I am under eating by at least 1000 cals a day?

Mia_RagazzaTosta

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

bajoyba

Personally, I would trust the guy who lost 153 pounds. Clearly he knows what he's doing. But that's just me.

Like everyone else said, it's unnecessary to work out for so long every single day. If you intend to burn so many calories through exercise, you should eat enough to fuel your body through your workouts. I do 30 minutes of intense exercise about 5 times a week, and I eat back most or all of my exercise calories (which comes out to 1800-1900 calories of food most days). I've had plenty of progress doing this.

Food is fuel. Make time to fuel your body properly.

And listen to the people who have the experience and the success to back up the advice they're giving you.

RunHardBeStrong

Alright, so I go to the gym everyday and work out for 2 hours everyday. 1 hour strength, 1 hour cardio. On the days where I can't do the strength (because its bad to do it everyday) I just do 2 hours of cardio. Anyway, so I barely have time to eat lunch anymore because it takes me about 45 minutes to get to the gym and 45 minutes to get back home. I'm really trying to lose weight and get toned up. I am at the biggest I have ever been though because I weighed myself and I weigh 200 pounds! I have been doing this gym routine for like 2 weeks and half now. I was too scared to weigh myself when I first started so, I don't know if I was even bigger than 200 pounds! I have lost 3 inches off my waist though. I usually under eat by 1000 calories, is this bad? Could I be making myself gain weight? What about anorexics? How come they don't eat, and they don't gain weight? I don't get the whole, if you eat under 1200 calories a day, you are putting your body in starvation mode and that could affect weight loss because again how do anorexics do it then....
I'm suppose to be eating 1400 calories a day but I know that most people should eat 2000 a day? Is this just a myth? When I exercise, MFP tells me that I should be eating like 2000 something calories! Usually, I end up eating around 1000-1300 a day.
Any advice would be great thanks!
Edit: That website tells me I should be eating like 2637 calories per day! Thats more than what MFP recommends, I think I'm going to stick with this website, thanks...

First off, you don't need to do 2 hours of exercise to lose weight.... Look at the QUALITY of your workout, not QUANTITY.

As you have a fair bit of weight to lose, you an afford a fairly large deficit, so NET 1400 should be fine. Ie eat your exercise calories.

You shouldn't compare trying to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way (which is what you should be doing) to the behaviour of anorexic people.....

This....completely unnecessary to train the way you are training and you obviously don't know how to fuel it. If you train like an athlete you need to know how to eat like one. 30-45 minutes of aerobic cardio 3x weekly with 30-45 minutes of recovery cardio (basically walking), combined with your 3x weekly of strength training is more than sufficient for good fitness, heart health, and strength.

Exercise for fitness; use your diet for weight control. If you're going nuts at the gym, you have to fuel it...not doing so pretty much gives you a fraction of the benefit that your workout could give you if it was properly fueled.

Agreed. OP, I started at 270 lbs. I have lost 106 lbs by eating 1800-2200 gross calories every day and never spend more than 6 hours a week working out. I am in the best shape of my life. It works if you work it correctly.

cwolfman13

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

QFT...these posts always perplex me. When I started out, I was like...damn...how am I going to only eat 1800 calories? Achieving my calorie goals has never been an issue...it's over achieving that has always been my issue :laugh:

concordancia

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

She specifically said that she couldn't do it with healthy food.

I know that I got fat eating at McDonald's. It has taken me quite awhile to figure out how to eat the right amounts of the right foods.

However, I never said that I could; I just said that I didn't know how.

BeccaBollons

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

I agree, but just want to point out that not everyone is on here to lose weight, just trying to be a healthier them.

sexymuffintop

I'm not pushing through these work outs. Its not that hard. I have nothing else to do during the day so I go to the gym. 1 hour on the machines and 1 hour swimming, I don't see the problem

Then why ask for help? What are you asking for advice on? If you think 2 hours in the gym is helping you achieve your goals crack on!

sexymuffintop

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

I'm feeling this post. Always makes me shake my head a little when I read posts from people with a lot of weight to lose saying how they can't reach their calorie goals, all I think is 'You are eating wrong or just plain telling big fat porkie's to try and look all self disciplined and shiny and awesome.....' I just think your lying personally, you didn't (and I didn't) get to be lardies from not eating enough calories.....Just saying....

krissy_krossy

Regarding anorexics, they "get away" with it because they don't get help until they have been under eating for so long that it causes noticeable damage to their health, some of which is not reversable by achieving a healthy weight (luckily, most of it is).

It is much better to avoid the damage before it becomes noticeable.

This. Looking at me you couldn't tell I had an eating disorder for years. Looking at my x-rays over a year after recovering, though, you can see the permanent damage it's caused to my bones. Let me tell you, having the bone density of someone who can get a senior discount isn't that fun.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

She specifically said that she couldn't do it with healthy food.

I know that I got fat eating at McDonald's. It has taken me quite awhile to figure out how to eat the right amounts of the right foods.

However, I never said that I could; I just said that I didn't know how.

I wasn't referring to you.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

I agree, but just want to point out that not everyone is on here to lose weight, just trying to be a healthier them.

I'm well aware of this. The OP is.

zefreak

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

So why eat something that is sooooooo filling for only 8 cals? A tablespoon of peanut butter is about 100!

Because I ENJOY eating it! And I didn't know at the time thats all it was.

And like I said I do eat things like PB etc,

I went back on my records and found a day which was a bad day for me, eating things like ice cream, cheese cake, roast dinner, chips etc, and it only was 1600 calories!

One of my days was all bran, smoothie, PB toast, 2 pears, yoghurt a huge mixture of veges, some pork lions, plus cranberry juice and it was only 1300 calories. And I remember I was STUFFED! There was no way I could eat another mouthful! But I was trying so hard to get at least over 1200 I just ate way too much

jakescastle88

Calories are important, but not as much as what comes with them... I know there are some of you out there who would refute this statement; I'd challenge anyone who can come up with a sound argument (citing actual evidence) to quote this post and prove me wrong.

In my opinion, I focus more on meeting my nutrient goals for the day without eating an obscene amount of calories. I am a ski instructor in Colorado, I am very active, and often times lunch is a hard meal for me too since I cant carry my lunch with me and the stuff we feed the kids is laughable in the nutrition department. I carry unsalted almonds because i know they can stave hunger in responsible amounts. I also try to make lunch a two-part meal (splitting the calories between the pitiful choices I can actually eat at the salad bar in the cafeteria, and a hearty snack when I get home around 4 o'clock).

When it comes to calories, MFP will tell you you aren't eating enough if you don't consume at least 1200 calories a day. I agree with this; calories are energy and you need energy from food every day to promote a faster metabolism and to keep your body from storing fat. My goal is to eat a minimum of 1400 REAL calories a day, from REAL foods that are of high nutrient density, anti-angiogenic, and take awhile to digest, as opposed to empty B.S. calories that you don't need and your metabolism rips right through. Eating the right foods to reach your nutritional goals is most important. If you are eating whole, healthy foods, its actually somewhat challenging to go over 1700-1800 calories a day... you're simply not hungry enough!

Definitely do what some people on this forum have suggested and go to another source to determine what is nutritionally appropriate for you... I find that MFP goes way overboard on sugar, fat, and calorie totals when I log my activity for the day, and I also don't entirely agree with the calorie total that it tells me. For instance, when I log 240 minutes of "Skiing, Downhill, Moderate Effort" It tells me that I can eat an extra 2200 calories that day... I highly doubt that, especially since half of that time (or more) is riding chairlifts!

If you are very active like I am, yes... you do need more calories, fats, and proteins than a person who leads a sedentary lifestyle. That being said, you shouldn't try to go overboard on your calorie intake, especially if its at night with dinner, well after exercising. Remember that a calorie is a measure of energy, and if you don't use energy, your body will store it as fat for later use.

sexymuffintop

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

So why eat something that is sooooooo filling for only 8 cals? A tablespoon of peanut butter is about 100!

Because I ENJOY eating it! And I didn't know at the time thats all it was.

And like I said I do eat things like PB etc,

I went back on my records and found a day which was a bad day for me, eating things like ice cream, cheese cake, roast dinner, chips etc, and it only was 1600 calories!

One of my days was all bran, smoothie, PB toast, 2 pears, yoghurt a huge mixture of veges, some pork lions, plus cranberry juice and it was only 1300 calories. And I remember I was STUFFED! There was no way I could eat another mouthful! But I was trying so hard to get at least over 1200 I just ate way too much

How's your protein intake on a day like that? Very carb heavy?

krissy_krossy

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

So why eat something that is sooooooo filling for only 8 cals? A tablespoon of peanut butter is about 100!

Because I ENJOY eating it! And I didn't know at the time thats all it was.

And like I said I do eat things like PB etc,

I went back on my records and found a day which was a bad day for me, eating things like ice cream, cheese cake, roast dinner, chips etc, and it only was 1600 calories!

One of my days was all bran, smoothie, PB toast, 2 pears, yoghurt a huge mixture of veges, some pork lions, plus cranberry juice and it was only 1300 calories. And I remember I was STUFFED! There was no way I could eat another mouthful! But I was trying so hard to get at least over 1200 I just ate way too much

Some cheese on those veggies or some avocado in place of some of them would add some calories without so much bulk... *shrug* Unless there's a medical reason someone has gotten overweight (and even in a lot of those cases) they didn't get overweight by having trouble eating 1400-1500 calories. Me included.

FranksRumHam

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

So why eat something that is sooooooo filling for only 8 cals? A tablespoon of peanut butter is about 100!

Because I ENJOY eating it! And I didn't know at the time thats all it was.

And like I said I do eat things like PB etc,

I went back on my records and found a day which was a bad day for me, eating things like ice cream, cheese cake, roast dinner, chips etc, and it only was 1600 calories!

One of my days was all bran, smoothie, PB toast, 2 pears, yoghurt a huge mixture of veges, some pork lions, plus cranberry juice and it was only 1300 calories. And I remember I was STUFFED! There was no way I could eat another mouthful! But I was trying so hard to get at least over 1200 I just ate way too much

sooooooooooo what brought ya to mfp?
you here because maybe ya got a little heavier than ya wanted to?
how'd you...um....do that?

schnarfo

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

So why eat something that is sooooooo filling for only 8 cals? A tablespoon of peanut butter is about 100!

Because I ENJOY eating it! And I didn't know at the time thats all it was.

And like I said I do eat things like PB etc,

I went back on my records and found a day which was a bad day for me, eating things like ice cream, cheese cake, roast dinner, chips etc, and it only was 1600 calories!

One of my days was all bran, smoothie, PB toast, 2 pears, yoghurt a huge mixture of veges, some pork lions, plus cranberry juice and it was only 1300 calories. And I remember I was STUFFED! There was no way I could eat another mouthful! But I was trying so hard to get at least over 1200 I just ate way too much

I suspect your not measuring your food and therefore not logging accurately in that case.

Randi39

Just out of curiosity, are you adding the portions in correctly?

manda1978

I have a friend in a similar situation. She's eating 1000-1300cal a day of good quality foods (she's into organic and clean eating). She was exercising around 2hrs a day if not more, 6 days a week and her weight loss stopped completely.

I personally believe her body was exhausted and not functioning correctly hence why she wasn't losing weight. She has reduced the exercise by swapping 2 training sessions a week to yoga/ pilates and she is no seeing results.

I hope that helps

CrazyTrackLady

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

So why eat something that is sooooooo filling for only 8 cals? A tablespoon of peanut butter is about 100!

Because I ENJOY eating it! And I didn't know at the time thats all it was.

And like I said I do eat things like PB etc,

I went back on my records and found a day which was a bad day for me, eating things like ice cream, cheese cake, roast dinner, chips etc, and it only was 1600 calories!

One of my days was all bran, smoothie, PB toast, 2 pears, yoghurt a huge mixture of veges, some pork lions, plus cranberry juice and it was only 1300 calories. And I remember I was STUFFED! There was no way I could eat another mouthful! But I was trying so hard to get at least over 1200 I just ate way too much

What exactly do you want to hear? Why are you here asking for advice, then arguing or getting defensive when people WHO HAVE HAD SUCCESS WITH MAJOR WEIGHT LOSS are trying to HELP you?

You sound more like a petulant child and less like someone willing to consider that maybe, just maybe, SOME people know what they're talking about.

WaterBunnie

Surely one of the main reasons for exercise using this plan is to buy yourself more calories to eat? Why mess with that system and risk malnutrition? Works for most of us without having to live on survival only rations.

cmcollins001

Since you're not going to eat the calories MFP says to eat, and you want to continue working out 2+ hours a day...then just stop logging food and don't worry about it. Just hang out on the forums, occasionally tell people what you're doing from time to time, chime in on things that interest you, but don't complain about not losing weight or ask for help, because it's obvious that unless people tell you to keep doing what you're doing, you're just going to argue.

So, kick back, eat 1000 under a day, knock it out at the gym for 2+ hours a day and let us know how that's working for you in about 6 months!

:flowerforyou: Hope everything works out for you OP!!! Best luck on everything you do!!!

Justkeepswimmin

I agree!
And there is no way in hell that I am going to be drinking milk. There have been multiple studies shown about what they are doing to our milk and the cows.

Then get almond or coconut milk. Ya'll are full of excuses. Gah I've had enough for the day.

trogalicious

I agree!
And there is no way in hell that I am going to be drinking milk. There have been multiple studies shown about what they are doing to our milk and the cows.

Then get almond or coconut milk. Ya'll are full of excuses. Gah I've had enough for the day.

just think of what they're doing to the almonds.. and those poor.. poor coconuts. WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE COCONUTS?!

myfrogs11

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

So why eat something that is sooooooo filling for only 8 cals? A tablespoon of peanut butter is about 100!

Because I ENJOY eating it! And I didn't know at the time thats all it was.

And like I said I do eat things like PB etc,

I went back on my records and found a day which was a bad day for me, eating things like ice cream, cheese cake, roast dinner, chips etc, and it only was 1600 calories!

One of my days was all bran, smoothie, PB toast, 2 pears, yoghurt a huge mixture of veges, some pork lions, plus cranberry juice and it was only 1300 calories. And I remember I was STUFFED! There was no way I could eat another mouthful! But I was trying so hard to get at least over 1200 I just ate way too much

I suspect your not measuring your food and therefore not logging accurately in that case.

This, or eating very tiny portions.

Justkeepswimmin

To those who "just can't get to 1400-1500 calories"... Obviously you did at one point or you wouldn't be trying to lose weight. Not being snarky, just real.

Your rock!

Lupercalia

Yeah, this is really confusing for me as well now. I also eat filling meals that are actually healthy, I don't eat unhealthy. I physically cannot eat like 2500 calories a day. Not possible.

Sure you can.

Don't buy "diet / low-fat" versions of stuff. Eat cheese, peanut butter, milk... You'll be shocked.

That is BS if I ever saw it.

I don't eat "Low fat" etc foods as I believe they contain a high amount of unhealthy chemicals. I eat alot of homemade soups, smoothies, breads, PB, cheese etc and I STILL can not get to 1400-1500 some days. Its only if I eat crap food I can reach my calorie goals (And even then it is my calorie goal with out exercise so about 1750 calories) But one of my smooties are about 400 calories but can keep me full for 4-5 hours. One of my soups is only 180-230 (Depending on how much I have) and keeps me full for 3-4 hours.
I had half a sliced cucumber for morning tea the other day, and it kept me full for 2 hours, when I put it into the system it was a whole 8 calories.
So no, some of us LITERALLY can not get to that much

Then you're doing it wrong. Seriously.

TOTALLY, you're doing it WRONG. If you're obese and just can't seem to eat 1400 calories, I think you're either full of it, or you don't know what you're doing.

CrazyTrackLady

There is more to this story than meets our eyes. This sounds like an eating disorder to me.

carolynwmilburn

Hi,

1000 calories a day is not enough to get all of the nutrients you need. It is actually possible to be overweight and malnutritioned at the same time. Calories are only part of the equation. Your net calories need to stay between 1200-1400 on most days. Is it ok to have a day here and there where you're a little short or over on calories? You bet! But sticking to this will actually help you to lose weight by helping you stick to your diet, giving you energy so your workouts are more effective and preventing your body from thinking its starving and saving every extra calorie you eat as fat.

Best of luck to you!

mamacita721