Red flags to eat more???

kmorris246
kmorris246 Posts: 312 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I consider myself a pretty fit/active person with a healthy eating lifestyle. For the longest time, I've been eating between 1600-1800 cals/day. The past week or so, I've been feeling a bit under the weather. Tired, hungry all the time, and headaches. I normally try not to eat over 1800 cals/day, b/c I have one enormous splurge day/week. Right now, I work out 5x a week. 3 of those days I run (usually about 6 mi/day) and the other 2 days I do a mix of Nike Training Club and upper body lifting.

I have maintained my weight for a long time now, so I'm a bit scared to up calories? However, I feel that maybe the signs are pointing to needing more calories to support my activity level?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys :-)

Replies

  • elvensnow
    elvensnow Posts: 154 Member
    First I would ask how long it's been since you've taken a break?

    I usually find if I work out pretty intensely for 4-6 weeks I definitely start to get sluggish, more prone to illness, and generally just tired and hungry. By that time I know I need to take a week OFF. And that means no exercise, other than maybe some easy walking. I still keep my diet in check though, eating less if necessary. But even taking a break from the diet can do wonders for you as well. Especially if you are starting to feel sick, getting better trumps dieting.

    And if you're just on maintenance this makes even more sense. At the very least I'd up the calorie intake for as active as you are.
  • kmorris246
    kmorris246 Posts: 312 Member
    Its so funny that you would ask that... I usually take a week break about every 3 months or so, and its been a LONG while since I've taken a rest week. Probably sometime back in early Spring?

    It may be time for a rest week! And kind of perfect timing as my kiddos are getting ready to head back to school in exactly a week ;-)

    Thanks for the suggestion!

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