I Don't Think I'm Eating Enough

docklanders
docklanders Posts: 31
edited March 4 in Food and Nutrition
Hello!

Quick introduction, i'm J, 21, and have began taking my diet semi-seriously over the past few months. I've lost a little bit of weight (not too much), and I feel relatively comfortable with where i'm at, yet I still feel my BF% is a little too high for my goals. Two weeks ago I got a gym membership, and have been going 5 times a week (and will continue to do so), lifting light weights and trying to get a bit more toned. I've asked for some advice from one of the guys who works there, who has told me i'm eating way too few calories, and I won't gain much muscle as my body is struggling to cope with the low amount of calories I take in a day.

Right now, my goal on MFP is 1,670. To me, I find this is a struggle to actually get to that amount. I used to be anorexic, albeit a long time ago, and have never really been comfortable eating much, so a lot of the time i'm actually under my daily recommendation by 100-200 calories.

I know it's a bit of a stupid question, but I was just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on what I can do to increase my calorie intake without over indulging or raising my weight again. My body aspiration is slim & toned, i'm not really looking to bulk up much, so that's why i'm shying away from high calorie meals and fatty foods.

Thanks so much!

J

Replies

  • justcat206
    justcat206 Posts: 716 Member
    If it helps for comparison, I'm a 5'1" female and I maintain at about 110 on 1600 cal/day (and I only lift 1-2 days a week with little other exercise). If you're only trying to add a few hundred more calories, things like an apple with peanut butter, a scrambled egg with avocado, yogurt with fruit and granola - are healthy options that wont make you feel like you're indulging too much. If you haven't set your macros, you might try googling that - they'll help guide your food choices as well (i.e. you get to the end of the day and see you need more protein and fat so you can have some avocado salsa chicken, vs needing more carbs, so toast it is).

    Also just remember that muscle is denser than fat, so you can actually gain weight without gaining inches - might help to keep your eye on measurements instead of the scale if you're really worried about that - although it is a lot harder to get "bulky" than most people believe.

    The best things to keep in mind - eat foods that keep you energized and lift the heavy weights to look "toned." I've been anorexic, too, and I know it's crazy hard to reset your mind to see food as a tool instead of an enemy, but it really is so important to eat. Best wishes!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories