Need Advice AGAIN!!

iamjude17

Hey everyone.....I really need advice again. I asked before but I don't think I gave enough information. I think my food diary is open, so, feel free to look. Basically, I changed my eating habits/lifestyle on January 12th. On January 11th, I weighed in at 274. I juiced for the first week, and I'm talking, kale, spinach, beet root, tomato, carrots, cabbage, celery, apples, oranges, raspberries, strawberries, ok you get the idea....then the second week I started eating raw foods, fruits and veggies only, and at some point in February I started riding my recumbent bike, sometimes 30 minutes, sometimes up to and over an hour! I then started eating vegan, and now my diet consists of basically all three. I think I had a day about a week ago where I went over my caloric allowance, but for the most part, I eat/juice about 500-800 calories per day. Also, I do a protein shake after every bike ride, unless I eat something, then I don't. I ride every day now, no matter how I feel for 30 minutes, because an hour was causing severe pain in my back and hips. I am limited to only this type of exercise for the moment, as I've had 6 foot surgeries, so a BUM right foot, and I have several back problems, I live in a very cold climate right now, but I will start walking as it warms up. Also, I use a 5 pound weight while I'm riding, holding it with both hands and doing under arm toning. So I'M TRYING!!! I weighed in on February 14th, and even before getting on the scale I could tell I was smaller, people noticed the weight loss. The amount of weight I lost was 21 pounds. Yes, YAY!! HOWEVER....since then....and I'm doing EVERYTHING the same, I don't feel like I'm accomplishing anything!!!! I admit, some days, I just don't even want to look at food....if you see my diary, those days will be pretty obvious, I was burning like 500 plus calories and only doing a protein shake....I know that was wrong, but I don't want to force myself to eat if I'm not hungry..I never want food to be in control of me again....I want to be in control of food!!! Ok, well....I think this pretty much sums it up....am I in a plateau? And what are all these abbreviations, M something, and TDEE...what is that? Ok...thanks guys!! Appreciate any help!!

angleu

your diary isn't open...

iamjude17

OK, It's open now......had it set to friends only!! SORRY!

AmyRhubarb

Why is your daily goal set to only 750 cals?? :huh: :noway:

Unless you have a medical/health reason to be eating so little, you are NOT eating nearly enough food. You had great losses at first, sure, but your body is likely beginning to adjust to the lack of nutrition and fuel, and wanting to store fat rather than burn it.

Great information for fat loss, explanations of BMR and TDEE, how to calculate yours and set your calorie goals here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

You really need to be eating the right amount of food for this to work - eat too little over a period of time and you end up slowing your metabolism, stalling weight loss, tired, burnt out and discouraged. Food is fuel!

angleu

So if I understand you right you are eating 500-800 calories a day? Then you are working out on top of it? First of all why are you eating so little? I mean MFP, which gives too low of a caloric number, why would you be eating 500-800 calories?.. Are you on a restricted diet because of your DR?

Secondly, you are not in a plateau you are on a , I don't eat enough food everyday slump..Seriously you cannot eat that way for the rest of your life so why not eat how you would if you weighed 150 now? I do still think you are letting food control you if you cannot eat a normal daily allowance of calories

TDEE mean Total Daily Energy Expenditure.. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013
If you would like to eat at a normal range that's going to allow you to keep your muscles, hormones, hair and everything else in check this is the way to go.. or heck, just follow the guidelines of MFP and eat your calories back! Better then under eating..

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

AmyRhubarb

*high fives angleu* :bigsmile:

LoraF83

Why is your daily goal set to only 750 cals?? :huh: :noway:

Unless you have a medical/health reason to be eating so little, you are NOT eating nearly enough food. You had great losses at first, sure, but your body is likely beginning to adjust to the lack of nutrition and fuel, and wanting to store fat rather than burn it.

Great information for fat loss, explanations of BMR and TDEE, how to calculate yours and set your calorie goals here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

You really need to be eating the right amount of food for this to work - eat too little over a period of time and you end up slowing your metabolism, stalling weight loss, tired, burnt out and discouraged. Food is fuel!

^Listen to this lady. She knows what she's talking about and is offering good advice here. 750 cals is not enough.

doubleduofa

I agree with the other posters - why are you eating so little? I know you say you aren't hungry, but 500-800 (or just a protein shake) is not enough. You will lose weight, but your metabolism and brain will catch up to you at some point, which means a slowed metabolism and possible binge behaviors.

Also, have you always been vegan or is this a new thing? Are you doing it for dietary purposes or because of ethical reasons? Either way, perhaps relax a bit and start with being vegetarian. This way, you have a greater variety of foods until you can slowly eliminate dairy and eggs.

NEEDING to be in control over food is disordered thinking. I'm not saying you have an eating disorder, just that if you don't watch your behavior closely, and focus on making healthy habits now, you could easily fall into an eating disorder. Needing control and only eating fruits and veggies to the tune of 5-800 cals/day is the beginning of a problem. I've been down these roads before. :-( Do this the healthy way - you can still eat vegan (or vegetarian), but you need to bring your calories up. Nuts, seeds, oils - all are healthy and vegan.

lildee55

I agree with the other posters - why are you eating so little? I know you say you aren't hungry, but 500-800 (or just a protein shake) is not enough. You will lose weight, but your metabolism and brain will catch up to you at some point, which means a slowed metabolism and possible binge behaviors.

Also, have you always been vegan or is this a new thing? Are you doing it for dietary purposes or because of ethical reasons? Either way, perhaps relax a bit and start with being vegetarian. This way, you have a greater variety of foods until you can slowly eliminate dairy and eggs.

NEEDING to be in control over food is disordered thinking. I'm not saying you have an eating disorder, just that if you don't watch your behavior closely, and focus on making healthy habits now, you could easily fall into an eating disorder. Needing control and only eating fruits and veggies to the tune of 5-800 cals/day is the beginning of a problem. I've been down these roads before. :-( Do this the healthy way - you can still eat vegan (or vegetarian), but you need to bring your calories up. Nuts, seeds, oils - all are healthy and vegan.

This^^ please listen.

iamjude17

Ok, went and read about BMR and RMR and I set my calorie intake level because I just assumed I would lose more weight! I am not on any restrictions from my Dr. I am not diabetic or have any other health issues like that, so, I guess I'll go back to the place where is tells me how many calories I should be eating. Going through my diary...funny, but I lost that 21 pounds eating more!!! I just feel so guilty when I eat!!! I probably do still have a food issue, I just wanted to get some weight off before my son comes home from Afghanistan....I wanted to surprise him, and i hope I still can!! I'm going to go see what MFP says my BMR should be, and I guess I'll juice more and eat more healthy foods to try and reach my ideal caloric intake. I have one more question though....if it says I should be eating say, 1300 calories per day, and I burn off 200 riding the bike, so I have to eat an additional 200 calories?? I thought the idea was burning more calories that you eat? Ok...well....I appreciate the input. I'm gonna go set my BMR (gosh I think thats the right letters!!) and see what that says.
Thank you!

iamjude17

Being Vegan is a totally new thing!!! My husband and I are doing this together and the weight is falling off of him, but me, not so much anymore. Um, yes. I have a problem with food. I have used food for emotional satisfaction to being the type of person that can't eat one piece of pie, gotta eat the WHOLE pie!! I just don't want food for comfort or boredom or for any other reason but to keep my body healthy and lose weight. I really don't WANT to eat dairy or anything with a mother....I watched a documentary called "Forks Over Knives" and it just totally convinced me that I don't need to eat that stuff, and actually, when I have had my slip ups and eaten (i think it was a rye hoagie bun) I was SO sick from eating it, that I just figure I've gotten my body used to eating these foods now.

AmyRhubarb

funny, but I lost that 21 pounds eating more!!!

BINGO! :bigsmile: The body likes to be properly fueled!

And yes, you should eat your exercise calories back - MFP is set up that you are already at a calorie deficit with the daily goal they give you. Meaning you could eat to goal, not do any exercise, and you would still lose weight, because the 1300 calories is less than what you're burning all day long. So when you exercise and burn off more cals, it's creating an even larger deficit, which is where you can run into problems of not consuming enough. You want your NET calories to be at goal.

AvsFreak

Please read this and readjust your calorie goals.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss.html

pgoodt1994

The trainer at my gym told me not to eat my exercise calories. He said to just eat the calories MFP has told me I need for the day and leave your exercise calories alone.

iamjude17

Thank you all very much.....am going to adjust my settings now....gotta find out my BMR first and will set calories accordingly. :happy:

iamjude17

Please read this and readjust your calorie goals.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss.html

Ok....I get it....and now I'm scared!! It was written about me, wasn't it???? Omg...that helped a lot, as did ALL of you....just an fyi, i weigh in again in 9 days. Hubby took the scale away, because I was the type of person that would weigh in every day, and if that scale number went up even one pound, I would get mad and just eat whatever, and then starve or take laxatives or something. You guys really need to understand, that I WAS horrible to my body....I'm really trying now to get on the right track MENTALLY as well as physically. Well, I'll be anxious to weigh in, I know I'm not going to see the same amount as the first month, but you guys have given me GREAT insight as to why. Thank you so very much for reading my post, and giving such great information!! Add me as a friend, I'm keeping diary open, so that, should anyone want to check up on me, you'll see my improvements and/or mistakes and let me know! ,

LoraF83

The trainer at my gym told me not to eat my exercise calories. He said to just eat the calories MFP has told me I need for the day and leave your exercise calories alone.

Is your trainer a nutritionist or dietician?

iamjude17

It says my BMR is 1849!!!! There is NO WAY I'm gonna do that many calories....omg, can that be right???? ok, if someone could help me find the RIGHT BMR for me...I'm 5'7" weigh 253 and female (obviously) and ride a recumbent bike minimum of 30 minutes per day now. Can someone help me out, cuz 1849 sounds like A LOT!!!!

LoraF83

It says my BMR is 1849!!!! There is NO WAY I'm gonna do that many calories....omg, can that be right???? ok, if someone could help me find the RIGHT BMR for me...I'm 5'7" weigh 253 and female (obviously) and ride a recumbent bike minimum of 30 minutes per day now. Can someone help me out, cuz 1849 sounds like A LOT!!!!

Yes, that is probably absolutely correct.

When I started a 230lbs (5'6") my BMR was around 1800. That's not alot. I eat 1900 now and I'm losing.

iamjude17

It says my BMR is 1849!!!! There is NO WAY I'm gonna do that many calories....omg, can that be right???? ok, if someone could help me find the RIGHT BMR for me...I'm 5'7" weigh 253 and female (obviously) and ride a recumbent bike minimum of 30 minutes per day now. Can someone help me out, cuz 1849 sounds like A LOT!!!!

Yes, that is probably absolutely correct.

When I started a 230lbs (5'6") my BMR was around 1800. That's not alot. I eat 1900 now and I'm losing.

ok, MFP set it at 1280....does that sound good? Cuz, I think I can do that...Ok, here goes.......hey, how do you guys add your weight loss tracker things at the end of your posts?

princessbee76

Yep. That sounds right for your BMR. I'm 5'7" and 197 and my BRM is 1583. MY TDEE is 1828. Your body needs good, healthy food to function - emotionally and physically. It's like the old comparison, your body is the car and the food is the gas. If you don't put gas in the car (or bad gas) the car won't function. Don't be scared of those calories! Make good, clean food choices and you will be feeling great in no time!! Good luck!

LoraF83

It says my BMR is 1849!!!! There is NO WAY I'm gonna do that many calories....omg, can that be right???? ok, if someone could help me find the RIGHT BMR for me...I'm 5'7" weigh 253 and female (obviously) and ride a recumbent bike minimum of 30 minutes per day now. Can someone help me out, cuz 1849 sounds like A LOT!!!!

Yes, that is probably absolutely correct.

When I started a 230lbs (5'6") my BMR was around 1800. That's not alot. I eat 1900 now and I'm losing.

ok, MFP set it at 1280....does that sound good? Cuz, I think I can do that...Ok, here goes.......hey, how do you guys add your weight loss tracker things at the end of your posts?

If your BMR is 1849, you should probably be closer to that. But, if you stay at 1280, be sure to eat back all your exercise calories.

iamjude17

Ok, so, LAST QUESTION, PROMISE!!! Can I eat those calories in all raw and vegan foods and with juicing?? That's good, right? I mean, just cuz it says I can eat 1800 calories, it shouldn't be in cakes and pies, right? I know that's GOT to be a stupid question, but I seriously don't know the answer to that.....(yes, I'm that stupid when it comes to eating healthy!!)

LoraF83

Ok, so, LAST QUESTION, PROMISE!!! Can I eat those calories in all raw and vegan foods and with juicing?? That's good, right? I mean, just cuz it says I can eat 1800 calories, it shouldn't be in cakes and pies, right? I know that's GOT to be a stupid question, but I seriously don't know the answer to that.....(yes, I'm that stupid when it comes to eating healthy!!)

I'm probably the wrong person to ask, because I don't believe in overly restricting yourself when dieting.

I eat cake, pies, fruit, veggies, pizza, pasta, chicken, beef, eggs, cheese, beans, rice, tortillas, bread, ice cream, candy, milk, yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese, coffee, etc. I just try to make healthy decisions most of the time so it's not a big deal when I eat something that's not so healthy.
For example, I had a piece of chocolate cake earlier. It was tasty! My lunch will be rice, teriayki beef, and stir fried green peppers, mushrooms and onions - all measured and calorie counted. Also tasty! And healthy Dinner will be a couple of eggs, some spinach, cheese, and a whole wheat pita pocket - with an apple on the side. Healthy & tasty again!

So, I can have my cake and eat healthy too. And lose weight. Win, win for me.

If you're doing vegan for ethical reasons, more power to you. You should consider finding ways to make sure you get enough protein. Read some vegan blogs and recipe books.

If you're doing vegan because you think it's a short cut to faster weight loss, then you're probably approaching this all wrong. An overly restrictive mindset with the intention of producing faster than probable results usually doesn't end well.

Good luck!

AmyRhubarb

The trainer at my gym told me not to eat my exercise calories. He said to just eat the calories MFP has told me I need for the day and leave your exercise calories alone.

Is your trainer a nutritionist or dietician?

And does your trainer know how MFP works, that your daily goal already has a deficit built into it before exercise, thereby leaving you with a HUGE deficit if you don't eat the exercise cals?

aerochic42

In addition to the calorie levels that have been discussed, you lost 21 pounds in just over a month, which is awesome. Your body (and your brain for that matter) may need some time to readjust itself to a new lifestyle

gpizzy

The one part I will comment on, is your comment in regards to "you don't want to force yourself to eat if you're not hungry". I can totally understand where you're coming from. Lately I've been doing a lot of hot yoga and continually need to force myself to eat. So, what I do now is eat enough to make sure my blood sugar levels don't drop, and then wait until I end up getting hungry. Because eventually, you always get hungry. I have to tell my stomach to override my brain. Food is important!!!

WBB55

I really think you should take a step back and listen to all the people who are speaking rationally to you about your food intake. You have a track record of making poor choices with your body. Laxatives. 500 cals per day. Binging....

We're all very proud of you for what you're trying to do. But you should listen to someone (like your doctor or a registered dietician) else when it comes to an appropriate amount of food.

To lose weight over an extended period, you need to give your body the nutrients it needs to accomplish that task over the long term. Food contains the nutrients you need in order to continue the chemical process of losing weight. If your BMR is 1800, the best thing you can do for your body is eat that much every day (at least on average, I mean). To remain vegan, that probably means adding lots of nuts, seeds and oils. Please do this. You need those fats to fuel the chemical reactions that need to take place in your body to lose weight in a sustainable manner.

Then, at least for now -- like for the next 2-3 months maybe -- you don't have to "eat back" your exercise calories, UNLESS you're hungry. Ok?

And keep in mind, if your BMR is 1800 and you exercise regularly, that means your TDEE is probably something like at least 2500. Which means YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT over the long term as long as you eat less than 2500 every day (but more than 1800). So never, ever feel guilty about eating that 1800 calories (or more, if you're hungry).

spaingirl2011

It says my BMR is 1849!!!! There is NO WAY I'm gonna do that many calories....omg, can that be right???? ok, if someone could help me find the RIGHT BMR for me...I'm 5'7" weigh 253 and female (obviously) and ride a recumbent bike minimum of 30 minutes per day now. Can someone help me out, cuz 1849 sounds like A LOT!!!!

Yes, that is probably absolutely correct.

When I started a 230lbs (5'6") my BMR was around 1800. That's not alot. I eat 1900 now and I'm losing.

ok, MFP set it at 1280....does that sound good? Cuz, I think I can do that...Ok, here goes.......hey, how do you guys add your weight loss tracker things at the end of your posts?

If your BMR is 1849, you should probably be closer to that. But, if you stay at 1280, be sure to eat back all your exercise calories.

Just to add to what's been said: 1800 is not that much-- it's possible that you're used to eating larger portions than what actually adds up to 1800. Remember, most real portions are much smaller than what most people are used to. A small bowl of plain pasta alone (no butter, sauce, nada) is between 200-300 calories . And that's a *small* bowl of pasta. Add sauce, cheese, chicken, veggies ... and it can add up to 400+ calories and that's still a *small bowl*. Make sure that you weigh and measure your food so that you aren't actually eating more than you think you are. You'll see that it's really not that hard to meet 1800--especially when people are used to eating up to 3000 when they're not tracking.

You can do this! Wishing you all the best.

psuLemon

One thing I would like to add, if you can not get more protein then you shoudl stop being vegan. It's a complete misconception that being vegan will automatically make you healthier. Meat eaters can achieve the same results. Ideally, you will probably want 120-150 grams of protein a day, especially since you are in your 40's. It is critical to maintain the amount of muscle you already have as it becomes harder and harder to maintain muscle as you age. So do some research and up the amount of beans or add a bunch more protein shakes into your diet. Additionally, resistance training will also provide more support in maintaining lean body mass. All of that will help prevent a metabolic from decreasing, osteoporosis, and etc...

iamjude17

One thing I would like to add, if you can not get more protein then you shoudl stop being vegan. It's a complete misconception that being vegan will automatically make you healthier. Meat eaters can achieve the same results. Ideally, you will probably want 120-150 grams of protein a day, especially since you are in your 40's. It is critical to maintain the amount of muscle you already have as it becomes harder and harder to maintain muscle as you age. So do some research and up the amount of beans or add a bunch more protein shakes into your diet. Additionally, resistance training will also provide more support in maintaining lean body mass. All of that will help prevent a metabolic from decreasing, osteoporosis, and etc...

You answered a very important question to me. I was told previously by someone (not here) that if I ate too much protein without burning calories/exercising, that it would just turn to fat....so I was watching my protein!! So, thank you for that!!. And thank you for your input.....I think you all have given some really great advice, and I intend on following it!! That's why I'm leaving my diary OPEN, I want to be accountable for what I should be eating, and I want people to know, that, I didn't just post this question for attention or for any other reason but to understand and gain knowledge on how to correctly lose this weight!!! Your comments are all so very appreciated, and the time you took to read my post and respond is appreciated!!! @psulemon, I am vegan not because I think it's automatically going to make me healthy, I did for a couple of reasons. I think the food industry today want people to be fat and addicted to their product, I don't like the way animals are treated that are intended to end up my food. So, it was a lifestyle change I wanted to make for forever, not just a quick fix. I have a "Natural and Organic Foods Market" right down the street, so I can buy all the raw nuts, seeds, beans....whatever I need to meet my body's protein needs. I feel really good today about my weight loss plan, better than I have since I started even!! I am only weighing in once a month, my next weigh in is in 9 days, and I think I'm not going to see the weight loss I was hoping for, and I'm ok with that because I know that I was not eating correctly. So, no matter what that scale says...it's ok, because, Tomorrow IS the first day of the REST of my life being Healthy!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!