Getting so annoyed, about to pack it all in!!!!

EmmaReed84

I am getting so frustrated now with all this food business. I really want to swear!!!

I seriously cannot do it!

I want to lose body fat, I have the awful post baby belly wobble. I don't want to lose weight! I am going to the gym and working out, that I am happy with! But I cannot get a grasp of the food!

I either try to eat as healthy as I can, but barely reach 1200 calories GROSS!! Or I end up eating things that are deemed not so healthy just to boost it up. I cannot win.

I get told to cut out crap and up my calories, but when I do I just can't get enough calories (I have re-planned my tomorrows diary and I am on 1009 calories, tomorrow is my gym day where I generally burn around 300-350ish calories (I will add now the past few days have been really bad food wise)). I get told to eat MORE protein and to view the "goal" as a minimum rather than a maximum, but I can't as I have kidney disease and need to monitor my protein intake.

I then get told eat peanut butter, nuts, avocado etc, but I do not like them. As is I HATE them!

So how? Please tell me? How the hell do I eat enough calories, not go over my protein and not eat crap like chocolate to boost it up?

I am about ready to give up the calorie counting!

*sorry for the rant*

1PatientBear

Chocolate milk is a good calorie filler as well as a good post-workout recovery drink. However, it sounds like, with your kidney disease, you need to talk to a nutritionist or dietician and get a professional opinion rather than a bunch of yahoos on a web site. Good luck!

melaniecheeks

Have porridge for breakfast. Toast with cheese for a snack. Some more rice or pasta with your donner

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

What's your workout like? Maybe switch your mental focus from what you're eating to what you're doing in the gym. You say you don't want to lose weight, so maybe switch your focus to what you're doing in the gym. I don't know what your workout looks like so I can't comment further on that.

If you're looking for body recomposition, you might want to read up on the subject online. Lyle McDonald has a website devoted to it, at www.bodyrecomposition.com that might be a good place for you to start. Or just start googling and getting different opinions.

Yes, you're happy with what you're doing in the gym, but it might not be working for the results you want. You may need to incorporate more strength training if you haven't already.

pg3ibew

Stay calm. Relax.

Use the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid.

Eat the same exact foods you were eating before you started. Don't change anything. Just weigh and measure all your food. For the past 16 months, I ate the same foods I have always eaten. I just weighed and measured EVERY SINGLE thing I put in my mouth. I lost 88 pounds within 10 months.
And have been maintaining the last 6.

SLOOOOOOOOOOW and Steady. No rush.

EmmaReed84

Thank you, I guess I am just getting a bit frustrated.

I think I will have to look at adding more pasta and rice.

It is so hard with so much conflicting advice, being told to cut down on carbs and have more fruits and veggies. Then being told off for not eating enough calories LOL. At the moment it just feels like a no win situation, I guess I still have A LOT more learning to do.

bizco

Whole grains (old-fashion oatmeal, quinoa, barley, etc..), lentils, beans (so many varieties and recipes), olive oil, cheese, fish (tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel, etc..), raw/unprocessed seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc..), whole wheat pasta. Full fat versions of cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, Italian dressing. The list is endless. Visit healthy recipe sites like skinnytaste.com.

Step away from the cardio machines and start lifting dumbbells and a loaded barbell.

EmmaReed84

What's your workout like? Maybe switch your mental focus from what you're eating to what you're doing in the gym. You say you don't want to lose weight, so maybe switch your focus to what you're doing in the gym. I don't know what your workout looks like so I can't comment further on that.

If you're looking for body recomposition, you might want to read up on the subject online. Lyle McDonald has a website devoted to it, at www.bodyrecomposition.com that might be a good place for you to start. Or just start googling and getting different opinions.

Yes, you're happy with what you're doing in the gym, but it might not be working for the results you want. You may need to incorporate more strength training if you haven't already.

For the past few weeks I have cut down my cardio to about 30 minutes (10 minute warm up, then 20 minutes ellpitical/treadmill)

I am also doing a lot of TRX stuff and weights. I do this 3x a week. Also on one day the trainer at the gym does a circuit with a few ladies who have kindly invited me to join them so I do that one day as well.

JGainingHealth

If you're concerned about boosting your intake healthily without being really full, try eating 6 mini meals. Snack on nuts, yogurt, string cheese, hardboiled eggs, etc. if you want to boost your protein intake. There are a lot of foods that are calorie dense without being unhealthy. If you're not trying to lose weight, you really should be eating more than 1200 calories, especially when you're working out.

NYCNika

You are going to have to learn to like foods with good (unsaturated) fats. The "I just hate them" sounds very childish.

I can go "I need to loose weight but I HATE everything but burgers and donuts, give me a healthy diet that works with these restrictions". I may not be a fan of many veggies, but I've learned to like them, because of what they do for me. I come up with different ways of preparing them, or incorporating them into dishes. That is part of being an adult.

P.S. You might hate nuts because you only had bad packaged ones. Try buying fresh untoasted ones from bulk bins and roasting them yourself. They can be delicious.

Whipppets

How about potatoes with olive oil.. sure calorie builder and will help you at the gym.. I eat almost 500 calories a day in potatoes
and I never gain any weight.

EmmaReed84

You are going to have to learn to like foods with good (unsaturated) fats. The "I just hate them" sounds very childish.

I can go "I need to loose weight but I HATE everything but burgers and donuts, give me a healthy diet that works with these restrictions". I may not be a fan of many veggies, but I've learned to like them, because of what they do for me. I come up with different ways of preparing them, or incorporating them into dishes. That is part of being an adult.

P.S. You might hate nuts because you only had bad packaged ones. Try buying fresh untoasted ones from bulk bins and roasting them yourself. They can be delicious.

Well I would like to like them, but whenever I have had nuts I get a bumpy rash all round my neck and cheeks. As for avocado, well I guess that is something I will have to try more and more of.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

IIFYM. If I have calories left and pizza fits into my goals and I want pizza, then I eat it. Same with ice cream, toaster strudels, cookies, crackers, etc. IIFYM then eat that *kitten*.

Crochetluvr

It is so hard with so much conflicting advice, being told to cut down on carbs and have more fruits and veggies. Then being told off for not eating enough calories

The solution is to take what advice you get as a suggestion rather than a rule. Not everyone can do what everyone else does....especially when you have medical issues. I can relate. You have to do what is right for YOU and not the guy/girl in the last post. Its not an exact science....you have to use a little trial and error. You will find your path....just keep trying.

Cr01502

1) I want to lose body fat, I have the awful post baby belly wobble. I don't want to lose weight!

2) I either try to eat as healthy as I can, but barely reach 1200 calories GROSS!! Or I end up eating things that are deemed not so healthy just to boost it up. I cannot win.

3) I get told to cut out crap and up my calories, but when I do I just can't get enough calories (I have re-planned my tomorrows diary and I am on 1009 calories, tomorrow is my gym day where I generally burn around 300-350ish calories (I will add now the past few days have been really bad food wise)). I get told to eat MORE protein and to view the "goal" as a minimum rather than a maximum, but I can't as I have kidney disease and need to monitor my protein intake.

4) I then get told eat peanut butter, nuts, avocado etc, but I do not like them. As is I HATE them!

So how? Please tell me? How the hell do I eat enough calories, not go over my protein and not eat crap like chocolate to boost it up?

I am about ready to give up the calorie counting!

5) *sorry for the rant*

1) Strength train

2) Eat "healthy" whole foods and have a treat at the end of the day. Like ice cream or cookies. Just make sure you're within a healthy calorie deficit

3) Monitor your protein intake. Keep it low as per your doctors orders. Make up the extra calories with fats or carbohydrates.

4) Salmon, tuna, steak, and bacon are all perfectly healthy fats as well. Still do try to include nuts and seeds in your diet.

5) Don't worry about it.

laserturkey

I don't see any reason to cut down on carbs, especially if you have kidney issues, as I do. I tried increasing my protein to 25% of calories and within a couple of weeks I was VERY sick. I keep it at 15%, and my carbs at 55%, and that works just fine for me.

ShannonS2714

I've had numerous people tell me to eat my calories no matter how I get them....I don't always agree with this, but if you need to eat chocolate in order to hit your calories, then EAT CHOCOLATE! :happy:

When I was exercising regularly, my favorite go-to breakfast was an English muffin with one egg, a slice of cheese, a slice of Canadian bacon, and a little ketchup....was around 400 calories.

I do agree with one of the other posters....having kidney disease, I would talk to a nutritionist that can tell you the healthiest way to hit your calorie goals for you.

tigerblue

I too struggle with this. I have no trouble eating enough cals if I add in junky snacks, but when I stick to healthy (which I need to do since i have high cholesterol even though I am very slim) I fill up before i've had enough cals.

My kids also struggle with this as teen athletes.

spirytwynd

Keep it up and maintain focus. Yes, talk to a trainer to help you modify your exercise approach, and talk to a nutritionist to help with the food. Since you have kidney issues, involve your doctor. As you shed the fat (baby bubble), you should be bulding muscle, which will help you keep from dropping too much weight. It is like traveling. To get somewhere, you need to know where you are, define where you want to go, figure out how to get there, then stick to it! The simple postage stamp is successful by simply sticking to it until the end! Good luck!

Lank

Tishy78

You can definitely make some small changes to add some healthy-ish calories. Do you like eggs? You can slice a hard boiled one up and eat on a salad to add some extra cals and protein. Eggs in general would be a good addition if there is a way you can manage to eat them. I also use a bit of olive oil to cook my veggies.

And you know what? I have something sweet every day. While you don't want to use half your calories on it (at least on a daily basis - sometimes I just have to splurge ), there is nothing wrong with a little treat!

In the end, you really just have to figure out what works for you. A lot of stuff about eating this way or that can work for one person but not others. You'll figure it out and get that body you want soon enough.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

1) I am confused as to why you can't just eat more of what you are already eating to make up the calories - if you don't want to introduce more calorie dense foods.

2) If you aren't trying to lose weight, why on earth are you set to only 1,200 calories?

3) How long ago did you have your baby? I weighed the same postpartum as I did prior to getting pregnant, it took, oh 9 month to a year for my stomach to go back.

askeates

I know you are frustrated, and I really do feel your pain... and I am one of those horrible people telling you to eat more (I'm in no way an expert, just sharing my personal experience).

Carbs are your friend, so long as they are natural carbs and not the "manufactured/processed" carbs. I have struggled with the not being able to hit my calorie goal for a while, and then when I started gaining again (it wasn't a lot it was a pound every other week) eating 1200 calories or less I really had to stop and look at what I was eating. It is truely a balancing game!

With your hatred for nuts (is it every nut, or just peanuts?) finding another good natural source of protien/fat that will help boost your calorie intake is tough, but so achievable!

How do you feel about olive oil? A small coating of olive oil on your veggies and roasting them is not only quite tasty, but also adds to your calorie count and is a healthy fat that your body really needs. Be careful not to over-do it, make sure you measure don't just willy-nilly it. Greek yogurt is another good source (for you I would suggest the full fat versions, not the fat free like I get), another good healthy calorie adder. There are a lot of good sources out there for adding healthy calories!

If you have hit your healthy fat intake and just need a nice calorie boost, a baked potato is great to help you out, and it is also nice and filling. Make sure you eat the skin and don't overload it with too many additions. I usually add a couple squirts of parkay spray and a little salad supreme (adds 15 calories for both) and is delish!

Good luck and don't give up. You are definitely on the right track, and doing a great job!

krickeyuu

Just eat an extra serving of what you are already eating, since that is the food that you like, to add calories.

Pulka_Dot

Chocolate milk is a good calorie filler as well as a good post-workout recovery drink. However, it sounds like, with your kidney disease, you need to talk to a nutritionist or dietician and get a professional opinion rather than a bunch of yahoos on a web site. Good luck!

^Exactly. A RD or Nutritionist is your best and safest option. You have a condition that requires a somewhat special diet.

EngineerPrincess

You are going to have to learn to like foods with good (unsaturated) fats. The "I just hate them" sounds very childish.

I can go "I need to loose weight but I HATE everything but burgers and donuts, give me a healthy diet that works with these restrictions". I may not be a fan of many veggies, but I've learned to like them, because of what they do for me. I come up with different ways of preparing them, or incorporating them into dishes. That is part of being an adult.

P.S. You might hate nuts because you only had bad packaged ones. Try buying fresh untoasted ones from bulk bins and roasting them yourself. They can be delicious.

Exactly, you need to eat foods high in good unsaturated fats, they are ESSENTIAL for health and reaching your calorie goals without protein. And as someone who used to/struggles with restricting, 1000 calories IS low. Either you are underestimating (this VERY common, use actual measuring cups and food scales, I've seen very few people who are actually eating under 1200 for every person who claims to), or you need to eat bigger portions of the healthy foods you do eat. "I don't like it" is no excuse. "I'm allergic" is a better one, but if so you need to see a dietitian because protein is essential to building muscles.

BarbieAS

Well, having a food allergy is very different from "just hating" a food. You seem to have medical reasons to avoid nuts as well as excessive amounts of protein. Instead of getting angry at those suggestions, why not take into consideration that nutrition advice is NEVER one-size-fits-all? Medical conditions trump internet diet advice EVERY time. Listen to your doctor and base your MFP goals on that, rather than what everyone else is doing. It's the ONE time that "special snowflake" DOES exist.

Oils such as olive and coconut as well as fatty fish are great sources of healthy fats, and eating healthy fats is going to be the best way to increase calorie consumption without increasing protein. Eat an oil-heavy salad dressing on greens, for example. And, if you're reasonable about it (regarding overall saturated fat intake), there's no reason not to eat plenty of full fat cheese, whole milk, etc. You can definitely increase your healthy carbs, too, especially beans, whole grains, sweet potatoes, etc, but if you're already having a problem eating enough volume-wise that might be counter-productive.

If all you want to do is build up some muscle and not lose weight, why are you doing any cardio at all? All cardio will do for you is increase your overall endurance a little and then create a bigger calorie deficit for you. Since you're having trouble eating up to your calorie goals, I'd suggest just focusing on the lifting and backing off on the cardio even more than you already have.

EngineerPrincess

If all you want to do is build up some muscle and not lose weight, why are you doing any cardio at all? All cardio will do for you is increase your overall endurance a little and then create a bigger calorie deficit for you. Since you're having trouble eating up to your calorie goals, I'd suggest just focusing on the lifting and backing off on the cardio even more than you already have.

Also seconding this. If you're not trying to lose weight why do cardio at all. I'd look into strength training and lifting if I were you, that will take away the flab. Cardio results in smaller but equally proportional flab.

MrsG31

1) I want to lose body fat, I have the awful post baby belly wobble. I don't want to lose weight!

2) I either try to eat as healthy as I can, but barely reach 1200 calories GROSS!! Or I end up eating things that are deemed not so healthy just to boost it up. I cannot win.

3) I get told to cut out crap and up my calories, but when I do I just can't get enough calories (I have re-planned my tomorrows diary and I am on 1009 calories, tomorrow is my gym day where I generally burn around 300-350ish calories (I will add now the past few days have been really bad food wise)). I get told to eat MORE protein and to view the "goal" as a minimum rather than a maximum, but I can't as I have kidney disease and need to monitor my protein intake.

4) I then get told eat peanut butter, nuts, avocado etc, but I do not like them. As is I HATE them!

So how? Please tell me? How the hell do I eat enough calories, not go over my protein and not eat crap like chocolate to boost it up?

I am about ready to give up the calorie counting!

5) *sorry for the rant*

1) Strength train

2) Eat "healthy" whole foods and have a treat at the end of the day. Like ice cream or cookies. Just make sure you're within a healthy calorie deficit

3) Monitor your protein intake. Keep it low as per your doctors orders. Make up the extra calories with fats or carbohydrates.

4) Salmon, tuna, steak, and bacon are all perfectly healthy fats as well. Still do try to include nuts and seeds in your diet.

5) Don't worry about it.

I agree with this! I don't have any issue with meeting or exceeding my calories because I love food, lol! I took a peek at your diary. Just a suggestion based on your entry from today: It looks like you made a sandwich at lunch with half a crossaint and 1 slice of ham.....add some more ham (if you can due to protein factor) and eat the whole dang crossaint next time. Or add some slices of cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce. And then at dinner you had one cheese quesadilla and some chicken. How about adding some rice, black beans, or a vegetable like broccoli, green beans, carrots? My hubby cooks but he has finally learned now that I insist on well-rounded meals for us as a family. He may think steak & potatoes is fine for him, but he better make some steamed broccoli or aspargus to go with it. My kids don't always eat it, they are picky little ones as they all are at some point, but we always serve it. Sometimes they surprise us and gobble it up!

Some days it looks like you skipped lunch. Don't do that! I know there are some days where you just may not feel hungry or are busy, but try to eat something! Some weekends when running around with the kids my lunches consist more of snacks like pita bread & hummus, carrots & cherry tomatoes dipped in light ranch dressing, crackers with sliced cheese and pepperoni slices. I eat 3 meals a day and at least 2 snacks, sometimes 3. Things like granola/fiber/cereal bars, greek yogurt, fresh fruits (strawberries, blueberries, clementimes, apples....I LOVE apples and peanut butter), carrots, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.

You sound like you may have a nut allergy, but they make stuff like apple butter, almond butter, and such that may be a good alternative for you.

Editing to add that I agree on eggs! I like 'em scrambled, over-medium, hardboiled, deviled, benedicted....yummy! And I also have a piece of dark chocolate everyday after lunch. The little pre-packaged Dove or Hershey pieces are about 40-45 cal a piece. I love them and could not cut them out EVER.

I hope you can find some snacks and alternatives to fit into your diet! Good luck!

SairahRose

1) I want to lose body fat, I have the awful post baby belly wobble. I don't want to lose weight!

2) I either try to eat as healthy as I can, but barely reach 1200 calories GROSS!! Or I end up eating things that are deemed not so healthy just to boost it up. I cannot win.

3) I get told to cut out crap and up my calories, but when I do I just can't get enough calories (I have re-planned my tomorrows diary and I am on 1009 calories, tomorrow is my gym day where I generally burn around 300-350ish calories (I will add now the past few days have been really bad food wise)). I get told to eat MORE protein and to view the "goal" as a minimum rather than a maximum, but I can't as I have kidney disease and need to monitor my protein intake.

4) I then get told eat peanut butter, nuts, avocado etc, but I do not like them. As is I HATE them!

So how? Please tell me? How the hell do I eat enough calories, not go over my protein and not eat crap like chocolate to boost it up?

I am about ready to give up the calorie counting!

5) *sorry for the rant*

1) Strength train

2) Eat "healthy" whole foods and have a treat at the end of the day. Like ice cream or cookies. Just make sure you're within a healthy calorie deficit

3) Monitor your protein intake. Keep it low as per your doctors orders. Make up the extra calories with fats or carbohydrates.

4) Salmon, tuna, steak, and bacon are all perfectly healthy fats as well. Still do try to include nuts and seeds in your diet.

5) Don't worry about it.

This. *hugs*
I hope you find what works for you. I eat about 2000 cals, and if I find I've got 500 cals left, hey, I get chocolate :P
Whatever works

whispersyou

I found that I'm not good at sticking to the rabbit-food type diet. And less than 1200 calories isn't any good anyway and rather than fill it with junk I made more reasonable expectations for myself. I updates MFP profile so that I would lose about a pound a week. I've honestly seen better results with it by giving myself an extra hundred calories or so. I eat everything I want (snacks included!), but I try not to go over. I do lots of cardio, and I've just started lifting weights to assist in toning.

I'm a believer in eating the things that I want. I always opt for healthy choices when possible, but I won't deny myself a bit of chocolate here, or a small cup of ice cream there (with peanut butter! that's my favorite!) and that helps me stay on track.

Considering your health restrictions, I would suggest meeting with a dietian if possible, to maybe go over the foods that will optimize nutrition and also meet your calorie goals. It's all doable! Don't give up!

Carnivor0us

Add some saturated fats to up your calories but not your protein. Maybe coconut oil and butter?