My "eat more and throw away the scale" NSV...
relucas81
Posts: 76 Member
So back in early July, I had gotten down to 172 lbs, (a BMI of 22), but was honestly getting way too thin, and despite my 6'4 frame, was only eating 1800-1900 calories a day, (which is WAY too low for a man my height).
I knew I needed to eat a lot more each day, but also knew that it would likely result in a huge jump in the scale. At the advice of my therapist, I threw my scale away, and began eating close to 2,400 calories a day, which is a lot closer to what a healthy man should be eating, and very near "maintenance."
6 weeks later, I haven't stepped back on the scale. I am probably higher than I was, but who knows, and who cares. I am still "slender," look healthier, and obviously get to eat a lot more and spend a lot less time each day "hungry."
My next goal is to start ACTUALLY exercising, (not just a daily stroll), and to up my calories even more! Now that I am back in balance, I find that I have the same appetite at 2,400 as I was at 1,800, so maybe I will aim for 2,700? We will see
I knew I needed to eat a lot more each day, but also knew that it would likely result in a huge jump in the scale. At the advice of my therapist, I threw my scale away, and began eating close to 2,400 calories a day, which is a lot closer to what a healthy man should be eating, and very near "maintenance."
6 weeks later, I haven't stepped back on the scale. I am probably higher than I was, but who knows, and who cares. I am still "slender," look healthier, and obviously get to eat a lot more and spend a lot less time each day "hungry."
My next goal is to start ACTUALLY exercising, (not just a daily stroll), and to up my calories even more! Now that I am back in balance, I find that I have the same appetite at 2,400 as I was at 1,800, so maybe I will aim for 2,700? We will see
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Replies
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That is fantastic! I'm glad you feel and ARE healthier! You have done a fantastic job (read your "about me" section)!! You will do great things. I can feel it! Keep it up!0
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Good for you Congratulations I do not like the scale either. I do exercise though strenght training 3 times week and cardio two times a week0
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Way to go on getting healthier! Its definitely tough to break the scale habit - and to conquer all the emotions that go with it - so congrats!0
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OP, what was the MFP recommendation for calories including exercise?0
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Well done! I know that can be a really hard step, great job on sticking to it and doing better for your body. You look great
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Bcat,
MFP set my maintenance, at sedentary, for 2,280 a day.. I chose 2,400 simply because it's a nice even number, and because I am slightly more than sedentary (probably).
ANd even tho I rarely meet it, I try for 40% of my cal from protein, as opposed to the ridiculously low 15% MFP recommends0 -
So in reality if I do start actual exercising, it would be the healthy thing to do to be eating more than I even am currently. I hope to eventually be one of those buff fellas on here always working out and eating 3000+ LOL 0
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our bodies and own knowledge of our bodies often tell us more than the scale!
way to go, enjoy munching :drinker:0 -
Hahaha we should be twins. I am the same way. After completing some Army training at 6'5" I came home at 172 lbs. My Army buddies joked I was one missed meal away from being a skeleton with skin. But during Army training I was eating at least 5000 calories a day but we needed it. When I got back I was back at my desk job but still running at least 3 miles a day in fear of seeing the scale increase even by a pound! It would throw my whole day to see even the slightest weight gain. I was only eating 1400 calories a day and burning at least 500. But I let the scale determine my health. Not my 3.5% Body Fat that was considered dangerously low, or the advice from my wife and family that I was too thin. I had a number and I was going to stick to it. It got so bad that I was weighing myself 4 times a day!
I was a hot mess. i couldn't enjoy life because I was to concerned over my next meal and how many calories it might have and how I could "compensate" with more exercise. But after talking to my brother the Navy SEAL who doesn't even own a scale I was convinced that I should just be happy with the fact I work out ARMY strong 5 days a week and make healthy food choices so who cares what I weigh? Weight is not the only sign of health. Having my awesome cut six pack is, and at 172 or 185 (my goal weight) it's still going to look good. But thanks for sharing your story! We should all learn that when we become more concernced about the scale and not living life we just spectate and what's the point of that? My goal in life is not to ensure I am thin in my coffin. It's to enjoy each day and what comes with it.0
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