help! Starting a new job and burning too many calories

stevie_keas
stevie_keas Posts: 1 Member
edited February 7 in Food and Nutrition
I've lost 100 lbs, still have another 75 (5'7", 225 lb male). I was eating 1420 calories with a 1,000 calorie deficit. Just got a job where I'll be on my feet all day. Suddenly, I'm burning 2,000+ calories a day and my calorie goal is nearly 4,000 calories. I'm sure I ate that much 2 years ago before joining MFP, but I have no clue anymore as to how to eat that many calories! Any suggestions? That just seems like so much food. I'd have to eat huge meals or sneak back for food breaks every couple hours.

Replies

  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    Use butter or olive oil when you cook maybe? Don't use light/diet products. Add calorie dense foods to your meals.
  • YouHadMyCuriosity
    YouHadMyCuriosity Posts: 218 Member
    Some calorie dense foods might get you there- avocados, peanut butter, nuts, dark chocolate, protein shakes, olive oil, cheese, "fun foods".

    Congratulations on the weight loss so far!
  • mamacoates
    mamacoates Posts: 430 Member
    Maybe I am being naïve, but if you're in weight loss mode, if you're not hungry don't eat all those extra calories back ... Let your body adjust to the new schedule and I bet you'll be just fine. Having a job where you are more active is great for your overall goals, but just concentrate on eating healthy, lean meals throughout the day versus more than doubling your current calorie intake.

    Am I missing something??
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    nuts, nut butters, seeds, salmon, beef, lamb, tuna, avocado, cheese, greek yoghurt or any other full fat dairy...

    plan your day out if that helps, and enjoy the fact that you can eat all the food!
  • CallMeBacon
    CallMeBacon Posts: 196 Member
    Maybe I am being naïve, but if you're in weight loss mode, if you're not hungry don't eat all those extra calories back ... Let your body adjust to the new schedule and I bet you'll be just fine. Having a job where you are more active is great for your overall goals, but just concentrate on eating healthy, lean meals throughout the day versus more than doubling your current calorie intake.

    Am I missing something??

    ^^ In agreement with this. Drastically increasing your intake would be, IMO, a big step backwards. Enjoy the extra lift you're getting from that activity.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Maybe I am being naïve, but if you're in weight loss mode, if you're not hungry don't eat all those extra calories back ... Let your body adjust to the new schedule and I bet you'll be just fine. Having a job where you are more active is great for your overall goals, but just concentrate on eating healthy, lean meals throughout the day versus more than doubling your current calorie intake.

    Am I missing something??

    ^^ In agreement with this. Drastically increasing your intake would be, IMO, a big step backwards. Enjoy the extra lift you're getting from that activity.

    He already has a 1000 calorie a day deficit. Long term, too much of a deficit will be harmful. He is also already eating a very low amount of calories as it is.

    Slowly increasing your intake with calorie dense foods will get you where you need to be.
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    Maybe I am being naïve, but if you're in weight loss mode, if you're not hungry don't eat all those extra calories back ... Let your body adjust to the new schedule and I bet you'll be just fine. Having a job where you are more active is great for your overall goals, but just concentrate on eating healthy, lean meals throughout the day versus more than doubling your current calorie intake.

    Am I missing something??

    ^^ In agreement with this. Drastically increasing your intake would be, IMO, a big step backwards. Enjoy the extra lift you're getting from that activity.

    Agree with these comments. Starting a new job is stressful and takes time to learn. You may not burn so many calories at it long term as your mind and body adapt to the new environment. If you're not hungry, I'd give it several weeks/months before making any drastic change.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    How do you get your 1000 cal deficit? And being on your feet burns some cals but you have to realize its just a change in your activity level. Change it to active. I don't think you are burning that much extra. I'm on my feet a day and don't burn 2000 cals.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I'd definitely raise your calories from 1400, that's not healthy for any adult male to start with. Move your calories up to 1800 to start and see from there. Just being on your feet doesn't burn a huge amount more so I'd wait to see if you have any ill effects from the new job before getting too drastic.
  • CallMeBacon
    CallMeBacon Posts: 196 Member
    Maybe I am being naïve, but if you're in weight loss mode, if you're not hungry don't eat all those extra calories back ... Let your body adjust to the new schedule and I bet you'll be just fine. Having a job where you are more active is great for your overall goals, but just concentrate on eating healthy, lean meals throughout the day versus more than doubling your current calorie intake.

    Am I missing something??

    ^^ In agreement with this. Drastically increasing your intake would be, IMO, a big step backwards. Enjoy the extra lift you're getting from that activity.

    He already has a 1000 calorie a day deficit. Long term, too much of a deficit will be harmful. He is also already eating a very low amount of calories as it is.

    Slowly increasing your intake with calorie dense foods will get you where you need to be.

    I really doubt he has that high of a deficit, honestly. It's super hard to accurately track the effect of activity (I find that MFP calculators grossly over-estimate the caloric burn of activities).

    That being said - the easiest way to tell if you're in the ball park or not is to evaluate your weight loss. Has it dramatically increased since starting your job? If your rate of loss is too high, then add back some calories. If it's not, leave well enough alone.
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