Young Calorie Counters

Before I joined CC, I tried to lose weight but I went about it the wrong way. I thought that the only way to lose weight was to eat as little as possible. On average I was eating about 700 calories a day. Of course, I did lose the weight, but as soon as I reached my goal and started eating normally again, I put on all the weight I lost and then some. I now know that this was because my body had been in starvation mode and that my metabolism had slowed severely.

However, despite the fact that I know what eating so little does to one's body, I'm still afraid to eat more. On the typical day I burn about 1900 calories, but I still find it difficult to eat even the minimum 1200, let alone my calorie goal of 1400. I've definitely been eating better, with more balanced meals with the proper nutrients, but I can't seem to reach my calorie goal without trying to add more calories by eating junk. I try everyday to eat more, but there's a little part inside of me saying "calories = bad, empty tummy = good."

Is anyone else having the same problem? How do you overcome it?

I've been having the same issue, not being able to top 1000 calories a day when I should be at a minimum of 1500.  The best thing I can suggest is eat something small but calorie-packed, such as a piece of bread with peanut-butter on it.  White bread is around 100 calories per slice, and peanut butter has around 190 calories per 2 tablespoons, so it can be a quick way to add 300-400 calories in a relatively small amount of food.  That's what I've been trying to do, at least.

I know you said "junk," but peanut butter contains monounsaturated fat, which is "good fat" so to speak.  It is a good, heart-healthy way to boost caloric intake.

Yea, I can definitely feel for you.

I'm lucky if I eat 1000 calories a day, and I end up force feeding myself half of them at night.

Not good stuff.

What happens to me more often is that I feel I'm horribly miscalculating... specially after I've had lunch and I'm feeling specially full and satisfied, I feel guilty and like I've eaten "too much", even if after logging it doesn't seem like a lot... that guilty feeling does not leave my head and I end up having less for dinner than I should.

I'm not sure if I'm making mistakes at calculating and somehow I'd rather be 300 below than 300 above, although more often than not I do try to narrow the deficit with fruits and almonds. I'm trying to "fix" this though, by only logging every other day and giving my mind a break!

Still I get a tad obsessive-compulsive... I doubt my counting abilities, I guess.

Today I ate 1430 cals. :)

Part of me still feels like a lot of what I ate was unnecessary, though :/

I just can't get over the mental block.

i completely empathize -- it's all mental, i know this, but i can't help but feel a slight twinge of guilt, you know?

but, it's getting better because i'm seeing that i am indeed able to maintain with my caloric intake :)

p.s. i was the same as you! until i found this website and actually educated myself about calories - i thought the only way to lose weight was by severely limiting the calories i was taking in *i.e. keeping daily intake below 1000 along with exercising vigorously every day* i can't begin to express how much better i feel knowing that i don't need to do this to myself.  :)

this website has been such a huge help.

I haven't really been trying to diet but I'm starting today and actually just joined here today.  I feel like I eat all day, nibbling on something small or having a soda when my stomach protests that it's hungry.  I actually trick it and myself into thinking I've eaten a ton when in fact, it was barely anything.

I was actually really surprised that when I put in everything I ate, it came out to less than 1000cal... and my goal is supposed to be 2050cal... I feel like I should eat more to catch up to the cal total I should have, but I know that's not healthy either. 

It might not seem like it, but fruits and vegetables, especially fresh, which are better for you, are actually cheaper than the junk food you probably eat.  The only problem if convincing yourself of that and finding ones you like.  I suggest mixing them with rice or pasta to help with the cal count.  I've been making myself a lot of rice with fresh cut carrots and jalapenos all cooked together. 

This sounds weird, but go to www.drinkarizona.com and go to their glossary, it will tell you lots of ingredients you'll want to look out for either to have more of or stay away from.  For your motablism problem eat a lot of the vitamin Bs (5, 6, 12) they help boost it.  Also something anyone dieting deals with is stress, look into taking ginseng, because that herb helps reduce stress levels.

I hope any of this helps you.

i hvae the sameee problem.. ugh its like im almost addicted to eating below what i should, and i also cant get over the mental block. and then somedays i overeat a ton, and then go through another period of undereating.. i guess sorta like yoyo dieting, but its driving me crazy :( ..