Need help with calories

dnmoehring
dnmoehring Posts: 64 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So one of the exercise specialists at work is helping me work past my plateau, and told me to try eating more calories (healthy). I'm scared to try, but I need to change something since working out and eating clean isn't doing a thing.

My big question would be can I drink a healthy smoothie, or protein shake, or should I have larger meals? I want to make sure I do this right so I don't end up gaining all the weight I've lost back. Any advice would be helpful!
Thanks!

Replies

  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    How many calories are you eating right now? Height, weight, goal weight? It might help to open your diary :wink:

    When people hit a plateau, the most common cause (IME) is that they're eating more than they think. Do you measure and weigh everything you eat? How do you calculated exercise calories? (And do you eat them back?) I think the first thing you want to do is make sure you are working with all the correct numbers.

    If you decide to increase your calories a bit (I'd suggest 100-200 at most to start), it doesn't really matter whether you use a protein shake, a home-made fruit/vegetable/yogurt smoothie, larger meals, or a snack in between to get those calories. Just make sure you account for them properly! (Weigh solids, measure liquids)
  • dnmoehring
    dnmoehring Posts: 64 Member
    I have to admit that I probably haven't been eating many calories. I do measure and weigh, and I work out for about an hour to hour and a half five days a week. With my exercise, my total calories were around 900-925. But I eat three solid meals a day, sometimes a small snack in between, and I never felt hungry or starved.

    But I don't eat meat often, I don't drink soda or anything, so I know there aren't many unaccounted for calories. I was thinking of adding maybe 250?
  • KimMc60
    KimMc60 Posts: 112 Member
    You need to be eating waaay more. You should net at LEAST 1400 calories, and depending on your BMR that's probably still too little. I agree with drinking a protein shake, also try eating more calorie-dense foods - avocado, nuts and nut butters, etc. :)

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