Do you consume all of your allotted calories?
Replies
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Oh my goodness! Not eat all your calories! I can't even imagine that! Congratulations to all of you that are losing weight................I saw everywhere from 3lbs to 140+........................I was on this site last year and lost 15lbs...............gained 10 back AFTER the
holidays.........was so proud of myself for not gaining any back Thanksgiving thru New Years......guess it went to my head.....er, butt/gut ! LOL I'm a retired preschool teacher and was very active until I started staying home. I love food, too, and it's hard not to want to bake all my families favorites especially during the winter, but I'm trying very hard to cut back.....because if I cook it, I eat it.
I hope this year I can lose 30+ lbs, but am only doing it in 10lb increments hoping that will encourage me every time I hit the 10lb mark. Best to all of you
Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods0 -
What? Did we suddenly forget how to eat?:laugh:
Just eat.
If you are like me, you did not get fat not knowing how to eat.
So, yes, eat your calories.
MFP calculates our total daily calorie intake WITHOUT exercise to lose 1 pound or so per week.
And after we log exercises, our daily calorie limit increases.
Why?
Because MFP telling us to eat our exercise calories in addition to our daily calorie goals.
Eating a McD cheeseburger is better than not eating to goal, because you will stifle progress not eating enough.
Large deficits are unhealthy, because while you will lose weight, what's the quality of the weight loss?
In many cases you'll lose lean body mass - MUSCLE - which LOWERS your metabolic rate, making weight loss harder.
These crash diets work well for a season -- and sure enough, the pounds melt away. But when you eat so
few calories, you train your metabolism to slow down. Once the diet is over, you have a body that burns calories
more slowly -- and you gain weight.:noway:
Be smart.
Exercise well both cardio and resistance, and eat back the calories.
The exercise will RAISE your metabolism and burn more fat at rest.
I completely agree with this.0 -
A good read.0
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What? Did we suddenly forget how to eat?:laugh:
Just eat.
If you are like me, you did not get fat not knowing how to eat.
So, yes, eat your calories.
MFP calculates our total daily calorie intake WITHOUT exercise to lose 1 pound or so per week.
And after we log exercises, our daily calorie limit increases.
Why?
Because MFP telling us to eat our exercise calories in addition to our daily calorie goals.
Eating a McD cheeseburger is better than not eating to goal, because you will stifle progress not eating enough.
Large deficits are unhealthy, because while you will lose weight, what's the quality of the weight loss?
In many cases you'll lose lean body mass - MUSCLE - which LOWERS your metabolic rate, making weight loss harder.
These crash diets work well for a season -- and sure enough, the pounds melt away. But when you eat so
few calories, you train your metabolism to slow down. Once the diet is over, you have a body that burns calories
more slowly -- and you gain weight.:noway:
Be smart.
Exercise well both cardio and resistance, and eat back the calories.
The exercise will RAISE your metabolism and burn more fat at rest.
^ So very true.... when I first started no way was 1200 enough.... went up to 1900, and felt much happy and started to loose weight. Its about forming good habits, and not self deprivation. Like many I'm shocked when people say they can't eat 1200 cals, cause I was starving on that. And lets be real with ourselves, our weight gain did not occur from NOT being able to eat 1200cals... o_O0 -
I exercise approx. 60-80 minutes a day and still eat back most of my calories. I find it your eating balanced, its NOT hard to meet your cals. Ex: natural peanut butter, qunioa, wild rice etc...LOTS of cals. BUT HEALTHY. I'm finding a lot of posts on MFP with tiny girls posting about not being able to eat more than 800 cals etc. GIVE ME A BREAK! I'm not impressed by your ketchup packet and glass of water with splenda. This isn't aimed at anyone that has replied to this, its just my rant 0
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Hi! I'm new too. I also find it hard to eat all the calories I'm supposed to! My goal is 1200 a day, plus all the extra that come from exercising. I'm trying really hard to eat healthy low calorie foods, so it feels like I'm always eating and not getting enough calories!
If your not getting enough calories don't just eat low calorie foods. Eat some nuts, rice, beans, peanut butter. Then you will have no problem hitting your 1200 goal.0 -
I usually stay slightly under, whether I've exercised & earned more or not, because I like to be in the green. 0
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All my food comes from the freezer section at Wal-Mart. Anywhere from 200-500 calories per meal. I eat cereal for breakfast (200-400 calories), a protein shake or Subway for lunch (170-500 calories) and one of the frozen meals, subway, or whatever my mother cooks for dinner (200-500+).
During the day I do Turbo Jam, Turbo Fire, walking, and other things. I burn anywhere from 200-700 calories daily leaving me well under 1000 Net Cal. And no, I don't try to stuff my face to make the green turn red.0 -
hi, im new as well...
I have a problem eating all my calories too. my numbers indicate 1200 a day but i exercise 7-10 times a week... so sometimes it even pushes up to 2000. my normal consumption is somewhere around 1100calories a day and if i eat more that that i feel that it would be unneccery. I do eat very healthy though, all natural, organic foods, ancient grains, veggies, as well as no artificial sugars.
I have to add though that i only have 10pounds to loose, and for some reason i am not loosing any.... do you guys think that could be the reason why?0 -
I'm not a tiny girl. I'm morbidly obese. I find it extremely difficult to eat all my calories. I was told at my weigh-in, I just had to try to eat some of them back and I've been gradually learning to do that, but it is really difficult for me. Before this latest journey started, I was a carb addict. Everything I ate just about was fast food or extremely high carb. Since I have kicked this addiction, I do find it hard to eat enough. My friend who is on this journey with me, but was not a carb addict is having the same problem. We are slowly learning to eat more though and have seen the weight loss follow. I think the thing for me is knowing what to eat and to be prepared in case I suddenly change my mind. If no one is cooking, I have alternatives readily on hand. I have found that if I don't eat enough, the weight just sits there. You have to eat enough in order to not be starving so the body will release the fat. I think for the really heavy though, there is a lot more room to tinker than there is with those whose goal is less ambitious. I still have close to 90 lbs. to go to reach my goal. I approach every week with a determination to do my best. Still, it's a work in progress.0
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hi, im new as well...
I have a problem eating all my calories too. my numbers indicate 1200 a day but i exercise 7-10 times a week... so sometimes it even pushes up to 2000. my normal consumption is somewhere around 1100calories a day and if i eat more that that i feel that it would be unneccery. I do eat very healthy though, all natural, organic foods, ancient grains, veggies, as well as no artificial sugars.
I have to add though that i only have 10pounds to loose, and for some reason i am not loosing any.... do you guys think that could be the reason why?
If what you're currently doing doesn't seem to be working, it can't hurt to try tweaking things a bit. :-) Some people feel they continue to lose just fine not eating their exercise calories, others seem to find that they might hit a plateau and that eating a portion of them can help get the scale moving again. You could try bumping up your consumption like 100 at a time and see what happens if you're nervous to suddenly go from 1200 to 2000 on exercise days. Like an extra 100 for a week or two, then maybe 100 over that for a week or two, until you see the scale moving again. Might help you pinpoint a level that keeps your body happier w/o you having to feel like you're in shock from suddenly eating so much more. Just an idea. :-)0 -
thanks for the advise... i think i might try that0
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This all seems logical to me, so over the week, I assume the weekly total allowance would prevail?
I have also started drinking vinegar in water, seems to curb my appetite and makes me drink more water, then pass more water, so hopefully in time will work for me. If anyone else has tried this, would love to hear about how you did.0 -
hi, I too am new to the site and just can't eat all my calories. they want me to eat 1200 and all i can get in (with snacks) is around 800. I'm not a big eater but tend to eat the wrong things. trying to cut down on fat and carbs but they want me to eat MORE!!!0
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hi, I too am new to the site and just can't eat all my calories. they want me to eat 1200 and all i can get in (with snacks) is around 800. I'm not a big eater but tend to eat the wrong things. trying to cut down on fat and carbs but they want me to eat MORE!!!
It can definitely be tough to rationalize eating more with trying to eat less and healthier. If you want to try to get in some of those extra calories without feeling stuffed, you can try higher calorie foods like peanut butter (a 2 tbsp serving is around 200 calories and it won't leave you feeling stuffed since it's a small amount - pair that with an apple for around 75-100 calories and you've got a healthy snack that's added some of those extra calories to your day - or just put 1 tbsp on a slice of bread if you need a smaller amount of extra calorie snack right then - yogurt is around 80-150 calories depending on what kind you get, also very small amount of food and has protein and calcium :-) ). You can also consider drinking milk or ensure or protein shakes to help get in actual calories when you don't feel like eating 'food'. You don't have to stuff yourself if you don't feel like it, but it can definitely help to plan ahead and have some of those types of items around the house. :-)0 -
I almost spit my lunch on the computer when I read this!I eat all of my calories and sometimes whatever my friends might have left over as well. I am almost always hungry, and that isn't a false signal from my stomach, either.
As for me, I was relieved to find that it was okay to eat the calories you "earn" by exercising. I actually commented to my hubby yesterday afternoon that I needed to go to the gym to earn my dinner - and I meant it literally! What I had left wouldn't have been very satisfying...O.o So no, no problem eating every single calorie MFP says I can!0 -
As for me, I was relieved to find that it was okay to eat the calories you "earn" by exercising. I actually commented to my hubby yesterday afternoon that I needed to go to the gym to earn my dinner - and I meant it literally! What I had left wouldn't have been very satisfying...O.o So no, no problem eating every single calorie MFP says I can!
I do that. I love exercising a lot and I think that is mostly because I know I can have a bigger dinner ;-)0 -
I try to eat all my calories, but I think a large part of joining MFP has been my learning how grossly I was overeating. I only eat foods I enjoy - because otherwise counting calories will feel more like a chore and less like a game - but I don't always reach my calories. If I'm hungry, I drink a glass of water and then I eat something. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat. Why would I? On the other hand, I'm planning to walk about an hour and a half today so I can eat at a Super Bowl party . . .0
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Thanks to you all. So update: I realized that my height was set incorrectly. I took away the 1 inch and lost about 200 calories. I'm able to eat my 1250 calories pretty easily now that I'm planning my meals, but those exercise calories are TOUGH...I had an extra 700 calories on day from hot yoga and had no idea what to do with them. Good news is that I've only been using this site for 6 days, and I'm already down a pound. YAAAAAAY. I will keep you guys updated. Thanks again for all of the encouragement and advice. I've taken a look at some of the tickers and I'm impressed. You guys are kicking *kitten* and taking names.0
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Exercise is the key factor. Don't eat your exercise calories as they are a bonus for weight loss. I have been over weight for 20 years until I started using MFP and by just looking at my daily calorie intake was enough to help me change my ways. I am currently eating 1500 calories a day and losing weight every week. I LOVE MFP0
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Exercise is the key factor. Don't eat your exercise calories as they are a bonus for weight loss. I have been over weight for 20 years until I started using MFP and by just looking at my daily calorie intake was enough to help me change my ways. I am currently eating 1500 calories a day and losing weight every week. I LOVE MFP
That is wrong. They are not a bonus, you must eat them in order to keep your deficit constant to lose your goal amount of weight. The MFP program is designed around this concept.
Yes you don't have to eat them to lose weight, but you do have to eat them to lose your goal amount of weight or to ensure your deficit is not too large. Slow and steady wins the race.0 -
What? Did we suddenly forget how to eat?:laugh:
Just eat.
If you are like me, you did not get fat not knowing how to eat.
So, yes, eat your calories.
MFP calculates our total daily calorie intake WITHOUT exercise to lose 1 pound or so per week.
And after we log exercises, our daily calorie limit increases.
Why?
Because MFP telling us to eat our exercise calories in addition to our daily calorie goals.
Eating a McD cheeseburger is better than not eating to goal, because you will stifle progress not eating enough.
Large deficits are unhealthy, because while you will lose weight, what's the quality of the weight loss?
In many cases you'll lose lean body mass - MUSCLE - which LOWERS your metabolic rate, making weight loss harder.
These crash diets work well for a season -- and sure enough, the pounds melt away. But when you eat so
few calories, you train your metabolism to slow down. Once the diet is over, you have a body that burns calories
more slowly -- and you gain weight.:noway:
Be smart.
Exercise well both cardio and resistance, and eat back the calories.
The exercise will RAISE your metabolism and burn more fat at rest.
WOW!!! This is so true. I loved how you put that..."did we forget how to eat" :happy:0 -
It depends. I have my calories set up at 1350 calories but I usually end up eating round 1100-1250 calories. I thought 1200 calories was set too low, but i end up usually eating under my set goal anyways.
It's actually quite unhealthy to eat under 1200 calories.. 1200 is the bare minimum that your body can survive on, and giving your body less than that causes your body to not only store anything extra it happens to get as fat right away, but it also starts to eat away at itself when it's not getting what it needs.
I'm currently reading a really great book, "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salad." It's about the science of losing weight, and how it's not just about low calories, but the KINDS of calories that you are putting into your body. I highly suggest it to anyone who is trying to successfully lose and keep off weight!0 -
I did up until yesterday, because so many people were saying I should, but I found I was gaining, so starting today I will only eat my base 1200 and see where that takes me. I think different things work for different people. I think eating back the calories will be ok, and maybe even better for you, but may cause weight loss to slow down. For me it did anyway.0
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I find that to meet my 1200cal on a "non-exeercise" day I have to be very conscious of my choices, or I go over. Exercise days however, I rarely meet the calories they suggest. I typically workout in the evenings and in the back of my mind I know there is a possibility that my plans will change(2 kids and all), so I'm pretty good throughout the day (around 600cal consumed before dinner). Then when I workout (typically 400-1000 calories according to HRM) it's like 8:00pm and I've got >1000 calories left to consume. Gorging doesn't seem like a good plan, so I here is my latest plan...If I burn 500 or less in exercise I stick to the 1200 but if I burn over 500 I make a conscious effort to eat back about half so that I'm not famished the next morning. Anybody have any thoughts or other suggestions I'm open? :happy:0
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I did up until yesterday, because so many people were saying I should, but I found I was gaining, so starting today I will only eat my base 1200 and see where that takes me. I think different things work for different people. I think eating back the calories will be ok, and maybe even better for you, but may cause weight loss to slow down. For me it did anyway.
most likely the cause for you was one or a combo of the following:
Under estimating the amount you ate (to get it right you must weigh solids and measure liquids)
Over estimate calories burned (most estimators tend to be off such as MFP or most machines, use a HRM and back out resting (maintenance) calories from the total burned
under active thyroid
some other metabolic issue (small amount of lean muscle leading to your BMR being over estimated)
If all the above are calculated and logged correctly you will lose your goal amount of weight by eating all of the calories MFP tells you to (including exercise calories)0 -
i am soo new to this too... i think 1200 is not enough. as for my exercise, well not sure what to put down beacuse i work in retail and I am always running around up to 5-6 hours a day. that would be my exercise of the day Lol... I really do need motivation though Looking for friends to motivate and is really seriouse to loosed weight and keep it :P0
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The concept of not eating all the calories I'm allowed doesn't even occur to me. The only reason I leave <5 on the table is because I haven't found anything that's 1 calorie.
However, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm a pig.
this. i do my best to eat almost every single calorie i'm allowed. matter of fact, i prefer to see my number a little in the red rather then under my goal.
people get into diet mode and think all they can eat are egg whites and veggies. your body needs more then that. toast with peanut butter, almonds, dried fruit like raisins, and chicken, are all excellent foods to eat, that have plenty of healthy calories.0 -
No, not close and if you start adding friends you will see most of them are under the calories as well. There are a few who stick right on the line, but dont include exercise calories. Then the others who do. I think each person is different, depends on how much you have to lose, what your goal is, you must have a goal whether a pound a week or 20 lbs every 6 months. You must motivate to something. Find what works for you best and then try something new when you stall.0
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I did up until yesterday, because so many people were saying I should, but I found I was gaining, so starting today I will only eat my base 1200 and see where that takes me. I think different things work for different people. I think eating back the calories will be ok, and maybe even better for you, but may cause weight loss to slow down. For me it did anyway.
most likely the cause for you was one or a combo of the following:
Under estimating the amount you ate (to get it right you must weigh solids and measure liquids)
Over estimate calories burned (most estimators tend to be off such as MFP or most machines, use a HRM and back out resting (maintenance) calories from the total burned
under active thyroid
some other metabolic issue (small amount of lean muscle leading to your BMR being over estimated)
If all the above are calculated and logged correctly you will lose your goal amount of weight by eating all of the calories MFP tells you to (including exercise calories)
Thank you. This is a helpful bit of info. I need to get a food scale and a hrm. I am afraid of the hrm though, because I do so much jumping around at the gym (I take all their early morning classes, like aerobics and boxing and lifting, etc) I am afraid it will fall off or something. But yes, estimating the right amount of calories burned is very hard.0
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