Help I can't eat my calories!

magnolia1077
magnolia1077 Posts: 70
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
First of all, my husband and I started my fitness pal a week ago today. We decided it was time to get healthy and in shape. Well, I am having a difficult time eating my calories. I am at 1200 a day and I exercise about an hour a day 6 days a week so I am given more calories to eat. But I have yet to achieve the 1200 mark. I know my body is in starvation mode so the effort I'm putting in by eating healthy and exercising is null and void. What can I do different? Would I loose weight faster if I were eating the calories?

Prob is I've never been a big eater, just have always eaten junk. Now I'm eating healthy and really watching what I eat, l can't get the calories in. I have this vision in my head that if I give in and eat more that I will not stop and I want so bad to loose the weight and get in shape. Any advice??

Replies

  • magnolia1077
    magnolia1077 Posts: 70
    First of all, my husband and I started my fitness pal a week ago today. We decided it was time to get healthy and in shape. Well, I am having a difficult time eating my calories. I am at 1200 a day and I exercise about an hour a day 6 days a week so I am given more calories to eat. But I have yet to achieve the 1200 mark. I know my body is in starvation mode so the effort I'm putting in by eating healthy and exercising is null and void. What can I do different? Would I loose weight faster if I were eating the calories?

    Prob is I've never been a big eater, just have always eaten junk. Now I'm eating healthy and really watching what I eat, l can't get the calories in. I have this vision in my head that if I give in and eat more that I will not stop and I want so bad to loose the weight and get in shape. Any advice??
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    Just eat larger portions of the same healthy food. Plan your meals and stop when your plate is clean. Don't go back for seconds if you can't afford it. But don't starve yourself out of fear, either.
  • tayner
    tayner Posts: 372
    supplement your snacks with higher calorie, still good for you foods like almonds, peanut butter, etc... that will boost calorie count without being a ton more food, and still healthy choices.
  • MattySparky
    MattySparky Posts: 771
    my secret weapon for those days when it seems like you just cant eat those calories : Natural peanut butter... seriously 1 Tablespoon is 100 calories on average... you do the math. Even if you eat it straight up.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    my secret weapon for those days when it seems like you just cant eat those calories : Natural peanut butter... seriously 1 Tablespoon is 100 calories on average... you do the math. Even if you eat it straight up.

    I have never had a day in my life when I could not eat 1200 calories I dont get it at all
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    my secret weapon for those days when it seems like you just cant eat those calories : Natural peanut butter... seriously 1 Tablespoon is 100 calories on average... you do the math. Even if you eat it straight up.

    I have never had a day in my life when I could not eat 1200 calories I dont get it at all

    Nope-- me neither.:ohwell:
  • swiftyoung
    swiftyoung Posts: 298 Member
    Try snacking with nuts (almonds) 1/4 cup 170 cals.
  • abatres7
    abatres7 Posts: 146
    Hopefully one day I can have the problem of not being able to eat my calories. Sorry I can't help, right now I am struggling to stay at the 1200 level.
  • spicy618
    spicy618 Posts: 2,114 Member
    my secret weapon for those days when it seems like you just cant eat those calories : Natural peanut butter... seriously 1 Tablespoon is 100 calories on average... you do the math. Even if you eat it straight up.

    I have never had a day in my life when I could not eat 1200 calories I dont get it at all

    Nope-- me neither.:ohwell:

    Add me too. I wish i had this problem. :laugh:
  • magnolia1077
    magnolia1077 Posts: 70
    This is new to me too! I didn't get to be 200 lbs by NOT eating. :drinker:
  • chunkabutt25
    chunkabutt25 Posts: 277 Member
    This is a big issue for me too! im busy and not home a lot so my meals arent usually meals. Its 7:15 pm right now and Ive only ate 500 calories! I feel as long as your not hungry, theirs no need to force feed yourself, listen to your body! My calorie intake fluxuates a lot and im consistantly losing weight. Good luck!!!
  • amyslaunwhite80
    amyslaunwhite80 Posts: 6 Member
    Your body needs at least 1200 calories to function properly. You will find it harder to lose weight if your not eating enough. I find it hard sometimes too to get 1200 when your not eating junk food. I eat nuts or natural peanut butter or if I don't feel like eating any more or if I have already had all my fat for the day I'll have a glass or orange juice for some extra calories. Good luck!
  • fortyandfab
    fortyandfab Posts: 42
    The problem is that you are trying too hard to "DIET" You need to make sensible choices with everyday normal food and then you will be able to get the calories in. Don't try to live off of veggies and fruit. You still need your protein and some carbs. If you continue to eat this way, It will become a lifestyle change and you will be much more successful - try the Acai Berry Supplements too - they are awesome (if you get the right one!) Good Luck!
  • MattySparky
    MattySparky Posts: 771
    edit
  • MattySparky
    MattySparky Posts: 771
    my secret weapon for those days when it seems like you just cant eat those calories : Natural peanut butter... seriously 1 Tablespoon is 100 calories on average... you do the math. Even if you eat it straight up.

    I have never had a day in my life when I could not eat 1200 calories I dont get it at all

    I know its hard to imagine a world where everyone is different, but just try LOL. I guess some people dont have big appetites like us.
  • Shadowpaws
    Shadowpaws Posts: 109
    I have the problem where I'm just afraid of eating the calories I'm alotted by MFP. :frown:

    It just seems like too much! I had to force myself to eat 1,200 calories today :sad:
  • MattySparky
    MattySparky Posts: 771
    well if it helps I was stuck on a "plateau" for over a week and a half when I decided to actually up my calorie intake. I didn't keep them up, only for a few days, but it was enough to make me start losing again. Eat the calories!!
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    my secret weapon for those days when it seems like you just cant eat those calories : Natural peanut butter... seriously 1 Tablespoon is 100 calories on average... you do the math. Even if you eat it straight up.

    I have never had a day in my life when I could not eat 1200 calories I dont get it at all

    I know its hard to imagine a world where everyone is different, but just try LOL. I guess some people dont have big appetites like us.

    ok...I tried it and still cannot imagine it.....sorry...not buying it...1200 cals is not a big appetite,,,I eat 2400 (with my exercise cals) and could still eat more easily...I think not being able to hit 1200 is a diet mentality and not a body function
  • Shadowpaws
    Shadowpaws Posts: 109
    my secret weapon for those days when it seems like you just cant eat those calories : Natural peanut butter... seriously 1 Tablespoon is 100 calories on average... you do the math. Even if you eat it straight up.

    I have never had a day in my life when I could not eat 1200 calories I dont get it at all

    I know its hard to imagine a world where everyone is different, but just try LOL. I guess some people dont have big appetites like us.

    ok...I tried it and still cannot imagine it.....sorry...not buying it...1200 cals is not a big appetite,,,I eat 2400 (with my exercise cals) and could still eat more easily...I think not being able to hit 1200 is a diet mentality and not a body function
    Not necessarily. I tend to eat when I'm hungry. Cutting down my calories has taught me how to eat when I'm hungry; and don't eat when I'm not.

    I can eat 800-900 calories no problem; it covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner... along with a snack or two. Two months ago, I could eat everything in the house; but that was habit, not for hunger. The problem is going past 900 calories. I'm not hungry, so my mind tells me not to eat I guess. So, when that happens... I have to force down the calories that'll get me to 1,200
  • irreligiouspiety07
    irreligiouspiety07 Posts: 45
    You'll be fine!

    But if you REALLY cannot eat your extra calorie.

    * takes out a plate* you can donate them to me! hehehe
    :)
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    maybe she can auction 'em off?

    I'm rather with you, Dave-- 1200 isn't a lot-- but, in my world, on my super tight budget, veggies aren't allowed. If I could eat a salad for lunch and dinner, for example, perhaps I'd have a bit more trouble reaching 1200? I don't know-- I'm trying to imagine. :wink:

    However, I'm rather trying to envision my body as a furnace, and trying to keep the fire burning at an even temperature throughout the day-- so I will often have a small snack even when not really "hungry" just to keep things fired up-- if I wait til I'm really hungry to eat, it's too tempting to overeat.
  • amyslaunwhite80
    amyslaunwhite80 Posts: 6 Member
    Yeah If you were eating a lot of veggies it would be harder to get to the 1200 cal. Veggies have really low calories (which is good!) But it is hard to keep it to 1200 if your not able to have the veggies. So for those who are eating a lot of salad and haveing trouble getting 1200 adding low fat cheese or almond slivers to your salad is really yummy and helps to add the extra calories and protein that you need.

    Thinking of your body as a furnace is a great way to think of it. That is exactally what you are supposed to do - eat snacks so that you don't end up starving. It's hard not to come home and eat junk when your really hungry because your starved and you want something quick which is usually junk or processed food.
  • czewwhat
    czewwhat Posts: 8,715
    Eat a steak! it works for me
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,420 Member
    I'm with the ones who want to eat morepick_me.gif


    Read this.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
  • hiddensecant
    hiddensecant Posts: 2,446 Member
    These are a few things I did to increase my calories before my appetite started to want more:

    - add peanut butter to snacks
    - add some low-fat buttery spread to steamed veggies (or cheese if you like that type of thing)
    - make a salad dressing with sesame oil
    - have bananas for fruit
    - add some avocado or sprinkle pine nuts to top off salads
    - drink a cup of milk with meals
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    This kind of post always cracks me up because when you do the math to find out how many calories you have to eat to maintain your current weight I think most people are shocked when they find out how much they have been shoveling in to get where they are :wink:

    That said, beginner's usually have this issue because the tendency is to start eating more fruits and veggies and avoid fats and what may be considered unhealthy. Truth is you need more calorie dense foods because you DO need the FUEL. There is a reason why 1200 is a rock bottom calorie amount and that is because your body NEEDS calories just to function, you know keep your brain, heart, lungs, kidneys etc etc working.

    Try eating nuts, nut butters with fruit, cheese isn't evil, add a little chicken to a salad, or some beans, avocados are good, eggs, ground turkey goes a long way, Nonfat or lowfat milk, yogurt, etc. You have to rethink your food system now.

    Just think, if you have an apple it is roughly 70 calories but you add a tbsp of peanut butter and you are at 160-180 (depending on size of apple and brand of pb) and you have a nice balance of fiber, carbs, fats and protein. Simple things go a long way.

    good luck, you will get used to it and keep in mind if you don't find a way to eat at least your 1200 calories a day you run the risk of your body going into starvation mode and before you know it you will be eating everything in sight. :blushing: :drinker:
  • Vanessa1969
    Vanessa1969 Posts: 144 Member
    There must be lots of tips out there for low quantity, high calorie, good for you foods because those are the types of things that some athletes, bodybuilders, etc., need.
    Do a google search, I am sure that there will be something that is good for you that will boost your intake daily.
  • Delaina1
    Delaina1 Posts: 168 Member
    I also have the problem of not always eating all of my calories...today for example. I can NEVER eat all of my exercise calories. I don't really try to force it when I'm not hungry. Today I've had breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack and I still have 728 calories left!...it is 7:00 in the evening and I hate eating late!...no way will I get those calories in!

    good luck!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,420 Member
    I also have the problem of not always eating all of my calories...today for example. I can NEVER eat all of my exercise calories. I don't really try to force it when I'm not hungry. Today I've had breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack and I still have 728 calories left!...it is 7:00 in the evening and I hate eating late!...no way will I get those calories in!

    good luck!

    You need to eat those calories.
  • Skinnytime
    Skinnytime Posts: 279
    I am finding that if I eat every two hours, my stomach starts grumbling just before two hours is up. When I was not eating healthfully and just gorging myself at night on one huge meal, I was not hungry at all during the day. Now that I'v been doing MFP, I'm actually finding myself hungry again, which is a good thing.
    Keep cheese and peanut butter and tuna fish and grilled chicken fand greek yogurt ront and center in the fridge and eat. I think you'll find that the more you build muscle, the more food you'll want to eat.

    In order to keep yourself in check, keep weighing and measuring everything, too.
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