How can it be hard to eat all your calories?
cclala
Posts: 190 Member
I am a clean eater, so with the exception of my morning latte which is still under 200 calories, I eat mostly fresh, whole food. Which usually means low-cal.
And yet I have to watch myself like a hawk to make sure I don't go over. I am generally ravenous because I work out 5 - 6 days a week. I read all these posts of people struggling to fill up....I could easily fill up, and then some! I don't get this? On an average day I eat greek yogurt, fruit and granola for breakfast. Morning snack, fruit. Sandwich and veggies for lunch. Afternoon snack, protein bar. Well rounded dinner of a meat, a veggie, and a complex carb. I could very easily add a few crackers with peanutbutter, a smoothie, and another few pieces of fruit into my day if my calories allowed. I am nowhere near stuffed to the gills, just satisfied enough. I'm only programmed to lose 1 lb a week.
Can someone shed light on how they manage to work out, eat right, and have trouble finishing their daily intake? Are people supposed to be eating 3,000 calories a day? Are they burning a thousand? So confused!
And yet I have to watch myself like a hawk to make sure I don't go over. I am generally ravenous because I work out 5 - 6 days a week. I read all these posts of people struggling to fill up....I could easily fill up, and then some! I don't get this? On an average day I eat greek yogurt, fruit and granola for breakfast. Morning snack, fruit. Sandwich and veggies for lunch. Afternoon snack, protein bar. Well rounded dinner of a meat, a veggie, and a complex carb. I could very easily add a few crackers with peanutbutter, a smoothie, and another few pieces of fruit into my day if my calories allowed. I am nowhere near stuffed to the gills, just satisfied enough. I'm only programmed to lose 1 lb a week.
Can someone shed light on how they manage to work out, eat right, and have trouble finishing their daily intake? Are people supposed to be eating 3,000 calories a day? Are they burning a thousand? So confused!
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Replies
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Some people are coming from different headspaces.... it's possible they were on a super restrictive diet beforehand and now that they're in this "Diet" mentality it's impossible to break the calorie glass ceiling?
Hard for me to imagine, too.0 -
There are people on here that are easily burning more than 1000 a day...so they end up eating close to 3000 a day. It's not always easy. My average burn is anywhere between 200-700 a day depending on my workout.0
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Dude. I have to watch every bite. I'm with ya. I work out almost every day too, just so I can eat more haha!0
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People say they can't reach 1200 cals because in their mind if they reach that they are fat.
That is how I felt not too long ago and still feel like that.
There is no way in hell anyone can not reach 1200. It's easy to reach 1200 even on fresh foods...etc!
A lot of people on here eat less than 1000 and they say they are just not hungry....it's all a lot of talk, they are hungry, they just won't eat. And they want the satisfaction of someone telling them it's okay.
I've been through it, and still struggling to reach 1200 most days because in my mind I'm scared Im eating too much when I know Im not.0 -
On days when I do my long runs where I burn more than 1000 calories just from exercising, I am just too full to eat even with in 400 calories of my daily net. However, on my weekly rest day I get so hungry. I take this as a positive sign that my metabolism has picked up. On "average" days where I burn 300-600 calories from exercise, I am generally content. My diary is public if you want suggestions (I'm a vegetarian and also eat mostly clean).0
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It's not as easy as you might think. MFP gives me 1560 calories a day.....if I do 60 to 75 minutes of cardio...which I try to do at least 5 days a week, I can burn up to another 1200-1300 calories....that's 2860....its a lot of food. Too much. I never eat exercise calories....just consider it a bonus weight loss........0
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Dude. I have to watch every bite. I'm with ya. I work out almost every day too, just so I can eat more haha!
This may as well have been said by me! I plan an extravagant dinner and schedule in a jog around the block at the same time.0 -
At my weight, I have a lot of calories to eat every day. If I work out, it's even more, since I am normally burning anywhere from 400-800 calories depending on what I'm doing. Eating "clean" the way that I do, sometimes I feel like I'm eating all day long and barely getting to 1200. It can be hard if you have more calories to eat!0
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It's not as easy as you might think. MFP gives me 1560 calories a day.....if I do 60 to 75 minutes of cardio...which I try to do at least 5 days a week, I can burn up to another 1200-1300 calories....that's 2860....its a lot of food. Too much. I never eat exercise calories....just consider it a bonus weight loss........
Wait you mean you burn 1300 calories in an hour?0 -
Dude. I have to watch every bite. I'm with ya. I work out almost every day too, just so I can eat more haha!
This may as well have been said by me! I plan an extravagant dinner and schedule in a jog around the block at the same time.
Me too. Also, if I had all those hundreds (or thousands?!) of calories left over, I'd have all of that higher calorie "health" food I'm always craving like dark chocolate and nuts! Easy enough solution!0 -
I don't understand it either. I'm pretty clean (I do have a small treat regularly to keep me from gorging), but even without that, 200 for breakfast (don't know what they could be possibly eating for less than that), 300 for lunch, 400 for dinner (again, not sure what they're eating that are less than that!) and 300 in snacks (which is just a pear, 15 almonds and a cup of grapes) over the day is really quite easy.0
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People say they can't reach 1200 cals because in their mind if they reach that they are fat.
That is how I felt not too long ago and still feel like that.
There is no way in hell anyone can not reach 1200. It's easy to reach 1200 even on fresh foods...etc!
A lot of people on here eat less than 1000 and they say they are just not hungry....it's all a lot of talk, they are hungry, they just won't eat. And they want the satisfaction of someone telling them it's okay.
I've been through it, and still struggling to reach 1200 most days because in my mind I'm scared Im eating too much when I know Im not.
This is interesting, thanks for sharing. I didn't think that there might be some hidden psychology behind it, I was just taking it at face value.0 -
I'm reluctant to wade into this, but here I go:
I am one of those people who has trouble eating any more than 1100 calories a day. I have a moderately active job and I burn at least 350 calories (often more) in cardio exercise daily. The reason I'm in this predicament, I think, is because I'm eating so many vegetables, and some fresh fruit. On a typical day, I eat 1.5 cups fresh vegetables, 2 cups of salad greens, another cup of steamed vegetables (at least), and often a snack of low-sodium V-8. I also try to get two medium pieces of fresh fruit. I fill in the rest of my daily food intake (lean protein, whole grains) around those basics. The vegetables really--I mean REALLY--fill me up with few calories. I often find myself at the end of the day having consumed under 1000 calories and having to eat something else just to get above 1000.
So, there you have it, for what it's worth. I think we're all just different.
Good luck.0 -
Maybe they got the flu?
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It's hard for me because I don't have access to all of that type of food without my sodium or some other aspect going through the roof. I'm the only one on this "diet" in my household so I don't have input on what to buy when my parents go to the grocery store. I'm happy that you can eat your cals, but not everyone is as able as you are. Each person on here is from a different background and healthier food typically costs more - I know that's my reason for not eating all of my cals. I do get over my 1200 and usually over 1500...it's not like I'm starving myself, but I just don't want to eat those cals and boost my fat or sodium or whatever, and I just can't afford mega-healthy food.
Thanks for the understanding
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I'm reluctant to wade into this, but here I go:
I am one of those people who has trouble eating any more than 1100 calories a day. I have a moderately active job and I burn at least 350 calories (often more) in cardio exercise daily. The reason I'm in this predicament, I think, is because I'm eating so many vegetables, and some fresh fruit. On a typical day, I eat 1.5 cups fresh vegetables, 2 cups of salad greens, another cup of steamed vegetables (at least), and often a snack of low-sodium V-8. I also try to get two medium pieces of fresh fruit. I fill in the rest of my daily food intake (lean protein, whole grains) around those basics. The vegetables really--I mean REALLY--fill me up with few calories. I often find myself at the end of the day having consumed under 1000 calories and having to eat something else just to get above 1000.
So, there you have it, for what it's worth. I think we're all just different.
Good luck.
Don't be reluctant, I'm grateful for the inside perspective! So, why not have a piece of toast with peanutbutter in addition to all those veggies? If you're interested in staying within your goal calorie range and vegetables aren't cutting it?0 -
A lot of people on here eat less than 1000 and they say they are just not hungry....it's all a lot of talk, they are hungry, they just won't eat. And they want the satisfaction of someone telling them it's okay.
While I agree that it is WAY too easy to fill up on the right foods for your body, I am very familiar with starvation mode and the like. Yes it can be talk but you can LITERALLY train your body to NOT be hungry. Its not just talk. If you don't feed your body, it goes into starvation mode and it learns not to expect the calories you give it. This past fall I had a time period where I was VERY sick. I could not eat because of severe side pain. I was not eating and in the hospital constantly. When I got out, it was hard to retrain my body to be hungry again. And its the same idea with these people who get it in their heads that: Eating = Fat.0 -
People here also have different diets than you do.
For example, I'm with you on the peanut butter but I would not normally eat crackers. I also don't drink coffee nor do I tend to like protein bars (also have become intolerant to almonds and won't eat avocado alone- so those healthy fats are out).
Bread is also a rarity for me. I'm not low-carb or no-carb, I eat plenty of veggies and fruits to get my carbs in and have around 200g of carbs/day. Two slices of mulitigrain bread for a sandwich is about 300 calories. Also the protein bar which is around 100 and the 200 calorie latte. So make it 600 calories that I now have to eat enough fruits and veggies to substitute for in your diet.
Luckily I substitute it in proteins like chicken and fish, so it's easier to get them in, but sometimes difficult because those foods are more filling and I'm just not hungry enough to eat them.
I also burn between 500-1000 calories/day (CrossFit).
By the way my BMR is 1950 (hydrostatic test). So to lose 1 lb./week I have to eat about 1450 net or between 1950 and 2400 cals/day.
That's how it's hard to eat all your calories at times.0 -
According to Tosca Reno- the author of the Eat Clean Books- you really do not have to count your calories if you are eating clean. Those are excellent books! I find it really hard to eat that striclty- although I know its the best thing for me!0
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It's hard for me because I don't have access to all of that type of food without my sodium or some other aspect going through the roof. I'm the only one on this "diet" in my household so I don't have input on what to buy when my parents go to the grocery store. I'm happy that you can eat your cals, but not everyone is as able as you are. Each person on here is from a different background and healthier food typically costs more - I know that's my reason for not eating all of my cals. I do get over my 1200 and usually over 1500...it's not like I'm starving myself, but I just don't want to eat those cals and boost my fat or sodium or whatever, and I just can't afford mega-healthy food.
Thanks for the understanding
....I'm not judging, I'm aiming to learn something that might benefit my own education about food and weight loss struggles. This isn't personal. I'm sorry you don't have access or can't afford fruits and vegetables.0 -
I have trouble eating all of my calories.
I don't eat breakfast, it makes me sick. I drink 1 cup of coffee. About 10, I will eat a snack, a cereal bar, generally. For lunch, I eat left overs from the night before, or I pick something up. And then I eat dinner. Today I ate 2 slices of a homemade(-ish) pizza and 2 small red potatoes with butter & cheese for lunch, and we are having pancakes, beef bacon, and scrambled eggs w/ cheese for dinner. I with all of that, I will be just barely over 800 calories. I still have to fit in at least 400, and I haven't worked out yet. I am full, and I will BE full. I will try to have a snack after I work out, but, it still won't be a 400+ calorie snack.
Say what you will. I am not hungry. I ate 1/4 of a pizza for lunch, and was hungry an hour later, so I cooked potatoes (I had them in my desk). When I am hungry, I eat. Trust me. I have even been known to eat potato chips, candy, chocolate bars, etc to get my calorie intake up. Today will be one of the days I don't eat many veggies, and really, my calorie intake is higher today b/c of it. I drink water constantly.
I just don't see how someone could eat more than me and still be hungry all the time.
Oh, and this is just to hit 1200, I cannot eat back my workout calories, there just isn't enough time in the day. I have only hit my "goal" of 1340 one or 2 times, and it was when we went out to eat.0 -
Maybe they got the flu?
:-) "I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight."0 -
According to Tosca Reno- the author of the Eat Clean Books- you really do not have to count your calories if you are eating clean. Those are excellent books! I find it really hard to eat that striclty- although I know its the best thing for me!
Good to know! Although I still don't trust myself not to eat 300 calories over in cherries alone. :-) Maybe when I'm maintaining!0 -
One of the main reasons I exercise is to increase my allowable calorie total. It's very difficult for a life-long overeater to adjust to 1,600 calories/day when I'm guessing I was consuming about twice that. I have seen numerous posts from people saying that they have difficulty eating their daily calorie allowance! WHAT? How can that be? I plan my meals so I stay under my allowance and it's usually very close or a little over--and I could still eat more! I suppose if I was running 5-6 miles/day and burning 1,000 calories it would be different but I need my extra 300-400 exercise calories to have any type of satisfying 3 meals. You guys must eat like songbirds! Maybe it's a guy thing--or maybe I'm just jealous...... :bigsmile:
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I posted this earlier in the week and got responses like "drink more water" and "snack on veggies". First of all, not a big veggie fan so that's a problem. I eat a small breakfast, small lunch, (usually a sandwich), and I end up with about 500 calories left for dinner. Needless to say I'm starving by then. If I burn 400 calories/day, I can have a decent dinner. If I could not feel hungry by eating 1,500/day, I wouldn't exercise! I can manage to feel satisfied with my extra exercise calories but believe me--I use every one of them!0 -
According to Tosca Reno- the author of the Eat Clean Books- you really do not have to count your calories if you are eating clean. Those are excellent books! I find it really hard to eat that striclty- although I know its the best thing for me!
That seems off.0 -
It's not as easy as you might think. MFP gives me 1560 calories a day.....if I do 60 to 75 minutes of cardio...which I try to do at least 5 days a week, I can burn up to another 1200-1300 calories....that's 2860....its a lot of food. Too much. I never eat exercise calories....just consider it a bonus weight loss........
Wait you mean you burn 1300 calories in an hour?
The leaner you are the harder it is to get that burn in that space of time. One of the hardest cardio sessions would be a good spin class, and in 60 mins I would burn an absolute maximum of 700 calories.
You can't really compare the burn rate of larger people to slimmer folk. Think about the Biggest Loser... some of them can lose 14lb in one week!! That doesn't happen when you only have 20lb to lose overall, so you need to consider that.
On training days when I double up (train before & after work) I can easily accrue 1000+ calories extra. I won't eat them all, but I listen to my body. I eat very regularly and a lot of it is lean protein which is very filling. I never go hungry.0 -
One of the main reasons I exercise is to increase my allowable calorie total. It's very difficult for a life-long overeater to adjust to 1,600 calories/day when I'm guessing I was consuming about twice that. I have seen numerous posts from people saying that they have difficulty eating their daily calorie allowance! WHAT? How can that be? I plan my meals so I stay under my allowance and it's usually very close or a little over--and I could still eat more! I suppose if I was running 5-6 miles/day and burning 1,000 calories it would be different but I need my extra 300-400 exercise calories to have any type of satisfying 3 meals. You guys must eat like songbirds! Maybe it's a guy thing--or maybe I'm just jealous...... :bigsmile:
I posted this earlier in the week and got responses like "drink more water" and "snack on veggies". First of all, not a big veggie fan so that's a problem. I eat a small breakfast, small lunch, (usually a sandwich), and I end up with about 500 calories left for dinner. Needless to say I'm starving by then. If I burn 400 calories/day, I can have a decent dinner. If I could not feel hungry by eating 1,500/day, I wouldn't exercise! I can manage to feel satisfied with my extra exercise calories but believe me--I use every one of them!
Yes, I feel the same way you do. It's not just a guy thing! You know what it might be? Most of us are here because we used to eat all the wrong things. Going from processed, high calorie food in smaller quantities to fiber-rich produce that fills you up with fewer calories might be to blame. I hadn't thought of that before, but it explains why someone who used to consume 2,000 calories a day--which is why they are trying to lose weight--now has trouble reaching 1200.0 -
It's not as easy as you might think. MFP gives me 1560 calories a day.....if I do 60 to 75 minutes of cardio...which I try to do at least 5 days a week, I can burn up to another 1200-1300 calories....that's 2860....its a lot of food. Too much. I never eat exercise calories....just consider it a bonus weight loss........
Wait you mean you burn 1300 calories in an hour?
The leaner you are the harder it is to get that burn in that space of time. One of the hardest cardio sessions would be a good spin class, and in 60 mins I would burn an absolute maximum of 700 calories.
You can't really compare the burn rate of larger people to slimmer folk. Think about the Biggest Loser... some of them can lose 14lb in one week!! That doesn't happen when you only have 20lb to lose overall, so you need to consider that.
On training days when I double up (train before & after work) I can easily accrue 1000+ calories extra. I won't eat them all, but I listen to my body. I eat very regularly and a lot of it is lean protein which is very filling. I never go hungry.
I gotcha, but isn't the ratio the same? The calorie allowance is a bit higher because the burn is? So they'd have the same amount left over, relatively speaking?0 -
I have no problem eating to fill my calories most days, but if I exercise 400+ calories away, reaching my new goal without going over sodium, carbs, and fat can be a challenge (which puts me closer to 2500 cals, rather than the 1200 that is being discussed mostly). I eat lots of veggies and fruit, but they don't often add up to a ton of calories.0
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I have to say I understand both sides. Some days I try fit in loads of food for dinner because i have lots of calories today. Then other days, like today, I could eat everything in sight!!! Largely depends on what you eat and how busy a day you have.0
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