To all who aren't eating all your calories or need to eat mo

shorerider

(Just because this is ALWAYS a hot topic on MFP---some words (well alot of words ) from personal experience! )

To those who don't eat all their calories (including exercise ones!) or who insist on eating way too few calories a day:

your body is an amazing machine that will do what it takes to keep functioning. If you're not giving it the fuel it needs to function, it will stop weight loss and hang on to whatever you are feeding it. And, sometimes the answer is to up your calories, so your body will feel confident again that it's not going to starve, or that a famine is near. And yes, despite some having argued that increasing calories is never an answer, sometimes IT IS THE ANSWER, and when you do just that, weight loss will resume.

I was plateaued for 6 weeks at 208--eating 1200-1300 a day (plus exercise calories). Prior to that, I would go weeks and lose not one ounce. I was also yo-yoing on the scale--up 4 pounds, down 5, etc. I was cycling 100-140 miles or so a week, easily burning up close to 1000 calories or more each day, and simply couldn't understand why I wasn't losing weight like crazy.

I was on here a lot expressing my frustrations but didn't want to hear "eat more." LOL--despite telling so many others just that, I just KNEW that wasn't the solution for me, right?

But, Songbirdsweet kept telling me to eat more because she felt that was just too few calories for me. I finally started to believe her when I really began to be hungry ALL the time, and I mean hungry. Not mental hunger but actual physical hunger.I even posted about it because I was getting concerned as to why.

I finally realized that I probably put my body into a situation where I was not giving it enough fuel (call it what you want: starvation mode, etc.)

Anyway, SBS warned me that if I upped my calories to have patience because at first I would gain a few pounds but then it would settle and weight loss would resume. Which is EXACTLY what happened!

I finally listened 3 weeks ago and upped my calories to 1400 a day although some days I eat as much as 1500/1550.

PLUS, I started having one FREE day a week where I eat pretty much what I want, within reason of course. I mean, I'm still diabetic so there's simply some things I can't eat regardless of free days or not.

But I decided to take Sundays not only as my religious Sabbath now but also as my body's sabbath. I don't exercise on that day, and we go out to eat (usually Chinese!), and I get what I want from the menu. Egg rolls, pot stickers, egg drop soup, etc. etc. etc. then I'll have some Carb Smart Ice Cream as dessert when we get home with sugar-free chocolate syrup and sugar-free cool whip. YUM!

It helps that my church has fellowship meals once a month on Sundays, too, so I can eat what I want at them. The people can't understand the concept of "free day" though, and I usually get comments like "is that on your diet?" etc. One lady said "I want to be on your diet if you can eat like that and still lost all that weight!' I tried to explain but now just smile.

Anyway, since I started eating more and taking a free day, my weight loss has resumed, I don't feel like I'm starving anymore, and I've lost almost 3 pounds in 3 weeks! Down another 1/2 pound this morning.

No, I'm not losing 15 pounds a month anymore like when I started in April. But, I feel great! The extra calories allow me to eat a little more, and I have more energy now than I did even 3 weeks ago. Not tired anymore; my work-outs are greater. I can't wait for Spring and get back on the bike to see what those extra calories will do for my cycling!

Just a word from someone who has been here for a bit and who still is learning from others. And, a reminder that we all have to be willing to listen to others' advice because sometimes, they're right! :happy:

shorerider

(Just because this is ALWAYS a hot topic on MFP---some words (well alot of words ) from personal experience! )

To those who don't eat all their calories (including exercise ones!) or who insist on eating way too few calories a day:

your body is an amazing machine that will do what it takes to keep functioning. If you're not giving it the fuel it needs to function, it will stop weight loss and hang on to whatever you are feeding it. And, sometimes the answer is to up your calories, so your body will feel confident again that it's not going to starve, or that a famine is near. And yes, despite some having argued that increasing calories is never an answer, sometimes IT IS THE ANSWER, and when you do just that, weight loss will resume.

I was plateaued for 6 weeks at 208--eating 1200-1300 a day (plus exercise calories). Prior to that, I would go weeks and lose not one ounce. I was also yo-yoing on the scale--up 4 pounds, down 5, etc. I was cycling 100-140 miles or so a week, easily burning up close to 1000 calories or more each day, and simply couldn't understand why I wasn't losing weight like crazy.

I was on here a lot expressing my frustrations but didn't want to hear "eat more." LOL--despite telling so many others just that, I just KNEW that wasn't the solution for me, right?

But, Songbirdsweet kept telling me to eat more because she felt that was just too few calories for me. I finally started to believe her when I really began to be hungry ALL the time, and I mean hungry. Not mental hunger but actual physical hunger.I even posted about it because I was getting concerned as to why.

I finally realized that I probably put my body into a situation where I was not giving it enough fuel (call it what you want: starvation mode, etc.)

Anyway, SBS warned me that if I upped my calories to have patience because at first I would gain a few pounds but then it would settle and weight loss would resume. Which is EXACTLY what happened!

I finally listened 3 weeks ago and upped my calories to 1400 a day although some days I eat as much as 1500/1550.

PLUS, I started having one FREE day a week where I eat pretty much what I want, within reason of course. I mean, I'm still diabetic so there's simply some things I can't eat regardless of free days or not.

But I decided to take Sundays not only as my religious Sabbath now but also as my body's sabbath. I don't exercise on that day, and we go out to eat (usually Chinese!), and I get what I want from the menu. Egg rolls, pot stickers, egg drop soup, etc. etc. etc. then I'll have some Carb Smart Ice Cream as dessert when we get home with sugar-free chocolate syrup and sugar-free cool whip. YUM!

It helps that my church has fellowship meals once a month on Sundays, too, so I can eat what I want at them. The people can't understand the concept of "free day" though, and I usually get comments like "is that on your diet?" etc. One lady said "I want to be on your diet if you can eat like that and still lost all that weight!' I tried to explain but now just smile.

Anyway, since I started eating more and taking a free day, my weight loss has resumed, I don't feel like I'm starving anymore, and I've lost almost 3 pounds in 3 weeks! Down another 1/2 pound this morning.

No, I'm not losing 15 pounds a month anymore like when I started in April. But, I feel great! The extra calories allow me to eat a little more, and I have more energy now than I did even 3 weeks ago. Not tired anymore; my work-outs are greater. I can't wait for Spring and get back on the bike to see what those extra calories will do for my cycling!

Just a word from someone who has been here for a bit and who still is learning from others. And, a reminder that we all have to be willing to listen to others' advice because sometimes, they're right! :happy:

Jackie_W

Thanks Shorerider :flowerforyou:
An excellent post :flowerforyou:
I'll bear it in mind during the rest of my journey :happy:

TamTastic

Just to add.......

I have lost 124 lbs and am 11 lbs away from my goal and I still eat 1400 cals on my non-gym days.

When I work out, I burn a lot and eat around 1800-1900!

So, never just go to the default of 1200. You will be surprised how much you can eat and still lose weight steadily! Just treat your body well and it will reward you! Trust me!!

Ciao!
Tami

shorerider

Just to add.......

I have lost 124 lbs and am 11 lbs away from my goal and I still eat 1400 cals on my non-gym days.

When I work out, I burn a lot and eat around 1800-1900!

So, never just go to the default of 1200. You will be surprised how much you can eat and still lose weight steadily! Just treat your body well and it will reward you! Trust me!!

Ciao!
Tami

Wow--you're looking great! One day soon, I hope to be able to see my collarbones, too!

chipper15173

[/quote]

"""""""Wow--you're looking great! One day soon, I hope to be able to see my collarbones, too! """"""""
[/quote]


we will shorerider. those collarbones are going to start poking us too.

i have been struggling with my cal intake lately. i joined a gym and i burn 1000 when i do weights, 500 when i just do thredmill. i don't eat all the 1000 calories. i let myself go to 1800 max. i always make sure i get my 1430 everyday w/o exercise cals. with i like to stay at 1650. but, on days i do 1000 the next day the scale is not nice. i think i am replaceing the fat with muscle and pound for pound they each weigh a pound, just take less space. my muscles could be doing their thing until i drink enough water to flush it out.

have a great weekend. chipper

Jackie_W

Just to add.......

I have lost 124 lbs and am 11 lbs away from my goal and I still eat 1400 cals on my non-gym days.

When I work out, I burn a lot and eat around 1800-1900!

So, never just go to the default of 1200. You will be surprised how much you can eat and still lose weight steadily! Just treat your body well and it will reward you! Trust me!!

Ciao!
Tami

Oh well done Tami - that's fantastic

Jackie_W

Just to add.......

I have lost 124 lbs and am 11 lbs away from my goal and I still eat 1400 cals on my non-gym days.

When I work out, I burn a lot and eat around 1800-1900!

So, never just go to the default of 1200. You will be surprised how much you can eat and still lose weight steadily! Just treat your body well and it will reward you! Trust me!!

Ciao!
Tami

Wow--you're looking great! One day soon, I hope to be able to see my collarbones, too!

I can now feel mine a lot easier - so only a matter of time

arewethereyet

Great post!!


I found a RIB yesterday!! I thought ribs were a myth!

shorerider

Great post!!


I found a RIB yesterday!! I thought ribs were a myth!

Hey, If I suck in my breath really hard, I can see where some of those might be now!

arewethereyet

Great post!!


I found a RIB yesterday!! I thought ribs were a myth!

Hey, If I suck in my breath really hard, I can see where some of those might be now!

:laugh:

Phoenixflame

Yeah, it took me awhile to get over it, but I finally realized that I need FOOD. I feel much better...though I've been too scared to hop on the scale because I know I probably gained a little. My body is still sorting itself out.

I was standing in front of my mirror and sucked my tummy in. Holy cow, I want to look like that! My torso looks great when I suck my gut in. Anyone know roughly how much difference there is pound-wise between your normal torso and sucked-in torso?

arewethereyet

ahhhhh. I read an article that says it takes 10 pounds off. I took before and after 10 pounds ago and I now look like the after,so I guess it is close to the truth!!

songbyrdsweet

Shore, that is GREAT news!! I'm so proud of you for making that decision...it is risky and it requires a lot of patience and even dealing with some disappointment at first. I had to make that choice too and I was also nervous, but it looks like it's turned out great for both of us. :happy: I think you will see an improvement in how you feel in general and how you perform athletically.

Phoenixflame

ahhhhh. I read an article that says it takes 10 pounds off. I took before and after 10 pounds ago and I now look like the after,so I guess it is close to the truth!!

:happy:

That would put me at about 140, and my goal is 130. C'mon perseverance! Make me into a svelte little vixen!