Increasing Calories

xoalynnxo

Hey all! So i'm looking for information on *increasing* my calories. I'll give you a little background on me and what i've been doing.

I started tracking on MFP back in November and have since lost about 12lbs. My profile pic is my before and my current pic. Since January I've been doing the LiveFit lifting program as well as running to increase my mileage for some long runs i have coming up.

I hang around 1200 calories right now (pre workout)and i think my issue might be that i'm not eating enough with me working out more. my delima is that i have gastroparesis, so eating isnt super easy for me. without getting into a bunch of details gastroparesis basically means that i cant eat a lot of food because my stomach doesnt contract to digest food properly. as you can imagine, this makes eating difficult. i generally have a meal replacement or protein shake for breakfast, a protein with some veggies for lunch, and a protein for dinner. I try to increase my calories at dinner since i'm home and can handle not feeling well if my food doesnt settle right. i have protein bars, fruit, cheese, etc for snacks throughout the day.

I'm wondering what you all eat to increase calories but still eat healthy. i can increase my veggeis and fruits and eat more of those, but that doesnt increase my calories much. i track my macros (fat, fiber, protein, carbs) to make sure that i'm getting enough of everything, but when i want to increase my calories with one thing i end up going over in one of my macro areas. it's tough finding a balance with everything so i appreciate any input/advice. i would really like to not cut down on my exercise (about 6 days a week) but if that's my only option to eat less food than i guess i could, but i'm hoping that i dont have to. exercise is kind of my hobby and me taking time for me, so i dont like not being able to do that. i'm meeting with my GI dr on the 19th and will try to get his input as well, but in the meantime i want to know what i can do to do better. when i allow myself to eat more and a little less healthy (and not care that it aggravates my gastroparesis), i lose weight faster and i think it's because my calories are higher on those occasions.

thanks in advance for your input!

wareagle8706

Gotta be honest, didn't read your whole post. But I figure it says all the stuff I already know about you since we're friends lmao.

Anyway, here is a pretty cool link someone posted earlier. Check this girl out

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

xoalynnxo

Haha it is stuff you already know thanks for the link. I'm gona check it out as soon as I get home

imtrinat

Well, I'm right at 5'2, 148, and I eat about 1500 calories a day. Honestly, I normally blow it on the weekends and hit around 2000 or so. I like craft beer :blushing: I don't work out quite as much as you; maybe 4-5 days a week. This includes lifting, but primarily jogging. I pretty much maintain at this weight. However, check out my profile picture. I weigh the same amount in both of these pictures! Exercise does some awesome stuff to body composition.

To answer your question: I always grab nuts or hummus and crackers if I need extra calories. I like peanut butter, pistachios, almonds, pecans, you name it. Really though, I almost never need the extra calories. I love food way too much for my own good.

Another idea is to find a protein powder that is meant for bulking. My hubby uses Pro Performance Mass XXX. That stuff has 750 calories 50 grams of protein in a scoop and he says it tastes delicious. (It better, for that many calories). You could always just use a quarter or half scoop in few oz of milk.

*Edit for spelling

JenMc14

Can you eat higher cal/fat foods such as more nuts, avocado, adding oils, etc.? Maybe stick a scoop of protein powder into your oatmeal/glass of milk, etc. I'd definitely talk to your specialist for ideas.

xoalynnxo

sounds like i need to get some nuts, avacados, and make some hummus! thanks for the ideas!!! these helped a lot!