Not eating enough?

lluckenbaugh
lluckenbaugh Posts: 12 Member
in Food and Nutrition
For the last 4 monthes, I have only ate breakfast (Slim Fast high protein shake) and a very healthy supper of either fish or chicken (boneless, skinless, broiled). Since all the veggies are coming in season, I have been making a huge bowl of summer squash, zucchini, carrots, brocolli, cauliflower and a small new red potato. Cubed up, sprinkled with Mrs. Dash salt free seasoning and roasted under foil for an hour. This makes me very full and I have no desire to eat in bed, which was my biggest down fall. Topped off with a small cup of applesauce. The stupid thing is telling me to eat more, I'm not eating enough. But I'm full and satisfied. I'm watching carbs./cal./fat. very closely, mostly carbs. I drink 64-90 ozs. of water a day. and about five 8 oz. cups of coffee. I feel great, better then I have felt in years. Have lost a total of 64 lbs. since Christmas.

What can I do to up the calorie count, but not the carbs.?

Replies

  • j6o4
    j6o4 Posts: 871 Member
    Higher fat protein sources like beef and salmon, avacado, nuts, cheese. Fats help regulate hormomes.
  • lluckenbaugh
    lluckenbaugh Posts: 12 Member
    Tonight I added 3 oz. of baked Haddock to my 4 oz. of broiled boneless, skinless Chicken breast. Lots and lots of fresh steamed veggies and I still only got it up to 887 calories. Wouldn't you think if my body was in starvation mode, I would have no energy and want to sleep? I have lots of energy and feel great. :ohwell:
  • seblagg
    seblagg Posts: 42
    If I read your profile correctly, you're in the 300 lb. range? You need more calories. Perhaps try smaller meals throughout the day?
  • Lmns218
    Lmns218 Posts: 155
    Why don't you eat lunch? your appetite is probably low because you drink an awful lot of caffeine.
  • smchot
    smchot Posts: 3
    If you don't eat the proper amount of calories, you will start to lose muscle, not only fat. I agree with seblagg, you should try eating smaller meals throughout the day, lean protein, fruits, and veggies.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Add more meals and snacks. Put more food in your mouth. If you don't want to eat carbs for whatever reason, don't. Eat lots of fat and protein instead. Simple.
  • lizzzylou
    lizzzylou Posts: 325
    Why do you want to up your calorie count? If what your doing is working and you're saying you're not having any side effects, I don't understand. If it ain't broke don't fix it...
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    You may not realize your calorie expenditure vs what you are actually eating. Here's my story.

    A while ago, I'd gotten myself to 200lbs and was super unhealthy. I would get out of breath bending over looking for my shoes on the floor by my bed. I found MFP and stuck to the calories it gave me. I reached a point after about 20lbs down that I wasn't really losing weight. I'd go forever and get frustrated that I wasn't losing weight like I should with the calories I'd been eating, especially when I'd made sure I was exercising more and working even harder. There were days I had a cheat day, like I went to the movie theater and went over my calories, but THOSE were the days I lost weight!!! I was given some amazing macros by a friend, where I tracked every single protein, carb and fat gram I ate and it was exactly the same every day. This put me at about 1500 calories a day. I began to lose consistently but at this point I wasn't able to work out at all because of other factors in my life. I eventually made it down to almost 150. I felt great, I was able to get by on those calories and I was strict and felt like I couldn't ever fit anything in that I didn't need... had to keep it down to the bare minimum... lots of veggies and less sugars so I could feel full and make it through the day. Sometimes I'd feel like if I worked out, I would have a harder time to lose weight and I powerlifted, so I had lots of muscle that a normal girl my size didn't... so I suspected I burned more calories than MFP thought I did... but could never prove it so couldn't act on my suspicions.

    I ended up falling off the wagon, couldn't get back on for quite a while. I got back up to 175-180 and started using MFP again. This time, a few weeks in... my boyfriend bought me the bodymedia fit armband. This shows me my daily calorie burn is actually usually closer to 3000 and sometimes much higher. This tells me my activity level is higher, meaning I should have been eating more the whole time. I had been really over doing it the time before and although I lost weight then, I feel like now I'm losing it easier. I don't own a scale now, but I can see the big changes my increased calories make. I feel better, I feel like I actually have to eat more than I'd expect some days to keep up with my exercise levels and seriously get 500-1000 extra calories every day compared to what I'd been at before because of it. My body thins out visibly after just a few weeks and I am able to eat way more. There was one day I actually bought myself cookies because I needed more calories that day! Dieting has become EASIER.

    You may feel fine and you are acheiving some results, but it may actually be better for your body to try eating more. Try to fit in a small snack every day... just 200 calories between that breakfast and your dinner. Carrots and ranch or celery and peanut butter. You might discover you would lose weight BETTER by eating that extra food.
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    Why do you want to up your calorie count? If what your doing is working and you're saying you're not having any side effects, I don't understand. If it ain't broke don't fix it...
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    Add a protein shake, tuna pouches or baggy of cooked meats, if focused away from carbs.
  • jess6742
    jess6742 Posts: 146
    Just add in a healthy lunch. You need to fuel your body.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    This!! I am 6 ft. Male and am maintaining at 4000 calories a day.... I never ate less than 2500 (3000 most of the time) I lost over 300 lbs. Your body has no choice but to adjust to such a low caloric intake doesn't mean it (your body) likes it... There is a good chance you are burning up just as much lean body mass as your are fat....
  • fghtffyrDEMONS
    fghtffyrDEMONS Posts: 32 Member
    Add a protein shake, tuna pouches or baggy of cooked meats, if focused away from carbs.

    ^What he said. Make smart decisions and plan out your (low carb) lunches before hand.
    It might be a little terrifying at first to eat more but your body will thank you!

    You just don't want to lose all this weight and gain it back in the end - which can happen if you don't eat more calories. Your body is going to hold on to whatever it has!
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    What if the 1200 calories is made up of boneless skinless chicken breast and fresh vegetables over the course of a day. That is a lot of food and plenty of nutrients. I don't feel like I am starving.
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    This!! I am 6 ft. Male and am maintaining at 4000 calories a day.... I never ate less than 2500 (3000 most of the time) I lost over 300 lbs. Your body has no choice but to adjust to such a low caloric intake doesn't mean it (your body) likes it... There is a good chance you are burning up just as much lean body mass as your are fat....

    To become morbidly obese I gained more lean body mass than I should have. I need to lose some of that as well.

    My plan is to get closer to my goal weight and then begin stronglifts and eat more to fuel those workouts.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    This!! I am 6 ft. Male and am maintaining at 4000 calories a day.... I never ate less than 2500 (3000 most of the time) I lost over 300 lbs. Your body has no choice but to adjust to such a low caloric intake doesn't mean it (your body) likes it... There is a good chance you are burning up just as much lean body mass as your are fat....

    To become morbidly obese I gained more lean body mass than I should have. I need to lose some of that as well.

    My plan is to get closer to my goal weight and then begin stronglifts and eat more to fuel those workouts.

    So you want to burn up lean body mass instead of maintaining it by eating a caloric intake that promotes this only to begin stronglifts to eat in a surplus to put it back on along with fat because you will gain that too? Seems legit..... Best of Luck.....
  • JaymeJaime
    JaymeJaime Posts: 18 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    You don't have to up your calories, unless you aren't getting enough protein. Your body fat is providing the extra calories that you need!
  • bepeejaye
    bepeejaye Posts: 775 Member
    Why do you want to up your calorie count? If what your doing is working and you're saying you're not having any side effects, I don't understand. If it ain't broke don't fix it...

    I concur! :)
    I have been trying to hit the 1200 caloric goal to no avail (especially for those days when I do cardio). I have breakfast at 5:30a, snack at 9:30 a, lunch at 12:30 p, snack at 3:30 p, and supper at 7:30p. I workout six days a week (3 cardio, 3 strength training), and drink lots of water!

    It no longer is a concern to me about not reaching the caloric goal. I measure mi chest, biceps, waist, hips etc every fortnight. I have a reliable heart rate monitor. In addition I have body composition analysis done. All these further reinforce mi resolve of not fretting about the caloric goal :)

    If it ever happens (it has happened once when I went over 1200 by 24 calories), then it happens. I will not lose mi mind over it.
  • Symonep
    Symonep Posts: 181 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    This!! I am 6 ft. Male and am maintaining at 4000 calories a day.... I never ate less than 2500 (3000 most of the time) I lost over 300 lbs. Your body has no choice but to adjust to such a low caloric intake doesn't mean it (your body) likes it... There is a good chance you are burning up just as much lean body mass as your are fat....


    I think I'd be listening to the guy who has lost over 300lbs!!!
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    This!! I am 6 ft. Male and am maintaining at 4000 calories a day.... I never ate less than 2500 (3000 most of the time) I lost over 300 lbs. Your body has no choice but to adjust to such a low caloric intake doesn't mean it (your body) likes it... There is a good chance you are burning up just as much lean body mass as your are fat....


    I think I'd be listening to the guy who has lost over 300lbs!!!

    He is a beast who is in the gym lifting very heavy things. (check out his pics wouldn't want none of that in a dark alley) She is 46 and not working out. They have very different daily caloric needs.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    This!! I am 6 ft. Male and am maintaining at 4000 calories a day.... I never ate less than 2500 (3000 most of the time) I lost over 300 lbs. Your body has no choice but to adjust to such a low caloric intake doesn't mean it (your body) likes it... There is a good chance you are burning up just as much lean body mass as your are fat....


    I think I'd be listening to the guy who has lost over 300lbs!!!

    He is a beast who is in the gym lifting very heavy things. (check out his pics wouldn't want none of that in a dark alley) She is 46 and not working out. They have very different daily caloric needs.

    Ah see that is always a bad idea to assume!! I do not lift heavy (at all) I have grade 3 osteoarthritis both knee, no cartilage both knee's, no meniscus left in either knee, and a torn ACL in my left knee (all do to my weight) I have a pinched nerve in my neck and no feeling in my index finger or thumb on my right hand, and chronic lower back problems from delivering beer for 12 years in my 20-to early 30's. I do lift (light weights with high reps) but my exercise is primarily cardio in nature (swimming laps, seated elliptical,walking,etc) I couldn't even walk 4 years ago at 560 lbs. so my therapist used water displacement to allow me to stand in a therapy pool so that I could walk from one side of the pool to the other. I did this the first 17 months and lost 170 lbs. before being fitted for custom knee braces so that I could start exercising outside of the pool and eating at a caloric intake that aloud me to loose weight while maintaining my lean body mass... I had a BMI of 74 when I started and what you are seeing in those pictures has more to do with uncovering (loosing fat) what muscle I maintained and far less to do with any muscle gained from lifting because I have never been in a calorie surplus long enough to build any muscle... I eat to fuel my body, food get such a bad rap around these forums at times... eating under 1000 calories for anyone over an extended period of time will eventually catch up with you... oh and I am no spring chicken either at 43....
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    What if the 1200 calories is made up of boneless skinless chicken breast and fresh vegetables over the course of a day. That is a lot of food and plenty of nutrients. I don't feel like I am starving.

    Doesn't change anything. 1200 calories of anything is not a lot of food and is definitely lacking in nutrients for a 5'11" male. I would seriously reconsider what you're doing. Granted, you seem to want to lose muscle mass so I guess you're choosing the right path for that. I just don't understand why you'd want to do that. Less muscle mass == lower daily caloric expenditure, lower strength, poorer aesthetics...all negatives. No positives to losing muscle mass.
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    This!! I am 6 ft. Male and am maintaining at 4000 calories a day.... I never ate less than 2500 (3000 most of the time) I lost over 300 lbs. Your body has no choice but to adjust to such a low caloric intake doesn't mean it (your body) likes it... There is a good chance you are burning up just as much lean body mass as your are fat....


    I think I'd be listening to the guy who has lost over 300lbs!!!

    He is a beast who is in the gym lifting very heavy things. (check out his pics wouldn't want none of that in a dark alley) She is 46 and not working out. They have very different daily caloric needs.

    Ah see that is always a bad idea to assume!! I do not lift heavy (at all) I have grade 3 osteoarthritis both knee, no cartilage both knee's, no meniscus left in either knee, and a torn ACL in my left knee (all do to my weight) I have a pinched nerve in my neck and no feeling in my index finger or thumb on my right hand, and chronic lower back problems from delivering beer for 12 years in my 20-to early 30's. I do lift (light weights with high reps) but my exercise is primarily cardio in nature (swimming laps, seated elliptical,walking,etc) I couldn't even walk 4 years ago at 560 lbs. so my therapist used water displacement to allow me to stand in a therapy pool so that I could walk from one side of the pool to the other. I did this the first 17 months and lost 170 lbs. before being fitted for custom knee braces so that I could start exercising outside of the pool and eating at a caloric intake that aloud me to loose weight while maintaining my lean body mass... I had a BMI of 74 when I started and what you are seeing in those pictures has more to do with uncovering (loosing fat) what muscle I maintained and far less to do with any muscle gained from lifting because I have never been in a calorie surplus long enough to build any muscle... I eat to fuel my body, food get such a bad rap around these forums at times... eating under 1000 calories for anyone over an extended period of time will eventually catch up with you... oh and I am no spring chicken either at 43....

    You got me there I jumped to conclusions based on your pictures.
  • arlenem1974
    arlenem1974 Posts: 437 Member
    I eat 1400 calories per day. If I only eat healthy foods I would be full long before I got to 1200 so I eat fat not a lot but just enough to get that 25/35 percent that we should be eating every day. I have lost 59 lbs. since September but 71 in total.
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    I am not convinced you need to eat more. There is no such thing as starvation mode. 900-1200 calories is plenty for a sedate 46 year old. I am a 5'11" male and only eat 1200-1400 per day.

    This gentlemen only ate 800 calories per day for an entire year.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1060456-198-lbs-lost-in-a-little-over-a-year-d

    This is terrible advice, do not listen to this. A 5'11" male should be eating 50% more than that, easily. Using examples of people doing starvation diets does not make it all right.

    What if the 1200 calories is made up of boneless skinless chicken breast and fresh vegetables over the course of a day. That is a lot of food and plenty of nutrients. I don't feel like I am starving.

    Doesn't change anything. 1200 calories of anything is not a lot of food and is definitely lacking in nutrients for a 5'11" male. I would seriously reconsider what you're doing. Granted, you seem to want to lose muscle mass so I guess you're choosing the right path for that. I just don't understand why you'd want to do that. Less muscle mass == lower daily caloric expenditure, lower strength, poorer aesthetics...all negatives. No positives to losing muscle mass.

    I read this and thought I had a solid plan. What is your opinion?

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/training-the-obese-beginner-part-2.html
  • lluckenbaugh
    lluckenbaugh Posts: 12 Member
    Wow, tons of answers. Some I like and some I don't LOL. I don't eat lunch, cause A. I don't get up til after lunch B. I'm not hungry after the shake and banana and eat in the evening when I am hungry. C. I'm up til early morning, so see A. I walk a 20 minute mile in the evening when it is cooler. Yes, I was actually higher then 300 lb. I hit a grand total of 330 lb before Christmas, so I have actually lost 66 lbs.

    I see a lot of 'yes there is starvation mode' and 'No, there isn't.' I did a little tweaking to my goals, so that brought my daily calories intake down.

    I am so thankful for the weight I have lost. I no longer get short of breath from my bedroom to the kitchen, I can put on socks and tie my shoes. My high blood pressure in way down, almost normal. I no longer take a fluid pill. I found bones :O). My children are not ashamed of me anymore. BIG PLUS: I did not resort back to smoking to lose weight like I always have in the past. SMOKE FREE FOR OVER 2 YRS.

    I have 100 lbs. to go yet, but have promised my son that after the next 20 lb. loss, I will take him horseback riding. I figure I won't be 'cruelty to animals' in pink shirt and jeans :O).

    I'm aiming for more fish and chicken. HATE Tuna...gak...gag. I have a lot of venison and will eat beef, hate pork. Discovering all the wonderful veggies that are good to eat, that I never tried before, has been awesome. I bake/stream them and boil them. Gonna do some dried one's for snacks.

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