HELP!!!!! Not Meeting my Net Cals :(

Diary_Queen

I'm still not meeting my Net Cals (at least 1200 per day). I've lost almost 70 lbs. in 8 months by having less to eat and more exercise. Now, with all the forums, I'm completely freaking that I'm going to hit starvation mode. What are my Net Cals. supposed to be at the ends of the day???? Quite often, I'm only around 700-900. Today, I'm pushing up to 1100, but I'm so full all the time. I'm not used to eating so much. My fat is low, my carbs are low (well, under the daily limit on my chart), protein is higher, fiber is higher. I still feel like I'm doing it wrong. Can someone look at my food log/exercise log and message me about this? I feel very nervous. I was always on WW Points Plus system and it's worked. Now, I feel like I don't know what to do or if I'm eating enough. Seen so many posts today about people not eating enough and plateauing. I don't wanna get there!

soontobeskinnysara

Sometimes when I need to eat the last 200-300 calories, I go for 1/4 cup of almonds. They have between 170-210 calories, and they're quite filling! Maybe a low-fat string cheese, or some veggies and hummus?

rmrainbow

I know this might not be what you want to hear, but maybe scale back on the exercise. Create a more manageable deficit, that way you won't have to eat back so many exercise cals. Do this until you can comfortably eat more, especially with eating higher-cal healthy foods, like avocado, healthy oils, nuts, etc.

Do a search in the forums about higher-cal foods....I swear there are 50 posts about it and they can all be very helpful.

JennLifts

Breathe!!!
I was used to eating low too, and I found that after about two weeks of packing it in, my stomach got used to it. Do you use a HRM? Great job on your macros, you're doing them proportions great! Yes, up your net cals.. might try protein shakes if you don't already use them. I used them when I was way low too.

Diary_Queen

I think my problem may be when I'm eating. I don't have a morning snack. I could add one of those for the extra couple hundred calories I need. Also, my breakfast is usually pretty light and my meals tend to get heavier throughout the day. That's another possibility. I've thought about adding a recovery snack after my workouts too. Something high protein since I'm doing so much strength training to keep my body building new muscle. I just never know what is right.

Diary_Queen

No HRM yet.... was waiting until this pay check to get one. I'm going Saturday with my boys to get them haircuts for school & was going to look at Academy to get a good one that's not too bulky. I'm just going by my level of exercise in comparison to my weight. It takes a LOT to move all this body. This is so much different than the WW deal. Most of the time the exercise was never really a factor. I think that changed a bunch when I started p90x as well. It's very intense for someone at my lower-level fitness range. I'm pushing it. Burning up some calories and feeling so accomplished at that, but I want my nutrition to be even keel as well.

soontobeskinnysara

I think my problem may be when I'm eating. I don't have a morning snack. I could add one of those for the extra couple hundred calories I need. Also, my breakfast is usually pretty light and my meals tend to get heavier throughout the day. That's another possibility. I've thought about adding a recovery snack after my workouts too. Something high protein since I'm doing so much strength training to keep my body building new muscle. I just never know what is right.

I try to eat eat like this: breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. I do a big breakfast with egg whites and fruit, light salad and some protein for lunch, and a small dinner with veggies and grains. Make sure you eat every few hours; snacks are important! I try to snack on almonds, fruit, and veggies. It's hard to eat when you're not hungry, but if you go too long without eating your body will go into starvation mode and hang on to the fat you're trying to lose!

Espressocycle

Really? This is a real problem? I wish I had it. If I did, I would eat another Kind Almond Apricot bar right now.

warmachinejt

You want to eat those calories in 5 to 6 meals in the day, not 3 or less that's why you're full.

Diary_Queen

I eat 4 meals a day usually.... going up to 5 couldn't hurt..... and yes, this is a real problem. I don't B.S.

Black_Swan

I had same problem when I got used to eating so little, at the start... but in time I had to increase slowly from 1200 to 1450 and then to 1700!! It takes some time to adjust, take it easy. Maybe add a little bit more of chicken - lean - thats protein and thats great for muscles and body... add more yogurt - mix more fruit in it - add some peanut butter?

CathyKat

I usually eat when im hungry , i dont force myself to eat if im not hungry its not good to do that either force yourself to eat when your full of eating something a few hrs before or awhile after you have aten something earlier in the day or evening . I am usually not one that eats breakfast in the morning but i try to find something to replace for me no eating because when i dont eat it affects my seizure disorder if i dont eat or drink to much , so most the time in my logs you all see mot the time liquid more than food because i get dehydrated during the day more thirsty during the day my meds are the cause of it my mouth gets dry due one of my seizure meds , i wondered if my calories wee to high for my weight of 254 lbs . As im losing im adjusting to see what is the right setting for me i kinda know how she feels on net cals . i try to eat mini meals if im able to during the day .

RangerSteve

I eat 4 meals a day usually.... going up to 5 couldn't hurt..... and yes, this is a real problem. I don't B.S.

4 meals a day and eating 800 calories? 200 calories is a meal? Is this real life?

1) Go to store and purchase Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream
2) Before bed, get 2 servings of ice cream (500kcal)
3) 800 + 500 = 1300
4) Profit!!!!!!