3000

Ok so I am thinking since everyone is telling me if I go back to excersising I will need more than 2500.

So I will need to go to 3000 if I do start or do i only go up in the amount of calories.

for example lets say I burned 200 calories in a days workout I add 200 calories to eat back what I burned.

So it will make my daily intake to 2700? correct.

No. People have been telling you to eat 3,000 WITHOUT exercise; sedentary. You should be eating 3,000 and then eating back what you work off.(ie: if you burn 200cals, eat 3200).

This is at least what I've been told(the minimum for sedentary females is 2500, males 3000)

Anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong.

yep, unfortunately exercise not only burns a certain amount of calories but increases your metabolism even more (ugh!), so you'll need more than just what you burn.

also i don't want to be annoying and repetitive, but erin is right about you needing more calories to begin with. but you're doing so well, dekkos, it's great to watch you! you seek advice even when you don't want to hear the answer and you follow that advice despite the lies your ed tells you. way to go.

Ok so 3000 it is then.

So much food. ughh lol. ohh well watever my body needs to be well.

Ill just add a pb %j lara bar with a glass of milk and some peanuts.

To blueberry: Yes I just want to get this over with so I can start enjoying my life again. Thats my motivation to keep on going and fllow the advice without hesitating.

You rock. :)

Good job, dekkos! I know it seems like a lot, you need it! I remember at the beginning of my recovery when I thought I was eating SO much, now I can eat that much and still want more! lol.

3000 is a piece of cake, not mentally but physically. do you have enough ideas? 

Ohh man dekkos.... I don't know how you do it!!

I wish I had that same willpower/motivation.

I need a few ideas for foods.

Dont worry gooby you do have the willpower/motivation you just need to find it.

Dekkos: Check out my blog. Months march through I think May? have full-days of food posted. I was eating anywhere from 3000-3600 during that time (still getting 3000 most days now but I don't always post up food)

Things to try: Add Carnation Instant Breakfast packets into your morning oatmeal (+130 calories)

Use whole milk or at least 2% instead of skim to cook with.

Whole fat or 2% Greek yogurt instead of non-fat. Same goes for cheeses, ice cream and any other food you may eat. Full fat. Go for 80/20 meats instead of 90/10. The extra saturated fats will help restore cellular integrity, organ tissues and brain function.

Make shakes with full fat ice cream or yogurt, and P.B. 

Other things you can add to things like oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, sandwiches/wraps/salads, and even a bowl of ice cream should you be feeling brave:

2TBS coconut flakes = 80 calories

1TBS chocolate chips or 10 almonds = 70 calories

1TBS honey = 60 calories

1TBS walnuts or jam (or syrup) = 50 calories

1 TBS Full fat flavored coffee creamer = 35-45 calories

1 TBS heavy whipping cream = 50 calories 

1/4 sliced or 2TBS mashed avocado = 50 calories

Full fat salad dressings

1TBS butter = 100 calories

1 TSP olive oil = 40 calories/ 1TBS = 120

Think in 2's. So when you have a granola bar have 2 or 2 bagels with the rest of your meal.

Mix granola in with regular cereal

Dense breads like bagels or thick grain bread instead of small slices

Pasta and rice are easy to eat in big quantities.

Nuts and trail mix

Milkshakes and icecream

It is ok to have fun food as long as you get in your nutrients

Eat every few hours

An easy way to add calories without too much volume is to have nothing plain - everything with sauce or dip or dressing.  Crackers, apple slices? Dip them in peanut butter.  A sandwich? Slap on some mayo.  Veggies? Sautee in olive oil, or dip in some hummus.  Use creamy sauce on spaghetti.  Add chocolate powder to milk.  Ect., ect.

Hey dekkos,

I totally understand how eating so much can be hard... But you have to realize, it's truly NOT THAT MUCH. I have teenage brothers and teenage friends (girls and boys) who eat at least 3000 calories a day and maintain their weight.

When I was in the hospital, I was on a 7000 calorie/day meal plan. No joke. It was pretty painful. Have you ever had Ensure Plus? It's a nutrition shake that comes in really good flavors... strawberry, vanilla, butter pecan, chocolate, mocha etc.  When I first entered IP, I LOATHED the stuff because a can of it racks in 360 calories. But I grew to love it as my meal plan increased...

You can pour it in a styrofoam cup, freeze it a few hours, and it turns into ice cream! MMMM.... It's delicious and super healthy. I felt more comfortable eating "ensure ice cream" than regular ice cream because it had more nutrition. Right now I'm gaining slowly/maintaining, but I still eat it occasionally because it's so good!

Some other ideas:

Protein Bars! Some of them have over 500 calories!

Peanut Butter IS YOUR FRIEND.

Steak or Burgers

Drumsticks!!(The ice cream cone kind)

Why don't you make a batch of brownies and sprinkle nuts on top, or coconut? Hey, treat yourself! The faster you break your comfort zone the sooner you'll be ED free!

Wow, this is a thread where I feel I belong!

I've been told numerous times by health professionals, family members, etc... that with my current activity level (gym 6 days a week, lots of cardio plus some strength) I need to eat AT LEAST 3500 to maintain and then some..... I need to gain about a stone in weight (or so I'm told but I'm finding it impossible to accept at the moment) to be healthy again.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions to increase calories.  I'm dairy intolerant to whole milk, creams, etc... are out, but I like the idea of protein bars and adding dressing to salads, veggies, etc.