calorie confusion

gs627

I have been reading a lot of different opinions in regards to how many calories to eat to lose weight. Personally, I do not like to count calories because I feel that I've been eating healthy and nutritious foods. But when I read the important of consuming a certain number of calories to avoid starvation mode, I start to think maybe I should start counting my calories. A typical daily menu for me is as follows

Breakfast: Shakeology protein shake from Beachbody products

Lunch- 2 slices of ezekial sprouted bread with lean protein (tuna, turkey, etc) and fruit (such as an apple or a cup of berries)

Snack: Apple with 1 tbsp. natural peanut butter , or Veggies with 2 tbsp hummus

Dinner- Lean protein (Chicken, fish, etc) and veggies (usually cooked in some olive oil)

Based on my daily menu, does it seem like I am eating enough calories? I don't feel hungry and am very satisfied with what I am eating and it doesnt make sense to force myself to eat more. I'm a very active person (exercise 6-7 days doing moderate-intense activity) and I've read alot of posts encouraging others to eat more, but I am terrified of gaining weight if I increase my calories too much. I have lost some weight so far, and I will be so upset if I change things up and end up gaining. What should I do? I want to lose fat in a healthy way and avoid plateauing. I don't know whether to eat 1200 calories, eat more than 1200, or eat less because all the message boards I read are so different in the opinions. I never knew weight loss can be so confusing!!!

Helloitsdan

Eat more and create a deficit by working out.
Click my profile and use the IMPORTANT link to figure out what you should be eating.

lewandt

If you are losing weight and are not hungry i would not change anything. I do agree that eating "clean" will get you to your goal weight if you are not overdoing it.

I do count my calories and try to eat clean but am still working on that part.

amuhlou

It kind of depends on your weight loss goals on a weekly basis, as well as how close you are to an ideal weight for your body. The closer you are to a healthy weight range, and the older you are, the fewer calories your body will be expected to burn through daily activity. For example, the most I can expect to lose in a week is about 1lb because cutting any more calories per day would cause me to go below 1200, which is what your body needs just for basic functions.

One note about activity level though - if you work a desk job 9-5 or whatnot you are still considered sedentary even if you work out 6-7 days a week.

It sounds like you're getting enough calories to avoid doing damage to your metabolism. My only advice would be to try and switch up your menu a bit to ensure you're getting a variety of nutrients each week.

Whether you want to start counting calories would really depend on whether you're seeing the weight loss results you are expecting. If you're not, then start counting. If you are, just keep doing what you're doing.

HonkyTonks

Doesn't sound like you are eating much.