Struggling with food

Fraden148

Hi,

Sorry if this is in the wrong section. I just need some help.

I have recently started on losing weight (I want to lose 60 pounds) and myfitnesspal told me I need to have 1880 calories a day to achieve this. I'm struggling to meet this goal, as in, I'm eating less than I should. This is the first time I'm seriously losing weight, I'm 29)

I only started 3 days ago, but I constantly feel hungry and I know I need to eat more, I just don't know what to do. My deficit is gradually getting less (from 826 to 418) but I just don't know what else I can eat. I also don't want to lose so fast cause I don't want to end up with excess skin that hasn't stretched back

I eventually want to join a gym to to get toned and fit and eventually put on muscle, any hints will be welcomed.

Thanks

(Also, ignore the 6 pound lost, I put the wrong weight in. I've lost 2)

annincabo2014

It is always hard in the beginning to lose weight and stay on track- make sure you bulk up with Protein- eat more than 3oz of meat -fish - chicken- eat double that- also bulk up on vegetables- and eat raw and cooked ones... if you feel hungry get up and walk around the house for 2 minutes - then have a glass of water. See how that goes... good luck

Liftng4Lis

Sorry I don't understand, you're saying you eat less than they're telling you to and your hungry, so you need to eat more. Your diary isn't open, if you open it you will be given more helpful hints from the members here.

Fraden148

My diary should now be open.

Trisnbrysmom - That's exactly it. I don't want to lose it too quickly and it's my first time seriously trying to lose weight.

diannethegeek

Take a look at open diaries and see what others are eating.

Don't feel like you need to eat only health foods. It's okay to fit in some ice cream and peanut butter if you want.

Go for full-calorie versions of foods instead of "light" or reduced calorie versions.

Look for calorie dense foods. Full fat diary, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, olive oil, etc.

Take a look at your diary and see what you're deficient in. Are you getting enough protein? Enough fat? Plenty of vitamins and minerals? That might help steer you in the direction of what to include into your diet.

notnikkisixx

From what I can tell, you seem to be eating a fair amount of prepared foods. In my experience, prepared foods are high in calories and often leave me unsatisfied. Perhaps it is time you tried your hand at cooking? When I prepare my own meals I find myself with giant plates of food and feeling very full.

Feel free to check out my diary, I try to stick around the 1400 calorie mark and don't have a hard time doing it. I try to track religiously (although I usually forgo it on the weekends).

Another commenter suggested going for full-fat calorie dense foods and I have to disagree. If you are anything like me, the density of the calories doesn't make me feel full, it's the amount of food consumed. Hence, I try to load up on veggies so I can guilt-free stuff my face.

Fraden148

I am actually cooking a lot more than I used to. The prepared food (like the sandwiches etc) are mainly for lunch time, I only have 30 minutes for lunch, so I usually go to the store and grab a healthy living sandwich, with fruit afterwards.

Unless you're talking about the evening meals? I do buy pack of vegetables etc but then cook them together along with meat.

notnikkisixx

It looks like those sauces may be what is killing your calories! You may want to look up some healthier sauce recipes you can make at home. I like to cook a lot of asian-inspired foods as well and have found that it is pretty easy to make some yummy low-cal sauces with just a few ingredients. Once you reduce those 100-200 calorie sauces you can start replacing them with something more filling.

Fraden148

I only had those to bump my calories up to closer to what MFP says I should be having in a day haha. I'm honestly struggling about what I can do/eat to make me feel full as also mean I don't lose weight too fast.

Liftng4Lis

I added you as a friend, you can go look at my diary I feel like I eat a ton I warn you I just upped my calories a week ago at the advice of members due to a plateau I hit and with my increased workouts. I don't know how tall you are, but as a male I'm pretty sure you want to try to eat ALL of your calories.
Also, to cut down on sodium as someone else mentioned prepackaged stuff has lots (makes you retain water), pre plan your meals if you can. I usually take lunch to work based off of what I cooked the night before. Keeps it cheaper too!

s_ramthun

I didn't start to lose weight until I went to Scoobysworkshop and put my numbers into his body calculator. Just staying under the calorie amount wasn't doing it. Then I could see how much protein,fat, carbs, I should be eating, If you eat the right proportions you won't be hungry. I have a hard time eating all the calories I'm suppose to eat. It is hard to eat 31 g of protein a meal for me, so I supplement with an awesome protein powder I found that has NO artificial anything and NO sugar substitues, or stevia..Very hard to find ( called Jay Robb, Whey Proetin Isolate, UNFLAVORED) the other flavors have stevia..which I hate. If you eat enough protein, you won't have the sugar / hunger cravings that you normally do. You do have to stay away from sugar though and too much fruit because that will trigger a blood sugar drop and will trigger hunger again.

Now, that being said, I do have a small ice cream now and then and some dark chocolate!

Best of luck to you!!!

Fraden148

Trisnbrysmom - Added you. Also, I'm 6ft 4 (1.93m)

Less sodium - I hardly use salt in any food I prepare, only what is in there already. I have only really started eating fruit/healthily (I was always one for a quick fix, ready meal, dessert etc) so I'm unsure when it's too much.

Should I eat more vegetables then throughout the day? Like Carrot sticks, celery etc. Ones I can snack on at my desk?

Also, when I eventually join a gym, my goal is to get fit first, then start building muscle. I'll need to up my protein/calorie intake won't I?

AliceDark

I only had those to bump my calories up to closer to what MFP says I should be having in a day haha. I'm honestly struggling about what I can do/eat to make me feel full as also mean I don't lose weight too fast.

You need to be eating more, not less, so don't worry about sauces! In fact, feel free to add more. (I just noticed that you're 6'4". You need to be eating a LOT more than 1400 calories! I'm 5'4" and I can't live on that little).

If you feel like you can't eat any more "solid" food, you can add some liquid calories. Milk, juice or a protein shake would be a good idea.

It looks like you're eating very little early in the day and then trying to consume a lot of calories in the afternoon/evening. Is this something you like to do, or are you doing it because you feel like you have to? Meal timing doesn't matter for weight loss -- you can eat all your calories in one meal or spread them out, it doesn't make a difference -- but if you're struggling to meet your goal, you might want to try eating more earlier in the day. Snacks are a good idea.

Fraden148

I only have that for breakfast as I don't have a lot of time in the morning and so I eat on the move. An apple and a cereal bar is something I can eat quickly and easily.

I have started to snack through the day and I am trying to stick to the healthy stuff. Are you saying it's ok to, say, have a chocolate bar throughout the day to keep my energy/calories up?

diannethegeek

I only have that for breakfast as I don't have a lot of time in the morning and so I eat on the move. An apple and a cereal bar is something I can eat quickly and easily.

I have started to snack through the day and I am trying to stick to the healthy stuff. Are you saying it's ok to, say, have a chocolate bar throughout the day to keep my energy/calories up?

If it fits within your calories and nutrition goals and you don't have any medical reasons to avoid it, then it's absolutely okay to have a chocolate bar.

Fraden148

I've very nearly hit my calorie intake for today I think spreading it out throughout the day is the best thing to do so I'm not starving myself, and also smart stuff to snack on (almonds, veg etc)

I'm happy

AliceDark

I've very nearly hit my calorie intake for today I think spreading it out throughout the day is the best thing to do so I'm not starving myself, and also smart stuff to snack on (almonds, veg etc)

I'm happy

Awesome! :drinker: