Beginner: Need help with nutrition and diet

shabori2688

So, it's been 5 months since I have been eating clean, and have been working out for 2 months. I am genuinely enjoying my work outs, and that is actually going well (I was expecting that I will give up). However, now I am struggling with my nutrition. I feel either I am not eating enough, or not the right things, as my energy levels through out the day is low. And the days I feel fine, I definitely eat more than my assigned amount of calories, which does not allow me to lose weight. I need some help to strike a balance. Anybody who faced this issue when they started out?

Fe details: I am 5'7", weigh:169.4lbs/77kgs, I try to eat 1200 calories, but like I said there are days when I just need more than that, my work out includes cardio for 2-3 days a week where I burn 350-400 calories, and 2 days of weights/strength and core training.

kommodevaran

Then set a higher calorie goal and hit that consistently. If you eat a healthy diet, you will feel well, healthy and energized. A healthy diet is balanced and varied, and if your idea of eating clean doesn't fit that description, ditch it.

TavistockToad

1200 is very low. set mfp to lose 0.5lb per week and eat back a portion of your exercise cals

sijomial

If you are only eating 1200 and not eating back your exercise calories like this site intends you to then it's not really surprising that you feel low on energy.

Don't wait until you feel the effects, eat at an appropriate level every day to avoid the highs and lows.

mbaker566

eat those calories and at least half your exercise calories back.
squeeze as much nutrition as you can out of each calorie. i like athlete cookbooks.
my calories are set for 1200 but i always eat more with exercise.

but you don't need to eat clean, or exercise to lose weight. you just need a calorie deficit

NovusDies

sijomial wrote: »

Don't wait until you feel the effects, eat at an appropriate level every day to avoid the highs and lows.

And if you do feel low address it the same day don't dismiss it and let it turn into several days. I am realizing today that the restaurant left-overs I had yesterday may have been over-estimated on calories and since I bank calories I am always under anyway. Today I am feeling a touch low and I will eat more to compensate.