cant eat enough

dizzimamma

I am exercising about 500 cals away a day with an 1800+ plan. I am eating very well, never hungry and full of energy. I want to eat more to meet my cal goal but my net cals hover around 1200 a day. Should i exercise less or eat more or just let it be? My food journal is open so please feel ftee to review it. Thanks

Wetterdew

I only looked at a few days. Here are my thoughts.

1200 is too low, for men and women alike. If you're eating more than that but the exercise calories take you back down to 1200, I still think that's too little. You're not excessively restrictive, most days, I think.

I do think you should change your exercise goals. I'm guessing you focus on cardio workouts like jogging or bicycling? I suggest you use at least half of your workout time for weight training. This is especially important when losing fat because when you are under a caloric deficit, your body will burn through your fat AS WELL AS your muscle. This is unavoidable, but it is still something you can minimize by doing weight training and making sure you get plenty of protein. I suggest you read up on weight training while under a caloric deficit if you haven't already set up a weight training plan.

MysticRealm

Stop using "light" versions of things, use whole eggs, not just the whites

dizzimamma

If i replace all my light foods then i will go way over every day. I love to eat. I dont want an empty tummy ever. That is why i have failed so many times before. I let myself have a free day every monday and the longer i eat well, the crappier i feel on my free day. Heck last week with pasta and all i only went over by 300 cal and felt like poo for two days after

lizlkbg

If you're eating well, never hungry, full of energy, and losing, then it sounds like you are doing it the right way for you! If you are worried just add about 4 oz of nuts a day, raw is better or at least unsalted. That will give you at least 400 cals more, also protein and good fat. But really, it sounds like you're doing great.

1ConcreteGirl

Eat back your exercise calories and enjoy them.

You will still lose.

AFitJamie

Part of the answer depends a bit on where you are. ..

Let me explain that: Those with more to lose can, it seems, maintain a larger calorie gap with less impact to lean muscle mass than those much closer to their ideal weight.

If you feel fine and have a lot left to lose, then you may be fine... but as you get closer to ideal weight, you want to lower your calorie deficit - lose weight slower - so you are less likely to impact your lean muscle mass. Your exercising is an important element in keeping all the muscle you can while losing - so it is good that you are doing it! DONT EXERCISE LESS... as one person said, if you feel you need to, grab some whole nuts/almonds/peanuts - healthy fats, protein and very calorie dense - so it really is easy to make up any shortfall if you want...

Hope this helps!