can't get passed the mental part of it all

amonkey9
amonkey9 Posts: 94
edited October 7 in Success Stories
Counting calories is easy. Working out is easy. The mental/emotional part of it all is hard.

I know that right now the amount of calories I am eating is at an unhealthy low, but I don't know why, but I can't seem to bring myself to eat more. MFP says I need 1200 calories a day. Over the holidays I was at more like 400-550 a day. I know it was unhealthy and I have managed to get it to 700 a day, but still I hear that that is way too low. The problem is that I know this, but it's like I'm scared to let the number reach 800. AHH! Sometimes I am just too overwhelmed by it...

Replies

  • Usbornegal
    Usbornegal Posts: 601 Member
    If you continue to eat at this level your body will be forced to consume it's own muscle tissue to keep you alive. This can be extremely dangerous. Don't be afraid to find a Weight Management Therapist or someone that counsels people with anxiety issues for some help before you do serious damage to your body.
  • mwestonp
    mwestonp Posts: 77 Member
    For me, looking at the BMR Calculator tool on MyFitnessPal puts my mind at ease (click Tools, then click "BMR"). It will tell you approximately how many calories you'd burn on a daily basis if you never left your bed. In my case that's 1,910 calories per day. My calorie target on MyFitnessPal is a bit over 1,400 calories, so I know I'm running a good size defecit if I hit that number. Plus I'm doing a ton of cardio, so I can eat back some of those calories too.

    Over time I've also noticed that I tend to lose more weight on the days/weeks that I come in closer to the target calories than when I run a huge deficit.

    In my case I also remind myself that my body needs quality nutrients and calories each day so that I can function properly - think, exercise, feel good, etc.

    That's just my experience, for what it's worth. Best of luck to you!
  • marphydoll
    marphydoll Posts: 19 Member
    The mental/emotional party is very difficult, I completely agree. I too, have struggled with aspects of losing weight mainly mentally. That being said: Eating such few calories is in the end counter productive to weight loss. Your body will work against you and start eating/burning your muscle to maintain itself. By eating a healthy amount of calories daily, you are allowing your body to actually burn the fat and then you can start to build muscle. I hope you can give yourself that chance to see what a difference eating healthy and a metabolic amount of calories per day. Good luck.
  • leojsivad
    leojsivad Posts: 124 Member
    As another poster said, eating that few calories will burn your muscle. You may lose weight, but it's not good weight.

    Your body will also freak out thinking you are starving and cling on to any remaining fat.

    Do yourself a favor and slowly increase your calories over the course of a couple of weeks.

    Throw in an apple with some peanut butter on it, or something like that.

    Good luck!

    -Joel
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