Calorie Deficiency

trout78

I keep seeing that I am not getting enough calories when I finish my journaling for the day. Yet, I feel satisfied with my food choices at the end of the day. As long as I am getting the right kinds of foods in my diet, can it really hinder my success?

BGabbart

Please read the blog that has been posted call "Why eat my exercise calories" you should understand then.

TheBrolympus

How many calories are you talking about 50 or 100? If it's a small number I wouldn't worry but if it's like 500 then you might have a problem. Cutting too many calories can slow your metabolism and trigger more fat storage in your body.

davidrt

not getting enough makes your body go into starvation mode try eating less more times during the day

ladyhawk00

Congrats on getting started!

It can hinder weight loss and promote muscle loss rather than fat loss, slowing the metabolism. Hunger (or lack thereof) is not necessarily a good barometer of how much you need to eat, particularly when you've had poor eating habits previously. When you don't come close to cal goal, you're making the built in deficit larger - which usually backfires at some point. May help to read these threads that explain how MFP gets the numbers it gives you, and why it's important to fuel the body properly.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/230930-starvation-mode-how-it-works

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/222019-60-lbs-in-60-days?hl=60+lbs

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/231636-the-eating-when-you-re-not-hungry-dilemma

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/175241-a-personal-view-on-exercise-cals-and-underfeeding

FabOma08

I agree the amount makes a difference. If you're way under daily it's gonna catch up to you! I didn't feel like it was a problem to start off with either but after about a week, I just lost all energy. I was completely exhausted all day. I upped the calories by just 100 or so and I feel so much better now! I was only netting about 750 after my exercise cals!

Bunnzye

I was worried about that also, I got the same every day. I still ended up gaining three pounds. I had 1800 calories a day to eat, plus when I worked out and burned about 400, I was expected to eat 400 more. Couldnt do it. I lowered my daily calories to 1200, now its easier to eat the exercise calories. The three pounds dropped.

mamagooskie

I say you need to eat more. You are only netting maybe 600 calories a day most of the time.....and only one day last week you were close to netting 1000.

doing this all the time as you are will eventually back fire and may cause you to go into starvation mode. You are just going to mess up your metabolism and that will in the long run make it harder for you to lose weight in the future.

I think you could easily add calories to your day by adding more to what you are eating (fruits like a full banana not 1/2 and maybe a few more servings, veggies add a salad at lunch or dinner or just more in general, maybe instead of 1/2 scoop of your shakes 2 times a day drink a full scoop 2x a day) if you don't want to eat more often maybe add cheese to your subway sub, and sauce and. Drink a glass of 2% milk or glass of orange juice with breakfast. A scoop of peanut butter with some crackers could be a nice snack anytime of day and will add calories and healthy fat and not a ton of calories.

Try dried fruit with yogurt as a night time "dessert" with a cup of green tea (aids in digestion)

I know you weren't asking for suggestions, but your food diary shows really scary low net calories, so I thought I would tell you what came to mind.

I hope nothing I said offended you.

trout78

Nothing you said offends me, the more help the better! And I really appreciate the suggestions they are all a great help!