Way under eating/calories....

Well don't do what they're doing! Haha. Eat what MFP says to eat! I like to eat back some of my exercise calories, but I worry that they overestimate how much I've burned, so I try to only eat back when and if I'm hungry. Don't worry so much about how much others are eating because people have different goals and different things work for different people, but just look to get actual food ideas. Start with MFP's plans and then change them up if you think it is necessary after a few months.

do a search on the message board..are tons of recipes

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've noticed pals drop off after awhile. I really enjoy the pals that are logging in very often and adding comments when they can. Knowing that everyone is working on their own level helps to keep me going. If someone is eating little to no calories how long can that go on. Looking forward to hear your progress and updates.

Welcome to MFP! My diary is open and I eat plenty! :bigsmile:

I found this topic to be very helpful in setting my goals, and finding the right amount of calories, protein, carbs, fats, etc, and manually changed my settings here at MFP: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

It may seem overwhelming when you've just joined MFP, but I didn't find the thread until I had been here awhile, and I wish I had found it much sooner! So figured I'd pass it along. Give it a read through - great info there.

(P.S. - your diary isn't open either! )

While I agree that eating below can be dangerous, some people are being treated by doctors, so it's best not to pass judgment on others. Just focus on your goals, and don't worry about other people.

My diary is private, but I love to eat my full calorie allotment. Here's an idea of the foods I eat regularly:

- Oatmeal. With a banana, it really holds me through the morning.
- Soups. Black bean is my favorite, although I will occasionally go for non-beef chili or gumbo.
- Homemade sandwiches. I use low-calorie wheat bread and pile on veggies, mustard and lean deli meats such as turkey.
- I recently fell in love with freeze-dried fruit. A small package of freeze-dried strawberries from Target is only 25 calories, and it's a nice pick-me-up with low-fat string cheese.

i'm still learning about the calories earned back from exercise, so I adjusted them and made them lower. However, I do eat plenty so you can add me if you would like!

I am new to the site. I have been entering virtually every bite for the past week and most days it tells me I am under calories. But I am finding that I am not hungry or dizzy and really trying to eat sensibly. I also have a blood sugar issue I am trying to get under control but I am having a hard time finding out what I should be eating and how much of it. I don't starve myself, actually far from it, but I am just not meeting the calories MFP suggests. Perhaps I need to change my settings?

mines open and i like to eat my cals!

I am new to the site. I have been entering virtually every bite for the past week and most days it tells me I am under calories. But I am finding that I am not hungry or dizzy and really trying to eat sensibly. I also have a blood sugar issue I am trying to get under control but I am having a hard time finding out what I should be eating and how much of it. I don't starve myself, actually far from it, but I am just not meeting the calories MFP suggests. Perhaps I need to change my settings?

You feeling full and your body being fully fed for your level of activity or 2 totally separate things.

You can shrink your stomach by eating like a bird, and then screw up your hormones such you aren't hungry.

But your body will eventually show you by the results seen that you've been under-eating. Usually by the fact you'll lose decent amount of muscle mass, your metabolism will slow from that fact, and it will become suppressed even more, and the deficit you used to have to lose weight will no longer be there.

Depending on your yo-yo dieting and jumping into exercise frequency and intensity, that may come in 6 wks to 3 months. And like many, could plateau for 6 months to 1 yr. Take that time together and the possibly fast initial weight loss turns out not to be so fast anymore, and a balanced approach from the beginning would have been a whole lot less stressful mentally, emotionally, and physically.

How long does it take for the physical side effects to show up that you are constantly low on a specific vitamin or mineral?
Does the body inform you daily somehow you are low in general?
Nope - not until the side effects show up, visit Dr, get blood workup, hope your system isn't messed up for too long, ect.

Lowered desire to eat usually means your metabolism has already slowed down and you screwed up your hormones - because doubtless you didn't get to the point you needed to lose weight by eating that much in the first place.

my diarys open ........ but please dont add me. i eat plenty for me, i dont need people telling me what i should or shouldnt do. i eat healthy foods and i have more energy than ive had for years. So, before you all get on your soap box and give me grief dont bother, i dont tell you wot to eat.

my diarys open ........ but please dont add me. i eat plenty for me, i dont need people telling me what i should or shouldnt do. i eat healthy foods and i have more energy than ive had for years. So, before you all get on your soap box and give me grief dont bother, i dont tell you wot to eat.

Good for you. I think this is all a unique situation for everyone. Good on you for sticking up for yourself now too. Intimidation wears many faces.

thank you x

I keep my diary open so anyone interested can have a look. I am entering maintenance now, so am working on upping my calories slowly and I feel like most of what I eat is healthy. I exercise a 4-5 days a week too. Feel free to add me if you like.

I don't have a problem with people eating very few calories, but what I don't understand is why some people have their calorie allotment set so much above what they consistently eat. I'm not bashing, but honestly curious. If one intends to eat only say 800 calories each day and consistently does so, why would they set their calorie goal to 1200 or more?