Is it okay for me to diet like this?

Makterbro
Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am pretty new to this whole diet and exercise thing and I need help.
So about a year ago I was officially diagnosed with hyperthyroidism(which causes weight loss despite increased appetite). Even though I was officially diagnosed with it a year ago I have had it for years and as a result I developed very bad eating habits, I would eat a lot and still not gain weight. I was around 170lbs when I was diagnosed. Recently I have been undergoing treatment and I have been getting better but the down side to it is that I have gained 50lbs because of my bad eating habits. Now I am trying to loose the weight and I am about 204lbs. Even though I exercise 3 times a week I feel like I don't loose weight if I eat my recommended calorie intake (1476 calories a day). Is it okay if I eat 1,000-1,200 a day without eating back the calories I lost from exercising? I burn off about 500 calories when I exercise. I feel pretty full eating 1,100 -1,200 calories a day. My ultimate goal weight is 115. By the way I am 5'3 and 20 years old.

Here is what I eat:
Breakfast
Special K Cereal and Milk (300 calories)

Lunch
A beef sandwich(245 calories)
2 cups of popcorn (74 calories)
Fruit Cup(70 calories)
A fudge Popsicle(40 calories) or granola bar(90 calories)


Dinner
A beef sandwich(245 calories)
2 cups of popcorn(74 calories)
Fruit cup(70 calories)
Fudge Popsicle(40 calories) or a granola bar(90 calories)

Replies

  • wannakimmy
    wannakimmy Posts: 488 Member
    no
  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    If you have to ask, you obviously know the answer. No !
  • Makterbro
    Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
    no
    If you have to ask, you obviously know the answer. No !


    How many of the calories should I eat back from exercising? Or should I eat the recommended amount even if I am full?
    Like I said I am pretty new to this dieting and exercising thing and I don't know what I should do......
  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    Open your diary
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    No, it's not okay. It's not enough calories. 1200 NET is the absolute minumum you should be eating. You should eat back your exercise calories, too. All of them.

    Pro tip: It's generally agreed upon that MFP overestimates calories burned, so I recommend you record about 2/3 of your actual exercise, and eat all of those calories back.
  • starrylioness
    starrylioness Posts: 543 Member
    Set up your MFP account to tell you how many calories you should be eating for your height and weight along with your activity level. The app will tell you what you should be eating based on all of that. Then follow what MFP suggests, get plenty of exercise and drink lots of water. That's how I've lost every single pound so far.
  • MysticMaiden22
    MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member
    Ask your doctor.
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    Set up your MFP account to tell you how many calories you should be eating for your height and weight along with your activity level. The app will tell you what you should be eating based on all of that. Then follow what MFP suggests, get plenty of exercise and drink lots of water. That's how I've lost every single pound so far.

    This. Plus - you need to add some fresh fruit and vegetables to your plan. Eating the same thing for lunch and dinner will last about 3 days and then you will want other foods. You need to vary your menus so that you have a variety of food.

    I'm guessing at your height/weight MFP has you at 1200 calories a day. Plan on that (or whatever number they give you) and eat all of the calories (+/- 5%).

    If you are measuring calories burned with an HRM - eat them all back. If you are using MFP estimates I'd error on the cautious side and eat back about half. In my experience MFP is overly generous in the amount of calories they say a person burns.

    Finally - this is NOT a diet. Look at it as a healthy lifestyle. If your food and exercise plan are sustainable for the rest of your life - at your goal weight you know it's right.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    no
    If you have to ask, you obviously know the answer. No !


    How many of the calories should I eat back from exercising? Or should I eat the recommended amount even if I am full?
    Like I said I am pretty new to this dieting and exercising thing and I don't know what I should do......

    Okay take a look at the fourth post down here. She gave a bunch of examples on how you could add calorie dense items to bring up your daily calorie totals without necessarily adding more volume to your food

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1331494-1200-calories-per-day

    Only thing you may wish to consider is how long you can keep this up. Using a higher daily calorie target available to you could mean being able to fit more of the foods you like, and not feeling like you're on a very restrictive diet
  • Makterbro
    Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
    No, it's not okay. It's not enough calories. 1200 NET is the absolute minumum you should be eating. You should eat back your exercise calories, too. All of them.

    Pro tip: It's generally agreed upon that MFP overestimates calories burned, so I recommend you record about 2/3 of your actual exercise, and eat all of those calories back.

    Okay, Thank You
    :)
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    no
    If you have to ask, you obviously know the answer. No !


    How many of the calories should I eat back from exercising? Or should I eat the recommended amount even if I am full?
    Like I said I am pretty new to this dieting and exercising thing and I don't know what I should do......
    Eat back most of them, depending on how you're estimating calorie burn. If you're relying solely on the MFP exercise database, or exercise machines, then just be aware that they may be very inaccurate. Perhaps post here how much you think you're burning and people can advise on whether it seems realistic. You should definitely be eating at least some of them though. That's how MFP is set up to work. It gives you a calorie goal based on your normal daily activity level - but not including actual workouts. If it did include those, it would have given you a higher goal to start with.

    Which brings us to your base calorie goal. No, that doesn't sound anywhere near enough. Thing is, feeling full or hungry isn't really a good indicator of how much your body needs. You'd be amazed at the amount of people who severely undereat saying "I feel full, I couldn't possibly stuff any more food in". Equally, the amount of people still over-eating who still feel really hungry. Hunger/apetite is very complicated, and has to do with hormones, including ghrelin and leptin. Lots of things can affect hunger, including the types of food you eat. Under-eating over time can actually suppress your appetite too.

    If you carry on eating at that level, you're going to start having energy problems. You're not going to be able to get the most out of your workouts. You'll end up tired and irritable. Your body will start slowing down non-essential processes to adjust to having such a low level of calories. If you do it for a while, you could really start disrupting your hormonal processes. This is particularly relevant since you already have issues with your thyroid. You might have problems with your hair and skin. You may well find that you lose a lot of lean mass that you shouldn't do - basically muscle mass and bone density. Both really important things to hang onto. Later on... it's going to be a lot harder to maintain your weight once you've dropped muscle mass.

    Given that you have a fair bit to lose (according to your ticker) and have fat stored, you may "get away with" a larger calorie deficit for a while, but it's really not to be recommended. Ideally, you should set MFP up to lose 2 lbs a week (for now) - follow the goal it gives you (which is not 1000 calories) and eat at least 2/3 of your exercise calories back. (and by the way - people talk of how inaccurate calorie burn estimates can be, but I've always eaten all of mine back, and always lost at the rate I expected.)

    Check your progress for a few weeks. If you're losing about 2 lbs a week, keep at it. If you're losing more, then maybe eat a bit more. This isn't a race. This is something that is going to last your whole life, not just the months it takes you to reach your goal weight. Learn now how to manage your weight in a healthy way, and that will prepare you for the long slog of weight maintenance. You say you're new to dieting - well do this right, and you'll only have to do it (the losing phase) once. Don't be one of the millions of people who start their lifetime of yo-yo dieting in their 20s.
  • Makterbro
    Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
    Set up your MFP account to tell you how many calories you should be eating for your height and weight along with your activity level. The app will tell you what you should be eating based on all of that. Then follow what MFP suggests, get plenty of exercise and drink lots of water. That's how I've lost every single pound so far.

    This. Plus - you need to add some fresh fruit and vegetables to your plan. Eating the same thing for lunch and dinner will last about 3 days and then you will want other foods. You need to vary your menus so that you have a variety of food.

    I'm guessing at your height/weight MFP has you at 1200 calories a day. Plan on that (or whatever number they give you) and eat all of the calories (+/- 5%).

    If you are measuring calories burned with an HRM - eat them all back. If you are using MFP estimates I'd error on the cautious side and eat back about half. In my experience MFP is overly generous in the amount of calories they say a person burns.

    Finally - this is NOT a diet. Look at it as a healthy lifestyle. If your food and exercise plan are sustainable for the rest of your life - at your goal weight you know it's right.
    I am afraid that if I start eating different things then my eating will go out of control, it's weird but eating the same thing works for me. I will add apples and bananas in between meals to boost my calorie intake. Thank you for the help, I really appreciate it, I was so lost about the whole 'eating back the calories from exercise' thing.
  • Makterbro
    Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Is popcorn your idea of a nutritionally varied diet that includes vegetables?


    Here is a reasonable good source to start learning the basics of nutrition.

    http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/Nutrition-Basics_UCM_461228_Article.jsp
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
    You asked for advice. Mine is to eat healthier. The link provides an awesome overview of how to do it. :)

    If you don't want to, don't! It's all about what you want. Do whatever makes you happy. :)
  • Tawniey
    Tawniey Posts: 10
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
    You asked for advice. Mine is to eat healthier. The link provides an awesome overview of how to do it. :)

    If you don't want to, don't! It's all about what you want. Do whatever makes you happy. :)

    Except... I just looked at that link and there was literally nothing about it that seems like it would help in this situation. If you looked at what the OP was talking about, they eat lean protein, servings of grain, servings of fruit, servings of corn which is clearly air popped without oil given the calorie count, and they have a fudge popsicle as a treat.
    The link says to eat vegetables, which corn is (although it does occupy the weird space between a grain and a veggie), eat whole grains, switch to fat free milk, eat protein, eat reduced sodium food, drink water instead of soda, eat seafood and cut back on solid fat. These are substitution tips and not nutritional help.


    Here's my advice, OP.
    If you are eating too few calories a day, and your metabolism already runs fast, it is possible that you have put your body into starvation mode, which will cause it to hold onto all excess calories as fat. Try setting your calorie goal to drop .5 lbs a week so that it won't shock your body to go from your typical eating habits to a large decrease. When you exercise, make sure you're eating most of your calories back. You should never be eating any less than 1200 calories per day, and with hyperthyroid, it might be higher. You may need to talk to your doctor. JesterMFP had some solid advice too.
  • Makterbro
    Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
    You asked for advice. Mine is to eat healthier. The link provides an awesome overview of how to do it. :)

    If you don't want to, don't! It's all about what you want. Do whatever makes you happy. :)

    I read it and I found it pretty useful and I appreciate you help! :)
    I don't like vegetables but I guess I can try carrots and dressing. I also like potatoes.
    I have tried eating whole grain stuff before(pasta, bread, rice ect.) but I don't like it. I guess I'm just just to used to the unhealthy stuff. I definitely have a lot of room for improvement in the whole grain department.
    When it comes to meat I am confused. What do they mean by 'leaner meat'? What would be the difference between regular chicken and lean chicken or regular beef and lean beef?
    Another problem I have is that I am a terrible cook so I usually buy foods that are very easy to prepare without the need of cooking anything. I need to change that habit also.
  • beccadaniixox
    beccadaniixox Posts: 542 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
    You asked for advice. Mine is to eat healthier. The link provides an awesome overview of how to do it. :)

    If you don't want to, don't! It's all about what you want. Do whatever makes you happy. :)

    I read it and I found it pretty useful and I appreciate you help! :)
    I don't like vegetables but I guess I can try carrots and dressing. I also like potatoes.
    I have tried eating whole grain stuff before(pasta, bread, rice ect.) but I don't like it. I guess I'm just just to used to the unhealthy stuff. I definitely have a lot of room for improvement in the whole grain department.
    When it comes to meat I am confused. What do they mean by 'leaner meat'? What would be the difference between regular chicken and lean chicken or regular beef and lean beef?
    Another problem I have is that I am a terrible cook so I usually buy foods that are very easy to prepare without the need of cooking anything. I need to change that habit also.

    I think with the "leaner" protein it means like eating the white meat of chicken vs. dark meat. (chicken breast is lower fat, while say a chicken thigh is higher in fat) and for beef different cuts have less fat than others, or in ground beef simply like 10% fat meat vs. 25% fat.
  • Makterbro
    Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
    You asked for advice. Mine is to eat healthier. The link provides an awesome overview of how to do it. :)

    If you don't want to, don't! It's all about what you want. Do whatever makes you happy. :)

    Except... I just looked at that link and there was literally nothing about it that seems like it would help in this situation. If you looked at what the OP was talking about, they eat lean protein, servings of grain, servings of fruit, servings of corn which is clearly air popped without oil given the calorie count, and they have a fudge popsicle as a treat.
    The link says to eat vegetables, which corn is (although it does occupy the weird space between a grain and a veggie), eat whole grains, switch to fat free milk, eat protein, eat reduced sodium food, drink water instead of soda, eat seafood and cut back on solid fat. These are substitution tips and not nutritional help.


    Here's my advice, OP.
    If you are eating too few calories a day, and your metabolism already runs fast, it is possible that you have put your body into starvation mode, which will cause it to hold onto all excess calories as fat. Try setting your calorie goal to drop .5 lbs a week so that it won't shock your body to go from your typical eating habits to a large decrease. When you exercise, make sure you're eating most of your calories back. You should never be eating any less than 1200 calories per day, and with hyperthyroid, it might be higher. You may need to talk to your doctor. JesterMFP had some solid advice too.

    I just started this diet a couple days ago so I hope I haven''t put my body into starvation mode just yet ):
    I have an appointment with my endocrine doctor scheduled and I'll definitely ask him about if my thyroid affects the amount of calories I should be eating if I want to loose weight.
    Thanks for the advice! :)
  • CynthiaT60
    CynthiaT60 Posts: 1,280 Member
    My two cents: you may have a long transition period, since your metabolism and eating have been out of whack for so long. That means you don't have to do it perfectly from day one, and you don't have to beat yourself up if you don't.
    My advice would be: (1) see a doctor or nutritionist if you can, and tell them what you put in your first post. If you can't, (2), fill in the information required by MFP so that you get at least 1200 calories, eat your exercise calories back, and try to get the recommended amount of protein.

    As a further step, you can start adding (more) fruits and/or vegetables. But if this freaks you out I would start small, as I suggested above.

    Good luck, and great that you're taking care of yourself! :flowerforyou:
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
    You asked for advice. Mine is to eat healthier. The link provides an awesome overview of how to do it. :)

    If you don't want to, don't! It's all about what you want. Do whatever makes you happy. :)

    I read it and I found it pretty useful and I appreciate you help! :)
    I don't like vegetables but I guess I can try carrots and dressing. I also like potatoes.
    I have tried eating whole grain stuff before(pasta, bread, rice ect.) but I don't like it. I guess I'm just just to used to the unhealthy stuff. I definitely have a lot of room for improvement in the whole grain department.
    When it comes to meat I am confused. What do they mean by 'leaner meat'? What would be the difference between regular chicken and lean chicken or regular beef and lean beef?
    Another problem I have is that I am a terrible cook so I usually buy foods that are very easy to prepare without the need of cooking anything. I need to change that habit also.
    Breking bad habits sucks, especially when you were raised on white bread, processed food and all things yummy. You don't have to tell me! But the guidelines they give are good and they do suggest doing it slowly! Change one thing a week. Take two weeks if you need to.

    Lean means less fat. It's right on the labels when you buy the meat (which means buying and cooking, lol, which may be more than you want to take on!) Vegetables, though, can be purchased frozen, in bags that you just pop in the microwave. Easy peasy. And then you can fill your half your plate with them. Yum, yum, yum. ;)

    The grainy bread is very much an acquired taste.

    I know how hard it is and struggle with it, too.

    Good luck!!
  • Makterbro
    Makterbro Posts: 101 Member
    Seems like a lot of junk food. Try switching to healthier eating.

    http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/how-to-eat-healthy/
    The beef is lean, the popcorn is low fat, the fruit cups are made with100% real fruit juice, and the Fudge Popsicles are sugar free.
    You asked for advice. Mine is to eat healthier. The link provides an awesome overview of how to do it. :)

    If you don't want to, don't! It's all about what you want. Do whatever makes you happy. :)

    I read it and I found it pretty useful and I appreciate you help! :)
    I don't like vegetables but I guess I can try carrots and dressing. I also like potatoes.
    I have tried eating whole grain stuff before(pasta, bread, rice ect.) but I don't like it. I guess I'm just just to used to the unhealthy stuff. I definitely have a lot of room for improvement in the whole grain department.
    When it comes to meat I am confused. What do they mean by 'leaner meat'? What would be the difference between regular chicken and lean chicken or regular beef and lean beef?
    Another problem I have is that I am a terrible cook so I usually buy foods that are very easy to prepare without the need of cooking anything. I need to change that habit also.

    I think with the "leaner" protein it means like eating the white meat of chicken vs. dark meat. (chicken breast is lower fat, while say a chicken thigh is higher in fat) and for beef different cuts have less fat than others, or in ground beef simply like 10% fat meat vs. 25% fat.

    So basically 'leaner' means less fat content...
    Thanks for the help! :)
  • dorisopen9
    dorisopen9 Posts: 94 Member
    If you are a cooking beginner as you say, why don't you treat yourself to a beginner's cookery class in your next holiday? Most communities have community halls or colleges that run courses for the uninitiated to help you off to a good start.

    You can also look on youtube, there are plenty of people preparing all kinds of food in an easy to follow way. If someone who struggles to string a whole sentence together can cook it, so can we. At least that's my opinion. Look for something simple, not a five course menu involving expensive delicatessen.
    Ask at work or in your neighbourhood, you'd be surprised how many people are happy to teach a newbie the ropes.

    And like others already said: take one step at a time. Do not try to go from a life of junk food to all-out-healthy in one big leap. Changing habits takes time and repetition, so take your time. You already made a really big step by realising you need to change and looking for support and advice. Keep it up!
  • beccih83
    beccih83 Posts: 1
    You say you're undergoing treatment, but are you still thyrotoxic? I suffered with hyperthyrodism due to Graves disease for years and took Carbimizole to regulate it. I lost alot of weight (I'm 5'10 and went from 147lb to about 120 in about a month) despite eating anything I could get my hands on. Then one day all of a sudden it all started going back on again plus some. Turned out my thyroid had burnt it's self out so with the medication I had actually become hypothyroid instead. Until you see you endocrinologist next and have up to date results of Tfts and T4s I really wouldn't worry about trying to loss weight. Also it can take months and months to get the level of medication right as it can take a while a kick in so you could be on a dose that's too high and therefore making you underactive.

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