staying under my calories

dzittritsch
dzittritsch Posts: 5
edited January 8 in Motivation and Support
i am having issues eating enough calories, I am loosing weight but i don't want to go down the line and hit a road block, i am trying to make myself eat, im just not feeling hungry, I am changing my work out routine as of today and going to start on the treadmill again, but i am afraid i will not eat eough and my body will shut down... i drink plenty of fluids, but i am never hungry, i eat 700-1000 calories a day, i am looking for an untimate loss of 135lbs, but thing is i've never been that small in my whole life, i am currently around 280 and would like to get down between 155-165 but i am having a hard time eating, with strees, a new life ahead i just don't want to mess up on my diet and go out of control and consume 4000 calories a day, anyone out there in the same boat?

Replies

  • heathermstrom
    heathermstrom Posts: 17
    I am having the same problem! My calorie intake is set for 1700 and I am consistently 200-500 calories under. I've gotten into the habit of only eating small snacks (granola bar, rice cakes) during the day at work and I have a full meal and an extra snack before bed. I like the results I'm seeing right now, but like you- I'm worried that I'm sabotaging myself for later.

    What I've heard is that your body needs at least 1200 cal per day to sustain itself (I don't know if that differs for men, but I would think it would be more). I am either at that or just a little over, but it's less than what MFP recommends.

    I do think that 700-1000 calories is too little for you. You might have to make yourself eat more until you've gotten a hold of the healthy balance of eating thing. Especially if you're exercising too. Just steer clear of the foods that you know you'll want to binge on!

    If you don't eat enough calories in the day to sustain your body, it will work against you and save everything that you do eat, which will result in no weight loss.

    This weight loss thing sucks, huh?
  • dzittritsch
    dzittritsch Posts: 5
    I am having the same problem! My calorie intake is set for 1700 and I am consistently 200-500 calories under. I've gotten into the habit of only eating small snacks (granola bar, rice cakes) during the day at work and I have a full meal and an extra snack before bed. I like the results I'm seeing right now, but like you- I'm worried that I'm sabotaging myself for later.

    What I've heard is that your body needs at least 1200 cal per day to sustain itself (I don't know if that differs for men, but I would think it would be more). I am either at that or just a little over, but it's less than what MFP recommends.

    I do think that 700-1000 calories is too little for you. You might have to make yourself eat more until you've gotten a hold of the healthy balance of eating thing. Especially if you're exercising too. Just steer clear of the foods that you know you'll want to binge on!

    If you don't eat enough calories in the day to sustain your body, it will work against you and save everything that you do eat, which will result in no weight loss.

    This weight loss thing sucks, huh?


    very much so, im glad im not the only one with this struggle. :)
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I have a 9 year old that eats more than that, you're jeopardizing your health by sticking to that amount.

    The reason you're having a hard time eating more is likely because of some mental/emotional issues you're having with food.
  • pandiestevens1
    pandiestevens1 Posts: 1
    Try eating "MORE smaller meals and nibbling on healthy foods throughout the day. That might help.
  • everlong22
    everlong22 Posts: 3
    dont worry im in the same boat 278 trying to get down to 190 and having huge problems actually eating my calorie intake! im always under, not because i have any emotional or mental issues, i think over thinking it is my main problem plus with a 3 year old running around i tend to forget to eat lol,
  • Camille0502
    Camille0502 Posts: 311 Member
    I see this a lot on here - and I have a question. First, I want to say that I don't mean it to be mean - just give you something to think about. Question: if you are having such "difficulty" eating enough calories, how did you get overweight? How were you eating before? If you need more calories, eat some of what you used to eat and that will increase your caloie intake to a higher level. Seems simple to me!
  • dzittritsch
    dzittritsch Posts: 5
    I see this a lot on here - and I have a question. First, I want to say that I don't mean it to be mean - just give you something to think about. Question: if you are having such "difficulty" eating enough calories, how did you get overweight? How were you eating before? If you need more calories, eat some of what you used to eat and that will increase your caloie intake to a higher level. Seems simple to me!

    this is my issue here, when i wasn't worried about what i ate, i was eating/binging on whatever was avaible, i lived at my parents house after my divorce last year, and both of my parents are over weight and they always have sweets and junk laying around, and i know alot of it is my will power but my mother is one of these, your not leaving untill your full, i've made a complete 180 from this concept, i was once in the always clean plate club, hell i was prolly their chairman, but i think my main issue is i am so afraid i am going fail so i stop eating because of i remember what it does to me.

    sorry kind of a long but i need to stay on track but yes.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Dude...you are not eating anywhere close to your BMR...the minimum calories your body needs to just sit there and do nothing. While some females can net 1,200 and get away with it, I don't no of a single male that can do so. To boot you are saying you're exercising which is creating an even bigger calorie gap.

    You need to figure out what your BMR and TDEE is (there are numerous calculators out there). Minimally you need to eat (net) to your BMR...so if you were eating to BMR and then went and burned 400 calories, you'd need to eat back those 400 calories to get back to your BMR rate of calories.

    If you eat between your BMR and TDEE you will lose weight. You are starving yourself and killing yourself. If you don't want to stuff your face there are a number of high calorie but nutritious foods out there. Try avocado, nuts, peanut butter, etc. Please eat my friend.
  • NinjaJinja
    NinjaJinja Posts: 147 Member
    My net goal is set at 1600, but I always come in under it. For me my range actually is 1200-1600 - and I always make that. 1200 is the minimum needed by women so their bodies don't go into starvation mode. For men I believe that limit is 1500.

    I find that I am stay within my range very well when I'm logging and actually, really paying attention. Once I stop paying attention is when I eat out of control.

    If you are having trouble eating enough calories, feel free to eat high calories things to make up the difference. Seriously. Sometimes I have to eat ice cream to reach 1200 - and then I'm totally gleeful that I'm on a diet and I get to eat ice cream!
  • BCSMama
    BCSMama Posts: 348
    I can relate to the all or nothing mentality that you're describing. It's like you either binge on unhealthy foods, or barely eat anything; both of which are very unhealthy. I think you need to focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits instead of just doing the opposite of what you did before. For me, prelogging in my meals and most of my snacks helps keep me on track. I used to be so afraid of going over that I would hardly eat during the day and have a huge surplus at the end of the day. So, it helps to know what I can eat throughout the day and still have 200-300 left over for a snack in the evening. Also, there are differing opinions, but for me, eating mostly healthy, whole, non processed foods has helped me with my goals and helped me just feel better.

    My advice would be to log what you want to eat the day before or each morning and stay in your allotted calories; if you know you're going to workout and burn 600 calories, take that into consideration as well. I usually don't eat all of my workout calories, but will eat up to 1/2 of them if I want to.

    Remember, being healthy for life should be your ultimate goal. Don't think of it like well I used to eat all the time and was overweight, so now I'll just eat none of the time and loose weight :-)

    Best of luck!
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