Eating too few calories..?

ohimealiceclaire
ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
in Getting Started
Hi I'm new to this website and I joined because I felt it was time for a lifestyle change. I go to school but I also love to sew, so I'm sitting idle most of the time. I was hoping maybe somebody could help me get started here?

A few things I could include:
- I never liked the taste of water so I never drank it. Since I joined (Tuesday) I have been drinking 5-6 cups of water a day because its been difficult to force myself to drink so much water. I feel bloated and heavy. I really want to make it to that 8 cups but I just feel so gross!!
- My diet was never superb. I just ate what I wanted and never really thought about it. Most days I didn't eat at all. Usually I don't eat breakfast or lunch and just ate something for dinner when I got home from school. I know that's really horrible to do and I think it messed up my metabolism really bad. I'm looking for things that I can eat/ throw in my school bag to take to school to eat. Also, for any suggestions on booting up my metabolism. I think my body is in "starvation mode" as the website calls it. Currently, I have added a cereal bar to breakfast. My goal calories are at 1200. I am 5'2.
- Motivation. I know this is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix to drop a couple of pounds. But I don't know where to begin. Signing up for this website was the first step, but I'm afraid of giving up on myself too soon because of lack of results.

Thanks, sorry for the long post!

Replies

  • ThatsSOcleve
    ThatsSOcleve Posts: 39
    Water is a bland taste...I have a blender bottle, and everytime I drink a cup of water... I go back downstairs and refill it. Try to get a filter for water... Brittle filters they really do change the taste...and personally it tastes better when it's really cold. I only fill it to 8 oz because mentally it shows not much to show... So when I see it... I'm like I can do it...unlike I fill it up to the top lol I'm like ew.

    Also scan everything you eat if you have a smart phone...scan the barcode if the items you buy...start with good habits and you'll stay with it. :)
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    If you don't want to eat breakfast or lunch, you don't have to.
    A lot of people have success on Intermittent Fasting (IF) - they just eat their calories during a specific time since they prefer a yummy dinner over a sad breakfast.
    I myself have been shifting my eating towards noon on since I'm always hungrier in the PM than the AM.

    5-6 cups of water is good.
    Get used to that for now and eventually work your way up to 8 cups (or more)
    Drinking it through a straw or adding flavoring to it (lemons, lime, Mio, Crystal light, etc) might make it easier for you to hit that 8 cups.

    To be successful in this endeavor, you should eat foods you enjoy.
    If you like broccoli and chicken, eat it. If you don't, don't force yourself just because you think you have to.
    Everything in moderation will make life happier and you more successful in losing weight.

    How much are you trying to lose?
    What did you set your goal at?
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Meal timing is irrelevant to weight loss. It really is okay to skip breakfast or just eat 1-2 meals a day as long as you're getting enough calories and nutrients into your day. Snacks are okay too, again as long as they're in your calorie goal.

    I think this post is a really good start. It's a lot of reading (and all of the linked posts are worth reading, too) but it should get you going in the right direction: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    Yea I know what you mean. I stick a bunch of bottles (poland spring) in the refrigerator overnight and drink them throughout the next day so they're super cold! Then I just chug the water because its still bleh. Hahaha.
  • Eleonora91
    Eleonora91 Posts: 688 Member
    If you don't like water by itself you can drink it with a slice of lemon to add taste, or you could make your own tea or herbal infusion, put it in the fridge and drink it throughout the day. It's tasty but it's still water, no sugars and so on added.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I'm 5'1 or 2". When you're really short, it's impossible to get a huge calorie deficit. Since you only have 15 lbs. to lose, a weight loss goal any greater than .5 lb. per week is unrealistic and unhealthy. (It took me a year to lose 20 lbs.)

    Set your activity level, set your goal, and learn to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. (It's harder than you might think.) Don't worry about macros & stuff yet–just work on logging. Log your exercise & eat back your exercise calories. If you're not losing after a few weeks, only eat back half your exercise calories.

    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • klandreth1
    klandreth1 Posts: 1
    Throw some lemons in your water. I never cared for water either, until I was forced to drink it during basic training. Now I can't live without it, particularly when working out (even walking).
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    If you don't want to eat breakfast or lunch, you don't have to.
    A lot of people have success on Intermittent Fasting (IF) - they just eat their calories during a specific time since they prefer a yummy dinner over a sad breakfast.
    I myself have been shifting my eating towards noon on since I'm always hungrier in the PM than the AM.

    5-6 cups of water is good.
    Get used to that for now and eventually work your way up to 8 cups (or more)
    Drinking it through a straw or adding flavoring to it (lemons, lime, Mio, Crystal light, etc) might make it easier for you to hit that 8 cups.

    To be successful in this endeavor, you should eat foods you enjoy.
    If you like broccoli and chicken, eat it. If you don't, don't force yourself just because you think you have to.
    Everything in moderation will make life happier and you more successful in losing weight.

    How much are you trying to lose?
    What did you set your goal at?

    Thanks! I am looking into the flavor splash things that you can buy at the supermarket. I am about a couple pounds overweight for my size (5'1ish) at 130 pounds on a bad day. I want to lose the love handles at least, I'm not really that concerned so much about the number as the appearance I guess you could say. I think to get back to how I used to be I would have to lose 15 pounds.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    If you don't like water by itself you can drink it with a slice of lemon to add taste, or you could make your own tea or herbal infusion, put it in the fridge and drink it throughout the day. It's tasty but it's still water, no sugars and so on added.

    This is a good idea.

    And if you don't mind the taste of artificial sweeteners, a lot of people find themselves liking Mio or Crystal Light.

    Also, you don't have to drink a set amount of water every day. 8 glasses a day is a number someone made up. Drink as much as your body needs.
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    Meal timing is irrelevant to weight loss. It really is okay to skip breakfast or just eat 1-2 meals a day as long as you're getting enough calories and nutrients into your day. Snacks are okay too, again as long as they're in your calorie goal.

    I think this post is a really good start. It's a lot of reading (and all of the linked posts are worth reading, too) but it should get you going in the right direction: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Thanks for the link!
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    If you don't want to eat breakfast or lunch, you don't have to.
    A lot of people have success on Intermittent Fasting (IF) - they just eat their calories during a specific time since they prefer a yummy dinner over a sad breakfast.
    I myself have been shifting my eating towards noon on since I'm always hungrier in the PM than the AM.

    5-6 cups of water is good.
    Get used to that for now and eventually work your way up to 8 cups (or more)
    Drinking it through a straw or adding flavoring to it (lemons, lime, Mio, Crystal light, etc) might make it easier for you to hit that 8 cups.

    To be successful in this endeavor, you should eat foods you enjoy.
    If you like broccoli and chicken, eat it. If you don't, don't force yourself just because you think you have to.
    Everything in moderation will make life happier and you more successful in losing weight.

    How much are you trying to lose?
    What did you set your goal at?

    Thanks! I am looking into the flavor splash things that you can buy at the supermarket. I am about a couple pounds overweight for my size (5'1ish) at 130 pounds on a bad day. I want to lose the love handles at least, I'm not really that concerned so much about the number as the appearance I guess you could say. I think to get back to how I used to be I would have to lose 15 pounds.

    So you should look into a strength training program.
    If you don't have access to a gym, nerdfitness.com has a great bodyweight circuit.

    If you do have access to a gym, read up on New Rules of Lifting for Women and Stronglifts 5x5.
    Starting Strength is also a good book.
    I suggest the program in Stronglifts over the others
  • RaeLB
    RaeLB Posts: 1,216 Member
    Meal timing is irrelevant to weight loss. It really is okay to skip breakfast or just eat 1-2 meals a day as long as you're getting enough calories and nutrients into your day. Snacks are okay too, again as long as they're in your calorie goal.

    I think this post is a really good start. It's a lot of reading (and all of the linked posts are worth reading, too) but it should get you going in the right direction: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants


    ^ this

    Also, your water can come from any source that has water in it: juice, pop, tea, coffee, fruit, veggies, etc. If you're dehydrated your body will tell you: thirst. I hardly ever drink straight water and I'm just fine :smile:
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    If you don't like water by itself you can drink it with a slice of lemon to add taste, or you could make your own tea or herbal infusion, put it in the fridge and drink it throughout the day. It's tasty but it's still water, no sugars and so on added.

    Thanks for the tip! I actually am not a big fan of tea...whenever I drink it (iced tea or hot tea) it always disagrees with my stomach. Not sure why though!
  • RaeLB
    RaeLB Posts: 1,216 Member
    Here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/8-glasses-of-water-a-day-an-urban-myth-1.1196386
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    I'm 5'1 or 2". When you're really short, it's impossible to get a huge calorie deficit. Since you only have 15 lbs. to lose, a weight loss goal any greater than .5 lb. per week is unrealistic and unhealthy. (It took me a year to lose 20 lbs.)

    Set your activity level, set your goal, and learn to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. (It's harder than you might think.) Don't worry about macros & stuff yet–just work on logging. Log your exercise & eat back your exercise calories. If you're not losing after a few weeks, only eat back half your exercise calories.

    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Haha, "really short" don't rub it in! D:\
    Should I be exactly at 1200 a day or is it okay for me to be under that with exercise?
  • southerndream24
    southerndream24 Posts: 303 Member
    I'm 5'1 or 2". When you're really short, it's impossible to get a huge calorie deficit. Since you only have 15 lbs. to lose, a weight loss goal any greater than .5 lb. per week is unrealistic and unhealthy. (It took me a year to lose 20 lbs.)

    Set your activity level, set your goal, and learn to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. (It's harder than you might think.) Don't worry about macros & stuff yet–just work on logging. Log your exercise & eat back your exercise calories. If you're not losing after a few weeks, only eat back half your exercise calories.

    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Impossible to get huge deficits when you're short? That is simply not true! I burned 899 calories yesterday and 1140 the day before. It's called working your butt off. Please don't spread that false information.

    OP, focus on taking small steps, but ultimately you'll need to find what works best for you. For some it's the eat back exercise calories method for others its TDEE and macros. It'll be trial and error but you're more likey to stick with it if it works with you.

    I'd like to add that I'm barely 5'3.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Should I be exactly at 1200 a day or is it okay for me to be under that with exercise?
    don't be under 1200... ever. Even tiny people need to eat more than that. That's the lowest that this app will go, and still probably a whole lot less than you need.

    Since you're 22, the 1200 is too low. You likely put in the wrong information when you set up your account. Why not go back, set your goals to something more realistic (.5 per week, etc)
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    Throw some lemons in your water. I never cared for water either, until I was forced to drink it during basic training. Now I can't live without it, particularly when working out (even walking).

    Thanks! I think I'm going to try putting some flavoring in my water from now on. :)
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I'm a little under some days, but never very much. 1,200 is your net calories–MFP is structured in such a way that you have to eat back at least some of your exercise calories. The deficit is built into your calorie goal.
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    Should I be exactly at 1200 a day or is it okay for me to be under that with exercise?
    don't be under 1200... ever. Even tiny people need to eat more than that. That's the lowest that this app will go, and still probably a whole lot less than you need.

    Since you're 22, the 1200 is too low. You likely put in the wrong information when you set up your account. Why not go back, set your goals to something more realistic (.5 per week, etc)

    ...I haven't quite figured out how to change any of the information yet. ^__^;;
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    I'm a little under some days, but never very much. 1,200 is your net calories–MFP is structured in such a way that you have to eat back at least some of your exercise calories. The deficit is built into your calorie goal.

    Do you know anything about the game Dance Dance Revolution as an exercise routine? I like that the game has a workout mode that counts the calories you burn as you play...not sure how accurate it is though.
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    I'm 5'1 or 2". When you're really short, it's impossible to get a huge calorie deficit. Since you only have 15 lbs. to lose, a weight loss goal any greater than .5 lb. per week is unrealistic and unhealthy. (It took me a year to lose 20 lbs.)

    Set your activity level, set your goal, and learn to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. (It's harder than you might think.) Don't worry about macros & stuff yet–just work on logging. Log your exercise & eat back your exercise calories. If you're not losing after a few weeks, only eat back half your exercise calories.

    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Impossible to get huge deficits when you're short? That is simply not true! I burned 899 calories yesterday and 1140 the day before. It's called working your butt off. Please don't spread that false information.

    OP, focus on taking small steps, but ultimately you'll need to find what works best for you. For some it's the eat back exercise calories method for others its TDEE and macros. It'll be trial and error but you're more likey to stick with it if it works with you.

    I'd like to add that I'm barely 5'3.

    Thanks! What does TDEE stand for?
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    I'm 5'1 or 2". When you're really short, it's impossible to get a huge calorie deficit. Since you only have 15 lbs. to lose, a weight loss goal any greater than .5 lb. per week is unrealistic and unhealthy. (It took me a year to lose 20 lbs.)

    Set your activity level, set your goal, and learn to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. (It's harder than you might think.) Don't worry about macros & stuff yet–just work on logging. Log your exercise & eat back your exercise calories. If you're not losing after a few weeks, only eat back half your exercise calories.

    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Impossible to get huge deficits when you're short? That is simply not true! I burned 899 calories yesterday and 1140 the day before. It's called working your butt off. Please don't spread that false information.

    OP, focus on taking small steps, but ultimately you'll need to find what works best for you. For some it's the eat back exercise calories method for others its TDEE and macros. It'll be trial and error but you're more likey to stick with it if it works with you.

    I'd like to add that I'm barely 5'3.

    Thanks! What does TDEE stand for?

    Total Daily Energy Expenditure.

    The amount of calories your body burns throughout the day withOUT exercise.

    BMR is Basal Metabolic Rate.
    The amount of calories that would feed you if you were in a coma to maintain your weight.

    As for you DDR question, those calories aren't going to be accurate since it isn't measuring your heart rate and won't know the effort you put into the session. If you can, get a heart rate monitor (HRM) and use that will doing DDR.
    Kudos for you for doing DDR, I'm not coordinated enough
  • ohimealiceclaire
    ohimealiceclaire Posts: 12 Member
    I'm 5'1 or 2". When you're really short, it's impossible to get a huge calorie deficit. Since you only have 15 lbs. to lose, a weight loss goal any greater than .5 lb. per week is unrealistic and unhealthy. (It took me a year to lose 20 lbs.)

    Set your activity level, set your goal, and learn to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. (It's harder than you might think.) Don't worry about macros & stuff yet–just work on logging. Log your exercise & eat back your exercise calories. If you're not losing after a few weeks, only eat back half your exercise calories.

    Weight loss takes a whole lot of trial & error to find what works for you. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Impossible to get huge deficits when you're short? That is simply not true! I burned 899 calories yesterday and 1140 the day before. It's called working your butt off. Please don't spread that false information.

    OP, focus on taking small steps, but ultimately you'll need to find what works best for you. For some it's the eat back exercise calories method for others its TDEE and macros. It'll be trial and error but you're more likey to stick with it if it works with you.

    I'd like to add that I'm barely 5'3.

    Thanks! What does TDEE stand for?

    Total Daily Energy Expenditure.

    The amount of calories your body burns throughout the day withOUT exercise.

    BMR is Basal Metabolic Rate.
    The amount of calories that would feed you if you were in a coma to maintain your weight.

    As for you DDR question, those calories aren't going to be accurate since it isn't measuring your heart rate and won't know the effort you put into the session. If you can, get a heart rate monitor (HRM) and use that will doing DDR.
    Kudos for you for doing DDR, I'm not coordinated enough

    Thanks for the explanation, I never new that. :)

    Well I DDR hardcore. I've always loved that stupid game. Hahaha! I do expert mode and it says about 20/cals a song. Each song lasts about a minute and I do work up a sweat DDRing.
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    -snip-

    Thanks! What does TDEE stand for?

    Total Daily Energy Expenditure.

    The amount of calories your body burns throughout the day withOUT exercise.

    BMR is Basal Metabolic Rate.
    The amount of calories that would feed you if you were in a coma to maintain your weight.

    As for you DDR question, those calories aren't going to be accurate since it isn't measuring your heart rate and won't know the effort you put into the session. If you can, get a heart rate monitor (HRM) and use that will doing DDR.
    Kudos for you for doing DDR, I'm not coordinated enough

    Thanks for the explanation, I never new that. :)

    Well I DDR hardcore. I've always loved that stupid game. Hahaha! I do expert mode and it says about 20/cals a song. Each song lasts about a minute and I do work up a sweat DDRing.

    I can imagine getting sweaty.
    I had friends in HS who played.
    I tried, couldn't do it very well haha

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