1200 calories a day questions...?

BabyMcRory

MFP has calculated that I need 1200 calories a day or over to lose weight. But I'm a recovering anorexic, and throughout all of my teenage life I have eaten 400 calories or less a day, and I have stayed at 112 lbs. So won't the sudden increase of 800 cals or more a day make me put on weight? And I'm struggling to get all those calories from the meals that I eat every day, so do you know of any way that I can get more (non-fattening) calories? If you've experienced this yourself, or think you could give me some help... well, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! xx

RevengeoftheEndorphins

Work your way up to that number gradually by adding in something new everyday.

Snack on fruits and vegetables, nuts etc. Maybe try a protein shake - there's never too much protein!

angiechimpanzee

Well all calories can be fattening if they're excessive. An easy way to add nutritious calories would be with beans of any kind, nuts of basically any kind, avocado (add a few slices to a sandwich or something), add a cup of soymilk to whatever you eat for breakfast.

The fact that you're a recovering anorexic means that you should probably ease into eating more. MFP is not a magical genie, it doesn't know all your personal details. It just calculates numbers based on the average person. So yes, it CAN be wrong & in a lot of cases it is.

I'd say start eating 800 a day for a week, then 1000 the next, then 1200 the next, then 1400 the next. You may gain a little but at least you'll "rebuild" your metabolism a little to where you can eat 1200 and lose weight. Well at least that's my theory.