Eating enough calories

why not trying drinking some fresh fruit juice that would help getting some calories in. i wouldnt eat bad food i think you would be better accepting the left over cals rather than doing that,

Nuts are an excellent source of Protein, fat (good fats i think) and are packed with calories. It could be a healthyish way to get that many calories in.

Chronic lack of appetite can be a signal of severely decreased metabolism. A couple of threads that may help:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/175241-a-personal-view-on-exercise-cals-and-underfeeding

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/231636-the-eating-when-you-re-not-hungry-dilemma

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/230930-starvation-mode-how-it-works

As for how to increase cals:

Planning is key. Focus on balanced macros (protein/fat/carbs) in each meal/snack. Start with making sure to eat at least 3 meals a day. Breakfast is important when you're trying to overcome a habit of irregular eating or underfeeding. Once you've adjusted to that, add in snacks. Then, gradually increase the amount of cals in each meal/snack. Just 50 cals more for each meal/snack adds up. If you know you'll be working out, increase cals throughout the day.

If you're not feeling hungry, a good way to increase cals without much volume is healthy fats from natural oils (olive/canola), nuts and nut butters (almonds, pistachios, walnuts), and avocados. Also, I would stay away from "low cal" or "low fat" options. Partly because you want to increase cals, and partly because those foods are usually processed and not nutrient dense, and the cals or fat they take out is replaced by sugar (real or substitute) and sodium - not a good trade off. A fruit smoothie, protein shake or chocolate milk are good cal boosters, because drinking cals can be easier than eating when you aren't feeling hungry.

Typically, it may be hard for a few days or a week, but your body will adjust to the increased intake and you'll find it isn't an issue for long. Eating more will truly help your metabolism, and your appetite will increase with it.

Yeh, I have found out today that i have probably not been eating enough, been at Weightwatchers over a year this time and have only lost just over 2 stone in that time. I have been for a long walk with the dog today and burned loads of calories, but it's 22.10 and there is no way I am going to fit anymore eating in! So I am going to try to and do better tomorrow. I would stick to good calories if i was you, or save them for a day when you don't do the exercise if thats allowed, someone may tell me its not!

Chronic lack of appetite can be a signal of severely decreased metabolism. A couple of threads that may help:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/175241-a-personal-view-on-exercise-cals-and-underfeeding

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/231636-the-eating-when-you-re-not-hungry-dilemma

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/230930-starvation-mode-how-it-works

As for how to increase cals:

Planning is key. Focus on balanced macros (protein/fat/carbs) in each meal/snack. Start with making sure to eat at least 3 meals a day. Breakfast is important when you're trying to overcome a habit of irregular eating or underfeeding. Once you've adjusted to that, add in snacks. Then, gradually increase the amount of cals in each meal/snack. Just 50 cals more for each meal/snack adds up. If you know you'll be working out, increase cals throughout the day.

If you're not feeling hungry, a good way to increase cals without much volume is healthy fats from natural oils (olive/canola), nuts and nut butters (almonds, pistachios, walnuts), and avocados. Also, I would stay away from "low cal" or "low fat" options. Partly because you want to increase cals, and partly because those foods are usually processed and not nutrient dense, and the cals or fat they take out is replaced by sugar (real or substitute) and sodium - not a good trade off. A fruit smoothie, protein shake or chocolate milk are good cal boosters, because drinking cals can be easier than eating when you aren't feeling hungry.

Typically, it may be hard for a few days or a week, but your body will adjust to the increased intake and you'll find it isn't an issue for long. Eating more will truly help your metabolism, and your appetite will increase with it.

Thank you so much!! I read the links and they were truly enlightening! I feel less "alone" now since I know you have gone through the same thing! Technically it's an eating disorder - but not enough of one to need "help" or to be noticable. I mean - how do you gain weight when you only take in 1000cals/day or less? Now I understand why - thanks to you.

I think the best thing I can do is gradually add in extra cals at every meal - so that I don't end up with a huge deficit at the end of the day and try desperately to eat 1000 cals right before bed. I think I am also going to allow myself full-fat things (i.e. salad dressing) and maybe even use real butter. I think all my fat-free, 0 cal fixings are a big problem too.
I feel like I understand my body more now because of your links - it makes sense! And I have to realize it took years to create this "starvation-mode body", it will take time for my body to adjust to eating again. If I just assume my body DOESN'T know best right now and stick to a plan that gives me the calories I need (whether or not my body says I'm hungry) hopefully I will see results.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Quite welcome - good luck reaching your goals! :flowerforyou: