Constantly craving!

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  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
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    With no open diary, my initial question is: how many calories are you eating? Eating too low in calories can set you up for more cravings.

    Well, according to MyFitnessPal I should be having 1200 calories per day, however I usually end up on 900 calories per day because of my exercise (when I add in how many calories I have burnt, it adds it back to my food intake, which doesn't seem right to me?).

    Good news is that we've found the problem. Bad news is that you'll need to rethink your approach. What you're calling a "craving" is what is actually known as "hunger". You're hungry because you aren't eating enough.

    Assuming 1200 is the right number for you right now (and that's a big assumption), that's still a net number...which means you should eat back your exercise calories. However, I'd take it a step further and reconsider if 1200 is the right number.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
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    With no open diary, my initial question is: how many calories are you eating? Eating too low in calories can set you up for more cravings.

    Well, according to MyFitnessPal I should be having 1200 calories per day, however I usually end up on 900 calories per day because of my exercise (when I add in how many calories I have burnt, it adds it back to my food intake, which doesn't seem right to me?).

    Up your calories. You don't have a big amount to lose, and you've been undereating. Come night time, you're just going to want food, regardless of what it is, which allows you to backslide into old habits of eating foods that are convenient.

    Look up your TDEE and subtract 20% from there. At LEAST eat your BMR. Try looking up these terms online to get a good feel for the calculators, then determine how to go on from there.

    If you fuel your body better, you're less likely to crave poorer food choices.
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
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    With no open diary, my initial question is: how many calories are you eating? Eating too low in calories can set you up for more cravings.

    Well, according to MyFitnessPal I should be having 1200 calories per day, however I usually end up on 900 calories per day because of my exercise (when I add in how many calories I have burnt, it adds it back to my food intake, which doesn't seem right to me?).

    Good news is that we've found the problem. Bad news is that you'll need to rethink your approach. What you're calling a "craving" is what is actually known as "hunger". You're hungry because you aren't eating enough.

    Assuming 1200 is the right number for you right now (and that's a big assumption), that's still a net number...which means you should eat back your exercise calories. However, I'd take it a step further and reconsider if 1200 is the right number.

    Exactly.

    I upped mine to 1400 last spring and ate back exercise calories ( or 75% of them)
    I was MUCH happier
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
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    I don't think your TDEE is really at 1200.

    If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.

    Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes



    Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


    For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

    Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.
  • alamarana2885
    alamarana2885 Posts: 91 Member
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    I don't think your TDEE is really at 1200.

    If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.

    Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes



    Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


    For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

    Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.

    ^^ THIS
  • zohra90
    zohra90 Posts: 9
    Options
    With no open diary, my initial question is: how many calories are you eating? Eating too low in calories can set you up for more cravings.

    Well, according to MyFitnessPal I should be having 1200 calories per day, however I usually end up on 900 calories per day because of my exercise (when I add in how many calories I have burnt, it adds it back to my food intake, which doesn't seem right to me?).

    Good news is that we've found the problem. Bad news is that you'll need to rethink your approach. What you're calling a "craving" is what is actually known as "hunger". You're hungry because you aren't eating enough.

    Assuming 1200 is the right number for you right now (and that's a big assumption), that's still a net number...which means you should eat back your exercise calories. However, I'd take it a step further and reconsider if 1200 is the right number.

    That makes sense. It took me awhile to understand how the whole "your body burns calories even when your not exercising" worked, which is why I was usually hesitant to eat or snack more. But that makes sense!
  • zohra90
    zohra90 Posts: 9
    Options
    I don't think your TDEE is really at 1200.

    If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.

    Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes



    Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


    For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

    Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.

    ^^ THIS

    Yes I think I will have a look at a TDEE calculator. I don't think I can go on being hungry 24/7! Thanks for the advice!

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