Feels like I'm eating too much?

Calico_1984
Calico_1984 Posts: 2
edited February 7 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey,

So after having a baby I tipped the scales at a shameful 171lb, the weight is slowly dropping off and after using the myfitness app I have been advised to net 1200 calls a day. I'm breastfeeding, taking my baby everywhere in the sling and doing 20min circuit training a day but am constantly below my required cal intake. The funny thing is that I feel stuffed on what I'm eating. Has anyone else found this? Feel free to check my diary :)

Replies

  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    Your diary is closed, but a few standard questions -

    How tall are you and how old are you?
    Do you weigh and measure everything you consume?
    How are you estimating the caloric burn?
    Do you eat back the exercise calories?
    Do you log what you drink (coffee, milk, juice, water)?

    And you want to ensure your supply isn't going to diminish. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, you need to add at least 500 calories a day to your goal (I believe you can add it in like a food and it will add 500 calories to your day)
  • Calico_1984
    Calico_1984 Posts: 2
    Ah I thought it was on public. I'm 28, 5.6 tall.

    I'm not including the 500cal burn on the app, but yep being very careful about measuring cals with food. I have a wrist calorie calculator that estimates what I've done. But yeah I'm still under (my net amount) and yet completely full from what I'm eating. I don't want to hinder my weight loss by not eating enough but eating anymore feels like it would do the same!
  • JustJennie13
    JustJennie13 Posts: 218
    I do know that some people will scream at you for not getting 1200 NET calories. But the way my diet works.... I have embraced all of the "myths" and it works for me. I eat every two hours. My calories are set at 1668 because this is what is recommended for nutrition for MY current height, weight, and body fat percentage. I work out every day and typically burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories. I wear a FitBit but do not count the calories burned in my every day life. I don't eat after 7... And there are some days that I don't reach 1200 NET. I am not worried about it. Why? My body tells me if I need to eat more. If I have a very hard work out session and my typical eating ALL day long still leaves me feeling hungry I eat. The only MEDICAL studies you will find advise against CONSUMING less that 1200 calories a day. I always meet my calories goals for consuming... Maybe you should try the TDEE method that is used a lot here too. Or you can try this....

    http://weighing-success.com/NutritionalNeeds.html#Nutritional_Calculator
  • kyleekay10
    kyleekay10 Posts: 1,812 Member
    1200 seems very low considering the fact that you're breastfeeding.

    I would consult your doctor in this case, to make sure you (and the baby) are getting proper nutrients.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    This doesn't surprise me as I am 211 lb and eat 1,410 calories per day and don't feel like I am deprived at all.
  • bethannien
    bethannien Posts: 556 Member
    Normally, I'd say that whatever works for you works. But I was breast feeding and eating at an extreme deficit (netting about 1000 cals per day) and my milk supply completely dried up by 3 months in. I felt so inadequate as a mother, it really did a number on me. I gained back all the weight I lost and felt very depressed every time I thought about it. Every case is different so I'm not saying it would happen necessarily, but if I could go back, I'd have eaten at less of a deficit until my daughter was closer to 6 months.

    Again, I'm not saying this is necessarily how it happens for everyone but I thought I should share my experience.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    I weighed in at 198 right before giving birth. Now 9 months out I'm down to 140. For a while I did 1300+500 for breastfeeding and then lowered it to 1200+500 and I was losing just fine. Now that my baby is on some solids I only add in 300. I think you should increase your calories for breastfeeding. You risk your supply drying up and becoming deficient in vitamins and minerals.

    Still can't see your diary but to meet your goal I would add in full fat dairy, nuts, things like that which are caloric dense foods but won't make you feel as full as veggies for example (veggies are fine too but just add different foods in).
  • j6o4
    j6o4 Posts: 871 Member
    You burn calories breastfeeding, so remember to eat those calories back.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Diary is still closed. Most people who have this problem are eating only low-cal, low-fat foods. If you're confident that you're measuring your calories accurately and still can't reach your recommended goal then you can look into adding in some calorie dense foods. Nuts, seeds, nut butters, olive oil, full fat dairy, Greek yogurt, cheese, dark chocolate, avocado, whole eggs, protein shakes and smoothies, fruit juices, etc.
  • ldula88
    ldula88 Posts: 169 Member
    depends on what you're eating. When I switched to Paleo and started weighing everything, I was amazed that I could eat as much food as I was eating and still only be hitting 1000 calories. I had to start eating tablespoons of almond butter to make up the deficit (not that I'm complaining, mind you). If you eat a lot of fruits, veggies, and leans meats without a lot of processed stuff, it totally makes sense to me that you are full on 1200 calories :)
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