Question from a Starter

masterofktulu

My journal says I need to eat 1700 calories every day for weight loss. When I go to the gym I burn roughly 400-500 calories in one session. At the end of the day recently I have had about 1300 calories which included in the workout I am 500 shy of the goal. Is this deficit hurting my body and doing more harm than good? Should I eat close to the goal? My one challenge is I feel I eat a fair amount of food and I rarely feel hungry yet I am below my target goal. But main question: Am I doing more harm than good if these calories aren't eaten?

audreyyrose

you essentially should try your very hardest to meet that calorie goal. however, as long as you're eating a bare minimum of 1200 calories a day, you shouldn't be harming your body.
if you're struggling to meet your calorie goal, try eating every 2-3 hours. it'll get your metabolism going and you'll be hungry more often, but you'll be essentially burning more off.

CarolHudson11

Try nuts, peanut butter - things like that have a good chunk of calories and fat (but it's good fat) and it'll raise your calories if you're not hungry enough to eat something big.

wpij25

These links are very helpful -> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again