undereating?
 

hey paula, i'm starting another food thread!

ok, it's almost laughable that i would start a thread entitled "undereating." but here's the sitch: i'm losing weight. i'm eating about 1500 calories a day and burning around 500 a day at the gym. is 1500 too low, even if i'm trying to lose weight? i'm losing between 2 and 3 pounds a week, which doesn't seem like an unhealthy amount to lose. but i never find myself feeling satisfied (food-wise) for a long period of time, even thought my diet is high in lean protein and veggies with a moderate amt. of whole grains, dairy, healthy oils (mostly from almonds, peanut butter, and coconut oil) and fruit. nothing i eat has a high glycemic index, so i don't feel a huge sugar crash, i just find myself getting hungry around 2 hours after every meal. does my body just need to get used to a new regimen? it's been three weeks that i've been really serious about it, so should i just wait it out? uhhh, i don't really know where i'm going with this. so yeah. thoughts?

When I first began losing weight, I was eating between 1500-1800 calories, and still felt hungry most days. It took a few weeks for my body to adjust to the new way of eating, and then it wasn't long before it became a struggle to even get to 1500 calories/day. I stopped keeping track, though, because I'd become such a calorie nazi that I was constantly stressed out from counting the ****ing things.

Now, I just eat small meals multiple times a day (something at least every 2-3 hours) and drink only water, and I'm still losing about 2 lbs./week.

Yeah, this was probably no help at all. :-/ Sorry.

there are some great fitness and nutrition sites around where you can plug in all your information, and it gives good guidelines. how much you should be eating depends on your height, your age, your level of activity, etc. the sites will also give guidelines for protein, carbs, fat, etc.

here's a few - i googled body mass index and calories. there are literally thousands of sites; you could plug in your info on a few and see what kind of range you get. check the sources, etc. but it sounds like you are on the right track (though, i don't know your height or weight or age). what you're eating is certianly good - lots of lean protein and veggies. good luck!

http://www.wvda.org/calcs/

http://www.nutritiondata.com/calories-burned.html

http://www.self.com/fitness/body/cal.../bodymassindex

Girl, you just got a tapeworm is all. put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning :thumbsup:

:lol: :lol:

I eat every two hours anyway, usually. So, uh, I would just do that if I were you. I don't think you'd be too bad off adding 1-200 calories some days, but 1500 seems pretty right on target to me. I don't know if you already eat it, but raw broccoli is very filling.

This is a weird random note, but if you like black olives (or any kind, I suppose) A few of those a day is a good little snack.
Carrie, I'd get some fake meat snacks. They're pretty satisfying, too, and have more fiber than meat. The fake chicken patties of either Morningstar Farms or Boca are really tasty. You can fry or microwave them. They typically have 160 calories. Delish. About $4/box, four in a box.


Heyjupiter, good job. I didn't know you were doing that.

Mikki. I love you. are you looking forward to your "birthday present"?

Isnt it AWESOME to be a Libra? (sorry, gratuitous Libra promotion there!)

no, that was totally helpful! i'm glad to know it's possible to get used to it. thanks.

thanks for the links :)

:laugh:

ok. i've been eating every 3 hours, maybe i should just change it to every 2. is raw broccoli more filling than steamed? i've been eating a lot of steamed veggies lately. oh, and i'm definitely planning on doing the fake meat thing. next time i go to the grocery store, i'll pick some up.

Yeah, it is more filling. It's hard to eat, kinda. I can usually only do a few good size florets. Naturally it is better if you dip it in a smidge of dressing. I can only recommend vinegar and oil in good conscience. *coughranchcough* :D
But if you can get in a snack of that most days, it will help a lot as far as being full. Also, that much broccoli only has about 25 calories, but 60% of your days vitamin C. It's a wonder food.
If you really don't like it, though, it's no big, lots of people don't. If you are eating a good amount of steamed broccoli. Again, soooo low in calories.
Raw cauliflower is much more palatable IMO, and filling as well. Not as much vitamin C, but still a great snack. :nod:

Thanks for the sites, Catinthedark!

more filling? ok. i'll start buying raw. i know it has more nutrients than steamed, also.

so ... i was lax with my diet today, and skipped the gym, and now i feel icky. and i didn't even enjoy being lazy & eating poorly. who am i???? :laugh: it's encouraging, actually.

Isn't that weird how you notice that? That is good you don't like it. Just because you give yourself a free day doesn't mean you have to eat crappily. :laugh: But you could also eat nutritiously but with some naughty aspects - ie, caramel apple, guac and chips and salsa, brie and crackers with your vegetable soup...mmm...okay.
Anyway, I'm glad you're doing well with that.

I dunno how many calories I've been eating or not eating, but I managed to drop six lbs. Of course, I did just stuff my face with popcorn... Bet I gained it all back! :p

yeah, i actually found myself craving fruit more than anything.

good job, ni ... er ... good buddy!

Good restraint. :thumbsup:

Excellente! Food should control your cravings, that is the kind of food you should eat. That is why I was pushing fiber so much, it takes a long time to digest, which is what stabilizes your blood sugar.

What've you lost now, 6 lbs or something? That is so great. Be sure and stick with it. I mean, why shouldn't you? It's fun to exercise and stuff. And to be honest - your pic you posted was really cute, but at your weight I was a little concerned about your health (remember you told us your weight).
You will be really happy if you lose weight. I was, just losing a few pounds. Okay, like 10. :shrug:

Physical freedom is your birthright - don't ignore it, especially in your 20's when your joints don't hurt yet and stuff. :laugh: Your twenties are the time to feel good, play outside, have sex, and be hot. Also, if you are athletic like it seems you are, you are missing tons of cool **** by not playing outside in some form.
I mean, don't you want and deserve to make yourself feel good? To make your body and brain run at it's optimal capability? You will be so happy.
I'm not saying this because I think it is important for you to look hot, I'm saying it because I think you'll regret if you don't lose a bit, and eat brain healthy foods. Especially throughout your twenties.

Also, I think you might miss some joy if you don't exercise. *P.S. - Look and see if your town has recreational softball - it's totally fun. I was on a mixed gender team once, and a lesbian team once. The lesbian team was funner because I was relatively better. Also, the lesbians were nicer. *

Okay, end of lecture. I just want you to keep up with everything. Seriously, you will be way happier.

*I hope no one thinks this is rude, I just care about Carrie and say these same things to everyone anyways.* :laugh:
I really have a thing about people not exercising, in some way. I really find so much joy there, and sometimes in eating well (:p ) that I want everyone else to do it. To me it seems sad to have a life without fun exercise. Pretty often.
I don't really believe people who say they hate to exercise (I do somewhat, sometimes I hate to exercise, too. Dmuh.)
But what I would say is that they just haven't found their exercises of choice, yet. :woohoo:

Anyone who does/has done something physical that they enjoy really can't deny how good it feels. Sometimes it takes a few sessions, a few months. But if you practice, and find something you like, there is absolutely no chance you won't feel the benefits (feeling good) of exercise.
Some people like the gym, or a mix, or some like to exercise at home, or some like to do activities that aren't typically classified as "exercise" (Gardening, walking the dog, those 2 sets of sit ups you do while you're watching TV. Then maybe you do some calf raises while watching TV.

There are a lot of exercise DVD's available, I think by Netflix and others. My friend just told me that she loves them, because she can do them in between kid things, or when she has insomnia, for a few minutes at a time or longer if she has the time.

I was really happy for her - she doesn't like to exercise as much outside, she was a gymnast. She says something about how her ankles and wrists get sore easily (you need those for walking/running/skating/). I've asked her to go hiking numerous times, but she really won't.
But she likes the DVD's. She says the stretching one is harder - I agree - but she is already really flexible in her joints and stuff, from being a gymnast, so probably needs to find more challenging stretching/yoga. I have to force myself to stretch, too, but mostly because it's not only difficult, but a bit dull, for me. But I just do it, and I feel so much better. The thing I tell myself is: "Just 20 minutes" or "Just 10 minutes" or "just 3 sets" or "Just a few stretching moves while breathing deeply"
And that totally works - it makes everything seem worth it, because you realize that in the grand scheme of your time, 5,10,15,15,1 hour minutes isn't really that much compared to the time you could waste. And if you just start doing something, within a few minutes you won't feel as lethargic, or as antsy, as you did, and you may want to do more.
It's like, all you have to do is start doing something for 5-10-20 minutes.
Sometimes you won't do that long, but that isn't failing, maybe the next time you'll do 40 minutes or something - the point is to keep starting. Also, maybe you'll eat a King Sized Snickers, and some chips, but you just keep exercising when you can, and buy some other healthy stuff, and try to eat it - eventually you'll accomplish something if you keep attempting.

If anyone read that, I would count that as exercise. :laugh:

I read it. :nod: The whole thing. I didn't even skim over anything. Swear.


I cannot agree with you more about finding activities that you like to do. If you think of it as a chore, it's not fun & you won't do it, no matter how good it makes you feel afterwards.

I also tend to tell myself that if I don't have at least 30 minutes, then it's not worth it so why bother. That's obviously not true. I really need to just get my ass up & moving (like you said) and not worry about specific times periods. Yesterday, I was able to take a 20 min. walk during lunch, then I walked to dog after work. Tonight will be the elliptical & weights/stretching.

OH! I almost forgot the most exciting thing! They're having a FREE morning yoga class once a week where I work, so I'm going to start that next month. I'm very excited. :blob1:

:blob1: :blob1: :blob1:
You will love it. It will be more difficult if you drink coffee in the morning. I can't remember if you do.

i read it too! i agree with everything you said. really, the advice & support i get here are invaluable to me. who knew i would learn more about nutrition at a FM message board than i've learned about FM? :laugh:

anyway, yes, 6 lbs. is the official number. i weighed myself yesterday and i had gained a pound, but i got my period today, so it doesn't count. i totally plan on sticking with it because really, i feel 1000 times better than i felt at the beginning of the summer. i feel energized during the day and tired at night, and i haven't been on any normal sleep schedule in years. who knew i could wake up at 7 when i didn't have to? who knew i could do the elliptical for 45 minutes? who knew? anyway, that was a totally awesome post, amber. thanks.

Woooow, I'm totally happy you are doing so well! Actually, if you think you gained one pound, and it's your period, you will probably have lost 2 lbs by the end. You know. :D

Have you gotten to the "not as hungry with fewer calories" point yet?

Nope, just 1 cup of vanilla chai tea.

I'm really psyched about this class. :nod:


That's awesome! I can barely manage 30 on the elliptical even though I love it. I'm exhausted! And you can easily put on 2-3 pounds during your period, so no worries. Sounds like you're more focused on how you feel than specific numbers anyway, which is how it should be. Not that you shouldn't weigh youself, but if you lose 10 pounds & still feel like ****, that's no good. :D On the other hand, if you lose 5 but feel more energetic & happy - much better. :nod:

i better lose 2 more pounds by the end of this! grr. :laugh:

yeah, i've been eating more often & more fiber, so i've not been getting hungry as often. and i've been eating less bread. before, i was having a sandwich a day on 9-grain bread, and now the only bread i eat is a 50-cal wheat wrap/tortilla thing, and i don't eat those very often. so i think that's helped.

oh, and i got some morningstar fake chicken. good stuff. my friend abbie & my mom are both intrigued by my new diet choices, and have been asking a lot of questions. my mom wants me to help her start planning dinners and stuff. :D

Hey! Congrats on the weight loss! I'll have to go read through this whole thing when I don't want to kill everyone :laugh:

I'm so excited about starting with my weight stuff....your doing so well - I hope I can do as well :nod:

yeah, i'm not too concerned about the numbers. really, where i am physically, i can't NOT lose weight right now. i thought about only weighing myself every once in a while, but i decided to do it more often b/c i'm kind of interested in seeing how different activities/routines affect my weight loss.

i'm so jealous of your class! i was planning on taking a yoga class at my gym this fall, but they've changed everything around, and now instead of offering beginning & advanced yoga & pilates classes, they've combined all of them and they just offer one "yogalates" class. wtf.

It really is amazing how much exercise can change your state of mind and everything. I've lost 2 more pounds for a total of 10 and now people are constantly telling me I've lost weight. It took so long for it to be noticable! But that's the kind of weight loss that is sustainable, slow and steady. I think what they say about weight training is totally true too. Now that I have some muscle mass my metabolism is higher, I'm always amazed on Monday that the crap I ate over the weekend has no effect on the scale!

Congrats to everyone who is working at eating well and exercising. At first it seems so hard but then it just becomes your lifestyle.

Wow, really? Your mom did that? My mom/parents were pretty resistant to my desired diet changes. Course, I was being vegan. And I didn't live with them, just lectured them. :laugh:
That is really great! It helps a lot when you live with people who may want to eat similarly.
I love those chix patties sooo much, it's ridiculous. I only really get them sometimes, b/c of the cost, but I totally love them. Also, just so you know - the Boca fake ground beef is pretty tasty, too. I cook it with salsa and some green onions, smidge of oil, then use it for burritos. I guess you don't eat many burritos, but if you wanted to, it kicks ass.
Did you ever find that Teryiaki stir fry with just chick and veggies that comes in a bag? Look again, that sh*t is tasty. Expensive kinda, again, though. It's like 7.99, then I buy it on sale when it's 4.99. Still.

I didn't know you lost 10 lbs! That is great. You looked really cute in your recent pics, but you looked pretty slim to me when I saw you in Vegas. :shrug: I can see how a 10 lb weight loss would look pretty dramatic on you. I'm glad you're getting nice muscles from weight training.
How're your calves? ;) :laugh: :xoxo:

After I lost the 10 lbs, random people just kept saying "you look great!" without saying I lost weight. Well, my boss asked if I lost weight. My best friend pinned it on the bangs when someone else commented on how great I look. I promptly said "no, it's not the bangs, it's the weight!" :p It may be that thing where I'm still the same shape, but thinner (or fatter) is why people don't totally notice the weight loss. Muscles, ya know. I think they mainly notice because my head gets less fat.

Anyway, I'm so happy for everyone, and Paula - I meant to tell you - you looked great in your camping jeans. :nod: Toned yet moderately slim. :D

Congrats Carrie! my official loss is 12 since beginning of June. I'm hoping to be at least halfway to my goal by Christmas.

Aw, thanks! You're the 3rd person that told me I looked good in those jeans, which is odd because they're a few years old & I didn't think they were looking so good anymore. :shrug: Good. I will wear them contstantly now. :D

add me as the 4th. you look ab fab. I think you have a cute figure.

black strappy sandals - $45*
green dress with black lace overlay - $50*
the expression on Paula's face on NYE - priceless

*prices are guesstimated

Now, being a bargain whore, I must point out that the dress was marked down to $28 & the shoes were around $20. :D

yeah, we'll see how long my mom stays interested in the idea ... she eats horribly. she has fast food almost every day, drinks a ton of coke, etc. she's going to get diabetes. she's just never had to eat well and exercise to stay thin ... she and both of her sisters were skinnnnnnny growing up. the difference is, her sisters started eating healthfully & exercising after they had kids. so anyway ... i haven't found that teryiaki chicken stuff yet, and i've been looking. could be we just don't have it here. i bought some morningstar spicy blackbean burgers today. i was turned off to the idea of veggie burgers for a long time because the ones we have at work are nass. tee. but now that i know fake meat can be good ... well, y'know.

oh, also, i emailed the parks & rec guy here about the fall softball league. yay! and i bought a soccer ball. now i just need to find someone who likes playing as much as i do ... my dogs like playing, b ut they're not much competition. :laugh:

ok, this post has taken me forever to write because i'm watching misery on tv, and i've been up since 5:45. and i went to the gym. and i went hiking.

^^

GardenBurger has these amazing barbecue Riblets..I LOVE them...I eat them on a light roll or bread...make a sandwich out of one...they are sooo good.

Otherwise I don't like the meatless products. I like real meat. Are you veggie? There's no way in hell I'd go veggie :laugh: I did, however, read about grass-fed cow meat - it's more expensive but I'm going to go that routhe next time I buy meat. mmmm meat.

ooh, that sounds good! i'm not veggie, but i've been thinking about it. i stopped eating red meat at the beginning of summer because it's so fatty, and except for tuna (occasionally), i don't eat fish because of a) the overfishing problem and b) i don't like most seafood. so like today, the only meat i've had is 2 slices of deli turkey. so am i mostly veggie? :laugh: is that an option? :lol: i think i could handle going fully veggie, but i'm not sure about vegan. i don't eat a ton of dairy, but soy milk products are really icky to me.

speaking of food, i'm kinda hungry ... :laugh:

Red meat isn't always fatty - if you get ultra lean it's pretty good :nod: I still don't eat a ton of it, I much prefer chicken and fish (I've never had a problem with seafood.)

I agree about Soy Milk products - I've tried to switch I just don't like the taste or texture. Blech.

Only three more days until I start hitting the ground running with Weight Watchers. In the meantime I've been horrible heh.

good luck with WW. you're an active person, right? like, you ride your bike and stuff? you'll do great.

maybe my problem with soy is a brand problem ... maybe a different brand would taste better. or maybe i could try rice milk. or maybe i'm deliriously tired and should go to bed ... :laugh:

Ha - I was deliriously tired last night, so I understand. I am semi-active. I used to be way more - and I'm trying to get back to where I once was (going to the gym or riding the bike EVERYday).

Yeah - I've tried pretty much every brand of soy available at big grocery stores - nothing does it for me....but good luck with that. Do you not like milk? Why not just stick with that...if you're worried about the hormones and such organic milk is really good :nod:

i've been drinking organic milk for a couple years now - much tastier than regular and much better for my conscience. :laugh: i was hoping i would like soy milk just because it has a better protein to carb ratio. also, drinking too much milk makes me sick. umm, i dunno where i'm going with this.

anyway, once you start ww, you can join the cel-ledge-brity fit club! :lol:

Yep = I'm looking forward to joining that club!!

yeah - nutritionally soy milk is better - but I don't care - I like real milk :laugh: I am going to do this thing by eating things I enjoy and are healthful - I get into trouble when I start trying to implement crap I hate into my diet.

Anyway - it seems like you're doing really well...keep up the good work!

Wow, you're on fire! :blob2: Great. If you want to eat red meat occasionally (you know, when you need iron, or have a craving), get free range, or buffalo meat and venison are both extremely lean. I don't know if regular stores carry the buffalo burgers, maybe just the natural food store.
That is cool you drink organic milk. So, what brands of soymilk have you tried? Anyone who tells you milk is healthy is a moron. :laugh: I have it occasionally.
I only like Vitasoy. Rice milk is okay, but high in carbs.
Anyhoo, good job!
Nice sig pic, by the way. :laugh:

A really good snack I've been eating recently is edamame. They're those soybeans you get at Japanese restaurants. Very high in protein, some fiber, and obviously soy. You can eat a whole bunch & there's not that many calories. I finally found them in the frozen section of the good grocery store here. I can have 1/2 a bag for 2 WW points. :thumbsup:

I like them because it takes a while to eat them (you have to take them out of the pods) so I can pick at them for a while & keep my fingers busy. Sometimes when I have a 1 piece snack (like a piece of fruit) I'm not satisfied cuz it's gone so fast. These are like popcorn - you can take time to savor them. :nod:

omg...we ARE soulmates after all. I could live off of edamame...and age dofu...and gyoza...and cucumber rolls with lots of wasabi.

when I found them in my frozen section I actually squeeled. who? me?