Anyone else? Allowed more calories means more junk?

Allup2Me78
Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I want to know if anyone else understands where I am coming from....I like to keep my calories on the lower end, maybe around 1400-1500 a day because it restricts me more-meaning if I have less calories, I eat less crap. I was told by soooo many people that me being 4 ft 10 & still weighing 192 that I need more calories than that so I decided to start back eating closer to my TDEE-20 & and above my BMR which puts me at about 1700 calories a day...I dnt want to eat 1700 everyday-it makes me paranoid that it is too much food so I decided to eat 1500 on non workout days and 1700 on days I workout. I feel like at 1700, it gives me too much leadway to eat things that are not so healthy sometimes. I know that I am not perfect and only human but when my calories are lower-for some reason I eat less crap!!

I normally workout on the lower end of about 30-35 min burning anywhere from 160-250 each time about 4 times a week. Nothing strenuos (health reasons) so I figured I really didn't need alot of food.
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Replies

  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    Are you losing the weight that you want to lose with the calories you've been eating? I don't eat based on my TDEE, etc. I have played with the numbers & have found something that works (the magic number) to make the scale behave. lol But what works for me, may not work for you, everybody is different. I do have days that I splurge, & other days of eating bunny food (lots of salads & veggies).

    Add me if you'd like to join my support team! :)
  • jojo86xdd
    jojo86xdd Posts: 202 Member
    Relaaaaax. Upping you calories by 200 calories is no different than eating at 1500. eat your extra 200 calories, log it, and move on. I think you're giving this waaay too much thought.
  • iheartmy1dog
    iheartmy1dog Posts: 207
    I eat more junk/snack food when I have more cals. I'm suppose to eat 1650 plus exercise cals(so about 2650) according to the dietician... I have so many extra cals at the end of the day lots of times I'll have chocolate or ice cream or I'll make cookies sometimes.. Or just other snack food like popcorn, crackers, etc. I'm pretty happy w/ my current weight and doing this doesn't make me gain but I am trying to change the habit because it's not very nutritious
  • Siansonea
    Siansonea Posts: 917 Member
    I eat junk regardless. Calorie limit makes no difference on that score. I shan't give up the junk! :drinker:
  • NH_Norma
    NH_Norma Posts: 332 Member
    me! But sometimes I work out extra hard just so I CAN have more "junk". I know I won't give it up forever, so this seems like a smart way for me to live. If I build a habit of working off the junk, I'm perfectly happy with that. :drinker:

    ETA: I do try to be aware of nutrition and eat the right stuff too.
  • aimforhealthy
    aimforhealthy Posts: 449 Member
    There's no such thing as junk. Food has no moral value. It's just food. :)
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I am curious as to what is junk.

    To me, food is food and I work what I like into my calorie allowance each day, or I go over the calorie limit once in a while, in order to have that special treat I like.
  • YesIAm17
    YesIAm17 Posts: 817 Member
    Unless it is outright toxic/poison/etc (even if consumed in moderate doses) then it isn't junk food.

    Ice Cream, Cookies, Cake, Candy Bars =/= Junk Food.

    Sewage, Pure Concentrated Carcinogens, Asbestos, Lead Paint Chips, Rat Poison = Junk Food.

    That being said... IIFYM period /endthread
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    Just started the new calorie goals like 3 days ago...1500 on rest days and 1700 on workout days..I am the same as you..I have my days where I really feel like a bunny and then days I splurge a good bit..I'd like to be one to lose weekly but I go weeks without losing.
    Are you losing the weight that you want to lose with the calories you've been eating? I don't eat based on my TDEE, etc. I have played with the numbers & have found something that works (the magic number) to make the scale behave. lol But what works for me, may not work for you, everybody is different. I do have days that I splurge, & other days of eating bunny food (lots of salads & veggies).

    Add me if you'd like to join my support team! :)
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    That's your opinion to say I am giving it too much thought but when I have people telling me I am eating too less or too many carbs or too much processed and the scale is not moving on a constant basis-I am not sure that I can just realax because I am on mfp to LOSE weight. Not for the scale to stay the same for 3 wks or more or back and forth with the same #'s
    Relaaaaax. Upping you calories by 200 calories is no different than eating at 1500. eat your extra 200 calories, log it, and move on. I think you're giving this waaay too much thought.
  • Hildy_J
    Hildy_J Posts: 1,050 Member
    If you have a lot of weight to lose still then you could use the TDEE-30% as advised in the roadmap thread.

    You're doing great by the way!
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    Righhhhht! I am glad you get what I am saying..That is my whole point! I still eat healthy foods also but with extra calories it allows me to throw other things in there that are not healthy and I would like to stay more healthy than anything but I seem to eat more things that I shldnt when allowed more calories to play with.
    I eat more junk/snack food when I have more cals. I'm suppose to eat 1650 plus exercise cals(so about 2650) according to the dietician... I have so many extra cals at the end of the day lots of times I'll have chocolate or ice cream or I'll make cookies sometimes.. Or just other snack food like popcorn, crackers, etc. I'm pretty happy w/ my current weight and doing this doesn't make me gain but I am trying to change the habit because it's not very nutritious
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    Tdee-20% for me is 1753 and my BMR is 1593 so that is why I came up with 1700 to put it it kind of close to both #'s. I was always told never go over 25% tdee deficit..Never even heard of a deficit of 30%. I will look into this if the 1500/1700 goals dnt work. Thanks :)
    If you have a lot of weight to lose still then you could use the TDEE-30% as advised in the roadmap thread.

    You're doing great by the way!
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    But..are your macros ever in the red? like carbs?
    I am curious as to what is junk.

    To me, food is food and I work what I like into my calorie allowance each day, or I go over the calorie limit once in a while, in order to have that special treat I like.
  • jpace00
    jpace00 Posts: 55
    That's all a preference thing. Maybe you really don't need as many calories as recommended. But if you do and you're consistently running a caloric deficit that will be detrimental to your goal. What seems to be your issue is calories toward the end of the day, then you eat junk. I would re-evaluate what you are eating throughout the day. If you are consistently coming up with extra calories throw in some almonds or something like that as a mid day snack. High in calories but good for you. Same for a protein shake. If you run your calories down before night hits it should help your urge to snack. Also keeping some of these things out of the house will help if you can.
  • Hildy_J
    Hildy_J Posts: 1,050 Member
    Tdee-20% for me is 1753 and my BMR is 1593 so that is why I came up with 1700 to put it it kind of close to both #'s. I was always told never go over 25% tdee deficit..Never even heard of a deficit of 30%. I will look into this if the 1500/1700 goals dnt work. Thanks :)

    Here's the thread I mentioned, it's very helpful - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    Thanks for the advice. Both things named as well as other healthier snacks like greek yogurt, granola etc are already included also. I mean junk like baked lays, popcorn, 90 calorie fiber one brownies, crackers in the box..like more processed foods are my weakness and carbs
    That's all a preference thing. Maybe you really don't need as many calories as recommended. But if you do and you're consistently running a caloric deficit that will be detrimental to your goal. What seems to be your issue is calories toward the end of the day, then you eat junk. I would re-evaluate what you are eating throughout the day. If you are consistently coming up with extra calories throw in some almonds or something like that as a mid day snack. High in calories but good for you. Same for a protein shake. If you run your calories down before night hits it should help your urge to snack. Also keeping some of these things out of the house will help if you can.
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    Thanks, about to check it out now. :wink:
    Tdee-20% for me is 1753 and my BMR is 1593 so that is why I came up with 1700 to put it it kind of close to both #'s. I was always told never go over 25% tdee deficit..Never even heard of a deficit of 30%. I will look into this if the 1500/1700 goals dnt work. Thanks :)

    Here's the thread I mentioned, it's very helpful - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
  • walleyclan1
    walleyclan1 Posts: 2,784 Member
    I hear you. When I was in weight loss mode I had to make every calorie count towards meeting my nutrition goal. With maintenance came a nearly 400 calorie increase in my daily allowance and so now I basically eat the same as before except with a giant cookie or mini milk shake etc each day.
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    So, are you saying to lose you had to eat pretty healthy most of the time?
    I hear you. When I was in weight loss mode I had to make every calorie count towards meeting my nutrition goal. With maintenance came a nearly 400 calorie increase in my daily allowance and so now I basically eat the same as before except with a giant cookie or mini milk shake etc each day.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    You talk as if you believe eating 200 'extra' calories for a few days is going to do irreparable damage or something.

    It's really not healthy to have that much emotion/fear associated with food, especially when you're talking about raising your calorie goal by a small amount to determine the effect.
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    I am pretty sure it isn't healthy because it does stress me to the max and that is why I am on here asking for advice..I have switched my calories sooo much to try and figure out what the good # is for me so it is not really just a 200 calorie jump..I was even at 1300 calories a day at one point.
    You talk as if you believe eating 200 'extra' calories for a few days is going to do irreparable damage or something.

    It's really not healthy to have that much emotion/fear associated with food, especially when you're talking about raising your calorie goal by a small amount to determine the effect.
  • Allup2Me78
    Allup2Me78 Posts: 589 Member
    Just like everyone had to and has to find that right # for them, so do I...I jst feel 1700 cal for a woman 4 ft 10 is alot but I am going to stick to this for 4-6 wks to see how it goes.
    You talk as if you believe eating 200 'extra' calories for a few days is going to do irreparable damage or something.

    It's really not healthy to have that much emotion/fear associated with food, especially when you're talking about raising your calorie goal by a small amount to determine the effect.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    You talk as if you believe eating 200 'extra' calories for a few days is going to do irreparable damage or something.

    It's really not healthy to have that much emotion/fear associated with food, especially when you're talking about raising your calorie goal by a small amount to determine the effect.

    This. Also quotes work like this. :flowerforyou:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Yep I eat my extra calories as junk and it's delicious.
  • Ophidion
    Ophidion Posts: 2,065 Member
    My junk has always been more than adequate no matter what I eat :wink:
  • walleyclan1
    walleyclan1 Posts: 2,784 Member
    So, are you saying to lose you had to eat pretty healthy most of the time?
    I hear you. When I was in weight loss mode I had to make every calorie count towards meeting my nutrition goal. With maintenance came a nearly 400 calorie increase in my daily allowance and so now I basically eat the same as before except with a giant cookie or mini milk shake etc each day.

    I am saying that to lose weight AND intake adequate nutrition, I had to temporarily cut WAY back on junk. Once I hit maintenance mode I could meet my nutritional needs AND eat a 400 calorie cookie if I want to because I have learned how to eat more nutritious food
  • Gwennie60
    Gwennie60 Posts: 19 Member
    I am 4' 11" and I eat roughly 1600- 2000 cals a day. I find that even on a day I do not exercise, if I drop my cals too low I will not lose ... I will eventually plateau. 1600 is about my sweet spot but if I workout really hard ... and do not add the extra cals ... I will find the scale to be very uncooperative! I am losing consistently and have been since January, no plateau at all. I have lost nearly 40 #'s and since I upped my calories I am losing more consistently (which seems counter-intuitive but it is working). I try to eat pretty healthy but I do not deny myself as I am very much a food lover! I figure if I am going to keep this weight off ... I can't deny myself what I love. If I over do it (which I did when I went out to dinner the other night) then I might hop on the elliptical and burn a few more cals or I just call it a day and move on because it's going to happen. I remember feeling like that when I first started this process (being small and middle aged) I could not fathom eating healthy calories at this high of a number and losing weight! As you go along, you will find what will work for you ... but please, please, please ... do not allow yourself to become an emotional hostage to your calories or the scale. Life is messy and if we get too caught up in how our day to day goes ... it can really do a number on how we think. This is a process ... a lifestyle. There isn't a human alive who has not made errors along the way ... be gentle with yourself and if you go over a day, shake it off and move on to the next day and make it better. I guess what I wanted to say is, it may seem like a lot of cals for someone short like us ... but I am doing it and I am losing! :happy:

    PS: Are you taking measurements? Those are really helpful as the scale is not always accurate and for us women it can really be stressful with all our hormonal stuff happening. Measurements are a great motivator for me when the scale is being finicky ... my measurement loss always makes me feel better! :tongue: Good luck to you!!
    Just like everyone had to and has to find that right # for them, so do I...I jst feel 1700 cal for a woman 4 ft 10 is alot but I am going to stick to this for 4-6 wks to see how it goes.
    You talk as if you believe eating 200 'extra' calories for a few days is going to do irreparable damage or something.

    It's really not healthy to have that much emotion/fear associated with food, especially when you're talking about raising your calorie goal by a small amount to determine the effect.
  • darkrose20
    darkrose20 Posts: 1,139 Member
    That's your opinion to say I am giving it too much thought but when I have people telling me I am eating too less or too many carbs or too much processed and the scale is not moving on a constant basis-I am not sure that I can just realax because I am on mfp to LOSE weight. Not for the scale to stay the same for 3 wks or more or back and forth with the same #'s

    I'm sorry you are frustrated and not seeing consistent movement. It will go down, though....weight loss looks like a sawtooth on the graph. You won't be able to see it by my graph on MFP, because I only put my successes on here...but...where I write my weight at home goes something like this:

    Lost 1 lb, lost another, lost another, gained one, gained a half, gained another half, gained another half (crap is the scale broken?), gained another half, lost a pound, lost another pound, lost a half, lost another pound (wow, the scale is working right again), lost another half pound (oh, yeah, I should log this success), gained a half pound back (crap).

    For the record, I log my weight offline every...single...day. It's the way of the world for the scale to reflect an up and down. I know it's dissapointing, but it happens. I'm sorry you're going through such frustration with it, though.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I meet my protein (1g/#LBM) and fat (0.3g/#LBM) macros at 50% of my intake calorie goal on a rest day. On a workout day, it's more like ~35% of my calorie target.

    That leaves a LOT of room for "junk".

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