Little help? Trouble eating so much

knitbytes

So for the last four months, I've been eating 1200-1500cal/day and have at this point seemingly adapted to that amount. I rarely feel hungry, though I have felt constrained, deprived, tired, sick, and like I'm not actually getting stronger (thus my keen interest in EM2WL!).

This being the case, I'm having a heck of a hard time eating so much! Using the Scooby calculator my BMR is 1807 and my TDEE-20% (I picked 20% since I have 100lb to lose) is 2241. I set the activity thing to moderate, as I lift 3x/week and do strenuous yoga 2x/week. I've been trying to work up to eating that 2241, but so far no joy. I tried really hard to eat more today- had extra snacks, a protein shake right after lifting, etc.- and I'm STILL only at 1838 calories for today!

I know better than to just eat high-calorie junk to fill up the numbers, but I really am finding it super difficult to eat so much. How long does it take your body to adapt to eating more again? Is it just that my stomach is shrunk and shrivelled to the point where I'm full all the time? I'm trying, but healthy food is just so dang low-cal!

holleysings

Try eating 1800 per day first until that feels ok. Then bump up to 2000 or 2200 calories. You will get used to it. You'll have to force yourself at first, but you will adapt to more! I did! I used to eat 1200 calories a day. I upped to 1700 calories + exercise calories for a while. Then I went to TDEE (2500-3000) after that. It can totally be done!

happyheathen927

You don't have to eat high-calorie "junk" ... there are plenty of nutrient-dense foods that are higher-calorie. A VERY small handful of nuts is 200 calories. Half an avocado is 125 calories. 2 tablespoons of peanut butter is 190 calories. All of those things have healthy fats, aren't that bulky and can bump up your calories quickly.

knitbytes

Try eating 1800 per day first until that feels ok. Then bump up to 2000 or 2200 calories. You will get used to it. You'll have to force yourself at first, but you will adapt to more! I did! I used to eat 1200 calories a day. I upped to 1700 calories + exercise calories for a while. Then I went to TDEE (2500-3000) after that. It can totally be done!

Thank you so much! That helps a lot. I'll work on just getting to 1800 or so for a week or two, and see how I feel.

natini

Dont eat fat free. Drink full fat milk, greek yogurt, avocados, nuts, etc. If you incorporate a few of these into your diet you will have no problem getting to that calorie goal.

knitbytes

Oh that's something I didn't even think about- I LOVE full fat greek yogurt but cut it from my diet after starting VLCD. That's a great idea, thank you!

I eat a lot of nuts and peanut butter, but I hadn't thought about full fat dairy. Thanks!

LioshaM

So for the last four months, I've been eating 1200-1500cal/day and have at this point seemingly adapted to that amount. I rarely feel hungry, though I have felt constrained, deprived, tired, sick, and like I'm not actually getting stronger (thus my keen interest in EM2WL!).

This being the case, I'm having a heck of a hard time eating so much! Using the Scooby calculator my BMR is 1807 and my TDEE-20% (I picked 20% since I have 100lb to lose) is 2241. I set the activity thing to moderate, as I lift 3x/week and do strenuous yoga 2x/week. I've been trying to work up to eating that 2241, but so far no joy. I tried really hard to eat more today- had extra snacks, a protein shake right after lifting, etc.- and I'm STILL only at 1838 calories for today!

EM2WL advocates TDEE-15%--Don't look for too big of a deficit... Even if you do have to lose 100lbs, going slow is best!!!

I agree with some of the other posts, don't eat reduced fat/ fat free food items.... cheese, yogurt, milk etc. Go full fat.. cheese, nuts, oils, milk, eggs, butter.. all the stuff you are afraid to eat when you are trying to eat 1200-1500 calories. If you are really having problems, eat your chicken with the skin on, don't be afraid to eat potatoes.

Before you know it, you'll have the energy to lift, you won't be tired or feel deprived.