What to do when you're STARVING?

BeachIron

Eat. You know what happens when you eat those extra 800 calories on a bad day when you just have to eat? Nothing. That's right. Absolutely nothing. If you eat at maintenance you neither lose nor gain. Enjoy those days when you need them.

That said, I also think that you are eating too low overall and that is what is going on. I think that you need to take things slower. So you add back a couple of hundred calories a day. You're more satisfied and therefore more likely to stick with it over the long run.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Eat. You know what happens when you eat those extra 800 calories on a bad day when you just have to eat? Nothing. That's right. Absolutely nothing. If you eat at maintenance you neither lose nor gain. Enjoy those days when you need them.

That said, I also think that you are eating too low overall and that is what is going on. I think that you need to take things slower. So you add back a couple of hundred calories a day. You're more satisfied and therefore more likely to stick with it over the long run.

This is true.

But she wouldn't be at maintenance if she ate another 800 cals, she'd be at her goal and still in a deficit.

Mlkmaid

My fall back is an apple and low-fat string cheese or a Baby Bell Lite. Protein and fiber. As a matter of fact, that's my dinner if I've had a big lunch.

gabrielle_eliza

I just posted this on another forum but here is why I am confused at what to do:

I want to lose two pounds a week. That's a 7000 calories a week deficit.
My BMR + daily exercise is about 2400.
So, I only eat 1300-1400 a day to create this deficit.
How will increasing how much I eat not hinder my weight loss?

Also thanks to everyone for the replies! I definitely want to try quinoa and yams!

Maybe you have underestimated just how many calories you burn during the day

I started @ 1200 calories and then increased it in January up till just over 1700 NET calories... and I have still been loosing!! I am way more likely to be able to stick to 1700 calories than the 1200 calories. Yes it kind of worked, for the few months I did the 1200 thing but WOW was I hungry and I was much more likely to justify treat days (not meals, days lol). Now since I am netting 1700 I don't find I "need" treat days and instead I can enjoy those special occasions I go over Plus @ 1200 I was so hungry that I knew I couldn't keep it up. It was either up my calories, or slowly give up. But guess who's 5 lbs from my goal? THIS GIRL!

Don't be afraid to eat!!

That's awesome, thanks for telling me! MFP originally started me at 1100...which was horrid....I've just been afraid to go up because I thought it would not help. But if everyone says to eat....I guess I will!





*Thanks to everyone else as well. Also as another side note, I haven't reached a point where I have been too weak to work out or anything. This has been the first time where I was really hungry, but today was also the first day I did all of my working out at once instead of breaking it up into two sessions, if that has an effect.

BeachIron

Eat. You know what happens when you eat those extra 800 calories on a bad day when you just have to eat? Nothing. That's right. Absolutely nothing. If you eat at maintenance you neither lose nor gain. Enjoy those days when you need them.

That said, I also think that you are eating too low overall and that is what is going on. I think that you need to take things slower. So you add back a couple of hundred calories a day. You're more satisfied and therefore more likely to stick with it over the long run.

This is true.

But she wouldn't be at maintenance if she ate another 800 cals, she'd be at her goal and still in a deficit.

I didn't dig into her diary. If this is the case, then she definitely needs to eat more.

GnomeQueen84

I chug a glass of water, wait a little bit, and if I am still starving I make a healthy choice. If your stomach is growling and you feel weak, you need to eat.

Rloft

You need to eat, your body isn't going to make positive changes (i.e. build muscle, lose fat) if you are "starving" yourself - even if you've been surviving on 1300 calories up until now, if your exercise has increased, you need to also increase your intake to fuel your body and allow it to build muscle. Keep your food choices balanced - do some research on where your %s should be (proteins vs fat vs carbs) and strive for meals that keep these percentages intact. Example, 45% protein, 35% carbs, 25% fats. For some suggestions, I eat 0% or 1% plain Greek yogurt with almonds and a little bit of honey (or agave, whatever floats your boat - you only need a little bit!), or rice cakes with tuna and some mayo (they may seem like old-school diet food, but they are so crunchy!!), or make some protein pancakes at the beginning of each week (search the internet, there are TONS of great recipes using everything from Greek yogurt to cottage cheese) and warm some up with an egg when you are feeling snack-y.

aeg176

you def need to eat and not just because you are hungry today. You must consider you "net calories" just looking at today and considering how many you are burning you definitely need to eat back at least some of your excercise calories. You have them there for a guide it a calorie goal not a limbo stick.

Momjogger

I think it is hard to eat less than 1500 calories a day when you work out. You can eat 1500 calories a day and lose and with the exercise, your body will do fabulous things!