Struggling!

emmab0902
emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all. I have been on the health trail for about 6 weeks now, and a member of MFP for about 3. I am 40 now, but in my younger years struggled with eating disorders that saw me reach a horrible low of about 83 pounds (I am 5'4"). I am now about 122 pounds and want to lose about 10 to feel at my best.

I am doing pretty well with the exercise, but find I am rarely hitting my calorie target. I know how to fix this ie eat more during the day especially breakfast, but I guess I still have that mindset a bit where I visualise the fat cells gathering when I eat more!!!

However, I am also aware that if I don't eat enough it will undermine my exercise etc. How bad is it to be sitting 300 calories a day below your target??

Replies

  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    how exactly will it undermine your exercise? that makes no sense whatsoever.
  • JakkiCarter
    JakkiCarter Posts: 31
    Depending on what your target is, as long as you feel satisfied and you don't feel like your body might be in "starvation mode", I think it is fine. Just don't go under 1200 calories a day.
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    how exactly will it undermine your exercise? that makes no sense whatsoever.

    Not eating enough calories I have heard puts your body into retaining fat and I want to lose fat and build muscle, hence worried not hitting my 1200 target will undermine my goals.
  • mrsdeg1983
    mrsdeg1983 Posts: 11
    If you have had eating disorders i would stick as close as you can to you daily intake. Just to teach your self how to stick with it.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    Hi all. I have been on the health trail for about 6 weeks now, and a member of MFP for about 3. I am 40 now, but in my younger years struggled with eating disorders that saw me reach a horrible low of about 83 pounds (I am 5'4"). I am now about 122 pounds and want to lose about 10 to feel at my best.

    I am doing pretty well with the exercise, but find I am rarely hitting my calorie target. I know how to fix this ie eat more during the day especially breakfast, but I guess I still have that mindset a bit where I visualise the fat cells gathering when I eat more!!!

    However, I am also aware that if I don't eat enough it will undermind my exercise etc. How bad is it to be sitting 300 calories a day below your target??

    Hi. Glad to hear you've worked through those issues from your younger years.

    300 below every day is a bit much. Granted, there is a margin of error every time we log exercise, every time we log food, and in our daily activity estimate itself. It takes a little trial and error to play with the numbers such that the real world results follow inline with the expected results. Once your numbers are all "dialed in" though, you should be shooting to be within 100, or better yet 50 of the target (above or below), as this will give your results good consistency. You can pretty much get it to where you are in full control of how quickly you gain or lose weight. You just have to be honest and realistic about your logging, and let your logical mind override your emotional mind when it has to.
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    I guess I am paranoid I have rooted my metabolism from my years of stupidity, and don't trust my body to behave now!
  • shelbym87
    shelbym87 Posts: 122 Member
    300 calories under 1200 is too low. 900cals a day while exercising just isn't enough. Stick with 1200 at least!
  • SallieBeige
    SallieBeige Posts: 341 Member
    Do you think it might work to con yourself a little?

    I am not sure what you put down when you set up your account, as the amount of weight you aim to lose a week.
    Instead of one pound (the default) - what if you really aim for half a pound and change the settings?

    This way the numbers might show you are well out and that might motivate you to eat more?

    I know this sounds daft - but it depends on how your are motivated so I thought I would just offer it as a suggestion.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories