to be starving yourself because eating makes you uncomfortable! Good luck!

    Sorry you were diagnosed with IBD. I have Crohn's and it's a beast
  • TheRambler
    TheRambler Posts: 387 Member
    I don't think so...But I have a doctor's appt soon for a check up. It feels like my stomach has shrunk and not as much food fits in anymore. And I drink a gallon of water a day, too. For dinner I made a grilled chicken breast, and homemade cauliflower/sweet potato hash. Mmm filled me up for the last 2.5 hours.
  • CBD92
    CBD92 Posts: 72 Member
    singingflutelady wrote: »
    CBD92 wrote: »
    Glad to help!
    TheRambler wrote: »
    this is all great information! I'm actually having a tough time as well. I feel full a lot, and in order to hit my daily calories I have to "force it" and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. Eating healthy is making me full LONGER, and it's actually a problem.

    Could you maybe have digestion problems? I don't know the first thing about you, but generally when I hear that it makes someone physically uncomfortable to eat the bare minimum, I tend to think there could be an underlying health concern possibly? for the last 13 months, I have had terrible digestion. The doctors went all over, doing multiple tests, it was only recently I was diagnosed with IBD and it really screwed with my for a long time until I learned what it was and how to deal with it properly. I'm not a doctor, and definitely not suggesting I know what the issue is for you, but perhaps that might be something to look into! You certainly don't want to be starving yourself because eating makes you uncomfortable! Good luck!

    Sorry you were diagnosed with IBD. I have Crohn's and it's a beast

    Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that!! Thankfully, I'm really not that far on the spectrum so it is a lot easier for me to manage than I would imagine it is for you. I have a really good friend who also has Crohn's and I do know he suffers a lot. I wish you the best of health!
  • TheRambler
    TheRambler Posts: 387 Member
    Are both manageable with special diets?
  • CBD92
    CBD92 Posts: 72 Member
    TheRambler wrote: »
    I don't think so...But I have a doctor's appt soon for a check up. It feels like my stomach has shrunk and not as much food fits in anymore. And I drink a gallon of water a day, too. For dinner I made a grilled chicken breast, and homemade cauliflower/sweet potato hash. Mmm filled me up for the last 2.5 hours.

    Can I ask what your calorie intake has been like and how long the feeling of fullness has been going on? Maybe you just haven't been eating enough, and now when you try to eat enough it's too much for your stomach. I know that I have gone through phases where I definitely did not eat enough, and so like you said, my stomach shrank. (such as after having a nasty flu) so when I start to eat properly again, I have to work my way up because the stomach needs to expand a bit.
  • TheRambler
    TheRambler Posts: 387 Member
    I struggle to get to 1400. But I do.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I wouldn't worry about IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's) but diet does help. Moderate to severe cases generally require medication as well as acute flares but I know some people with mild disease who manage with diet alone.
  • CBD92
    CBD92 Posts: 72 Member
    If you had colitis or Crohn's you would know for sure . It's not something that can be ignored at all. I wasn't suggesting you had a bowel disease, I was only speaking from my experience and suggesting that MAYBE there could be an underlying issue you may want to talk to your doc about. For me it ended up being IBD. But for you, probably not. You would know, or at least have some idea by now. So don't worry about that at all. Sorry if I scared you or put the idea in your head! That wasn't my intention!
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    kiiibbb112253 wrote: »
    ccsernica wrote: »
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.
    ccsernica wrote: »
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.

    I want to lose, but MFP put me on 1500 a day. Not 1200

    MFP gave you 1500 because you have testicles. That's the minimum that it will set for males.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    To increase calories without bulk add fat to your diet. Like full fat milk with your meals and cream in your coffee. The fats also come with fat soluble vitamins which are good for you.

    Stop drinking water within 20 minutes of eating.
  • kiiibbb112253
    kiiibbb112253 Posts: 67 Member
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    kiiibbb112253 wrote: »
    ccsernica wrote: »
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.
    ccsernica wrote: »
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.

    I want to lose, but MFP put me on 1500 a day. Not 1200

    MFP gave you 1500 because you have testicles. That's the minimum that it will set for males.

    Alright thanks
  • lulalacroix
    lulalacroix Posts: 1,082 Member
    TheRambler wrote: »
    I don't think so...But I have a doctor's appt soon for a check up. It feels like my stomach has shrunk and not as much food fits in anymore. And I drink a gallon of water a day, too. For dinner I made a grilled chicken breast, and homemade cauliflower/sweet potato hash. Mmm filled me up for the last 2.5 hours.

    You might be able to eat more if you cut back on the water. That's a lot along with the liquids in your food and whatever else you drink.
  • ccsernica
    ccsernica Posts: 1,040 Member
    edited March 2017
    kiiibbb112253 wrote: »
    ccsernica wrote: »
    Given your stats, that's a tad insane. Unless your metabolism has "slowed down" in a pathological way, 1850 calories/day should give you good results, according to my usual TDEE calculator. You would maintain your present weight on about 2300 cal/day (assuming you have a sedentary lifestyle, and with no added exercise) but I'm guessing you're here partly because you want to lose.

    I want to lose, but MFP put me on 1500 a day. Not 1200
    As @Gallowmere1984 said, 1500 is the absolute minimum MFP will allow males. It's extremely difficult for men to get adequate nutrition on fewer calories. If it's given you that number, chances are your weight loss goals are too aggressive and you will not actually lose at the rate you set it to.
  • TheRambler
    TheRambler Posts: 387 Member
    lulalacroix wrote: »
    TheRambler wrote: »
    I don't think so...But I have a doctor's appt soon for a check up. It feels like my stomach has shrunk and not as much food fits in anymore. And I drink a gallon of water a day, too. For dinner I made a grilled chicken breast, and homemade cauliflower/sweet potato hash. Mmm filled me up for the last 2.5 hours.

    You might be able to eat more if you cut back on the water. That's a lot along with the liquids in your food and whatever else you drink.

    Thanks! I think it's the water making me full as well.. I love h20 and more importantly, I know it's important to keep hydrated. But a gallon MAYBE overdoing it!!
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