strugling to use up my calories daily....will this stop me l

stephl21uk

this is my 2nd week doing MFP.......before doing it i was 158lbs. i didnt have a very good diet and pigged out on bread crisps and choc all day and lots of greasy food for tea.....i have totally changed my feeding habits but i have found i eat alot smaller portions are feel full alot of the time i have totally stopped eating crisps and choc but i have found that im normally a good couple of hundred calories under my target every day.....MFP advised me to eat 1200 a day but i normally only have around 1000 and sometimes alot less.....i eat 3 healthy meals aday and snack all day but on low fat and low calorie foods like crisp breads and fruit so my calories never add up to much i also try to get some excersise in everyday normally an hor long walk pushing my son in his pram but i have just sharted the 30 day shred......

My prob is im worried that my body will go in to starvation mode and i wont loose anything i have lost 2lb my 1st week....any advice?

stephl21uk

bump

taxidermist15

nuts

shovav91

1000 a day is gross. Seriously you're trying to survive on that? There is a difference between getting healthy and having an eating disorder. You think you can't eat that much? Stop eating such low calorie things! Swap low fat for full fat. Add olive oil. Nuts and nut butters. 1000 a day is unsafe and you're going to wreck your body. Think about what you're doing. What's more important, fast results or living a long healthy life?

Meloonie

You could try adding some nuts as snacks?

teagan911

nuts

How is this comment supposed to help her? This is a support community. There is a difference between giving it to her real, and being down right rude.

ladyraven68

nuts

How is this comment supposed to help her? This is a support community. There is a difference between giving it to her real, and being down right rude.

I think you misunderstood - it was advice to EAT nuts.

teagan911

nuts

How is this comment supposed to help her? This is a support community. There is a difference between giving it to her real, and being down right rude.

I think you misunderstood - it was advice to EAT nuts.

Ah, if that's the case, I apologize.

mickyjd

I agree with SilverStrychnine - I don't know why some people get so angry when someone asks for advice?

Anyway, stephl21uk, I'd up your calories as most people say with nuts, switching to full fat etc. You also need those calories to help you workout / give you energy.

You definitely don't want your body to starve and then start storing fat. So good luck and up those calories

KatrineJohansen

1000 a day is gross. Seriously you're trying to survive on that? There is a difference between getting healthy and having an eating disorder. You think you can't eat that much? Stop eating such low calorie things! Swap low fat for full fat. Add olive oil. Nuts and nut butters. 1000 a day is unsafe and you're going to wreck your body. Think about what you're doing. What's more important, fast results or living a long healthy life?

Jesus, settle the f*** down, I don't think she's doing it on purpose.

Amen. She's actually ASKING for IDEAS on how to eat MORE. Jesus.

I'd say, try to plan your meals in advance, perhaps?
Try to choose 5-6 small meals a 200-300 calories a day, type them into your diary and write down on a postit or something if you don't go on MFP a lot throughout the day, so you always remember what you're supposed to eat and when.
Of course it's not something you need to do FOREVER, but definitely until you naturally acquire 1200-1300 calories a day in stead of 1000.

teagan911

OP- I find myself in your situation most days. Like others have said, you can switch your low calorie snacks for slightly higher calorie ones. You can also make sure to eat back your exercise calories. I know it's tempting to not eat the full recommended amount, and continue to see that number go down on the scale. I'm stuck in a position now where if I eat even slightly over my recommended 1200 I will gain weight, and quickly. I am in the process of trying to increase my metabolism. I hope you are able to get it worked out.

JEN0206

I've never wrote on this wall but here goes - I can totally understand what you are saying.
I struggle to use all my calories everyday and I eat alot of food, my portions aren't small and are NOT low fat.I have been doing this now for 6 weeks and been under the 1200 target set everyday and have lost a healthy 2 to 1 lb per week. I have not experienced this so called starvation mode or been hungry.
I'm not going to force myself to eat more than I wish to eat just so my Food diary is full.
If you feel fit and well and have loads of energy with what you are eating don't worry about it. Everybody is different thats why one size doesn't fit all.
Good luck and keep going x

maremare312

Maybe you could share your menus for your "3 healthy meals a day"...they probably could have more protein or healthy fats added to them to help you get your calories more to where they should be. Remember besides the whole starvation mode blah blah, you could be missing out on a lot of important vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

douglasmobbs

until you get to a very low body fat do not worry about starvation mode.

Listen to your body if you feel tired and low energy try to eat a bit more, the suggestions here are fine for higher energy but still healthy foods.

Make sure you are getting the right nutrition from your food, which by the sounds of it you are. The lower your calorie intake the more important you make each calorie work for you by getting goodness in.

That being said 1000 is quite low and you do run the risk that you will start feeling tired and not enough energy to get in the all important exercise.

myf1101

Can I say that I am the same as well. I have been on here almost a week and often get the message about my body going into starvation mode and I worry about whether or not I will lose the weight. I try to eat more but just cannot fit it in without feeling bloated and uncomfortable. I do take on board the comment about nuts though and may try to add these to my diet.

hbunting86

You could try adding in things like nuts, avocado - basically healthy foods just a bit more calorific.

If it's physically the eating thing, why not add in a smoothie or two, or a protein drink?

It also really annoys me when people are blatantly rude on these forums - what I eat and when/how is totally my business, and I've had snarky comments about not eating enough. Ignore people who are rude, and well done on switching your eating habits. I'm sure you'll find out what is right for you in time

SilverStrychnine

You know what's an awesome snack? Popcorn!!

And switch back to some full fat products, fat IS important for healthy brain function and makes your hair nice and shiny too

I found it really hard to eat 1200 at first too, but it gets easier

HonkyTonks

You could sneak a bit of chocolate in

dizzycoolbabe

1,000 calories is too little - you need to up it a bit! People think they need to starve themselves to lose weight but all you have to consume is the amount of calories your body uses for its daily function! 1,400 calories would probably be better!

akiramezu

1500 calories. that is all. don't even need to tell you why as you obviously know yourself 1000 is idiotic.

41degsouth

325mls of full cream milk has 200 calories, at least around here. Substitute one glass of water for a glass of full cream milk and you're there, as just one option.

smgmtx

I had the same problem as well at the beginning. When you switch to healthier foods you find that it's very low in calories so you have to eat more. We easily get a mind set that everything we eat has to be low-cal, low-fat. Try adding olive oil to your cooking instead of spray. Eat more nuts and dried fruits and NEVER forget about protein from lean meats. Don't be afraid to grab some cheese or spreads that arn't low-cal; low-fat and peanut butter. And don't worry about going into Starvation mode. I believe that term is thrown around way to casually. Your body has to be subjected to extreme conditions to really trigger it to go into starvation mode.

41degsouth

You could sneak a bit of chocolate in

Or this. +1. I always enjoy taking this option.

ashleab37

1000 a day is gross. Seriously you're trying to survive on that? There is a difference between getting healthy and having an eating disorder. You think you can't eat that much? Stop eating such low calorie things! Swap low fat for full fat. Add olive oil. Nuts and nut butters. 1000 a day is unsafe and you're going to wreck your body. Think about what you're doing. What's more important, fast results or living a long healthy life?

Because being nice about it is SO hard...?

Blackcat99

1000 a day is gross. Seriously you're trying to survive on that? There is a difference between getting healthy and having an eating disorder. You think you can't eat that much? Stop eating such low calorie things! Swap low fat for full fat. Add olive oil. Nuts and nut butters. 1000 a day is unsafe and you're going to wreck your body. Think about what you're doing. What's more important, fast results or living a long healthy life?

Yes sweetie, you are not eating enough as you already know. You need proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fats in your diet in order for the delicately balanced machine which is your body, to function - brain included. Add in two brazil nuts and some treats. Your subconscious wants treats - after all you've been giving yourself those for a while and it's not kind to yourself to take them all away. If you can, make home made fruit smoothies - a yummy, healthy, nutritious way of using up calories. I wouldn't take less than 1200 calories a day on any diet and even that is very low(and I have 7 stone to lose!). Most importantly, enjoy your food - myfitnesspal is a kind, loving way of looking after your body, ensure you use it as such and remember to put in ALL of your daily exercise - that means add up the time spent going up and down stairs, walking around, playing with the neighbours kids, dancing, etc. etc. And remember that your calorie availability goes up with each exercise, so have things like bananas (and a bit of chocolate) available as filler treats. All the very best.

TurnLeftNow

You don't have to worry about dropping into starvation mode. There are a lot of misconceptions about starvation mode and it's not as much of a risk right away as they make it out to be. I don't think you have to worry about it unless it's been a few months of doing the same behavior. A couple weeks or so of going a little under isn't going to harm you.

However, if you are feeling full on less try and find things that are condensed in calories. Get some peanut butter, or a bagel or something like that. They give you a lot of calories for a little portion so you won't feel really full eating a big meal. Maybe try adding in an extra granola bar or smoothies!

Hang in there!

JadeRabbit08

When I first started over thirty days ago I had the same problem. I was eating healthy foods like a lot of raw veg which filled me up quickly. So I went hunting for high calorie foods that had really high nutrient density so I was giving my body the best fuel I could.
As others have said avocado, nuts and seeds are great. Full of a lot of essential micronutrients and the good fats that look after you brain and metabolism.
I have now increased my daily to about 1400 as I wanted to minimise the lean muscle mass lost. Its not so hard to make the 1400 net and when I started I had trouble eating 1200. I will be increasing my net again slightly when I start weights.
I dont eat dairy or anything with gluten but I still seem to be able to get my calories in now.
Protein powders can help as well. Your welcome to check my diary out and see if anything appeals to you. (its public)

Good luck and good on you for looking after your health.

stephl21uk

To those off you that have added positive and helpful comments THANKS! don't know what the nasty ones are about....i know eating low cals a day are bad...hence why i asked for advice! I do eat a good varied diet an example is :

BREAKFAST- Large bowl of branflakes and FULL FAT milk or poached egg on weight watchers bread

DINNER- Sandwich (using weight watchers bread) with ham and lots of salad and a yoghurt (weight watchers) OR
crispbread with tuna and sweetcorn (4 of), yoghurt, flavoured Rice thins and fruit

TEA- Omelette with onions, mushrooms and Feta cheese, lots of salad, coleslaw
OR roast chicken and bbq sauce ciabatta with lots of salad
OR mexican style beef mince bake with tortillas and low fat creme fraiche

SNACKS- special K bar and fruit and crisp breads either with just butter or with cottage cheese.

I still use full fat milk and full fat butter as i know the body still needs fat..... altho i'm eating smaller portions i have big amounts of salad with meals and i use rocket and spinach etc as my salad leaves, then add tomato's, salad cress and onion and a plate full of it has only 20cals if that....i always team it up with ptotein tho.

I,m not low in energy if anything ive got loads and never felt better.....think i'll give the nuts a try.....thanks guys!
PLUS i always plan my meals in a morning so i can keep an eye on my calorie intake...like today for example.....i've been out with my hubby and kids and had some choc as i treat (Mars Flyte 97cals) but even after ive had my dinner and tea tonight of mixed meat sinapore style noodles im a good 500cals under and ive got excersise to do so will prob burn a good 100 cals doing that..... if anyone has any good recipes for a small meal i can add for inbetween dinner and tea as i eat dinner around 12pm bt dont have tea till around 6.30pm so is room to fit a small something in as i do normally eat my snacks around 3pm as thats when i start to feel peckish xx

littlepinkhearts

I've never wrote on this wall but here goes - I can totally understand what you are saying.
I struggle to use all my calories everyday and I eat alot of food, my portions aren't small and are NOT low fat.I have been doing this now for 6 weeks and been under the 1200 target set everyday and have lost a healthy 2 to 1 lb per week. I have not experienced this so called starvation mode or been hungry.
I'm not going to force myself to eat more than I wish to eat just so my Food diary is full.
If you feel fit and well and have loads of energy with what you are eating don't worry about it. Everybody is different thats why one size doesn't fit all.
Good luck and keep going x

I have the same problem and I like this answer. Another idea could be to eat full fat yogurt instead of low-fat...sometimes i'll do that...my diaries open also if you wanna peek at it for some ideas

ElizabethRoad

1500 calories. that is all. don't even need to tell you why as you obviously know yourself 1000 is idiotic.

Really, she is having trouble getting to 1200 calories and your advice is to eat more?

LorinaLynn

What happened when I didn't eat enough: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/494091-i-just-don-t-care-anymore