Increasing Calories But Still Losing Weight
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So I am increasing again this week to ~2200 calories. What I am eating feels like SO much food, but I am measuring out everything. I can't seem to wrap my head around this much food being only 2200 calories. Can someone calm my nerves on this? It feels like a lot.
It's not a lot for you, your numbers bear that out. Don't be afraid to go for more calorie dense foods.
Okay. It just seems to me like I am eating so much food. I just had my mid-afternoon snack (1 banana, 1tbsp peanut butter, and chobani yogurt) and I feel like I binged hard. I guess it will take some getting used to first.0 -
So I am increasing again this week to ~2200 calories. What I am eating feels like SO much food, but I am measuring out everything. I can't seem to wrap my head around this much food being only 2200 calories. Can someone calm my nerves on this? It feels like a lot.
You'll get over it. My dinner and dessert tonight is around 3000 calories by itself. I used to think that was a lot too.0 -
Okay. I think the food feeling a lot is what is holding me back from adding more. I certainly feel satisfied with the quantity. I just like the higher protein foods and veggies/fruits more than the fats, as odd as it sounds.0
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you have been dieting and restricting yourself to lose weight so everything looks like a lot more. things like the trail mix packets are nice as they are more nutrient and calorie dense but not real filling--around 230 cal. nice snack that you can even add a yogurt to complete the snack. Now you are up to nearly 300 and not so full. It is scary to start eating more as you stabilize but you'll do well.So I am increasing again this week to ~2200 calories. What I am eating feels like SO much food, but I am measuring out everything. I can't seem to wrap my head around this much food being only 2200 calories. Can someone calm my nerves on this? It feels like a lot.
It's not a lot for you, your numbers bear that out. Don't be afraid to go for more calorie dense foods.
Okay. It just seems to me like I am eating so much food. I just had my mid-afternoon snack (1 banana, 1tbsp peanut butter, and chobani yogurt) and I feel like I binged hard. I guess it will take some getting used to first.0 -
a binge by the way was us having a whole plate of desserts at the potluck last night and extra bread. I was up all of .5 lb/ hubby 1.8lb. Bet most of that is just water weight over night and will be gone in a couple of days.0
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Thanks for the feedback! Exactly, I feel like I am going to start gaining by increasing from an average of 1940 calories last week to ~2200 this week. Its a pretty irrational fear, I know, but I just need to get used to the maintaining lifestyle. I never thought that this would be the hardest part of the weight loss but it absolutely is.you have been dieting and restricting yourself to lose weight so everything looks like a lot more. things like the trail mix packets are nice as they are more nutrient and calorie dense but not real filling--around 230 cal. nice snack that you can even add a yogurt to complete the snack. Now you are up to nearly 300 and not so full. It is scary to start eating more as you stabilize but you'll do well.So I am increasing again this week to ~2200 calories. What I am eating feels like SO much food, but I am measuring out everything. I can't seem to wrap my head around this much food being only 2200 calories. Can someone calm my nerves on this? It feels like a lot.
It's not a lot for you, your numbers bear that out. Don't be afraid to go for more calorie dense foods.
Okay. It just seems to me like I am eating so much food. I just had my mid-afternoon snack (1 banana, 1tbsp peanut butter, and chobani yogurt) and I feel like I binged hard. I guess it will take some getting used to first.0 -
Thanks for the feedback! Exactly, I feel like I am going to start gaining by increasing from an average of 1940 calories last week to ~2200 this week. Its a pretty irrational fear, I know, but I just need to get used to the maintaining lifestyle. I never thought that this would be the hardest part of the weight loss but it absolutely is.
But you were continuing to lose, which is not a desirable result at this point in time, in fact you are likely going to have to gain a bit to get back over into a healthy range. So you have plenty of leeway there.0 -
Thanks for the feedback! Exactly, I feel like I am going to start gaining by increasing from an average of 1940 calories last week to ~2200 this week. Its a pretty irrational fear, I know, but I just need to get used to the maintaining lifestyle. I never thought that this would be the hardest part of the weight loss but it absolutely is.
But you were continuing to lose, which is not a desirable result at this point in time, in fact you are likely going to have to gain a bit to get back over into a healthy range. So you have plenty of leeway there.
Well on the BMI i am considered healthy and I like the way I look. So as of right now I dont want to gain anything. I am so sick of an unstable weight I just want to get my weight under control so it's not falling and maybe after some time I will consider gaining some weight back. But currently I just want to really ENTER maintenance and keep my weight.0 -
You still have leeway, since maintenance is going to be a range of up to 2500.0
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You still have leeway, since maintenance is going to be a range of up to 2500.
I am beginning to believe that seeing as I just saw on the scale a drop that would indicate (mathematically) about 2500. I guess I might actually be logging correctly in MFP even when I estimate I just didn't think I was THAT good at estimating my portions. My nutritionist wants me to hit an average of 2100-2200 this week and see where we are.0 -
You are on the right track then!0
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I notice you eat lots of fruits like bananas and apples - maybe consider adding almond butter to your fruits - quick way to add delicious protein/calories without adding a full meal to your regimen0
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I notice you eat lots of fruits like bananas and apples - maybe consider adding almond butter to your fruits - quick way to add delicious protein/calories without adding a full meal to your regimen
I have been adding on a tablespoon of peanut butter to snacks when I have fruits. That's been helping. I feel so full literally all the time right now (which I suppose can be a good thing) which is making me feel guilty...like I am eating too much. That's more of my issue right now. I think it will just require me to adjust my mindset or something.0 -
Just curious...do you think my dining hall displays accurate calorie counts? They put them up and I log them in my journal (they use some caterer whose recipes are already logged in here). I assume when they say "1 each" for a portion or "3oz" of meat that one of the thing on the platter IS 3oz or 1 serving (steak and pork is thin-about thickness of a checkbook and size of my palm around-meanwhile chicken is same size-my palm-but definitely thicker-I would say it is closer to a deck of cards in thickness or slightly bigger). I saw also that the ladles have "4oz" on them so I know I am pretty accurately putting in veggies/starches...with probably some kind of error rate with scooping. But I still don't know whether the calorie counts for the foods are accurate. Do you think they accurately display calories or just post something up there for those of us that actually are conscious about that stuff?0
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Just curious...do you think my dining hall displays accurate calorie counts? They put them up and I log them in my journal (they use some caterer whose recipes are already logged in here). I assume when they say "1 each" for a portion or "3oz" of meat that one of the thing on the platter IS 3oz or 1 serving (steak and pork is thin-about thickness of a checkbook and size of my palm around-meanwhile chicken is same size-my palm-but definitely thicker-I would say it is closer to a deck of cards in thickness or slightly bigger). I saw also that the ladles have "4oz" on them so I know I am pretty accurately putting in veggies/starches...with probably some kind of error rate with scooping. But I still don't know whether the calorie counts for the foods are accurate. Do you think they accurately display calories or just post something up there for those of us that actually are conscious about that stuff?
No way to tell, unless you get a food scale and weight it.0 -
Could you start by adding in a little more fat? Like, instead of steaming those veggies, pan fry them? Make hummus at home so it's not as much sodium and have carrots and hummus as a snack?0
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Oh, my bad. I assumed you were cooking for yourself. Sorry.0
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All I can say is slightly increase calories until you stop losing weight x0
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Just curious...do you think my dining hall displays accurate calorie counts? They put them up and I log them in my journal (they use some caterer whose recipes are already logged in here). I assume when they say "1 each" for a portion or "3oz" of meat that one of the thing on the platter IS 3oz or 1 serving (steak and pork is thin-about thickness of a checkbook and size of my palm around-meanwhile chicken is same size-my palm-but definitely thicker-I would say it is closer to a deck of cards in thickness or slightly bigger). I saw also that the ladles have "4oz" on them so I know I am pretty accurately putting in veggies/starches...with probably some kind of error rate with scooping. But I still don't know whether the calorie counts for the foods are accurate. Do you think they accurately display calories or just post something up there for those of us that actually are conscious about that stuff?
No way to tell, unless you get a food scale and weight it.
That's not realistic. Not that it matters much...this is the food I've been eating since the beginning of my weight loss, so I know how much will cause me to lose weight and can increase from there just a bit. But I was just curious whether you guys thought I could trust their posted servings.0 -
Just curious...do you think my dining hall displays accurate calorie counts? They put them up and I log them in my journal (they use some caterer whose recipes are already logged in here). I assume when they say "1 each" for a portion or "3oz" of meat that one of the thing on the platter IS 3oz or 1 serving (steak and pork is thin-about thickness of a checkbook and size of my palm around-meanwhile chicken is same size-my palm-but definitely thicker-I would say it is closer to a deck of cards in thickness or slightly bigger). I saw also that the ladles have "4oz" on them so I know I am pretty accurately putting in veggies/starches...with probably some kind of error rate with scooping. But I still don't know whether the calorie counts for the foods are accurate. Do you think they accurately display calories or just post something up there for those of us that actually are conscious about that stuff?
No way to tell, unless you get a food scale and weight it.
That's not realistic. Not that it matters much...this is the food I've been eating since the beginning of my weight loss, so I know how much will cause me to lose weight and can increase from there just a bit. But I was just curious whether you guys thought I could trust their posted servings.
Since it has been working and you had the expected amount of weight loss while logging their posted servings, then I would say they are pretty close.0 -
Just curious...do you think my dining hall displays accurate calorie counts? They put them up and I log them in my journal (they use some caterer whose recipes are already logged in here). I assume when they say "1 each" for a portion or "3oz" of meat that one of the thing on the platter IS 3oz or 1 serving (steak and pork is thin-about thickness of a checkbook and size of my palm around-meanwhile chicken is same size-my palm-but definitely thicker-I would say it is closer to a deck of cards in thickness or slightly bigger). I saw also that the ladles have "4oz" on them so I know I am pretty accurately putting in veggies/starches...with probably some kind of error rate with scooping. But I still don't know whether the calorie counts for the foods are accurate. Do you think they accurately display calories or just post something up there for those of us that actually are conscious about that stuff?
No way to tell, unless you get a food scale and weight it.
That's not realistic. Not that it matters much...this is the food I've been eating since the beginning of my weight loss, so I know how much will cause me to lose weight and can increase from there just a bit. But I was just curious whether you guys thought I could trust their posted servings.
Since it has been working and you had the expected amount of weight loss while logging their posted servings, then I would say they are pretty close.
Yes. I seem to have a TDEE of about 2250 (which MFP estimates for me, if I live a lightly active lifestyle). I lost about .6-.8 last week averaging around 1950 calories based on what I logged so it seems to be accurate. But either way, I guess it won't matter much as I still needed to increase either way.0 -
Just curious...do you think my dining hall displays accurate calorie counts? They put them up and I log them in my journal (they use some caterer whose recipes are already logged in here). I assume when they say "1 each" for a portion or "3oz" of meat that one of the thing on the platter IS 3oz or 1 serving (steak and pork is thin-about thickness of a checkbook and size of my palm around-meanwhile chicken is same size-my palm-but definitely thicker-I would say it is closer to a deck of cards in thickness or slightly bigger). I saw also that the ladles have "4oz" on them so I know I am pretty accurately putting in veggies/starches...with probably some kind of error rate with scooping. But I still don't know whether the calorie counts for the foods are accurate. Do you think they accurately display calories or just post something up there for those of us that actually are conscious about that stuff?
No way to tell, unless you get a food scale and weight it.
That's not realistic. Not that it matters much...this is the food I've been eating since the beginning of my weight loss, so I know how much will cause me to lose weight and can increase from there just a bit. But I was just curious whether you guys thought I could trust their posted servings.
Since it has been working and you had the expected amount of weight loss while logging their posted servings, then I would say they are pretty close.
Yes. I seem to have a TDEE of about 2250 (which MFP estimates for me, if I live a lightly active lifestyle). I lost about .6-.8 last week averaging around 1950 calories based on what I logged so it seems to be accurate. But either way, I guess it won't matter much as I still needed to increase either way.
MFP doesn't calculate TDEE, it calculates NEAT (doesn't include exercise). With exercise, your TDEE is up to 2500.0 -
Just curious...do you think my dining hall displays accurate calorie counts? They put them up and I log them in my journal (they use some caterer whose recipes are already logged in here). I assume when they say "1 each" for a portion or "3oz" of meat that one of the thing on the platter IS 3oz or 1 serving (steak and pork is thin-about thickness of a checkbook and size of my palm around-meanwhile chicken is same size-my palm-but definitely thicker-I would say it is closer to a deck of cards in thickness or slightly bigger). I saw also that the ladles have "4oz" on them so I know I am pretty accurately putting in veggies/starches...with probably some kind of error rate with scooping. But I still don't know whether the calorie counts for the foods are accurate. Do you think they accurately display calories or just post something up there for those of us that actually are conscious about that stuff?
No way to tell, unless you get a food scale and weight it.
That's not realistic. Not that it matters much...this is the food I've been eating since the beginning of my weight loss, so I know how much will cause me to lose weight and can increase from there just a bit. But I was just curious whether you guys thought I could trust their posted servings.
Since it has been working and you had the expected amount of weight loss while logging their posted servings, then I would say they are pretty close.
Yes. I seem to have a TDEE of about 2250 (which MFP estimates for me, if I live a lightly active lifestyle). I lost about .6-.8 last week averaging around 1950 calories based on what I logged so it seems to be accurate. But either way, I guess it won't matter much as I still needed to increase either way.
MFP doesn't calculate TDEE, it calculates NEAT (doesn't include exercise). With exercise, your TDEE is up to 2500.
I'm logging an average of 2100 this week. I had a high sodium day yesterday and was up at 136.4 today (about .8 higher than tuesday). If my weight ends up trending down on my official weigh in day (monday) then I will up again. I just want to increase slowly and steadily.0 -
I think you are being a bit too cautious. Jumping from 2100 - 2400 or 2500 is not that large of a jump.0
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I think you are being a bit too cautious. Jumping from 2100 - 2400 or 2500 is not that large of a jump.
My reasoning is that one week of being below isn't going to make me lose too much more, but I will be THAT much more sure that 2400-2500 is my right range. If I maintain through the week and don't lose, then maybe I have some logging errors that need to be accounted for.
Remember my dinner is pretty much estimated (can't weigh meat, my starch and veggie are estimated using ladles that have 4oz listed on their handles).0 -
But the numbers have proven with your weight loss that your estimates are pretty accurate. Even if your estimates were actually +200 you would gain less than half a pound.0
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But the numbers have proven with your weight loss that your estimates are pretty accurate. Even if your estimates were actually +200 you would gain less than half a pound.
These are my latest data and results: I averaged 1949 last week (according to my MFP inputs). I went from 136.4 to 135.8 from last monday to this monday. .6*3500=2100. 2100/7= 300 calories. So then I should be hitting about 2250. Hitting around 2150 this week (according to MFP inputs) should close the gap enough, correct?0 -
The fact that you are still losing weight suggests that you are estimating low on calories. Eat more dessert, problem solved.
Agree ^^
To me its simple math. If you are losing weight you need to eat more calories. Up your calories by 200 a day and see what happens. Adjust from there...and you are going on a weekly weight I hope as there are always daily fluctuations.0 -
Yes. I weight everyday but only take the weight every monday, which is done at the same time every time. I lost .6 last week so I upped from the 1949 average I had last week to 2150 average all this week.The fact that you are still losing weight suggests that you are estimating low on calories. Eat more dessert, problem solved.
Agree ^^
To me its simple math. If you are losing weight you need to eat more calories. Up your calories by 200 a day and see what happens. Adjust from there...and you are going on a weekly weight I hope as there are always daily fluctuations.0 -
But the numbers have proven with your weight loss that your estimates are pretty accurate. Even if your estimates were actually +200 you would gain less than half a pound.
These are my latest data and results: I averaged 1949 last week (according to my MFP inputs). I went from 136.4 to 135.8 from last monday to this monday. .6*3500=2100. 2100/7= 300 calories. So then I should be hitting about 2250. Hitting around 2150 this week (according to MFP inputs) should close the gap enough, correct?
You are caught up in the minutae. Fact is, you are underweight and are going to have to GAIN for health. But you have an irrational fear around gaining, so you have convinced yourself that just getting to maintenance will be good enough, yet you cannot bring yourself to even try to eat at maintenance, fearing the numbers are wrong. The numbers are not wrong. Your TDEE is 2300-2500 based on your numbers over the time you lost weight. During the time you lost weight, you had the same factors going on with estimating some of your food.0
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