Not able to eat enough calories...

JerseyGirlHeart
JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So, I am on the start of my weight loss journey. Before I joined the gym, I was eating pretty healthy for the get-go. I wasn't seeing any results with weight loss, so I am starting to hit the gym, and my goal is about two hours everyday. As I am tracking my workouts, I see that that my net calorie is very very low. But I seriously cannot consume that much food. I never dealt with anorexia, but I am not going to force myself to eat when I am not hungry. I eat a lot of healthy foods, mostly vegan though. I fear that in the long run, this will not be good for me, but with exercise and good diet, I been feeling way better in my day to day life. Honestly I eat up to 600-1000 calories a day and burn off around 300-600 a day. Can anyone tell me if this is very bad or not?
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Replies

  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    That puts your net at 0 to 700. Sorry to say, it's pretty bad.
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    So what do I do lol....?
  • So, I am on the start of my weight loss journey. Before I joined the gym, I was eating pretty healthy for the get-go. I wasn't seeing any results with weight loss, so I am starting to hit the gym, and my goal is about two hours everyday. As I am tracking my workouts, I see that that my net calorie is very very low. But I seriously cannot consume that much food. I never dealt with anorexia, but I am not going to force myself to eat when I am not hungry. I eat a lot of healthy foods, mostly vegan though. I fear that in the long run, this will not be good for me, but with exercise and good diet, I been feeling way better in my day to day life. Honestly I eat up to 600-1000 calories a day and burn off around 300-600 a day. Can anyone tell me if this is very bad or not?
    How much did you approximately eat before the start of your "weight loss journey"? According to your profile, you have been here since June, and have only lost 5 pounds. Obviously this is not working out for you. Eat more. I suggest 1000-1200, for a start.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    Yes that's pretty bad. You really need to eat more or cut down on the workouts. What are your stats if you don't mind me asking? I'm just asking because your ticker says you want to lose 25lbs more so if you really DO have weight to lose, you must have been able to eat more at some point.
  • So what do I do lol....?
    Sooooo...YOU EAT MORE.
  • vsmurrow
    vsmurrow Posts: 145
    Eat some calorically dense food! Nuts, for example, and nut butters. They're healthy, delicious, and very high in calories. Perfect. Or try some complex soy proteins. Things like tempeh and soy burgers can pack a wollop on your net calories.

    I have the same problem, as a vegan who also works out. It's totally manageable.

    Good luck!
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    ps if you need some quick extra calories without feeling too full I suggest nuts. Cashews are great, 45 cals in just 5 nuts and I can eat a lot more than that!!
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    I actually only did it for a few days back in June really, then quit, and just started about five days ago. I lost 13 pounds in between then, then gained all of it back, the lost five.
  • MinaAriel
    MinaAriel Posts: 138 Member
    Try more calorie dense foods. Nuts and seeds would up your calorie count. Almond butter, olive oil, stuff like that would fit into your diet. A tablespoon here and there will up the calories.
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    Oh, and I am 21, 5'9'' at 155 right now, i want to be 130
  • MinaAriel
    MinaAriel Posts: 138 Member
    Maybe you could open your food diary for a little while and we could help with suggestions?
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Use oils for calories/healthy fats.
    Use protein rich calorie dense foods like salami!
    EAT!
    Eat at night before bed!
    Eat every 2 hours.
    It's for a better you!
    We want you to be better!
    =D
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    I though it was open :(
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    Durrr. Well if it wasn't before, it sure is now!
  • S_27
    S_27 Posts: 2
    Your body requires a significant amount of calories to maintain a complex, multicellular state. Certainly more than you are consuming now. I would suggest watching portion sizes. You may be either under estimating, or over estimating how much food you are eatting. Then adjust accordingly. Second, eat breakfast every day. This is the most important meal of the day, and will stimulate your metabolism, and prevent your body from going into "starvation mode". Third, being a vegan, can be extremely healthy if done right. Remember to combine two of the four vegan food groups, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes to obtain enough high quality protein which can be used by the body. Good luck! Hope this help :)
  • adjones5
    adjones5 Posts: 938 Member
    Try drinking ensure. When I have a large amount of calories left to consume for the day I just drink one of those between meals, adds 250 calories and doesn't really fill you up. Good luck.
  • californiansun
    californiansun Posts: 392 Member
    Eat more. Your body gets used to not eating a lot, when you start to eat more you get hungry more often. I eat (when I have time) 5-6 times a day. I still stay with my calorie range and still manage to lose weight. It's a process and it won't happen overnight. When below 1200 calories a day, you are not getting enough nutrients and your body can go into starvation mode (ketosis) and your body will hold on to any fat it can get! It's a vicious cycle and you need to have will power to change it. If you are not hungry, eat higher calorie (healthy) food, it will help!
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    Why are you working out so long?. Long sessions of steady state cardio has been shown to burn muscle. 30 minutes of HIIT training alternating with strength training is all you need to burn fat efficiently while maintaining lean body mass.

    I am also vegan and have no trouble at all filling 1500 calories a day - before my exercise calories. I usually eat all of them.

    Don't eat any reduced fat or calorie foods. Eat nuts and avocados and olives. You need to be NETTING at least 1,200 calories a day (if not more) if you want your body to feel free to burn it's fat reserves.
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    I work out longer because I like it! It is fun to me, and relieving in a way. And I wish I like nuts or olives, but I just can't eat them!
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    I work out longer because I like it! It is fun to me, and relieving in a way. And I wish I like nuts or olives, but I just can't eat them!

    And have you been doing 2 hours of exercise all along?

    2 hours of cardio will burn muscle which will slow your metabolism. Undereating will slow your metabolism.

    It's a vicious circle. You can keep doing what you're doing and keep slowing your metabolism - or you can take some of our suggestions.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    What is the 2 hour workout relieving? Do you have anxiety over something? You don't have to answer, it's a personal question. Just something to think about.
  • littlemili
    littlemili Posts: 625 Member
    Firstly, USE THE SEARCH BUTTON. This comes up every other day.
    Secondly, google 'calorie dense foods' and then go and eat them.

    There is no excuse for lack of calories. 1 tbsp of olive oil has 120 calories. Are you telling me you can't add that to lunch and dinner? Eat nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, high calorie meat, eat a freaking chocolate bar once in a while...it's very easy to eat enough to hit your calorie goals, if you actually want to. If you can't make room in your stomach for that much food I would suggest you visit the doctor because probably you have some kind of medical condition with your digestive system.
  • littlemili
    littlemili Posts: 625 Member
    Also, if you are frequently skipping meals you are obviously going to be under calories. So start eating all your meals, and start eating more balanced meals too. One item is not dinner. Your plate needs to have 1/4 protein, 1/4 complex carbs and 1/2 fruit/veg/salad.
  • rlysrh
    rlysrh Posts: 244
    If I was you and I had a load of extra calories left after eating my all my daily meals I'd treat myself to some chocolate or something like that. I know its not healthy so don't do it every day, or don't do it if you think it'll cause you to fall off the wagon or something, but if you're working out hard and have eaten healthy the rest of the day I don't see why not. Skinny people eat chocolate too, just in moderation, and obviously if you're still staying under your calorie goal then it will be in moderation.
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    Well I used to play sports in high school all year round. You would practice about two hours every day. When I got to college, i got lazy. I don't want the feeling of being in the house all day doing nothing with my fitness. I dance for about 8 hours a week so that takes up a lot, and when I hit the gym, I want to get the most out of it. I don't do 2 hours straight of cardio. I do about maybe 30 mins of cardio, I swim, do yoga or dance of some sort, and then do some circuit training. If I don't go to the gym i run outside. it is not much different then when i was in highschool where I played sports and danced.
  • JerseyGirlHeart
    JerseyGirlHeart Posts: 133 Member
    Good point, which brings me to another topic. I have been undergoing medical tests for over two years now to see what is wrong with me stomach, since I get very sick eating even the healthiest of foods. Its just how my body works I guess. It is also odd that I have been practical the same weight for about four years now, with no major fluctuations, but with major diet change. meaning I used to eat fast food a lot, but I haven't eaten fast food in a while now and switched to a mainly vegan diet.
  • nsblue
    nsblue Posts: 331 Member
    it was told to me by my dietician that anyone on 1200 cal n below should be followed by their doctor.
    I am on 1200 cal and below... have my bloodwork and see my doc every 3 months to keep things in check. I have to take a multi vitamin daily for life... and because of rapid weightloss i have to take vitamin D for life as well. I have to make sure to get in 60-80 grams of protein a day and at the least 8 cups of water... and eat at least 3-4 choices from the canadian food guide each meal... basically I eat HEALTHY. I am not tired, have lots of energy and exercise daily... whether i am on 600 cal to 1200 cal...my energy level is the same. I realize my weightloss may be different than yours... but we all work on the same premise... calories in + calories burned determines weight lost.
    I know when i get to my goal, I will have to find a balance to do so, but getting to know my body and how it responds to food, I know I will be able to find that happy medium. Good luck in finding yours ;)
  • woou
    woou Posts: 668 Member
    My aunt is the same way and even eating the most healthiest of foods makes her feel ill.

    Definitely look into healthy calorie dense foods or going light on your workout on days you don't eat much. You can do it. It just takes some getting used to.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,438 MFP Moderator
    Good point, which brings me to another topic. I have been undergoing medical tests for over two years now to see what is wrong with me stomach, since I get very sick eating even the healthiest of foods. Its just how my body works I guess. It is also odd that I have been practical the same weight for about four years now, with no major fluctuations, but with major diet change. meaning I used to eat fast food a lot, but I haven't eaten fast food in a while now and switched to a mainly vegan diet.

    You may have stomach issues from the lack of nutrition. Anorexic experience these symptoms a lot. When eating very low calories, your body will burn muscle for fuel. Then that will kill your metabolism and you become skinny fat. Also, since food is fuel, you need to eat more. The more you eat,the more you can lose. Essentially, your body has shut down and is working to preserve energy by the very little food you are providing it.

    Based on the info you provide about height weight and activity level, you should be consuming 2200 calories to lose weight. Eating under those levels can affect you negatively.
  • angiek2322
    angiek2322 Posts: 68 Member
    I really think you need to eat more. I looked at your diary, and you are not getting enough nutrition. I understand that sometimes it is scary to up your calories. Extremely low calorie intake like you are using now will work if you are severely overweight....but you are not. When I began my weight loss, I was netting less than 1200 cal a day. But that stopped working when I had less to lose. I upped my calories, and started losing again. I have now lost 45 pounds and have gone from a size 14 to a 6. I will tell you that when I upped my calorie intake I did gain a couple of pounds, but then I dropped like a rock.

    Also, you may want to rethink artificial sweeteners. I love starbucks, but I always get a coffee with cream. I never eat/drink artificial sweeteners. I drink regular coffee or water....That's it.

    Good luck with your progress. Keep us posted.
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