Frustrated...

Nathan_89
Nathan_89 Posts: 2
in Getting Started
Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice.
I'm currently ~200lbs, so overweight, with most of my weight on my chest and stomach. I'm confused as I honestly eat very little and go for long periods of time without eating, having ~700 cals a day.

I also have an active job and go the the gym a couple of times a week, so really frustrated as to why i'm overweight and struggling to lose it.

Any ideas?

Replies

  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    700 calories? Really? A McDonald's Quarter Pounder and a small fries is 760 calories, and that's according to McDonald's website; in real life, it's probably more. If you really routinely ate only 700 calories a day, you wouldn't be overweight, though you'd almost surely be sick and weak.

    I recommend a read through this useful post:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

    Here's some other useful reading:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    After you've digested those, some of the other links on this page are useful:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

    When I first started logging food, I thought I was being careful, but I was missing at least 200 calories a day, based on the discrepancy between my diary and my results. Other people have missed lots more. Some people sleepwalk to the kitchen and eat, but usually they're just missing out on the handful of nuts they grab from the break room, the soda they drink driving home, the beer or glass of wine they have to relax before dinner...75 calories here, 125 calories there, that eventually adds up to quite a lot.

    It might help to keep a paper diary of everything you eat for a few days or a week. Even if you don't measure and track calories, it can be a real eye-opener.
  • Itslozzamate
    Itslozzamate Posts: 56
    700 calories? Really? A McDonald's Quarter Pounder and a small fries is 760 calories, and that's according to McDonald's website; in real life, it's probably more. If you really routinely ate only 700 calories a day, you wouldn't be overweight, though you'd almost surely be sick and weak.

    I recommend a read through this useful post:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

    Here's some other useful reading:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    After you've digested those, some of the other links on this page are useful:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

    .


    I would definitely recommend reading those articles!
    700lbs is nowhere near enough! Especially if you are as active as that! You need to be eating back the calories you are burning.
    Bulk up your calories with some fruits and veggies (well thats what I do if I seem to be low on certain days)
  • Strongandscrappy
    Strongandscrappy Posts: 1,735 Member
    There is a UK show called secret eaters. You can find it on YouTube. It is so interesting and really made me be more aware of what I was eating. If you have time watch an episode or two. It's very enlightening. Of this is not your problem, then you should probably see a doctor and have blood work done. Also, a scale to measure all your food really helps too because if you're not measuring you could be eating much bigger portions than you think you are. Good luck!
  • runningstrides
    runningstrides Posts: 10
    Wow, I can see how you can be frustrated. A lot of people cut back on their calories, thinking the lower their intake is, the smaller they get, when actually your body will go into a starvation mode which makes it store all your food and refuse to burn any calories, making weight loss next to impossible. A healthy intake would be between 1,200 - 1,700 calories. Also, switch up your workout routine, your body can actually grow accustom to your workout and it becomes less effective. I hope this helps, and feel free to add me if you ever want to chat, I am here :)
  • Nathan_89
    Nathan_89 Posts: 2
    Thanks for your helpful responses!

    I've heard of starvation mode before but was unsure as to whether it was real or not? Maybe upping my calories will help then?

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