Can't force myself to 1000 calories!!

tiffanyslimdown
tiffanyslimdown Posts: 76 Member
edited November 20 in Food and Nutrition
Since starting Phen 37.5 it's so difficult for me to eat a meal now. I'm lucky if I can get down one chicken breast. With having dry mouth I'm drinking plenty water just not eating enough.
What do you all suggest? What can I eat to get those nutrients my body needs.
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Replies

  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    Honestly? stop the meds under your doctor's supervision.
    If you aren't willing to do that: milk and EAS Complete Nutrition whey protein, with or without fruit blended in. Without fruit, an 8 oz shake is about 300 calories with whole milk.
  • tiffanyslimdown
    tiffanyslimdown Posts: 76 Member
    Honestly? stop the meds under your doctor's supervision.
    If you aren't willing to do that: milk and EAS Complete Nutrition whey protein, with or without fruit blended in. Without fruit, an 8 oz shake is about 300 calories with whole milk.

    I really hate to stop! I feel like it help me 100% percent with controlling appetite & bad choices I would previously make. I don't even crave nonsense foods.
    My short term goal is to be down 50lbs by November, but will I get there without eating is my concern.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    Stop.

    I don't know much about Phentermine, but I know it's an appetite suppressant? If you really have to take it, eat foods which have a high caloric density;
    • Nuts and nut butters / trail mix
    • Fatty cuts of meat / 20% mince, pork , steak etc
    • Avocado and vegetable oils
    • Sweet treats
    • Ensure
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    Honestly? stop the meds under your doctor's supervision.
    If you aren't willing to do that: milk and EAS Complete Nutrition whey protein, with or without fruit blended in. Without fruit, an 8 oz shake is about 300 calories with whole milk.

    I really hate to stop! I feel like it help me 100% percent with controlling appetite & bad choices I would previously make. I don't even crave nonsense foods.
    My short term goal is to be down 50lbs by November, but will I get there without eating is my concern.

    It's 118 days till November 1st, 2015. That's around 16 weeks. To lose 50lb, you'd have to lose around 3lb per week. I'm not sure on your stats... but that's quite aggressive.
  • tiffanyslimdown
    tiffanyslimdown Posts: 76 Member
    Honestly? stop the meds under your doctor's supervision.
    If you aren't willing to do that: milk and EAS Complete Nutrition whey protein, with or without fruit blended in. Without fruit, an 8 oz shake is about 300 calories with whole milk.

    I really hate to stop! I feel like it help me 100% percent with controlling appetite & bad choices I would previously make. I don't even crave nonsense foods.
    My short term goal is to be down 50lbs by November, but

    It's 118 days till November 1st, 2015. That's around 16 weeks. To lose 50lb, you'd have to lose around 3lb per week. I'm not sure on your stats... but that's quite aggressive.

    July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov...... 10lbs per month is what I was hoping to lose.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    That's quite a lot in my opinion.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited July 2015
    Honestly? stop the meds under your doctor's supervision.
    If you aren't willing to do that: milk and EAS Complete Nutrition whey protein, with or without fruit blended in. Without fruit, an 8 oz shake is about 300 calories with whole milk.

    I really hate to stop! I feel like it help me 100% percent with controlling appetite & bad choices I would previously make. I don't even crave nonsense foods.
    My short term goal is to be down 50lbs by November, but will I get there without eating is my concern.

    Personally, I would be more concerned about being able to get adequate nutrition in. Yes you will lose weight, but the effects of malnutrition can be serious and deadly. If you had to choose would you rather:
    A) Be 50 lbs lighter with malnutrition issues (hair loss, brittle nails, gall stones, lbm loss (muscle...heart is a muscle), etc)
    or
    B ) Be 17 - 34 lbs lighter without becoming malnourished

    Personally, I'd go with the second option all the way, but that's just me.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited July 2015
    The recommendation for safe weight loss is 1-2 lbs per week. You want to average 2.9 lbs per week which unless you have a lot to lose isn't going to be healthy or safe to do so.

    edit: Oh and I'm not saying you have to stop the appetite suppressant. Just try to add in some calorie dense foods so that your getting closer to 1200 calories and you might want to adjust your weight loss expectations slightly.
  • tiffanyslimdown
    tiffanyslimdown Posts: 76 Member
    Yes @shadow2soul I have a lot to lose. Hopefully 100lbs by this time next year.
  • Kexessa
    Kexessa Posts: 346 Member
    Maybe you could ask your doctor to cut your Phen dose in half, or at least reduce it? Possibly the dosage is too high.
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    I would have a talk with your doctor about not getting enough calories. Your dose of Phen may be to high.

    Anyway, here is a list of foods that are very nutrient dense.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
  • MsJoisey
    MsJoisey Posts: 29 Member
    edited July 2015
    I really hate to stop! I feel like it help me 100% percent with controlling appetite & bad choices I would previously make. I don't even crave nonsense foods.
    My short term goal is to be down 50lbs by November, but will I get there without eating is my concern.

    Many years ago I went on a doctor supervised liquid protein fast to lose weight. I did and when I came off it the weight came right back on. That particular program did not force me to have to deal with food, my relationship with it and so did not learn any useful habits that would allow me to keep the weight off.

    If you don't need to be on that medication, and given you have some concerns, I would talk to your doctor about stopping. On a balanced eating plan you might be surprised to see those cravings for nonsense foods are under control. Works for me, Learning to deal with food, how to make good choices is very important to long term success.




  • maybebeccadough
    maybebeccadough Posts: 49 Member
    edited July 2015
    If you're under a doctor's supervision, I wouldn't worry too much about anything we say here. Your PCP should make sure you're taken care of.

    If not, I'd recommend going to your doctor and seeing if they recommend anything specific to avoid any harm while you're doing this, i.e. supplements so you get vital vitamins and minerals.
  • allyphoe
    allyphoe Posts: 618 Member
    3 pounds a week is less that 1% of OP's body weight, so not totally unreasonable.

    OP, if I were you, I'd talk to your doctor and maybe get a referral to a registered dietician who can help you come up with food you can eat that meets your nutritional needs.

    I'd also talk to your dentist about the dry mouth. I was on a medication that made my mouth dry for about 9 months, and a year later needed gum implants because my gums had receded so much due to the dry mouth.
  • tiffanyslimdown
    tiffanyslimdown Posts: 76 Member
    Oh my lorrdy!!!! Water wasn't enough to hydrate your mouth or chewing gum? @allyphoe
  • ST7927
    ST7927 Posts: 11 Member
    @tiffanyslimdown aside from the meds and eating...are you working out. Get on that treadmill and walk for 20 minutes and gradually get to 45 also do easy strength training exercises to begin with and you will see the weight drop. Working out is KEY! It will help you with weight loss but the strength training with also help with how your skin tightens up. Won't have as much loose skin.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    Since starting Phen 37.5 it's so difficult for me to eat a meal now. I'm lucky if I can get down one chicken breast. With having dry mouth I'm drinking plenty water just not eating enough.
    What do you all suggest? What can I eat to get those nutrients my body needs.
    Get off the phen?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • faithyang
    faithyang Posts: 297 Member
    Now I'm not sure whether you intend on sustaining your weight after that drastic weight loss.

    But honestly even if you reach your goal weight, the moment you get off those meds your artificially reduced appetite will return back to normal.

    If you're relying solely on meds to keep your appetite low rather than training yourself to enjoy and get used to proper portion control and sustainable food/eating routines as a habit the moment you get off those meds your appetite will slowly grow back to normal, and you will end up getting hungrier, eating more and gaining back that weight because you have essentially starved your body of calories to reach a certain weight - hence you will need to permanently keep your body in starvation mode to maintain that weight.

    The best way is to try not to use those meds, or to use the time that those meds buy you to formulate a healthy eating pattern and a sustainable healthy lifestyle so that once you get off those meds, you WILL gain back some of that weight due to the unnatural way you lost it, but you will be ready equipped to manage it in a way where you will not go back to an unhealthy weight.
  • allyphoe
    allyphoe Posts: 618 Member
    Oh my lorrdy!!!! Water wasn't enough to hydrate your mouth or chewing gum? @allyphoe

    Apparently not!
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Troutsy wrote: »
    I would have a talk with your doctor about not getting enough calories. Your dose of Phen may be to high.

    This. Talk to your doctor, bring your food log and explain you are having trouble eating more.
  • tiffanyslimdown
    tiffanyslimdown Posts: 76 Member
    ST7927 wrote: »
    @tiffanyslimdown aside from the meds and eating...are you working out. Get on that treadmill and walk for 20 minutes and gradually get to 45 also do easy strength training exercises to begin with and you will see the weight drop. Working out is KEY! It will help you with weight loss but the strength training with also help with how your skin tightens up. Won't have as much loose skin.

    Yes, I've been walking daily. Started at a mile and it took me 34min to complete it. The more I walk the netter my numbers get. I wanted to wait to before I started weight training but after reading others success and your comment here...why wait! Hanging arm fat and thigh fat is already a problem for me.
    Thanks @ST7927
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Honestly, if you want more calories, concentrate on more nutrient dense foods such as: nuts, avocado, cheese, cooking in oils, protein bars, protein shakes, dairy (add cheese to meals, full fat yogurts, ice cream) or even drink some calories. Many of these things will allow you to increase calories without increasing volume. And while, I understand that you have a good amount to lose, you should still be working to meet your nutrient requirements and teach yourself how to sustain an eating style long term. At 1000 calories, the average new person will not achieve their macornutrient and micronutrient requirements.
  • flaminica
    flaminica Posts: 304 Member
    faithyang wrote: »
    Now I'm not sure whether you intend on sustaining your weight after that drastic weight loss.

    But honestly even if you reach your goal weight, the moment you get off those meds your artificially reduced appetite will return back to normal.

    If you're relying solely on meds to keep your appetite low rather than training yourself to enjoy and get used to proper portion control and sustainable food/eating routines as a habit the moment you get off those meds your appetite will slowly grow back to normal, and you will end up getting hungrier, eating more and gaining back that weight because you have essentially starved your body of calories to reach a certain weight - hence you will need to permanently keep your body in starvation mode to maintain that weight.

    The best way is to try not to use those meds, or to use the time that those meds buy you to formulate a healthy eating pattern and a sustainable healthy lifestyle so that once you get off those meds, you WILL gain back some of that weight due to the unnatural way you lost it, but you will be ready equipped to manage it in a way where you will not go back to an unhealthy weight.

    Thank you.

    OP, what you're doing is an unsustainable fast-track 'E' ticket to yo-yo weight gain. Maybe your doctor is relying on that for the repeat business. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. For the rest of your life. Simple as.
  • AlyM725
    AlyM725 Posts: 158 Member
    Would you be willing to see a nutritionist? There are a lot of great suggestions here, but a nutritionist would continuously work with you to not only help you reach your nutrition needs now, but in the long run too. I think it's great you are taking steps to be healthier, but if you don't learn to eat right when you're off the Phen, the weight will come back. It's just something to think about.

  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    AlyM725 wrote: »
    Would you be willing to see a nutritionist? There are a lot of great suggestions here, but a nutritionist would continuously work with you to not only help you reach your nutrition needs now, but in the long run too. I think it's great you are taking steps to be healthier, but if you don't learn to eat right when you're off the Phen, the weight will come back. It's just something to think about.

    Registered Dietician...not nutritionist.

    RD is a certified, accredited title; a nutritionist is likely a person who printed out a certificate from a website.
  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    Phen is not going to help you in the long term, go revisit it with your doctor and see a registered dietitian. When I first started last year, the RD I met with played a huge part in setting me up for long term sustainable success.
  • NikiChicken
    NikiChicken Posts: 576 Member
    Kexessa wrote: »
    Maybe you could ask your doctor to cut your Phen dose in half, or at least reduce it? Possibly the dosage is too high.

    I take half my prescribed dose. I am also prescribed 37.5, but if I take that much, I feel awful - I can't eat, my mouth is too dry, I get headaches and a light-headed, spinny feeling and I just feel yucky overall. So I cut back to taking only half of my pill each day and I feel *so* much better. I actually take it to increase my metabolism because I wasn't having a problem with cravings/eating too much. I had been losing slowly but steadily for 3 years (I had a lot to lose) but I had been on a true plateau for about 8 months when I went to see my doctor about it in June. Since my blood work came back without showing any definitive medical reason why I was so stalled, my doctor and I decided to try this for a couple months to see if it would help break the plateau. Even taking half the recommended dose, it has helped immensely and I have started losing again without feeling so terrible from the full dose of Phen.

    Also, I agree with many others. 50 pounds by November is very aggressive, even with a lot to lose. My personal feeling is to ditch the goals of a certain amount by a certain time and focus more on the good habits such as eating a balanced diet; weighing, measuring and logging all your food; and exercising. If you focus on good habits, the scale *will* respond and it won't set you up for disappointment if you don't hit an arbitrary number by a specified date. Any and all weight loss should be celebrated and it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as your overall trend line is going down.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    edited July 2015
    Honestly? stop the meds under your doctor's supervision.
    If you aren't willing to do that: milk and EAS Complete Nutrition whey protein, with or without fruit blended in. Without fruit, an 8 oz shake is about 300 calories with whole milk.

    I really hate to stop! I feel like it help me 100% percent with controlling appetite & bad choices I would previously make. I don't even crave nonsense foods.
    My short term goal is to be down 50lbs by November, but

    It's 118 days till November 1st, 2015. That's around 16 weeks. To lose 50lb, you'd have to lose around 3lb per week. I'm not sure on your stats... but that's quite aggressive.

    July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov...... 10lbs per month is what I was hoping to lose.
    10lbs a month? Yeah, this is full of nope nope nope.

    More fork downs and table pushaways, and do it at a reasonable calorie deficit.
    No appetite suppressants needed.

  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    MsJoisey wrote: »
    I really hate to stop! I feel like it help me 100% percent with controlling appetite & bad choices I would previously make. I don't even crave nonsense foods.
    My short term goal is to be down 50lbs by November, but will I get there without eating is my concern.

    Many years ago I went on a doctor supervised liquid protein fast to lose weight. I did and when I came off it the weight came right back on. That particular program did not force me to have to deal with food, my relationship with it and so did not learn any useful habits that would allow me to keep the weight off.

    If you don't need to be on that medication, and given you have some concerns, I would talk to your doctor about stopping. On a balanced eating plan you might be surprised to see those cravings for nonsense foods are under control. Works for me, Learning to deal with food, how to make good choices is very important to long term success.
    DING DING DING, we have a winner.

    OP, listen to advice in here and think long-term and sustainable.
  • ST7927
    ST7927 Posts: 11 Member
    @tiffanyslimdown doesn't matter how long it takes you just do it and when you're more comfortable increase the incline and length of time. Listen to your body, but also push yourself. Next time you walk walk for 40 minutes. Then next week walk 45 minutes. Why wait to weight train?! No need! I suggest getting a trainer to show you the right way to do the routines then do them on your own at home or at the gym! Take your time...slow and steady wins the race...
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