undereating?

[carrie721]

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?

[heyjupiter678]

Originally Posted by carrie721

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.

[catinthedark]

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

[irishgrl]

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

[goldustsongbird]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

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

[amber]

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.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

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.

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

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

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

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.

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

Originally Posted by catinthedark

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

thanks for the links

Originally Posted by irishgrl

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

Originally Posted by amber

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.

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.

[amber]

Originally Posted by carrie721

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



thanks for the links







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*
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.

Thanks for the sites, Catinthedark!

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by amber

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*
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.

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???? it's encouraging, actually.

[amber]

Originally Posted by carrie721

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???? 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. 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.

[goldustsongbird]

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!

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by amber

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. 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.

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

Originally Posted by goldustsongbird

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!

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

[goldustsongbird]

Originally Posted by carrie721

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



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

Good restraint.

[amber]

Originally Posted by carrie721

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

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.

Physical freedom is your birthright - don't ignore it, especially in your 20's when your joints don't hurt yet and stuff. 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.*
I really have a thing about people not exercising, in some way. I really find so much joy there, and sometimes in eating well ( ) 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.

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.