Advice on getting to the right amount of calories

eamn1996
eamn1996 Posts: 6 Member
edited November 2024 in Getting Started
So, I'm on Day 3 of using this site. I joined because my weight loss has plateaued (started at 320, down to 250 - have been 250 for about a month), so I figured I'd try tracking what I'm eating to see if I could gain any insights into why the scale isn't moving. And I did notice one thing...each day I've come in under my recommended daily calories.

I'm at about 900 calories per day, which I know is not optimal. But, I didn't realize that was happening.

I feel like I eat all day long...breakfast shake at 7am, snack of a boiled egg and fruit at 11am, lunch of a lean protein (usually chicken) and veggies at 1pm, snack of a protein bar at 4pm, dinner of a lean protein, veggies, and a carb like sweet potato, whole grain bread, corn tortillas, etc. at around 7pm. Throughout the day I drink about 70-80 ozs. of water. If I ever feel hungry I snack on raw veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers etc.

Anyone have any advice on how to either a) get over the plateau if diet change isn't needed, or b) change my diet to get over the plateau? Thanks in advance for your help!

Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    eamn1996 wrote: »
    So, I'm on Day 3 of using this site. I joined because my weight loss has plateaued (started at 320, down to 250 - have been 250 for about a month), so I figured I'd try tracking what I'm eating to see if I could gain any insights into why the scale isn't moving. And I did notice one thing...each day I've come in under my recommended daily calories.

    I'm at about 900 calories per day, which I know is not optimal. But, I didn't realize that was happening.

    I feel like I eat all day long...breakfast shake at 7am, snack of a boiled egg and fruit at 11am, lunch of a lean protein (usually chicken) and veggies at 1pm, snack of a protein bar at 4pm, dinner of a lean protein, veggies, and a carb like sweet potato, whole grain bread, corn tortillas, etc. at around 7pm. Throughout the day I drink about 70-80 ozs. of water. If I ever feel hungry I snack on raw veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers etc.

    Anyone have any advice on how to either a) get over the plateau if diet change isn't needed, or b) change my diet to get over the plateau? Thanks in advance for your help!

    Did you weigh this food on a food scale? Sounds like more than 900 to me.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    I doubt you are eating 900 calories other wise you would be losing weight. Do weigh your solid food and measure liquids??

    Read this OP: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

    :)
  • allaboutthefood
    allaboutthefood Posts: 781 Member
    Do you use a scale to weigh your food?
  • blue_eyes1978
    blue_eyes1978 Posts: 127 Member
    I started weighing everything possible and I have to tell you what I "thought" I was eating and what I was "actually" eating were definitely not the same. I used measuring cups and was pretty far off with that method. It takes longer but it is so much more accurate to weigh everything possible :)
  • eamn1996
    eamn1996 Posts: 6 Member
    arditarose wrote: »

    Did you weigh this food on a food scale? Sounds like more than 900 to me.

    Hi! Yes, I weigh the food on a scale and make myself prepackaged/premeasured little baggies for everyday of the week. I cook without adding fats (no butter/oils/etc.).

    And I did lose weight on this diet. I went from 320 to 250 in about seven months. I haven't changed anything.
  • eamn1996
    eamn1996 Posts: 6 Member
    conniescakes1 wrote: »
    Do you use a scale to weigh your food?

    Hi! Yes, I do. I've lost 70 lbs this way...just not lately. I haven't changed anything.
  • eamn1996
    eamn1996 Posts: 6 Member
    Serah87 wrote: »
    I doubt you are eating 900 calories other wise you would be losing weight. Do weigh your solid food and measure liquids??

    Read this OP: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

    :)

    Hi! Yes, I weigh my food, cook without fats (no butter/oil/etc.), and the only liquid I drink is water. I lost 70lbs on this diet, and haven't changed anything.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    Can you open up your diary??
  • eamn1996
    eamn1996 Posts: 6 Member
    blue_eyes1978 wrote: »
    I started weighing everything possible and I have to tell you what I "thought" I was eating and what I was "actually" eating were definitely not the same. I used measuring cups and was pretty far off with that method. It takes longer but it is so much more accurate to weigh everything possible :)

    Thanks. I've always used a food scale, not a measuring cup. The diet was very successful for a while. I lost 70lbs this way. I haven't changed anything.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,147 Member
    edited June 2015
    Have you adjusted your calories to accommodate your weight loss?
  • eamn1996
    eamn1996 Posts: 6 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    Have you adjusted your calories to accommodate your weight loss?

    I haven't changed anything since I started.
This discussion has been closed.

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