Back to basics

KAWittler1970
KAWittler1970 Posts: 74 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
So i have been struggling to stat on track to many choices not enought time, sleep or will power. I have decided to stop excersizing and focus on my food choices including cutting my food choices to less items. Then when i get my eating under control i will slowly start adding in my workouts. Hoping to break some cravings and slop walking around like a zombie.

Replies

  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    How many calories are you eating? Are you eating enough? Using a food scale?
  • KAWittler1970
    KAWittler1970 Posts: 74 Member
    I wasn't using a food scale but i am now. I do 2 4oz servings of protein (meats), 3 servings of fruit (preferably lower glycemic), 3 6 oz servings of vegitables (no potatoes). I started taking vitamins and am avoiding sugars. Also decreasing breads. I think i get enough usually 1100 calories a day.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    KAWittler1970 wrote: »
    I wasn't using a food scale but i am now. I do 2 4oz servings of protein (meats), 3 servings of fruit (preferably lower glycemic), 3 6 oz servings of vegitables (no potatoes). I started taking vitamins and am avoiding sugars. Also decreasing breads. I think i get enough usually 1100 calories a day.

    Unless you are extremely petite, 1200 calories is as low as you should go. Try eating that every day for a week and see if you feel better, and if you do, continue for a month and see how fast / slow you lose. Without any stats it's hard to give accurate advice. A little sugar won't hurt, either.
  • KAWittler1970
    KAWittler1970 Posts: 74 Member
    I am 5'5" and i have a stuborn metabolism. I figure i will fluctuate between 1100 and 1200 calories so far this week its been fine. I think smaller portions more often has helped with cravings.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    If you were walking around like a zombie, eating 1100 calories, and not eating back exercise calories, it's just something to think about. Slow and steady wins the race. Good luck.
  • KAWittler1970
    KAWittler1970 Posts: 74 Member
    No before this week i was eating 1300 to 1400 but often times carb heavy quick and easy stuff now i am shooting for 11 to 1200 and no processed stuff
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    How many calories a day does MFP advise you to eat?
    What is your weekly weight loss goal?
    How much do you weigh and what is your goal weight?

    Eating less than 1200 could make you lethargic, unable to concentrate and lose more muscle thsn necessary, in the short term. Long term under eating can lead to serious health problems.

    Please eat enough to fuel your body.

    Cheers, h.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    KAWittler1970 wrote: »
    I wasn't using a food scale but i am now. I do 2 4oz servings of protein (meats), 3 servings of fruit (preferably lower glycemic), 3 6 oz servings of vegitables (no potatoes). I started taking vitamins and am avoiding sugars. Also decreasing breads. I think i get enough usually 1100 calories a day.


    Include some fat and oils -- about 45 grams or more. Cut fruit and rest of the bread if you have to in order to get the oils. Your skin and such will than you. 1200 or a little higher is probably appropriate for a short time. Then increase to 1450.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    edited October 2015
    Areas where people usually fail on MFP. 1. Not using a food scale to weigh solids. 2. Not logging their calorie daily. You most likely don' t have a stubborn metabolism, you more than likely have inaccurate logging practices. And considering the average trained professional under reports calories by 300-400, you could be doing more.

    If you are walking around like a zombie, it could be a few things.. undernourishment from too little calories or you could be low on certain vitamins. I would suggest some blood work to get checked.

    If you want to some more feedback, please open your food diary. Also, do you exercise?
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    KAWittler1970 wrote: »
    So i have been struggling to stat on track to many choices not enought time, sleep or will power. I have decided to stop excersizing and focus on my food choices including cutting my food choices to less items. Then when i get my eating under control i will slowly start adding in my workouts. Hoping to break some cravings and slop walking around like a zombie.

    I think this sounds like a sensible plan. One step at a time. Best of luck to you!
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    Areas where people usually fail on MFP. 1. Not using a food scale to weigh solids. 2. Not logging their calorie daily. You most likely don' t have a stubborn metabolism, you more than likely have inaccurate logging practices. And considering the average trained professional under reports calories by 300-400, you could be doing more.

    If you are walking around like a zombie, it could be a few things.. undernourishment from too little calories or you could be low on certain vitamins. I would suggest some blood work to get checked.

    If you want to some more feedback, please open your food diary. Also, do you exercise?

    This! I get that you're 5'5 and I'm 5'10 so our needs are probably much different however our basic, fundamental needs are not. Your body needs nutrition and nourishment and so does mine. Not all starchy carbs are bad and in fact, you should eat some in your diet. I'm not saying pile on the fries here . . . I'm saying make sweet potato, make quinoa, make brown rice. Choose higher level starchy carbs, and if you're not exercising then you do need to carefully watch your intake of these. I work out 6 days a week so without adequate nutrition I tank every day around 2pm. It takes everything I can to keep my eyes open when that happens. You stated in your post you're decreasing breads, but when you laid out your meal plan you didn't have any amount of carbs listed for your daily intake.

    Do you have health benefits? If you do, I would HIGHLY recommend going to a registered dietitian. I have been working with one for over a year and I cannot speak highly enough of her. She's understanding, she listens, she has made unique plans for me based on my goals and my wants. I know she's listening to me and I know she wants what's best for me. She's super knowledgeable and is always willing to share her knowledge. I love working with her. And if you can find that I'd bet it would work for you too. Also, even if I didn't have benefits that covered dietetics, I would probably still pay out of pocket for her.

    Further, your metabolism probably is not stubborn as @psulemon mentioned. It's very easy to underestimate caloric intake. And if you're on a 1200 calorie diet to begin with, it doesn't leave a whole lot of room for error.

    What about drinks that you consume? What about sauces or spices? They can add up for sure. And if you're that petite underestimating by even 200 calories/day can really add up for you. I know it sucks, but that is the reality of it.

    Best of luck to you. I would definitely recommend eating a little more, but eating proper nutrition and I would bet you won't feel like a zombie any more. :)
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    edited October 2015
    acorsaut89 wrote: »
    psulemon wrote: »
    Areas where people usually fail on MFP. 1. Not using a food scale to weigh solids. 2. Not logging their calorie daily. You most likely don' t have a stubborn metabolism, you more than likely have inaccurate logging practices. And considering the average trained professional under reports calories by 300-400, you could be doing more.

    If you are walking around like a zombie, it could be a few things.. undernourishment from too little calories or you could be low on certain vitamins. I would suggest some blood work to get checked.

    If you want to some more feedback, please open your food diary. Also, do you exercise?

    This! I get that you're 5'5 and I'm 5'10 so our needs are probably much different however our basic, fundamental needs are not. Your body needs nutrition and nourishment and so does mine. Not all starchy carbs are bad and in fact, you should eat some in your diet. I'm not saying pile on the fries here . . . I'm saying make sweet potato, make quinoa, make brown rice. Choose higher level starchy carbs, and if you're not exercising then you do need to carefully watch your intake of these. I work out 6 days a week so without adequate nutrition I tank every day around 2pm. It takes everything I can to keep my eyes open when that happens. You stated in your post you're decreasing breads, but when you laid out your meal plan you didn't have any amount of carbs listed for your daily intake.

    Do you have health benefits? If you do, I would HIGHLY recommend going to a registered dietitian. I have been working with one for over a year and I cannot speak highly enough of her. She's understanding, she listens, she has made unique plans for me based on my goals and my wants. I know she's listening to me and I know she wants what's best for me. She's super knowledgeable and is always willing to share her knowledge. I love working with her. And if you can find that I'd bet it would work for you too. Also, even if I didn't have benefits that covered dietetics, I would probably still pay out of pocket for her.

    Further, your metabolism probably is not stubborn as @psulemon mentioned. It's very easy to underestimate caloric intake. And if you're on a 1200 calorie diet to begin with, it doesn't leave a whole lot of room for error.

    What about drinks that you consume? What about sauces or spices? They can add up for sure. And if you're that petite underestimating by even 200 calories/day can really add up for you. I know it sucks, but that is the reality of it.

    Best of luck to you. I would definitely recommend eating a little more, but eating proper nutrition and I would bet you won't feel like a zombie any more. :)

    ETA: your original post states that you are avoiding sugars. Fruit - even those on the low end of the glycemic index - are high in sugar. Is there a reason you're avoiding sugar? Did you mean refined sugar? What I call Level 3 carbs (sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, etc) might be more conducive to better energy levels for you. Fruits are good - don't get me wrong - but if you're worried about energy and feeling full and essentially getting the most bang for your buck . . . I would say fruit is not necessarily the way to go.
  • KAWittler1970
    KAWittler1970 Posts: 74 Member
    Thanks to everyone for there input. I am going to go see a nutritionist just to be sure but mostly i am cutting out foods and slowly adding back for many reasons. think some food groups or combos might be causing issues. (Like food allergies) Kind of doing this like when u start a baby on solids you don't give them everything just a few basics and see how they do. Also going to use food scale been estimating in the past and am sure i was way under. I promise i am not starving and not planning to starve just need to clear out my system stop the cravings and feel good about the food i eat. I weighed 165 6 month ago and have put on 30 lbs for no definte reason. I have excersized between 4 and 6 days a week for the past 8 years everything from mixed martial arts weight lifting yoga u name it i have tried it. I excersize cuse i enjoy it but lately i am to tired. I plan to see a doctor cuse this isnt the normal for me. Thanks for the support, concern and input.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Glad to hear you are getting things sorted, and consulting with professionals. We worry and nag because we care.

    Cheers, h.
  • KAWittler1970
    KAWittler1970 Posts: 74 Member
    :) I appreciate that and the chance to bounce ideas off others and get honest feed back. Luv u all.
  • KAWittler1970
    KAWittler1970 Posts: 74 Member
    Anyone who wants to add me as a friend i would love the input and advise. ☺️
  • antennachick
    antennachick Posts: 464 Member
    KAWittler1970 wrote: »
    Thanks to everyone for there input. I am going to go see a nutritionist just to be sure but mostly i am cutting out foods and slowly adding back for many reasons. think some food groups or combos might be causing issues. (Like food allergies) Kind of doing this like when u start a baby on solids you don't give them everything just a few basics and see how they do. Also going to use food scale been estimating in the past and am sure i was way under. I promise i am not starving and not planning to starve just need to clear out my system stop the cravings and feel good about the food i eat. I weighed 165 6 month ago and have put on 30 lbs for no definte reason. I have excersized between 4 and 6 days a week for the past 8 years everything from mixed martial arts weight lifting yoga u name it i have tried it. I excersize cuse i enjoy it but lately i am to tired. I plan to see a doctor cuse this isnt the normal for me. Thanks for the support, concern and input.
    have you had your iron checked? I had thr same problem with being so tired and come to find out I was anemic

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