can't consume 1600 calories

have you given up some of your favorite foods like pizza or hamburgers? You can add something like that back in once in a while. Be careful not to trigger a binge.

I am so much better at sticking within my calorie range when I allow myself treats but I have to be very careful about it.

SergeantSausage wrote: »

<rolls eyes>

Because you got to where you needed to lose weight by eating less than 1600, right?

This. Try more calorie dense foods- nut butters, avocado, nuts.

What are some of the foods you LOVED before? Fit them in, in moderation. Tonight for dinner I'm having salmon, baked zucchini and cajun seasoned crab cakes. Crab cakes are a simple pleasure for me. 340 calories of yumminess!

kaviles1976 wrote: »

Just afraid of gaining

So it's not that you can't eat to 1600, you're afraid to? No bueno.

Even if you did gain, it would be what - a pound or two? You're not suddenly going to blimp eating 1600 a day, especially if you entered all your info correctly when you set up MFP, because 1600 must be a deficit for you. Meaning it's fewer cals that what your body burns all day long, even without exercise.

Heck, I gain a pound or two (or 5) and lose it again all month long, but my overall trend is downward. And more important than those pounds are INCHES lost - are you tracking your measurements? Much better way to gauge progress.

My body has been much happier since I began eating the proper number of cals, properly fueling my body for my workouts and every day life - the fat has come off, my sizes have gone down, my body fat has decreased, and my strength, endurance, flexibility have all increased - and I eat 1800-2000 calories a day.

You should not be afraid to eat. Eat what MFP tells you to, follow the plan for a good 4-6 weeks. If after that time you're not losing (inches and/or scale weight), or if you've gained a bit, then re-evaluate and drop cals by 100 and go another 4 weeks or so. It's a learning process, and the estimates for intakes and burns are just that - estimates. It takes time to figure it out and dial it all in, but it's completely worth it.

For over 3 years now I've kept the weight off, and am slowly losing a bit more body fat, enjoying life, workouts and FOOD! No fear!

londoncpecial01 wrote: »

kaviles1976 wrote: »

Thank u

I was wondering the same thing... and I only have 1200 so don't focus on eating health the hole time???

I was having a similar problem. I had a huge problem eating enough calories while eating clean. To be honest for a while i would have a bowl of raisin bran with reduced fat milk for breakfast and maybe some fruit then a bowl of plain salad, no meat, no dressing for lunch, no dinner. 2-3 cups of tea and 3-4 24oz bottles of water. I used to eat like that for an entire summer with the exception of 2 days where i had 2 slices of pizza just because there was some in the house. Gained 25 lbs over that summer and haven't gotten rid of it since. Think i messed up my metabolism.

kaviles1976 wrote: »

jnv7594 wrote: »

SergeantSausage wrote: »

<rolls eyes>

Because you got to where you needed to lose weight by eating less than 1600, right?

This is always my thought, lol. How did you get overweight to begin with when you can't manage to eat 1600 calories?

1st off...youre comment is rude. Obviously I didn't care no track my intake. I am eating very healthy now so I fill up on less food. I also have a medical issue I care not to.discuss. Thanks to everyone.else for the positive input

To be honest, I had the same question... If someone struggles to consume 1600 calories then how did they become overweight in the first place??
I've even seen posts from overweight people saying they're struggling to eat 1200 calories :huh:

CA_Underdog wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote:

Add oil (like olive oil) or calorie dense foods like avocados to your intake.

This. OP, you've gone from one eating style that doesn't serve you to another. This is common starting out, and it's good you realize there's a problem (you're not hitting your calorie goal) rather than falling into the trap of believing you're doing "extra good". Add more healthy fats such as the above to your diet, or if that fails, eat some of the foods you used to eat before.

Realize foods (generally) aren't inherently good or bad--what makes them good or bad for you is whether they fit your daily calorie and nutrient goals, e.g. the ones MFP sets for you.

(Generally--an 8,000-calorie cheeseburger is bad for just about everyone!)

Just wanted to underscore this and point out that just maybe this is how people go from overweight to unable to hit a calorie goal. Although in my case, i was unable to hit a calorie goal for awhile because of where i work and all the stress, lol.