Having trouble eating enough
ashleyb34
Posts: 29 Member
Hi everyone,
I'm just wondering if I can get some advice. I started on my fitness pal 2 weeks ago. I set my goal to loose 2lbs a week. I have 50 lbs to loose.It gave me 1200 calories a day. My problem is that I am having trouble consuming all 1200 calories plus the calories I am supposed to eat back from exercise. Before I started I would eat one meal a day and snack at night. My problem before my fitness pal wasn't that I ate too much, it was that I didn't eat enough and was making poor food choices and not getting any exercise in. I have been doing strength training for 30-40 minutes a day 6-7 days a week and walking every night as well. I don't know why I am having so much trouble eating but it is getting to the point where I am forcing myself to eat just so I can try and not be under my calories so bad but honestly I feel like vomiting. Any advice would be very much appreciated as I do realize it is not healthy to be eating so little.
I'm just wondering if I can get some advice. I started on my fitness pal 2 weeks ago. I set my goal to loose 2lbs a week. I have 50 lbs to loose.It gave me 1200 calories a day. My problem is that I am having trouble consuming all 1200 calories plus the calories I am supposed to eat back from exercise. Before I started I would eat one meal a day and snack at night. My problem before my fitness pal wasn't that I ate too much, it was that I didn't eat enough and was making poor food choices and not getting any exercise in. I have been doing strength training for 30-40 minutes a day 6-7 days a week and walking every night as well. I don't know why I am having so much trouble eating but it is getting to the point where I am forcing myself to eat just so I can try and not be under my calories so bad but honestly I feel like vomiting. Any advice would be very much appreciated as I do realize it is not healthy to be eating so little.
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Replies
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I'm confused. Sorry! Are you trying to lose weight or gain weight?0
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I think it's common to feel this way at first. It goes away. How much exercise calories are you trying to eat back, though?
You said-
"My problem before my fitness pal wasn't that I ate too much, it was that I didn't eat enough and was making poor food choices and not getting any exercise in."
No one gets 50 lbs. overweight from not eating enough, but those other two might've contributed.
Good luck!0 -
Make sure you get enough protein in first, then go for fruit juice, soda, nuts, peanut butter, whole milk, cheese, candy, cookies, etc. to get the calories in.0
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Some things to watch out for.
1. If you're using MFP or gym machines, they have a tendency to overestimate your calories burned during workouts. You may want to aim for 50-75% of those extra earned calories instead of trying to eat them all back.
2. Most people have a tendency to underestimate their portion sizes, especially if they're eyeballing or using measuring cups/spoons. It is possible that you're already eating enough because of the sort of measuring inaccuracies we often see.
That said, look for more calorie dense foods. Nuts, nut butter, avocado, full fat dairy, Greek yogurt, ice cream, olive oil, coconut oil, butter, less lean cuts of meat, full calorie sauces, dressings, and condiments, protein shakes and smoothies, dark chocolate, potatoes, rice, bread, cheese, etc. These can help give your calories a boost without adding a large volume of extra food to your day.0 -
I wonder whether you are actually 50lbs overweight or if you want to lose 50lbs? those are two very different things.
I would suggest going to your GP or nutritionist and discussing whether you actually need to lose weight, a doctor will always tell you upfront. Us girls struggle with accepting our own beautiful bodies a lot so don't feel alone.
Eating one meal a day and 'snacks' is not good for you though, please try to eat small nutritious meals throughout the day and do not worry about meeting calorie counting targets.
Exercise is great for your body and mind so enjoy it, it shouldn't be a punishment.0 -
I wonder whether you are actually 50lbs overweight or if you want to lose 50lbs? those are two very different things.
I would suggest going to your GP or nutritionist and discussing whether you actually need to lose weight, a doctor will always tell you upfront. Us girls struggle with accepting our own beautiful bodies a lot so don't feel alone.
Eating one meal a day and 'snacks' is not good for you though, please try to eat small nutritious meals throughout the day and do not worry about meeting calorie counting targets.
Exercise is great for your body and mind so enjoy it, it shouldn't be a punishment. I hope you feel happy an healthy soon!0 -
thank you all I will try some suggestions. I have been doing protein shakes with a frozen banana and peanut butter for added calories. I have cut out breads, pasta, rice, juice, pop and all treats. I will try avacado as well. I have been over my protein everyday just under my carbs. I will try the nuts and cheese. Thanks again.0
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I have cut out breads, pasta, rice, juice, pop and all treats.
Why would you do that?0 -
I have cut out breads, pasta, rice, juice, pop and all treats.
Why would you do that?
Exactly... Don't cut out entire food groups unless you have a medically diagnosed condition. Stop eating "lite" foods. Eat more protein and fats. If you've hit those two goals for the day and have eaten enough good things like veggies, etc., have a treat like chocolate or wine.
It's pretty easy to get your calories in. I tend to go over my 2500 calories a day quite often.0 -
No one became overweight by not eating enough.
Eat some food.0 -
hello! first let me say you are not alone! i have the same problem, but i have come to terms that setting 5-6 alarms on your phone to help remind you to eat is a big deal and it helps, also that is awesome you cut out the carbs, but your body is still going to need GOOD CARBS for energy and to feed your body. alot of people get the misunderstanding that cutting out carbs is a good thing and it is not. you body needs to have protein for muscle food and carbs for energy source. you just have to read your labels. drink lots of water to help replenish what you lose thru salt and it also helps your body break your food down better. think of it like this
BREAKFAST: EAT LIKE A QUEEN
SNACK: LIKE A PEASANT
LUNCH: EAT LIKE A PRINCESS
SNACK:LIKE A PEASANT
DINNER: EAT LIKE A SERVANT.
another words eat a high protein breakfast, that should be your bigges consumption for the day. some times the protein shakes you drink dont give enough for the first of the day, so you can add in your pb, fruits and veggies and that does help out alot, i am with you i drink my breakfast, but i double my protein intake in the morning too, with post workout shake and then my meal replacment shake.
sorry for rambling, but just hang in there and dont give up. feed your body and it will no longer think it is starving and hold on to those unwanted pounds, just like fueling a fire, the more wood it has to burn the more the flame it produces!!0 -
this \m/No one became overweight by not eating enough.
Eat some food.0 -
hello! first let me say you are not alone! i have the same problem, but i have come to terms that setting 5-6 alarms on your phone to help remind you to eat is a big deal and it helps, also that is awesome you cut out the carbs, but your body is still going to need GOOD CARBS for energy and to feed your body. alot of people get the misunderstanding that cutting out carbs is a good thing and it is not. you body needs to have protein for muscle food and carbs for energy source. you just have to read your labels. drink lots of water to help replenish what you lose thru salt and it also helps your body break your food down better. think of it like this
BREAKFAST: EAT LIKE A QUEEN
SNACK: LIKE A PEASANT
LUNCH: EAT LIKE A PRINCESS
SNACK:LIKE A PEASANT
DINNER: EAT LIKE A SERVANT.
another words eat a high protein breakfast, that should be your bigges consumption for the day. some times the protein shakes you drink dont give enough for the first of the day, so you can add in your pb, fruits and veggies and that does help out alot, i am with you i drink my breakfast, but i double my protein intake in the morning too, with post workout shake and then my meal replacment shake.
sorry for rambling, but just hang in there and dont give up. feed your body and it will no longer think it is starving and hold on to those unwanted pounds, just like fueling a fire, the more wood it has to burn the more the flame it produces!!
Almost everything you said is completely wrong...0 -
It helps when you really enjoy eating0
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I'm confused. Sorry! Are you trying to lose weight or gain weight?
I am confused too. OP says they have 50lbs to loose, but got that way by not eating enough.
:sick:0 -
My day:BREAKFAST: EAT LIKE A QUEEN
SNACK: LIKE A PEASANT
LUNCH: EAT LIKE A PRINCESS
SNACK:LIKE A PEASANT
DINNER: EAT LIKE A SERVANT
BREAKFAST: No breakfast
SNACK: No snack
LUNCH: Eat like a fat princess
SNACK: No snack
DINNER: Eat like a fat princess
you must be a Herbalifer0 -
i have come to terms that setting 5-6 alarms on your phone to help remind you to eat is a big deal and it helps...
:huh: Interesting...0 -
i have come to terms that setting 5-6 alarms on your phone to help remind you to eat is a big deal and it helps...
:huh: Interesting...
Only eat the GOOD CARBS0 -
i have come to terms that setting 5-6 alarms on your phone to help remind you to eat is a big deal and it helps...
:huh: Interesting...
Only eat the GOOD CARBS
Yes, of course! *takes notes*0 -
If you're trying to gain, peanut butter is a wonderful way to do that!
It's hard to eat healthy food and gain unless you really chow down on the meat and breads.
Good luck.
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Only eat the GOOD CARBS
Right! Like cupcakes or cookies!0 -
Only eat the GOOD CARBS
Right! Like cupcakes or cookies!
Don't Forget the Waffles!0 -
i have come to terms that setting 5-6 alarms on your phone to help remind you to eat is a big deal and it helps...
:huh: Interesting...
Only eat the GOOD CARBS
Yes, of course! *takes notes*
My pint of Talenti last night was a pretty good carb imo0 -
If you're trying to gain, peanut butter is a wonderful way to do that!
It's hard to eat healthy food and gain unless you really chow down on the meat and breads.
Good luck.
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Thank you for the criticism!! I guess let me rephrase I had 2 children and put on weight with both pregnancies. Had a very hard time loosing with number 2. I now am now the same weight I was when I was 9 months pregnant with the second. Yes I believe I gained weight from not eating enough. Honestly I was so busy with both kids making sure they were looked after and fed that I lived off coffee. Most of the time it would be 2pm before I realized I had not ate anything yet that day. So then I would grab something easy a grilled cheese sandwich, toast, cereal, chips but something not healthy and high calorie. At night sometimes I would eat dinner but with a husband that works away for 4-6 weeks at a time I was overwhelmed by the time I got everyone else fed, bathed and things cleaned up thats when my body would go hey I'm hungry. So again I would grab something. Popcorn, chips, chocolate. Clearly I realize I did not get this way from eating nothing. But compared to how many times I am eating a day now and how much food I am consuming there is a huge difference. I realized now that 20 Chips has 270 calories or more, a whole cucumber has only 45 calories. I wasn't eating a large quantity of food before just high calorie foods. Anyways thank you to the people that were kind enough to give me some positive advice. I definitely will take the suggestions and try them out. I'm here asking for help because I clearly don't know the answer. I am trying to do the best I can with what I have. I have cut out bread,pasta and rice because I have found they make me feel bloated and really full. I have incorporated some whole grain and spinach wraps into my diet and do eat fruit and vegetables that contain carbohydrates.0
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AAAAH I get it. So you aren't saying that you gained weight from under eating calories. You gained weight from under eating healthy food and relying on calorie dense junk food to fuel your calories. So what you want is help cleaning up your diet a bit.
Ok personally I would advise focusing your nutrition on one meal a day where you have time to sit down and cook something good. Probably dinner. Try to find alternatives during the day that don't require much prep time but are easily made. Breakfast could be a couple of boiled eggs on toast. Personally I am in favor of Cereal with milk. Zero preparation time and a decent carb load before a busy day isn't a bad idea. Baked potatoes usually work well if you would like to avoid refined carbs too. For bonus points include a good protein.
If you are extremely rushed at lunch then a protein shake with milk is a good stand in. It contains a fairly even balance of everything you need and can be made in no time at all.
At dinner time figure out what you still need to eat and take some time and plan your meal.
The second problem is remembering to do that and as another poster suggested a cellphone with an alarm is the key. try to get into the habit of eating right when you get up then setting an alarm for lunch. Once that goes off and you eat set the alarm to begin cooking dinner.
With young children around it can be easy to get caught up in things and break your habits. You need to re establish them and that's probably going to take a while. But give it a few weeks and you will probably suddenly realize you no longer need the alarm clock. Until then you're gonna have to be pedantic about it. And just refuse to let yourself miss a meal. Some people don't have breakfast and that's fine. But I think being a busy person without it could be quite problematic.0
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