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Having trouble..
lilteeraw
Posts: 261
I am still having trouble NETTING 1200+ calories a day.
To even NET 1200 I have to eat like 2000 calories a day and that feels like an awful lot.
I feel like If I NET that much I will just gain.
I dont know how to get a good mindset.
I usually NET around 900-1000 calories... but usually consume 1700-1900 calories.
Whats more important to look at? TOTAL CALORIES, or NET?
& why?
To even NET 1200 I have to eat like 2000 calories a day and that feels like an awful lot.
I feel like If I NET that much I will just gain.
I dont know how to get a good mindset.
I usually NET around 900-1000 calories... but usually consume 1700-1900 calories.
Whats more important to look at? TOTAL CALORIES, or NET?
& why?
0
Replies
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NET, because that's left for your organs etc to function. netting so low would cause your metabolism to slow down in the long run0
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Netting 900-1000 is the same as eating 900-1000 and not exercising. So you can see why it's important to have it be higher. I'm having the same problem as you right now. Trying to net my BMR.0
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its so hard:/
I feel im eating SO much.0 -
I would tend to say NET, but you have to also consider that your calorie burns from exercise are only estimates and your BMR is only an estimate. What's your BMR calculated at? Are you eating above that amount daily? If so, I wouldn't worry.
Is your projected loss more or less than your actual loss? If it's more than your actual loss, then your BMR and exercise calories burned are probably actually lower than calculated. At your weight to burn as many calories a day as you are claiming you have to be working pretty hard for quite a while.0 -
I wouldn't worry so much about it. If you are hungry, eat. If not, listen to your body and dont eat.
The reason I say this is (I looked at your exercise diary) that it's very possible that you aren't burning 700 calories during your 1 1/2 hour "hike" while carrying less than 10 lbs. Are you mountain climbing or just walking around campus while carrying books?
My point is, MFP is notorious for over estimating calories burned, especially when activities are carried out to such long times. Again, I'm not saying you aren't burning a lot of calories, just be leary that you are most likely not burning that many calories/day exercising. For that reason, I only eat back 1/2 my exercise calories.
If you are not hungry and losing weight, dont worry about eating so many calories. If you are not hungry, and are at a plateau, you are overestimating your calories burned and you shouldn't eat back so many calories. You have to do what works for your body. Everyone is different, and the numbers stated on MFP are an estimate and may need to be adjusted to what works for you.0 -
if you don't want to be eating so much, simply reduce your exercise0
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it is hard to eat that much without eating junk. I burn anywhere from 600-900 when I exercise and normally feel full with about 1500 total calories. I'll force myself to eat more after working out so I won't NET below 1200, but getting any higher than that actually feels like I'm force feeding myself. One of the reasons I hate when people say "if you can't eat over 1200 then how did you get fat in the first place" Shall we compare the volume of food in a mcdonalds cheeseburger to a half ton of vegtables of the same amount of calores? lol.0
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I use the POLAR FT4.
and I usually workout everyday for about 2 hours..
my BMR is approx 1350 calories.
Also people say t reduce my exercise.. but I sorta can't.
Its the only thing that gets me in a better mood.. and it makes me happy.
and also my hikes are all uphill.. going a fast pace & then running down. sometimes ill hike the mountain and then hike it again 1/2 way.
most people cant hike the whole mountain i hike... its a difficult hike.and i dont go by the estimates on mfp..
i go by my hrm.
and im no so much worried on losing weight.. i want to maintain.
but when i eat so much i feel fat & like im gaining.0 -
it is hard to eat that much without eating junk. I burn anywhere from 600-900 when I exercise and normally feel full with about 1500 total calories. I'll force myself to eat more after working out so I won't NET below 1200, but getting any higher than that actually feels like I'm force feeding myself. One of the reasons I hate when people say "if you can't eat over 1200 then how did you get fat in the first place" Shall we compare the volume of food in a mcdonalds cheeseburger to a half ton of vegtables of the same amount of calores? lol.
it just means you have to eat smarter not more. Higher calorie foods; adding nuts, avocado, cook foods in EVOO, high calorie protein drinks or bars and my personal favorite... eating peanut butter out of a jar. Or you can also add cheese to items and even if you have a few "unhealthier" items, it's still serves it's purpose. Heck, when I go through bulk phases, I need to eat over 3200 calories. I make up for it with higher calorie foods.0 -
I use the POLAR FT4.
and I usually workout everyday for about 2 hours..
my BMR is approx 1350 calories.
Also people say t reduce my exercise.. but I sorta can't.
Its the only thing that gets me in a better mood.. and it makes me happy.
and also my hikes are all uphill.. going a fast pace & then running down. sometimes ill hike the mountain and then hike it again 1/2 way.
most people cant hike the whole mountain i hike... its a difficult hike.and i dont go by the estimates on mfp..
i go by my hrm.
and im no so much worried on losing weight.. i want to maintain.
but when i eat so much i feel fat & like im gaining.
Well either get smarter about your nutrition or all you will do is deplete your muscle mass. Which is the item that gives you a lean and tight body. And it's OK to eat foods higher in calories. You do not need to eat clean all the time.0 -
Okay, looking at your foods it jumped out at mea that you eat a high volume of food. Since you say you are too full to eat more, the simple solution is to eat less volume
instead of 1 C of egg beaters, have 2 regular eggs for 140 calories and WAY less volume OR, have 3 eggs for about the same volume and 85 extra calories
instead of reduced fat cheese, regular cheese- same volume but 30 more calories
instead of the 8-10 servings of fruit (the medium apple is about 2 servings and the large is at least 3 servings and the blueberries are 4 servings) have 4-5 servings of fruit and add some nuts or extra protein - you could easily add 200-300 calories here without adding any volume
instead of 2 C of pea soup - 1 C of soup w/ 1 slice bread + olive oil dipping sauce - same volume or less for and over 100 extra calories
instead of 2 C of light n fit greek yogurt for 240 calories, have 1 C of regular greek yogurt at about the same calories0 -
you look too skinny already0
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it is hard to eat that much without eating junk. I burn anywhere from 600-900 when I exercise and normally feel full with about 1500 total calories. I'll force myself to eat more after working out so I won't NET below 1200, but getting any higher than that actually feels like I'm force feeding myself. One of the reasons I hate when people say "if you can't eat over 1200 then how did you get fat in the first place" Shall we compare the volume of food in a mcdonalds cheeseburger to a half ton of vegtables of the same amount of calores? lol.
It's true that it'd be hard to eat 350 calories worth of veggies compared to a cheeseburger, but it gets a lot easier to eat that much if you don't always choose the "low carb" veggies and add some healthy fats to your choices. One T of oil is 120 calories and sure makes those veggies taste better!0 -
it is hard to eat that much without eating junk. I burn anywhere from 600-900 when I exercise and normally feel full with about 1500 total calories. I'll force myself to eat more after working out so I won't NET below 1200, but getting any higher than that actually feels like I'm force feeding myself. One of the reasons I hate when people say "if you can't eat over 1200 then how did you get fat in the first place" Shall we compare the volume of food in a mcdonalds cheeseburger to a half ton of vegtables of the same amount of calores? lol.
it just means you have to eat smarter not more. Higher calorie foods; adding nuts, avocado, cook foods in EVOO, high calorie protein drinks or bars and my personal favorite... eating peanut butter out of a jar. Or you can also add cheese to items and even if you have a few "unhealthier" items, it's still serves it's purpose. Heck, when I go through bulk phases, I need to eat over 3200 calories. I make up for it with higher calorie foods.
See I was doing all kinds of nuts/peanut butter/ evoo etc. But it seems like every time I add in these things I go over on my fats, even when the rest of my food is low fat etc. is it ok since it's "healthier fats" or Should I still freak out when the red number stares at me saying -10 lol. Thanks for helping!0 -
it is hard to eat that much without eating junk. I burn anywhere from 600-900 when I exercise and normally feel full with about 1500 total calories. I'll force myself to eat more after working out so I won't NET below 1200, but getting any higher than that actually feels like I'm force feeding myself. One of the reasons I hate when people say "if you can't eat over 1200 then how did you get fat in the first place" Shall we compare the volume of food in a mcdonalds cheeseburger to a half ton of vegtables of the same amount of calores? lol.
it just means you have to eat smarter not more. Higher calorie foods; adding nuts, avocado, cook foods in EVOO, high calorie protein drinks or bars and my personal favorite... eating peanut butter out of a jar. Or you can also add cheese to items and even if you have a few "unhealthier" items, it's still serves it's purpose. Heck, when I go through bulk phases, I need to eat over 3200 calories. I make up for it with higher calorie foods.
See I was doing all kinds of nuts/peanut butter/ evoo etc. But it seems like every time I add in these things I go over on my fats, even when the rest of my food is low fat etc. is it ok since it's "healthier fats" or Should I still freak out when the red number stares at me saying -10 lol. Thanks for helping!
Think of fats and protein as minimums. Fats are very healthy for you; they improve hair, nails, joint lubrication, etc... And give you more satiety. And with programs like insanity, you don't want to go less than 1800 calories.0 -
at your weight I would think burning 700 calories in 2 hours would be really difficult but if you think the HM is accurate, just eat what you want and track, see if you are maintaining, or losing, or gaining.
And you have to stick with it for 4 weeks, things have a way of balancing out over time, if not in a day, so don't worry so much about the day-to-day.0 -
you can always cut down on cardio, i know its difficult, but at least that way you wouldnt have to eat more. and psulemon gave some good advice.
and NET is more important to focus on.0 -
it is hard to eat that much without eating junk. I burn anywhere from 600-900 when I exercise and normally feel full with about 1500 total calories. I'll force myself to eat more after working out so I won't NET below 1200, but getting any higher than that actually feels like I'm force feeding myself. One of the reasons I hate when people say "if you can't eat over 1200 then how did you get fat in the first place" Shall we compare the volume of food in a mcdonalds cheeseburger to a half ton of vegtables of the same amount of calores? lol.
it just means you have to eat smarter not more. Higher calorie foods; adding nuts, avocado, cook foods in EVOO, high calorie protein drinks or bars and my personal favorite... eating peanut butter out of a jar. Or you can also add cheese to items and even if you have a few "unhealthier" items, it's still serves it's purpose. Heck, when I go through bulk phases, I need to eat over 3200 calories. I make up for it with higher calorie foods.
See I was doing all kinds of nuts/peanut butter/ evoo etc. But it seems like every time I add in these things I go over on my fats, even when the rest of my food is low fat etc. is it ok since it's "healthier fats" or Should I still freak out when the red number stares at me saying -10 lol. Thanks for helping!
Looks like you changed your MFP preset macros to 40/20/40 carbs/fat/protein. Why not change it to 35/30/35 or 40/30/30? I don't think you really need 172 g protein a day at your current weight. That's almost 1.5 g/pound which is higher even that most bodybuilding things I've seen.0 -
You can get just as good a mood impact from 60 minutes a day. 2 hours a day is unnecessary and will actually be detrimental to your health in the long run, especially eating at the level you are. I speak from experience, having been there myself, with exercising that much for mood improvement and weight loss. I would also say, you do not look as if you need to lose weight, if that is you in your profile picture. I can manage to get in over 2000 calories, without eating junk, by incorporating nuts, whole hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, greek yoghurt, chicken, vegetables, fruits, the odd dried fruit bar, baked sweet potato, wild rice, beans and salmon into my weekly diet.
If you feel the need to keep up that sort of activity, I suggest you work on getting enough nutrition to fuel it.
I keep my macros at 45c, 25p and 30f.0 -
My macros are set at 40/30/30
and im not trying to loose. i really just want to lose the fat i have on my belly and tone up.0
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