Undereating...

vickyclare96 · May 2009

I think i might have a problem with under eating :grumble :grumble :sick :sick :frown
Today i am full to bursting and have only eaten 1109 calories when my daily goal WITHOUT exercise is 1200.. to make matters worse i did 50 mins of exercise today from walking && swimming and burnt off another 404 cals :laugh :laugh. I can't actually eat any more otherwise i will vomit!! i have had the same trouble in the 2nd day of MFP.. ((this is only my third day)) I only ate 1101 cals yesterday and was full; to make matters worse I did loads of exercise and had a daily goal with exercise of 2398 :laugh :laugh :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway I had 1297 left at the end of the day :frown
I have eaten loads today.. For Breakfast I had one slice of toast with butter, Lunch i had a bowl of fruit and fibre, For a snack i had some yoghurt covered raisins and peanuts, then for dinner I had a beefburger and a sausage and then 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream! NOW I AM FULL TO BURSTING!!!!
I don't understand how i am not eating enough calories... I have stopped exercising as much and am being more lenient to fatter foods!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME???!!???

vickyclare96 · May 2009

I think i might have a problem with under eating :grumble :grumble :sick :sick :frown
Today i am full to bursting and have only eaten 1109 calories when my daily goal WITHOUT exercise is 1200.. to make matters worse i did 50 mins of exercise today from walking && swimming and burnt off another 404 cals :laugh :laugh. I can't actually eat any more otherwise i will vomit!! i have had the same trouble in the 2nd day of MFP.. ((this is only my third day)) I only ate 1101 cals yesterday and was full; to make matters worse I did loads of exercise and had a daily goal with exercise of 2398 :laugh :laugh :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway :noway I had 1297 left at the end of the day :frown
I have eaten loads today.. For Breakfast I had one slice of toast with butter, Lunch i had a bowl of fruit and fibre, For a snack i had some yoghurt covered raisins and peanuts, then for dinner I had a beefburger and a sausage and then 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream! NOW I AM FULL TO BURSTING!!!!
I don't understand how i am not eating enough calories... I have stopped exercising as much and am being more lenient to fatter foods!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME???!!???

usmdancer88 · May 2009

maybe the foods you eat are just lower in calories, such as fruits and veggies (which are pretty low in calories)....you might want to add more in that area to fill your calories, but i also have the same problem. I never fulfill my calorie amount, especially after exercise. I completely understand!

mrsyac2 · May 2009

Try smaller healthier meals more times a day- You should be eating every 1.5 to 2.5 hours from your last meal-

Also always have a protein with a complex carb (the list of complex carbs isn't big so have at it)
Don't forget your good fats again that list isn't long either.

When you eat healthy you have to try harder to get it all in so you just increase your portions a little-
I workout really intensely however I don't eat the calories I earn in the gym and I am eating anywhere from 1400-1600-

1200 calories puts me at a standstill I am too active to only eat that much and that doesn't include my workouts

Post your meals of what you ate if you don't mind it would make it easier to show what we can help with as well

kimber607 · May 2009

One little piece of toast filled u up at b-fast?
I wish I had that problem...but seriously....
I would take baby steps and try to bump up your cal at snack/meal time
Add nuts or string cheese.......add peanut butter....try pb with apples

what about drinking cals....like with your toast a carnation b-fast drink (powder you add to milki, or any protein/whey powder)

Kim

vickyclare96 · May 2009

Try smaller healthier meals more times a day- You should be eating every 1.5 to 2.5 hours from your last meal-

Also always have a protein with a complex carb (the list of complex carbs isn't big so have at it)
Don't forget your good fats again that list isn't long either.

When you eat healthy you have to try harder to get it all in so you just increase your portions a little-
I workout really intensely however I don't eat the calories I earn in the gym and I am eating anywhere from 1400-1600-

1200 calories puts me at a standstill I am too active to only eat that much and that doesn't include my workouts

Post your meals of what you ate if you don't mind it would make it easier to show what we can help with as well

Here are my meals for today::
Breakfast: Butter - Unsalted, 1 pat (1" sq, 1/3" high) Cals: 36 Carbs: 0 Fat: 4 Protein: 0 Cholesterol: 11 Vit C: 0, to go with: Brace's - Thick White Bread, 1 slice Cals: 90 Carbs: 18 Fat: 1 Protein: 4 Cholesterol: 0 Vit C: 0
Lunch: Kellogg’s - 40g of Fruit and Fibre With 125ml of Semi Skimmed Milk , 40 g with 125 ml of milk: Calories: 202 Carbs: 33 Fat: 5 Protein: 8 Cholesterol: 0 Vit C: 0 Dinner: Tesco - Quarter Pounder Beef Burger, 1 burger Calories: 185 Carbs: 5 Fat:11 Protein:18 Cholesterol: 0 Vit C:0 Asda - Pork Sausages, 1 sausage Calories: 115 Carbs: 1 Fat: 7 Protein: 12 Cholesterol: 0 Vit C: 0 Breyer's - All Natural Chocolate Ice Cream, 1/2 cup Cals: 140 Carbs: 17 Fat: 7 Protein: 2 Cholesterol: 20 Vit C: 0
Snacks : Vitamin Tablet, 1 raw Cals: 0 Carbs: 0 Fat: 0 Protein: 0 Cholesterol: 0 Vit C: 100 Percy Dalton's - Peanuts, Raisins and Chocolate Chips, 75 g Calories: 336 Carbs: 36 Fat: 17 Protein: 10 Cholesterol: 0 Vit C: 0 Carrots - raw, 1 large Cals: 5 Carbs: 1 Fat: 0 Protein: 0 Cholesterol: 0 Vit C: 2 Total: 1,109 111 52 54 31 102 Your Daily Goal: Cals:1,604 Carbs:220 Fat:53 Protein:60 Cholesterol: 300 Vit C:100 Remaining: Cals: 495 Carbs: 109 Fat:1 Protein:6 Cholesterol: 269 Vit C:-2
*You've earned 404 extra calories from exercise today

3babybeans · May 2009

Nuts.

vickyclare96 · May 2009

i got told that yesterday too so I tried eating some... i had about 75g of yoghurt covered peanuts and raisins mostly peanuts

While it did help with my calories I'm still under :laugh: :laugh:

Falcon · May 2009

have you ever thought about having a big mixed garden salad with 2 tablespoons of dressing? Close to 200 calories by itself.

two pieces of bread with some pb on and a glass of milk
try oatmeal with a banana

What I love to eat after workouts is a small banana (90 cals) a tablespoon of peanut butter (100 cals) and a quarter cup of whole unsalted Almonds (160 cals) mix it in a bowl and eat.
350 cals total and its all good for you too loaded with protein

siice the banana up, add in the almonds and peanut butter in a bowl and mix

beckyi88 · May 2009

I'll be happy to share my overage with you!

What about protein shakes or meal replacement bars? Muscle Milk especially is fairly high in calories but they are very balanced with protein/fat/carbs.Or What about adding an egg or two with a slice of bacon to breakfast. Your breakfast is very, very small with no protein. So maybe if you spread your calories around differently? Your lunch and snack were also pretty tiny with a big dinner.
I'm sorry I don't have any other ideas. I can easily and have been (before MFP)eating 3000 calories a day but since I work off 800-1200 I didn't gain weight, but I sure as heck didn't lose it either!
Good luck!

Becky

MisoSoup79 · May 2009

Switch your white bread for whole grain - it will boost your calories, add fiber and it has a ton more nutrients that white bread.

Use Peanut Butter or Almond Butter instead of regular butter, because you can get a lot more on your bread and the fat in the PB is better for you than the fat in the butter (don't get me wrong, butter isn't bad, but when you are undereating so much, you NEED more nutrients in each bite)

Ditch the yogurt covered raisins (because they are sugar covered sugar) - and trade them for whole nuts and fresh berries, or some yogurt (don't bother going with fat free because you need the calories and fat free means more sugar if you go for the flavored variety) Raisins are not necessarily bad, but they are sugar-dense and should be eaten sparingly and it doesn't make sense to cover them in more sugar.

Eat a banana for 105 instant calories, top it with peanut butter for a balanced snack

If you're gonna eat a burger, put it on a whole grain bun with a sliced tomato and some cheese for more cals. Or put your sausage on a bed of wild rice (or whole wheat pasta) and add in some steamed veggies!

Like another poster suggested, eat more often and try the instant breakfast drink if you're interested - it's packed with vitamins.

arewethereyet · May 2009

breakfast- you need protein. 1 egg, 1 whole wheat english muffin, thin slice ham......yummo.

you need food to lose weight. I know it sounds insane, but I sent my body into an holding pattern by under eating for too long. I just got off 1 month on maint. cals to give poor me a break.

Now I am at 1200 + exercise cals (and I am DOING 30-120 min a day!! ) WIll work for food!!

mrsyac2 · May 2009

You only eat Buttered bread for breakfast?- You need like 350 400 calories per meal plus at least 2 snacks totaling 100-200 calories

My breakfast is typically

A packet of Original Oatmeal with a packet of splenda and some eggs - thats my protein and complex carb

my am snack is usually a Protein Shake

Lunch- Some form of protein and complex carb- Like Friday I had some turkey so I ate another packet of oatmeal for my carb since I didn't have anything else that I could have

Pm snack protein bar or a Green Apple

Dinner- some kind of meat with brown rice or sweet potato and a vegetable

Before bed snack another Shake

You have to eat--

Also what were you eating like before you decided to jump on the weight loss bandwagon?
What was your typical day like?

vickyclare96 · May 2009

My typical day before i started MFP was like this:
Breakfast: Nothing - so I'm quite proud now I actually eat something

About 10.15 - cheese salad sandwiches, an apple and a packet of crisps,
About 1- Another apple and a chocolate bar.
about 4 - Another packet of crisps
Dinner (around 7) - A whole pizza and some fries
Bedtime snack (around 10) a large handful of grapes or a 2 carrots.
I was eating a LOT!!! this is why i need to lose weight! :laugh: :laugh:
Good news.. Third day in i have lost 2 pounds

:happy: :happy: :happy: :happy: :happy: :happy::blushing:

Simplicity · May 2009

Macdonalds? lol
someone said chocolate milk shake is a good way to bump up your cals and good after excersise.
google
chocolate milk recovery
i could fill my cals easily but then im lazy lol!

Simplicity · May 2009

ps congrats on the 2pounds loss woo!!!

vickyclare96 · May 2009

Thanks

kerrilucko · May 2009

your meals are much too small. Small meals are fine if you're on a 6 meal a day plan, but you're not... a slice of bread is not a meal. Pair it with a couple scrambled eggs, a glass of milk and a piece of fruit and we're talking. A BALANCED meal contains food from every food group, never just one of 2. You need more protein in your diet. Your lunch is more like a snack. for exmaple my lunch today: a slice of cantaloupe, 1 cup chicken gumbo soup, 2 slices wheat bread toasted with 1 tbIs natural peanut butter, and a strawberry yogurt. I don't know how you're not ravenous!

vickyclare96 · May 2009

I do get a bit hungary but then i just look at the calories and realise it's not worth it...

pettmybunny · May 2009

But you have the calories to spare... Why isn't it worth it?

Petunia_K · May 2009

Wait- you said you do get hungry? But then you look at the calories and decide not to eat the food. If the fact is that you are eating when you are hungry and you just can't eat any more that is a different story than if you are stopping when you are hungry because you're afraid the calories will add up.

One thing I noticed was that you listed that you ate a Quarter Pounder Beef Burger, 1 burger Calories: 185. That seems really low for a quarter pounder. I know the one at McD. is at least 400 cals with no cheese. Is it possible that on the days that you are stuffed you are underestimating the calories you are actually eating?

I'm really glad you are being successful so far. Good luck. Try to pack in the nutrients and make calories secondary. If you are hungry and you are way below your cal limit, eat something nutritious. If you are not hungry, maybe don't sweat it unless you are plateauing in your weight loss and then you may have to bump up your cals. for a while like the previous post said. :flowerforyou:

fjtcjt · May 2009

Breakfast is key. You need to up your calories there and that should get your metabolism going for the day. This should help you be more hungry during the day.

Peanuts are packed with calories as are milkshakes. You could add some protein powder to your milkshake to help also (not that I would recommend the sugar and other carbs in icecream) but it will certain help you to get to your calories.

Ind3p3dent · May 2009

I would not recommend undereating to you. I underate in high school and I messed up my metabolism. My body went into famine mode. I thought i was full and I would only have like a rice krispie treat a day. When I got out of high school and moved away I gained 60 pounds in about six months because my body would not process anything that I ate. Now I have 30 pounds left to go but it is a constant struggle to coax my metabolism into functioning. Right now I am up to about 800 calories a day when I should be having 1200. However, my body needs about 400 calories a day. Trust me, it is just not worth it in the end. I will have to constantly track everything I eat and gradually work up to eating like a normal person again.

vickyclare96 · May 2009

Wait- you said you do get hungry? But then you look at the calories and decide not to eat the food. If the fact is that you are eating when you are hungry and you just can't eat any more that is a different story than if you are stopping when you are hungry because you're afraid the calories will add up.

One thing I noticed was that you listed that you ate a Quarter Pounder Beef Burger, 1 burger Calories: 185. That seems really low for a quarter pounder. I know the one at McD. is at least 400 cals with no cheese. Is it possible that on the days that you are stuffed you are underestimating the calories you are actually eating?

I'm really glad you are being successful so far. Good luck. Try to pack in the nutrients and make calories secondary. If you are hungry and you are way below your cal limit, eat something nutritious. If you are not hungry, maybe don't sweat it unless you are plateauing in your weight loss and then you may have to bump up your cals. for a while like the previous post said. :flowerforyou:

The Quarter pounder was a 3% fat burger with no topping or a bun. i just had it plain and dryfried it.

It's also not worth eating the high calorie stuff as I'm scared i will go over loads and don't wanna do that. I tend just to have half a carrot when i get get a bit peckish and this counts as one of my snacks (5 Cals!)
I never go under 1000 cals as this is silly for me and i really would be hungry but i do have a problem when I get to about 1050 and I'm getting really full but still have another 150 :frown: :frown: :grumble: :sick: For example today i was stuck at 952 cals and decided i couldn't submit that so i ate a chocolate bar :laugh: :laugh:
I now only have 130 cals left to eat :frown: :frown: :frown: not going to though :laugh:
Vicky x

kerrilucko · May 2009

Wait- you said you do get hungry? But then you look at the calories and decide not to eat the food. If the fact is that you are eating when you are hungry and you just can't eat any more that is a different story than if you are stopping when you are hungry because you're afraid the calories will add up.

One thing I noticed was that you listed that you ate a Quarter Pounder Beef Burger, 1 burger Calories: 185. That seems really low for a quarter pounder. I know the one at McD. is at least 400 cals with no cheese. Is it possible that on the days that you are stuffed you are underestimating the calories you are actually eating?

I'm really glad you are being successful so far. Good luck. Try to pack in the nutrients and make calories secondary. If you are hungry and you are way below your cal limit, eat something nutritious. If you are not hungry, maybe don't sweat it unless you are plateauing in your weight loss and then you may have to bump up your cals. for a while like the previous post said. :flowerforyou:

The Quarter pounder was a 3% fat burger with no topping or a bun. i just had it plain and dryfried it.

It's also not worth eating the high calorie stuff as I'm scared i will go over loads and don't wanna do that. I tend just to have half a carrot when i get get a bit peckish and this counts as one of my snacks (5 Cals!)
I never go under 1000 cals as this is silly for me and i really would be hungry but i do have a problem when I get to about 1050 and I'm getting really full but still have another 150 :frown: :frown: :grumble: :sick: For example today i was stuck at 952 cals and decided i couldn't submit that so i ate a chocolate bar :laugh: :laugh:
I now only have 130 cals left to eat :frown: :frown: :frown: not going to though :laugh:
Vicky x

ok.... uh, why not? 1200 calories is not even usually a "safe" number to be eating. staying down around 1000? NEVER a safe number. You need to really think about why you're not properly fueling yourself. There's nothing wrong with eating. Calories are not an ENEMY. EAT. if you want to lose weight safely and have a chance at maintaining those loses when you're finished you need to start eating quite a bit more.

sassiebritches · May 2009

I agree on the low cals food......but I was like this also in the beginning. It will take a bit to get going for you maybe.

Good luck

nhensley · May 2009

You should be eating more lean meats such as chicken and turkey. Plus eat more for lunch and less for dinner that way they are more equal meals. You body is probably going into famine mode by dinnertime because your blood sugar has dropped so low from basically starving yourself the first 2/3 of the day. In order to lose weight you have to keep your blood sugar more equal throughout the day. Also, you said that you are working out. Your muscles need protein to energize them and by not eating enough protein, you are not allowing your muscles to heal and grow stronger. Try eating oatmeal or toast and 1 egg for breakfast, grilled chicken breast with a vegetable such as green beans or fruit for lunch and then more lean meat like turkey or fish for dinner. Plus congrats on losing 2 pounds in a couple days, but that is actually not healthy to lose that much weight 3 days into it. You should only be losing 2 pounds per week at the most or you are more likely to gain the weight right back if you quit your diet.

Petunia_K · May 2009

Hi again :flowerforyou: I definitely think you are trying to stay way too low on the cals and then, like the other post says, your blood sugar is crashing and you give in and eat a quick snack like ice cream, chocolate bars, etc. If you really plan your day with healthy snacks and meals spread out-a lot of good ideas for what to eat have been suggested already- then you can keep your blood sugar level, fuel yourself for exercise and have protein to build and maintain muscle. All so important to really healthy weight loss and changing your body composition, which is what you ultimately want. Good luck and hang in there-

vickyclare96 · May 2009

Thanks

Good news: i actully had all my protein today and went over 1,200 cals for the second time

vickyclare96 · May 2009

any more advice?

Delaina1 · May 2009

I then for dinner I had a beefburger and a sausage and then 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream! NOW I AM FULL TO BURSTING!!!!
I don't understand how i am not eating enough calories... I have stopped exercising as much and am being more lenient to fatter foods!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME???!!???

Beef burgers (with a bun) and sausage and ice cream are absolutely loaded with tons of calories. There is no way you are that far under. Maybe you should make sure that you are logging your food correctly!

Undereating...

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