Feeling deprived while counting macros

LolaKarwowski
LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
edited November 24 in Food and Nutrition
Hello!

I'm eating almost 2000 cals a day
40 c/30 f/ 30 p
I lift heavy (hit PRS almost every time I workout)
I workout at least 5 times a week for an hour (lifting) and do 10 min of cardio with the lifting.
I hate cardio.
I will not spend hours doing cardio to eat more.
I drink plenty of water.

Can someone help me out? Not asking for people to tell me how much to eat as that wouldn't be smart. But I guess maybe tell me something I am missing here.

PS. My TOM won't come for another couple weeks. I'm 5ft 7in.

Replies

  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    What's making you feel deprived? What do you feel like you're missing out on or giving up?
  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    Not sure the question.
    You say you're feeling deprived. Deprived of what? Or are you just hungry?
    Looking for filling snacks?
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    "Junk food". Idk what else to call it. I just want carbbbbbssss all the time. But like, not from fruits and veggies.
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  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    "Junk food". Idk what else to call it. I just want carbbbbbssss all the time. But like, not from fruits and veggies.

    Are you trying to cut or maintain? Makes a difference.
    You can play with your macro % as long as you stay at 2000 calories.
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    If you want something, eat it and work it into your calories and macros.

    I aim for about 80% of my calories from nutrient-dense foods and 20% treats. I eat what I want when I want it but I do watch how much of it I eat. That way, I get what I want but stay within my goals.
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    seska422 wrote: »
    If you want something, eat it and work it into your calories and macros.

    I aim for about 80% of my calories from nutrient-dense foods and 20% treats. I eat what I want when I want it but I do watch how much of it I eat. That way, I get what I want but stay within my goals.

    The thing is... I have been doing this!! For months with no problem!!! But just recently I've been struggling a lot. I haven't been doing it for long though (4 months) so I'm hoping it's just a phase? I mean I've had bad days before but never bad weeks. I'm desperate y'all. I really feel like I'm on the verge of giving up.
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    "Junk food". Idk what else to call it. I just want carbbbbbssss all the time. But like, not from fruits and veggies.

    Are you trying to cut or maintain? Makes a difference.
    You can play with your macro % as long as you stay at 2000 calories.

    Doing recomp btw. I obviously could never do a cut. I don't have the will power. Lol
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    Bump
  • erimethia_fekre
    erimethia_fekre Posts: 317 Member
    "Junk food". Idk what else to call it. I just want carbbbbbssss all the time. But like, not from fruits and veggies.

    A lot of people use protein bars and protein shakes to kill their sweet tooth craving while not adding carbs or fat extra to their diet. It's something you may want to consider.
  • slideaway1
    slideaway1 Posts: 1,006 Member
    Have cheat days or cheat meals and carb up for your sanity. I find it pretty easy keeping my carbs and fats quite low and protein high. But occasionally I just crave carbs (strange things like huge bowls of pasta) and I just listen to my body and have them. I'm back on track straight after so no harm done.
  • DebraRohac
    DebraRohac Posts: 1 Member
    I find listing all my food and counting the "micros" makes food feel like a perscription and not a meal. Meals are eating occassions you enjoy, with friends and family, you have wine, you laugh. Dieting divides food, analyses food, turns it into what you must eat, what you must not eat. You become food focused, you find yourself "hang-on" until the next ime you are "allowed" to eat - if not you end up eating turnip for dinner and only watching your family and friends eat. This is where the deprived feeling comes from. Like you are being punished for past "eating sins".
  • slideaway1
    slideaway1 Posts: 1,006 Member
    DebraRohac wrote: »
    I find listing all my food and counting the "micros" makes food feel like a perscription and not a meal. Meals are eating occassions you enjoy, with friends and family, you have wine, you laugh. Dieting divides food, analyses food, turns it into what you must eat, what you must not eat. You become food focused, you find yourself "hang-on" until the next ime you are "allowed" to eat - if not you end up eating turnip for dinner and only watching your family and friends eat. This is where the deprived feeling comes from. Like you are being punished for past "eating sins".

    loosing weight does not have to be like that. There are much easier ways of being in a calorie deficit that allows you to still enjoy the foods you love. Exercise is not really needed for weight loss either, it just aids the process of creating a deficit.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    @LolaKarwowski - question about Thursday - were those snacks eaten after dinner or throughout the day?
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    @LolaKarwowski - question about Thursday - were those snacks eaten after dinner or throughout the day?

    Besides the donut and m&m and veggies/fruits, it was all after I dinner. It got really bad
  • aligatormore
    aligatormore Posts: 5 Member
    I would recommend increasing your protein to be your highest % and lowering your carbs. Yes this will give you higher cravings in the beginning but you will get better results and eventually the cravings do go away because your body will function off of the proteins. I agree with the cheat meals 100%! I think they are important to keep our metabolism going and to continue to realize this is a lifestyle change but everything is in moderation. For some people eating a piece of dark chocolate everyday is the way to go. For me, I use it as a game. If I hit my goals for the week or x number of days I get a treat. Maybe a maple bacon donut or loaded froyo out or something I wouldn't normally eat.

    Hope this helps :smiley:
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    @LolaKarwowski - question about Thursday - were those snacks eaten after dinner or throughout the day?

    Besides the donut and m&m and veggies/fruits, it was all after I dinner. It got really bad

    I am very familiar with bad episodes after meals that aren't balanced. I wonder if you would have been triggered if you'd had a starch and some veggies with your steak?

  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    @LolaKarwowski - question about Thursday - were those snacks eaten after dinner or throughout the day?

    Besides the donut and m&m and veggies/fruits, it was all after I dinner. It got really bad

    I am very familiar with bad episodes after meals that aren't balanced. I wonder if you would have been triggered if you'd had a starch and some veggies with your steak?

    I usually always do. Except I used up almost all my car macros with my early snacks. Yesterday was a really bad day. I usually have 4oz of veggies and some brown rice with my lunch and dinner meals. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just know I don't want to quit
  • aledba
    aledba Posts: 564 Member
    edited September 2015
    I wish I could eat 2000 cals. Check my diary. I still fit treats in and fall under 1800/day...for the most part ;)

    I think you're doing really well about logging honestly. You shouldn't feel bad. It happens to the best of us. If you're just starting your weightloss journey, it can be really tough to overcome the cravings at first or the strong desire to eat allllll the M&Ms because YUM CHOCOLATE!

    In all honesty, if you keep at it, you will succeed. You'll see the pounds come off, you'll feel very motivated. After sometime, your hunger and need to eat the sweets is quelled. You become more aware of your choices and make healthier ones to meet your macros. It's a journey and it's hard. You're on the right track!

    Do you take your measurements? Sometimes, you can lose inches and maintain your weight, which could work ok depending on your goals.
  • aledba
    aledba Posts: 564 Member
    Also wanted to say - the progress you have made outweighs this tiny setback. Stay awesome!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    @LolaKarwowski - question about Thursday - were those snacks eaten after dinner or throughout the day?

    Besides the donut and m&m and veggies/fruits, it was all after I dinner. It got really bad

    I am very familiar with bad episodes after meals that aren't balanced. I wonder if you would have been triggered if you'd had a starch and some veggies with your steak?

    I usually always do. Except I used up almost all my car macros with my early snacks. Yesterday was a really bad day. I usually have 4oz of veggies and some brown rice with my lunch and dinner meals. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just know I don't want to quit

    Live and learn :)

    I've learned that I can have foods like M&Ms after dinner, but if I have it earlier in the day, it will screw up the rest of my day.

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Is it a new thing or has been going for a while? I don't know, I always have those cravings 2 weeks to 10 days before my period, and they last over a week.

    Otherwise, well, I do cardio so I can eat more, but you don't want to do that, so try to make it fit in your calories I guess.
This discussion has been closed.