Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

[Jellybean1984]

So calories = touchy subject I know however...I could care less about them and I am not really worried but when i used fitday i started to realise they may just be to low, not on purpose...but I am afraid I maybe slowing my weight loss.

I end up eatting betwee 600 - 800 calories a day, it just turns out that way, this always puts me at a lack of appetite. I am concerned it may hurt me though so I guess my question is...

A) am i fine with just keeping this way or do i have to find a way to up the calories and
B) If so anyone have a high calorie favorite they could suggest, something not big just something i can eat for the sake of improving.

Tnx
Jen

[Georgiana]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

At 249 lbs and 5'11", your BMR is around 2000 calories a day. These are the calories your body would need if you staid in bed all day, which I assume it's not the case. So yes, your calories are way too low.

Something is not clear to me, though... If you are eating 800 calories a day (I am guessing you are doing induction), about 5% of your carbs should come from veggies, which means 10 g of carbs. Now, these are total carbs, not net carbs. So, my question... are you eating 3 cups of veggies and making sure most of your carbs come from vegetables? Posting a menu (incl. quantities) would be great.

Something with a lot of fat would upper your calories without you having to eat a gazillion ounces of it. Cream cheese with celery, eggs, olive oil added to salad, SF ranch dressing, avocado... all these are high in fat and will put your calories closer to where they should be.

[Scribbler]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

You need to increase your calorie uptake Jellybean. 600-800 is just not enough to put your body into fat burning mode. Your decrease in apettite is your body's responce to such a low calorie intake. Increase your food. Eat as Georgiana said; these things have high calories to small volume, e.g. a tablespoon of olive oil is 100 calories! so if you use two in your salad, you get your daily amount up to 1000. Try to raise your calories to 1300-1400 and watch how your body will kick in fat-burning..

[Jellybean1984]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

Hello, thanks for your answers, olive oil, that is great, and i was having issues with my protein but tuna is seeing to be great ill just mix the too, as per my menu yesturday i ate some Mc D's Burgers to gain calories, but olive oil seems to be a better answer. The day I ask the question my menu turned to be 830 something and then I looked back and relised I was possibly putting myself in starvation mode, but I was not sure if this applied here, thank you for clearning that up...

2000 Calories....that is alot, will that idealy then work best with me if I eat that many?! I would have to be real creative.

I am not sure if it will work and donno how to do it but here is a pic of my fitday menu the last day,

I am working on changing it to eat more calories, but 2000....serious?



Feb 5/ 08

Snack/Breakfast (Never have time)
1oz Cheese


Lunch

1 Lrg Boiled Egg
2 cup Lettuce
1 tbsp dressing used to dip in
.5 cup cookied beef Regular
1oz Cheese
20 oz water

Supper
.5 cup of Broccoli
.5 cup of Cauliflower
1 hamburger patty (Regular beef) with salt only
1 tsp on mustard for Veg
1 oz Cheese
20 Oz Water

Bed - Water 20oz
Thanks

[Georgiana]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

I couldn't eat 2000 calories either, but I think you should at least try to get around 1300-1500. In any case, the number is just a guess... But 800 calories is just too little!

If you had breakfast, it would be easier to increase your calories. You can boil more eggs at a time and have them for breakfast (e.g. boil them at night and have them at breakfast... or even boil them during the weekend). Cooking two eggs in the microwave is also really quick. Or just have half an avocado and a few slices of pepperoni.

I don't think tuna is very tasty mixed with olive oil. Mayo is better. Mix tuna with mayo, add some relish to that and, if you like, a little mustard or lemon juice.

You can top the cauliflower with butter. I use about 10 g (1/3 oz) for a cup of cauliflower... and that's another 70 calories.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

The one problem with Atkins is that you absolutely can't be hungry because your body will start to hold on to that fat for protections against famine.
Your stats are fine so I would just up everything a bit.

[tfek70]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

Jellybean, You need to eat breakfast. Eating is one of the things that fires up our fat burning metabolism. That hard boiled egg you had for lunch could be eaten for breakfast. Eating only two meals a day is keeping your metabolism slow. You should be grazing. Have that egg for breakfast, cheese at 9, lunch, some pepperoni or pork rinds at 2, then dinner. That's five meals at better intervals to keep the metabolism stoked. Toss in some more water, 20 oz at each meal. Your 60 oz posting is also low. Fry your hamburger in butter for extra calories.

[rweeks]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

I would not jump right up to the 1300 range. Add 10% a week. this will help with the shock factor on the body. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

[Tawsif]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

you might try frying the egg every now and then.. this would add variety and also up the calorie intake.. may be fry the egg in butter.. orr have cheese omelette,,

[Jellybean1984]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

Thanks everyone, hehe, very excited I dont have to eat 2000, I would jusst sit down and drink a glass of oil...joke..I always think wrong, like...i can't eat anymore, the meals I eat now I chew, dont enjoy till about 6PM...
I forget bout the different ways to up calories but as I up the fat I have to up my protein but I have stalked up on Tuna. hehe, i love tuna and oil with some vinagar, lemon, orangano, mustard, onions, and pepper...mmm mmm hehe i know sounds grose.. I am going to try these suggestions, cause breakfast is way to hard to accomplish but boiled eggs I can eat on the drive to work.

I used to eat alot of sausage and stuff so maybe thats why I am not getting to the level I used to be, its like an endless battle of trying to get these numbers to match up and I up and down stall, all cause of the opposit problem I have when I have free range on food...which is to eat to much.

5 meals a day sounds ideal for most people, I just cannot find the time in the day to do it, I am wrote off till about 4pm. I am lucky to eat my lunch...usually pick at it while at work and breaks I am always running around then they are over.

I am def going to take everyones suggestions and try to work out something 5 meal like a day and try to stick to it, I dont get why this is so hard for me.

Water I have to work on cause 60 is a good day, and I just chug the 20oz at the sink and leave.

You know there is alot of rate my menus etc but id rather look at someone successful on Ext Intro's menu to get a feel for how they work through a day.

I know whatever I am eatting now is not working for my body because I am tierd, lazy, and my left side pain right by my hip bone is back, but that is either my kidneys cause of lack of water or/and my intestines being blocked up, something like that, i donno fiber and water I am hoping to cure..anyone else get this pain, its not atkins related but it comes for me now and then and ranges from mild to sevre pain, i have had a catscan and ultrasound but all is well.? just curious..

i love that people are so helpful, thank youall I am not in it to be unhealthy, I just tend to work it out that way,

[liv]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

I cannot help you with induction menu but I would suggest adding some vegetables. Right now you are eating 2 cups of lettuce which has very little value and nutrients in it. You could peppers, cucumber , jicama, mushrooms. Avocado (you are allowed 1/2) can be a good quick breakfast to go with your egg.
Keep working on that water. It is absolutely essential

[Jellybean1984]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

I have taken the advise gaven to me, decided to stay on introduction have drank a mass amount of water and day 3 coming to an end i am eatting 5 meals a day and keeping to plan with higher calories... it has infact renewed my hunger eatting 5 times a day, funny, this morning i forgot my lunch...ended up starving by 10, so i went and bought eggs then had salaid for lunch, and its funny how quick it all can change but i find i get full alot quicker...the water makes me feel bloated all the time but im told that will leave.

its funny i have taken everyones advise which was so simple...like making hard boiled eggs for conveinance, adding olive oil, 5 meals a day, mixing my veg instead of just lettuce. I do not feel so consumed even though i am doing more i do it as i make my supper. ahhhh to not feel my body drained....


Big thanks to everyone, i have not jumped on the scale or anything but i sure do feel alot better and my eyes...they look so much healthier...love water even though i hate it.

[dolphin_butterflies]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

You are doing a great job! Keep it up and your progress pics are very inspiring!!!

[shaunawa]

Re: Such thing as too little? Ineed some advise..

I am glad that everything is working out for you. Keep on going sister... you will get to your goal.