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

sammanchester

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

This!!!!

alise_lmx

I think the mean comments stem from jealousy. You're a pretty girl and don't look like you have a lot of weight to lose, and I think that makes some people a little bitter, especially when you say that its not hard for you to eat less. Thats what most people struggle with on this site.I don't really have any advice for you, I really have no idea about starvation mode. But I think that everyone is different, and if you are a smaller -framed person to begin with, maybe 1000 calories a day is enough for you. My mother in law is very petite, she eats extremely healthy but I would guess she doesn't need as many calories than other people bc she is pretty short. If you are still concerned, I would ask your dr! No one on these forums is an expert and everyone's advice is different bc it's based on their own experiences. Good luck, and let your haters be your motivators!

livinginwoods

Good luck on your journey. I have no advise to offer since I am still trying to figure things out on my own but the important thing is that you are trying to be healthier and change your life. That is awesome!! :flowerforyou:

littlepinkhearts

I think the mean comments stem from jealousy. You're a pretty girl and don't look like you have a lot of weight to lose, and I think that makes some people a little bitter, especially when you say that its not hard for you to eat less. Thats what most people struggle with on this site.I don't really have any advice for you, I really have no idea about starvation mode. But I think that everyone is different, and if you are a smaller -framed person to begin with, maybe 1000 calories a day is enough for you. My mother in law is very petite, she eats extremely healthy but I would guess she doesn't need as many calories than other people bc she is pretty short. If you are still concerned, I would ask your dr! No one on these forums is an expert and everyone's advice is different bc it's based on their own experiences. Good luck, and let your haters be your motivators!

AMEN to that!!! (and well said btw)

ladyraven68

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

You could add in some fruit with your breakfast - bananas, apples, easy to carry with you and have at snack time,

For snack midway between breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner I usually have a yogurt, or cottage cheese on crackers or some nuts - even 6 brazils will add about 150 calories.

or maybe have a warm milky drink at bed time - hot chocolate/cocoa/ovaltine etc.

Srdking

Sometimes people amazing me with how rude they are. If you can't be nice don't answer!
Anyway I know what your saying op, I have had the same problem. I will add 3 special K bars if I need to make it to my calorie goals. Last night it was popcorn and so far so good with me doing things like that. I actually tested out starvation mode on myself. When I first started dieting I was doing slim fast 2 shakes a day and a healthy 500 calorie dinner, with a few snacks in between. My weight loss was great as first and then hardly anything. I added up the calories I was eating and I was under 800 a day at least. If I didn't get that 500 plus calorie dinner in, and only ate a 250-300 calorie one.

What did I figure out my body felt more tired and weak. So I kicked the slim fast diet, yes I had results but the calories were not enough to keep me going. So on average of only eating 800 or less calories a day did I go into starvation mode. Heck no I didn't, I was eating to less so of course I was losing weight. I know if your body fat is low you can put yourself in starvation mode. Or just not eating hardly anything at all and only drinking. Sure you will lose weight, but then as soon as you eat something worth anything your body will hold on to it. So starvation mode does not always mean your body will hold fat and refuse to release it. To me starvation mode is when you don't eat enough and still lose weight. The second you eat something your body hoards it. For me when I tested this out, this is what starvation mode for me meant.

How did I get to 1200 calories? I figured out that even if I'm full and mfp says I only ate 800 to 1000 calories. I will eat some more special K bars. I will even do 3/4 cup of captain crunch cereal if I have too. You can find anything to bump you up where you need to be. I also have special K chips if you don't have them I would suggest you try some out. Those help me as well to get up there on my calorie goals everyday if needed. You could even get some weight watchers deserts. Some of them are really good. I will tell you this if I'm to full I stop eating so yes, there is days where my calories are 1000. It isn't going to kill me. I am a 4'11 person anyway. So I figured out somedays I eat more than others. I just try to never fall to far below, for me anything around 800 or 900 calories is to low, like what I went through on the slim fast diet. So I know what is to low for me and what is not. If I were you I would not pick up a candy bar or anything. You could even try some of those Atkins meal bars, they are low in fat and actually they don't taste gross.

penroseg

I struggle with the same problem. Though I never wanted to post because of the few mean people that attack others that are looking for help. I have been adding more eggs to my diet, and avocado on my salads. So yummy. Good luck! Thanks to those with positive suggestions!

LorinaLynn

I think the mean comments stem from jealousy. You're a pretty girl and don't look like you have a lot of weight to lose, and I think that makes some people a little bitter, especially when you say that its not hard for you to eat less. Thats what most people struggle with on this site.I don't really have any advice for you, I really have no idea about starvation mode. But I think that everyone is different, and if you are a smaller -framed person to begin with, maybe 1000 calories a day is enough for you. My mother in law is very petite, she eats extremely healthy but I would guess she doesn't need as many calories than other people bc she is pretty short. If you are still concerned, I would ask your dr! No one on these forums is an expert and everyone's advice is different bc it's based on their own experiences. Good luck, and let your haters be your motivators!

Bullpoopie.

The "mean" comments are from people who KNOW that eating that little is detrimental to one's health. Eating very little is nothing to be proud of. It will shut down your metabolism, cause you to lose muscle mass, and leave you malnourished.

I wish someone told me years ago that I was being an idiot. That I was going about everything all wrong when I was eating under 1000 a day. I got to my goal weight, and still had back fat rolls, a muffin top, double chin and flabby thighs. I weighed less, but I had the same body I had when I was heavier. Just a smaller version of the same body. So I beat myself up, thinking I had a slow metabolism, thinking I lacked discipline, thinking I was just stuck being the shape I was, thinking I would have to eat even LESS if I wanted to lose weight. So I gave up, because I'd rather eat what I wanted, be happy, and weigh a little more, than feel deprived to weigh a little less.

So now, getting proper nutrition and regular exercise, I'm about the same "goal weight," but wearing clothes two or three sizes smaller (2 or 4 vs. size 8), with small waist, a tight, high booty, a sexy back, and just one chin, and eating easily TWICE what I was when I was foolishly starving myself.

So... no, I'm not jealous of someone who only eats 1000 calories a day. Been there, done that. I eat that much for dinner now.

dhencel

I find that I want a snack at night.. So I find something that equals my leftover calories......

Srdking

LorinaLynn, you are right girl. I did the samething when I was younger, who knew there could be such a thing of being thin and still having that fat there. I ran into that as well!

muddyventures

I think more than anything it is a head game we play with ourselves. I've only been logging on MFP for a week or so, before that I was using another program and was 'secretly' proud when I was under my calories for the day. I was getting a thrill out of it.. wierd I know. I kept reading about what we need at a minimun and I'm slowly retraining myself to think of food and diet in a healthy way. Just out of highschool a couple years into college I beganpurging and extreme exercise, I did that for about 4 years, until I saw the ultrasound of my first child (a girl). once she and (her three sisters) were born I just kept gaining, because I didn't know how to manage my wieght without extremes and I knew I didn't want them to see that. To be honest I know my intake right now is too low and I need to bump it to 1200 and I'm trying..

My suggestion to you is educate yourself daily by reading what healthy is, I think it will sink in. I want permanent fitness and weight loss this time so I'm really trying to change the 'head game' I've played for so many years. Not much help I'm sure, but it is how it has been for me. Best to you!

BlueEyedMomma88

You could sneak a bit of chocolate in

Love this answer!

katsmit2

natural peanut butter or almond butter on your fruit - apples, bananas, etc - it'll add some calories, protein, and good fat.

LorinaLynn

As for suggestions of what to eat to bump up the calories... Check your food diary and see what you're missing. Keep in mind that MFP's default protein goal is really low... only 15%. I have mine set for 25%, but I aim for a minimum of 100g a day.

If you're low on protein, have more protein. A slightly larger serving of chicken, fish, eggs, beans, beef, pork, or a protein shake or bar. I have some protein bars that are as delicious as a candy bar, but good for me. Vanilla whey protein powder mixed with chocolate milk is AMAZING... it's like dessert. Even if I don't add the protein powder, I like to have a glass of chocolate milk right before bed.

If you're not getting enough fruits and vegetables, get more of them. Veggies are typically very low in calories, but on average, one serving of fruit, whether it's a banana or a cup of blueberries, is around 100 calories.

If you're low on fat, have some peanut butter or avocado, or cook with olive oil. And cheese. I love cheese.

If you're low on carbs... have fun! Unless you have a medical problem that is adversely affected by carbs (ie, diabetes), there's no reason to go "low carb." I have bagels, bread and pasta daily. A normal serving of regular pasta is 210 calories. Measure out a little bit more or less as your calories dictate.

stephl21uk

Thanks for the ideas....... And in regards to the lovely lady who posted comments about me being pretty and jelousy..... I'm lucky I don't carry weight on my face, but I do carry it around my belly after having 2 babies it's the first place to stick and I have no shape or tone to my thighs quite chunky...... I'm aiming to get to around 9 and a half stone (im currently 11st 2lb and 9 and a half stone was my weight after baby #1 and im 5' 5.5" ) but I'll never be stick thin as I'm very large on the boobie side of things haha and child bearing hips ( prob why I had 2 monster size babies)

I don't want to lose weight very quickly as I know it will be harder to keep off in the long run, I'm only looking to lose 2lb a week as I know this is the most sensible way and it's quite funny that some of the people posting the unhelpful and pointless posts haven't got the held thirst of diets and one of them wants to work with obese children!!!

alise_lmx

I think the mean comments stem from jealousy. You're a pretty girl and don't look like you have a lot of weight to lose, and I think that makes some people a little bitter, especially when you say that its not hard for you to eat less. Thats what most people struggle with on this site.I don't really have any advice for you, I really have no idea about starvation mode. But I think that everyone is different, and if you are a smaller -framed person to begin with, maybe 1000 calories a day is enough for you. My mother in law is very petite, she eats extremely healthy but I would guess she doesn't need as many calories than other people bc she is pretty short. If you are still concerned, I would ask your dr! No one on these forums is an expert and everyone's advice is different bc it's based on their own experiences. Good luck, and let your haters be your motivators!

Bullpoopie.

The "mean" comments are from people who KNOW that eating that little is detrimental to one's health. Eating very little is nothing to be proud of. It will shut down your metabolism, cause you to lose muscle mass, and leave you malnourished.

I wish someone told me years ago that I was being an idiot. That I was going about everything all wrong when I was eating under 1000 a day. I got to my goal weight, and still had back fat rolls, a muffin top, double chin and flabby thighs. I weighed less, but I had the same body I had when I was heavier. Just a smaller version of the same body. So I beat myself up, thinking I had a slow metabolism, thinking I lacked discipline, thinking I was just stuck being the shape I was, thinking I would have to eat even LESS if I wanted to lose weight. So I gave up, because I'd rather eat what I wanted, be happy, and weigh a little more, than feel deprived to weigh a little less.

So now, getting proper nutrition and regular exercise, I'm about the same "goal weight," but wearing clothes two or three sizes smaller (2 or 4 vs. size 8), with small waist, a tight, high booty, a sexy back, and just one chin, and eating easily TWICE what I was when I was foolishly starving myself.

So... no, I'm not jealous of someone who only eats 1000 calories a day. Been there, done that. I eat that much for dinner now.

I wasn't including your post in the "mean comments." You linked to the thread you started, I read it and thought it was interesting and good advice. I think you gave meaningful info, which is what the OP was looking for. I was referring to a couple of the other comments that started off with an extremely rude tone that wasn't helpful to anyone. If someone is new here and has a question like what the OP had, which I think is a legitimate question, I find it extremely weird to see that some people answer with such negativity. And in my life, I've noticed that people with that kind of attitude are just unhappy with something in their own lives and try to share the misery. Also, I do believe that some (not all, and probably not most!) people probably can survive on 1000 calories a day. A shorter person would probably need less calories than a taller one, and if 1200 is the standard for average people, if someone was much smaller I think 200 less may be a proportionately correct amount. The point being that everyone is different, and 1200 is not some magic number that we all have to live or die by.

estitom

Nobody has mentioned the fact that you might have a slower metabolism. All bodies are different and some need to eat less than others in order to maintain their weight. I don't know if that's the case for you, but it might be.

As long as you're not losing too much weight and/or body fat, you shouldn't worry. If you feel healthy and happy about yourself there's nothing wrong

You could talk to a dietician if you want to!

LorinaLynn

I don't want to lose weight very quickly as I know it will be harder to keep off in the long run, I'm only looking to lose 2lb a week as I know this is the most sensible way and it's quite funny that some of the people posting the unhelpful and pointless posts haven't got the held thirst of diets and one of them wants to work with obese children!!!

Actually, for the amount of weight you want to lose, 2 pounds a week would be considered "very quickly." It's really only safe to aim for 2 pounds a week if you have 75 pounds or more to lose. One pound a week would be ideal for now, bumping it to a half pound a week when you're within 10-15 pounds of your goal. With a few more calories, you run less risk of losing from your muscle mass, so while you might be losing fewer pounds per week, it looks like more since it's mostly fat. And by keeping your muscle mass, you'll likely reach your ideal body before you reach your ideal weight.

stephl21uk

I think the mean comments stem from jealousy. You're a pretty girl and don't look like you have a lot of weight to lose, and I think that makes some people a little bitter, especially when you say that its not hard for you to eat less. Thats what most people struggle with on this site.I don't really have any advice for you, I really have no idea about starvation mode. But I think that everyone is different, and if you are a smaller -framed person to begin with, maybe 1000 calories a day is enough for you. My mother in law is very petite, she eats extremely healthy but I would guess she doesn't need as many calories than other people bc she is pretty short. If you are still concerned, I would ask your dr! No one on these forums is an expert and everyone's advice is different bc it's based on their own experiences. Good luck, and let your haters be your motivators!

Bullpoopie.

The "mean" comments are from people who KNOW that eating that little is detrimental to one's health. Eating very little is nothing to be proud of. It will shut down your metabolism, cause you to lose muscle mass, and leave you malnourished.

I wish someone told me years ago that I was being an idiot. That I was going about everything all wrong when I was eating under 1000 a day. I got to my goal weight, and still had back fat rolls, a muffin top, double chin and flabby thighs. I weighed less, but I had the same body I had when I was heavier. Just a smaller version of the same body. So I beat myself up, thinking I had a slow metabolism, thinking I lacked discipline, thinking I was just stuck being the shape I was, thinking I would have to eat even LESS if I wanted to lose weight. So I gave up, because I'd rather eat what I wanted, be happy, and weigh a little more, than feel deprived to weigh a little less.

So now, getting proper nutrition and regular exercise, I'm about the same "goal weight," but wearing clothes two or three sizes smaller (2 or 4 vs. size 8), with small waist, a tight, high booty, a sexy back, and just one chin, and eating easily TWICE what I was when I was foolishly starving myself.

So... no, I'm not jealous of someone who only eats 1000 calories a day. Been there, done that. I eat that much for dinner now.

Im NOT starving myself!!! My diary is open so people are welcome to view I eat quite a decent amount! I eat more now than I did before deciding to loose weight just eat healthier things.... The only thing I haven't done is eat breakfast for the last two days as I'm full of cold with a bad chest and suffering bad headaches when I wake up so food is the last thing on my mind BUT I know breakfast is important so will be making sure I def have some tomorrow.... Haters can comment all they like doesn't bother me at all :0)

stephl21uk

I'm also doing strength training to help keep my muscle mass x

bpurc22

That's great that you're doing strength training and trying to do this whole weight loss thing the right way. My advice to you would be that you are not eating enough, but you're not seriously depriving yourself either. You should be eating AT LEAST 1200 calories, because your body is probably used to more right now and throwing it less and less only will give you bad results in the long-term. Especially if you are weight training, you are going to need to eat more calories, because chances are, you go from more calories to less calories, your body isn't going to be using many calories to re-build muscle, and you may even be using it.

I hate when people say this, but do you know your TDEE? This would be the total amount of calories you expend per day. I would recommend you eat 5% less than your TDEE. It may seem annoying because you want to LOSE weight right now, but in the early stages of strength training (not sure how far along you are), you're going to need calories to build your muscle and you may see serious improvements in the first month or so. Trust me, you want muscle, even if you're not losing weight, rather than the drop of a few "pounds"...high-intensity training has been shown to burn more fat in a 24-hour period than regular cardio and certainly more than if you aren't doing anything, but you need to feed your muscles first.

Good luck!

tabinmaine

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?

Geez, give her a break, she is asking what she can eat to consume more calories, sheesh, no wonder newbies come her, post a few things and then leave ! And looking at your pic, she is not the only one who could use a few more calories...:huh:

chickenmcv

Find yourself some good old American peanut butter.

stephl21uk

I'm new to all this and only started training yesterday but what is TDEE? This is the 1st time ive ever dieted to lose a large amount ....probably skint really daft asking that haha

karachlo

Thanks so much for posting this thread. This is my first post. I signed up for MFP a while back but had success with Atkins so decided to do that again. The thing is that I want more of a balanced diet so this week I've started back on MFP. I've struggled with too few calories as well. I've found so many of the replies as a great help and plan on using the advice!

MrsLong1980

I don't want to lose weight very quickly as I know it will be harder to keep off in the long run, I'm only looking to lose 2lb a week as I know this is the most sensible way and it's quite funny that some of the people posting the unhelpful and pointless posts haven't got the held thirst of diets and one of them wants to work with obese children!!!

Actually, for the amount of weight you want to lose, 2 pounds a week would be considered "very quickly." It's really only safe to aim for 2 pounds a week if you have 75 pounds or more to lose. One pound a week would be ideal for now, bumping it to a half pound a week when you're within 10-15 pounds of your goal. With a few more calories, you run less risk of losing from your muscle mass, so while you might be losing fewer pounds per week, it looks like more since it's mostly fat. And by keeping your muscle mass, you'll likely reach your ideal body before you reach your ideal weight.

This - 2lbs a week is a lot if you don't have much to lose

funkycamper

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.

I disagree that you have to be "subjected to extreme conditions to really trigger it to go into starvation mode". I have been in a stall since Christmas and have recently upped my calories and allowing myself more generous splurges (similar to the Spike plan) and I have now broken through the stall. And I wasn't eating all that low to begin with as I was eating 1200+exercise calories. But adding 200 calories to my daily allotment seems to have made a huge difference.

That said, many on here recommend not eating below your BMR. You can find your BMR under the Tools menu. I think it's good advice. And then eat most of your exercise calories (I only say not all of exercise calories as I don't trust all the calorie burn estimates on here).

purpleipod

It is seriously not that difficult to eat at least 1200 calories. If you don't want to add more food eat foods with higher nutrient density.. peanut butter, avocado, full fat milk, yogurt and cheese, cook with healthy oils (olive, canola), etc.

You could have easily added more calories using regular whole wheat/grain bread instead of that WW bread.

funkycamper

Nobody has mentioned the fact that you might have a slower metabolism. All bodies are different and some need to eat less than others in order to maintain their weight. I don't know if that's the case for you, but it might be.

As long as you're not losing too much weight and/or body fat, you shouldn't worry. If you feel healthy and happy about yourself there's nothing wrong

You could talk to a dietician if you want to!

If she has a slower metabolism, which really hasn't been established from her information, then she needs to working on fixing it. I have had a slow metabolism for years. Once I found MFP, I got educated enough from some smart people here that there are ways to fix your metabolism so it burns faster, hotter, whatever, and so you can eat more and still lose weight and then, later, maintain your weight without having to watch every bite you put in your mouth.

In fact, except for the extremely obese who need to get weight off for health reasons, I'm now of the mindset that it's more important to fix that metabolism than it is to lose weight. Once you fix the metabolism, weight loss will follow in a healthier manner. And, for the extremely obese with health issues, once they get closer to a healthier weight, I also believe they should switch to fixing their metabolism for awhile before trying to lose more.

I'm loving the changes I'm seeing in my body by focusing on revving up my metabolism, losing weight more slowly, and changing my body composition with the proper exercise and diet for fueling my body. The inches lost and strength/fitness gains are far more satisfying than a number on the scale.

Oh, and I would listen to and follow everything LorinaLynn says.:drinker:

ladyraven68

I'm new to all this and only started training yesterday but what is TDEE? This is the 1st time ive ever dieted to lose a large amount ....probably skint really daft asking that haha

It's your Total Daily Energy Ependiture - i.e Maintenance calories.
BMR = the amount of calories you would need to sustain your body if you were in a coma.

look up your BMR and your TDEE and them aim for eating somewhere in between for a safe steady fat loss.

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/
http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

Good Luck.