Fruit is using up all my calories!

I have to chime in with the suggestions to eat more veggies. But also - from looking at your diary, your meals don't look like meals to me. One thing that I *don't* like about MFP is that you can't look easily at the fiber content of what you're eating.

I don't know when you're snacking from your diary - with me, it's a struggle to eat more in the early part of the day, but I'm trying (not always successful - so many years of not eating properly!) Try to eat stuff w/a bit more fiber (is there *any* fiber at all in those diet drinks?) and try to eat more in the early part of the day (unless you work at night). Remember that what we eat gives us energy - and if we eat the biggest meal at night, then we don't get a chance to burn it off by sleeping).

I had a weight GAIN this week - ugh - first time since I started. Not sure if it's accurate because I'm using a new scale - but - I ate a bit more of processed foods (I'm thinking, YOU, Special K Cereal, and your tempting deliciousness!! Arrggh!!) AND wasn't that careful about measuring/weighing. Everything you eat counts - no such thing as negative calories, except if you exercise it all off, lol.

Best foods are lower in sugar & unprocessed (in my view). I wouldn't eliminate the fruits - just find some that have less sugar. Easy to find lists online. Next add good veggies, as close to raw - more fiber, fills you up - and all around very healthy for you. Make sure you have enough protein (think that's the easiest to do) and don't overdue the carbs.

And give yourself a chance to lose! You'll do it! :happy:

"How depressing I can't stand veg :-(
I'll need to find a substitute for the excess fruit it seems... "

While I couldn't do it, I have read lots of material on people who eat totally raw, and only fruits - they're fruitarians. If that lifestyle appeals to you - then I'd say give it a go! But read up on it & make sure you're getting the right nutrients (most crucial, IMO, w/a raw vegan lifestyle is B12)

On the other hand, if it's not what you would want to do, then start trying some locally produced, raw veggies. It's amazing how vegetables (and fruits, of course) grown on rich soil supplemented with good compost can taste so amazing, in comparison to the lackluster examples covered in cellophane in our grocery stores!! If there is ONE veggie you know you like somewhat - start with that (for carrots, see if you can get Bunny Love brand - at least they *used* to be amazing & sweet yrs ago when I had a juicer.

I agree, you need to lower your goal to 1/2 or 1 pound per week to give you more calories, especially since you plan on exercising more. Also, try getting more protein in your diet - it'll help you feel more full and may help avoid all the snacks during the day.

Have to say though, I'm right there with you on loving fruit. I usually have 2-3 servings a day. It's a healthy way to make the sweet tooth happy.

I gave this same advice to someone yesterday...if you're not a fan of veggies, it may be how they've been prepared. Consider trying some new veggies and preparing them in different ways. Some people love having them cooked to death, some people prefer them raw and there is a whole range in between (barely cooked/blanched, steamed, boiled, sauteed). Have fun with it!

One more thought - here is a post I recommend you check out: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/49690-the-banks-plan

You would be on the border between stage 3 and stage 4. The idea is that someone who has 100 lbs to lose will have very different exercise/dietary needs than someone who only has 15 lbs to lose. This gives you an idea of what is needed for you to realistically shed those last few pounds and find a healthier body composition. As someone else said above, you really do need to start exercising - both cardio and strength training. If you do that and change your goal to 1/2 lb a week (allowing you to eat more - both from the exercise and the changed goal) you'll find this whole process much easier to live with.

Oh, and I agree with ditching the slimfast. While convenient, it's chock full of preservatives and artificial ingredients. It doesn't take long to make a homemade lunch - something like a salad with chicken, beans and avocado on top or a wrap with tuna and veggies and things like that. 5, 10 minutes tops. You can prepare them earlier and take them somewhere if you aren't eating at home. It will keep you full longer and is much healthier in the long run.

Eat protein for snacks! Low fat cheese (fat free is nasty, but I like "light" or 2% cheese). Almonds, peanut butter on your apples. Protein (and even fat) will help you feel fuller for longer so you won't need SO MUCH fruit. It also won't mess with your blood sugar levels like just fruit will. I had gestational diabetes and was told to never eat fruit alone, always eat protein or fat with it to offset the blood sugar swings.

And yes, ONE pound a week. Even if you do manage to lose 2lbs, you'll probably gain it right back when you try to maintain.

This doesn't seem sustainable. Yes, up your calories so that your target is .5 - 1 lb loss a week. Cut back on some fruit and eat more veggies.. and definitely ditch the slimfast.

If you want to lose the weight and keep it off, you would be best to have a more balanced, patient approach.

The recommended weight loss on this site is one pound per week.
Why not reset your goal so it is not so uncomfortable for yourself. It would be easier to achieve then.

Another aspect to try is to do some light exercise every day. Even just walking will burn calories and allow you to eat more. Instead of sitting around feeling hungry - try going for a walk.

Good luck !

I looked at your food diary and you're definitely not eating too much at meal times, and compared to a lot of things you could be eating, fruit is a pretty good choice. If you are a 6' tall man, I have to wonder why you are aiming for 1250 calories a day? I would think that would be too low, and that you would be hungry - I don't think the daily calorie totals you've been posting are particularly high - you could try swapping some of the fruit for some foods higher in protein, but I still think you may need those extra 150-200 calories a day to function well and be healthy - why don't you wait and see how the wait loss goes? I really think 1250 is too low for the average man - nutritionists and doctors recommend a 1200 calorie minimum for women, but it is higher for men - 1500 or 1800 calories a day (for obvious reasons, men are generally taller and have more muscle mass) - otherwise you are going too far below the level of nutrients (macro and micro) that your body needs to function properly.

For your weight and height and age in order to lose 2lbs per week you would need to eat only 800 calories a day.....however MFP default is set at 1200 to prevent starvation mode so you really are only set up to lose just over 1lb a week anyway right now. If I were you I'd set my loss at 1lb or 1/2 lb per week. Get some exercize each day and eat 50-75% of those calories as well (never go below 1200)

I notice your am coffee had around 35 cal and your snack coffee had 140......how about making your snack coffee another 35 cal coffee instead since that would save you a bunch. Maybe space your breakfast out like toast and coffee and have the yogurt 2 hours later as a snack. Have a salad with a low cal protein shake for lunch instead you could even add a can of tuna on your salad or some low cal cheese or an egg for extra protein. Actually almost anything for 200 ish calories would be more filling than a slimfast shake.

Try a fruit salad instead......I love fruit and would eat it like you do, so instead I cut up 1 cup of strawberries, a banana, 2 kiwi, a mango, 1 cup grapes, and a cup of pineapple toss it in a bowl and I'll have 2 cups a day (usually one for breakfast or miday snack and one at night after dinner) this way I get to eat all my favorite fruits every day and it only comes to approx 100 calories for a cup (sometimes I add berries, or omit something I don't have or add an extra banana etc but it usually never is more than 130 per cup x 2 = 200-260 cal which is better than eating one (cup) of everything and using up 500 calories)

You just need to branch out and try new stuff. Maybe you would like fiber one bars as a snack? or maybe veggies in a sweet low cal dressing? hummus and rice crackers is a nice lunch or snack. How about other "sweet" veggies like carrots, red bell peppers.....dip those in low cal tatziki sauce...super yummy!

I think if you take a peek at other peoples diaries you could get a lot of ideas.

GOOD LUCK!

Fruits as snacks are great. I started out at @ least three a day, and can eat a whole thing of blackberries in one sitting, and maybe up to 5 fruit now. Water is also good if you think you're just thirsty instead of hungry. But I'd rather have most of my calories come from fruit and take advantage of all the fiber to keep me full and away from the other junk food. this is my opinion, good luck.

It may sound radical, but could you maybe just drink one coffee instead of two? I'd be more inclined to give that up before the fruit. I stuffed myself with fruit yesterday, and stayed within my calorie goal.