Not Enough Calories

EnS1110
EnS1110 Posts: 10
edited September 30 in Introduce Yourself
I have been using the myfitnesspal tracker for about a week. I exercise daily for 30-60 minutes rotating cardio and strength training but after I log my activity and calorie intake, I'm still falling below what is recommended. I feel like I eat all day (small meals every 2-3 hours) between 7am-7pm..I'm struggling to understand this? Suggestions?

Replies

  • dragonflydi
    dragonflydi Posts: 665 Member
    You would need to open up your dairy so we can see what you are eating to give suggestions :)
  • samuelette
    samuelette Posts: 24 Member
    How many calories are you eating a day? What's your recommended calorie intake? And about how many calories do you burn per workout session? My understanding is that you don't technically have to eat all your calories. But if you go below 1200 netted calories, your body will start to think it's starving. I think. Not an expert. :P
  • sharoniballoni
    sharoniballoni Posts: 163 Member
    Agreed with the rest that we need more info. But, I do see this as a very common problem. There's a blog somewhere on this site about how important it is to get your calories up. Your body is used to eating so few calories that when you do indulge, your metabolism is too slow to handle it. You need to train your body that it's not going to starve and your metabolism will pick up. You will then be hungry. If you're not hungry, try eating healthy, but caloric foods (e.g, avocados, flax seed oil, nuts). Good luck.
  • robin52077
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    1. With only ten pounds to lose you should have your settings at .5 lb per week.
    2. You need to eat eat least 100g of protein a day to protect your muscles so you don't lose them instead of the little fat you have left.
    3. You also have to strength train with a decent amount of weight to protect those muscles, no girly 5 lb dumbbells.
    4. Don't be afraid of fats, fat doesn't make you fat.
    5. Make sure all your carbs are from whole grain and higher fiber sources, not refined white flour.
    6. and YES, you NEED to eat ALL the calories given to you in your diary, even the ones you earn from exercise, provided they are accurate and not estimated by MFP. If you use an HRM eat most of them, if it's an estimate eat HALF.

    At 5'2" 110 lbs I eat 2000 calories a day. (my TDEE is 2000-2400 so that is maintenance calories with a teeny buffer.)

    If you want advice tailored to YOU and not generics that apply to everyone, open your diary to the public and we can diagnose you specifically...
  • Dancefanatic20
    Dancefanatic20 Posts: 2
    I have the same problem, I eat the 1,200 cals a day it recommends but I work out 60 mins 5x a week so it always tells me I'm under. I still lose the 1lb a week so I haven't worried about it before. I pack in a lot of protein so maybe my loss is not too drastic due to muscle gain. How much are you losing a week? If you're losing too drastically it may be worth opting for a protein hike in your daily intake just so that your loss is slower and easier to maintain.
  • EnS1110
    EnS1110 Posts: 10
    My recommended intake is about 1800 and I'm getting just about 1500 give or take 100 calories. For the most part my diet is:

    Breakfast: boiled egg, protein (sausage or bacon), and toast
    AM Snack: Apple w/ peanutbutter, ritz crackers
    Lunch: mixed salad with chicken or tuna or chicken salad sandwich and ritz crackers
    PM Snack: cheese and crackers
    Dinner: baked chicken and a starch (potatoes or rice) and side salad

    My exercise routine is:
    30 minutes cardio (walking & jogging)
    30 minutes strength training (focus on different area daily arms Mon, legs Tues etc..)
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