Thinking About Leaving CC

It seems like every time I log onto the forums section of CC I see another post criticizing people for not eating enough, eating too much, not eating correctly, etc.

I am 25 years old, 5'9", and weigh 213lbs. I have struggled with my weight since I was a little kid. If I'm not over-eating, I'm under-eating. I came to CC to learn how to eat healthy, but am afraid to post how much I eat in fear that I will be criticized for not eating enough.

There are days when I don't eat over 1,000 calories. I KNOW it's not healthy, and I know that I won't lose weight by eating this way, but I can't seem to eat more. I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner and *THINK* I've eaten enough calories, so I don't eat any more, only to enter my info on CC and realize I'm 400 calories away from what I should be eating. By the time I realize it, I've already exercised, showered, and "done" for the day so to speak.

Today I ate 921 calories and yesterday was 1,072. A few days before that I ate 540, day before was 315, and the day before that was 450 calories. Like I stated earlier, I know this is not a healthy way to eat and this is why I am on CC...to "learn" how to eat healthy, lose weight, and maintain a healthy weight. I just don't want to be criticized for not eating enough.

I'm thinking about leaving because I don't feel like I am living up to the "standards" of the people who know how to eat healthy and feel that everyone else should be as well.

***EDITED***

I'm not looking for attention from this post - I am here to be honest with not only everyone on here, but with myself. If this is wrong, then by all means, feel free to post as you wish, but I need to know that if I post something about not eating enough that I will not be criticized for it.

Thanks...

bye? it's your perogative. everyone on here wants to help. you know that you are not doing right and no one can help you. they can just give advice. obvioulsy by posting this you want attention and want someone to tell you that what you are doing is wrong.

Looking for attention? Far from....and it's people like you that make people NOT want to post! Climb down from your high horse and assuming you are better than others or assuming people are here for the attention.

And second of all, you're 17...I'm 25...who are you to judge someone else?

vmc, dont be rude to people. all shes saying is this is a website for everyone to share their thoughts and issues without having to be judged. it's people like you that shes talking about being the problem!

I sincerely hope you don't leave. I get what you are saying about the criticism, except that I do not think that is what it is. Think about it: you are posting this information on a message board, which means that you are asking for input/advice/empathy. When you say yourself that you know it is not healthy to eat 500 calories a day, then how would anyone be helping you to pretend that is okay? I have seen some posts where people have all chimed in to suggest ways to get someone's calorie levels up in a healthy way. They can either help by suggesting high-calorie healthy snacks (such as nuts) or by suggesting ways from their own experiences to help you "remember" to eat or to keep better track of what you are eating throughout the day.

If you come here and say, "I eat 500 calories and I feel fine," then people will be concerned for you and let you know that is not good for you. You are inviting "criticism." If you instead say, "I am worried that I seem to only be able to eat 500 calories some days and I know that is not healthy but I just don't feel like eating more, what can I do?" then you are inviting helpful suggestions and the great benefit of many other peoples' experiences, which can help you if you let it!

Hey, don't leave...hang in here. People aren't really criticizing, everyone's trying to help...even by keeping telling you that you are not eating enough than you really should cannot be judged as critism.

Don't think it that way...and let other people help you...listen to them and really take their advice.

I'm not eating enough calories but I'm trying to keep telling myself that I should and I ask for this kind of survelliance by logging to CC everyday.

If I eat enough, I go YAY for myself, if not, I will try to eat more next day...

WOW

I thought you might be being a little sensitive until I saw how vmc jumped on your back side.  I don't think I have ever seen that before in here.  Yes I have seen people tell others they need to eat more but it is usually when they are posting asking for help.  I didn't really get the impression you were asking for help just that you wanted to vent so I say VENT AWAY and as my dear ole mom used to say "consider the source and ignore it" to the people who can't seem to allow others to live their lives in peace.

Well, I'm 27...And I'm telling you that alot of us here on this site have been where you are.  It's not always easy to change your eating habits overnight.  You are obviously here because you want to lose weight in a healthy way.  You should feel proud for recogizing that.  Don't feel bad and don't leave just because you are frustrated.  It takes time...We are here to help.

Some of us may post about our frustrations with people who eat too little.  It's only natural when you are on a site that promotes healthy weitght loss.  But we are ALWAYS here to help people who are willing to ask for help.  Never forget that.

That's the thing...I am worried that I'm not eating enough calories, but from previous posts that I've read, there are some people who criticize others for not eating enough. Granted, those criticims are targeted towards people who are trying to "starve" themselves, but I don't want to give off that impression.

I am here to learn how to eat more calories, without a lot of fat, and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I don't want to feel attacked if I don't enough in one day....that's all.

At the end of the day I feel like I've eaten too many calories and enter all the info on CC and realize I've shorted myself by more than 100 calories. I am seeing a pattern and not sure how I can change that. I'm not trying to starve myself. I am here to find out HOW to eat more, but healthier.

I hope I'm making sense with all of this...

I'm not sure the point of the OP's message.  Are you looking for suggestions on how to up your calories in a healthy way so you are eating enough?  Or are you venting how upset at people you think are lecturing you?  If it's just a vent, cool.  If you're looking for help for a healthy way to eat, I think people would be more than happy to chime in - try the foods forum or the recipe section or even just look up some foods.  Sometimes I'll come up a bit short myself, but I'll grab some peanut butter or similar - not a whole lot gives quite a few calories.

When I first started, I logged my calories in after a day of eating all day long and I had only eaten 1127 calories.  I found it really hard to reach more than 1200 my first week.  I even resorted to eating cookies just to boost my caloric intake. 

Now, I don't have as much of a problem.  I eat higher calorie foods.  I thought the way to loose wieght was to "diet food."  Now I know I can eat a piece of REAL cheese.  I can have that half an avacado when I want it.  Before you leave, try incorporating more calorie dense foods like avacado and nuts and REAL cheese.  Drink 2% milk instead of skim.  Or if you are brave, drink whole.  If you need any help, private message me. 

I understand you don't want people to critcize you, but what is it you want?  You know most of us don't agree with how few calories you're eating, so are you asking for ways to get your calories up?

I've been where you are with too few calories, and believe I've screwed my metabolism up for it, and now (15 years older than you and probably 15 years after I started only eating one meal a day), I'm paying the price.

BTW, we're all just trying to learn.

hey

i'll tell you how i approach it -- i have the same problem if i don't over eat i under eat, but it seems i've solved it -- i started using planned menus -- i google up 1200 cal menu and i plan the meals for 7,14,30 days ahead that sum up to 1000 - 1200 cals and i follow that, this way i know for sure i will be within the cal range and that cuts out the guessing out of it. makes me feel really comfortable, i don't feel hungry and i am sure i give my body all the nutrients. doing that you don't have to be on cc, but personally i really enjoy the forums, so why don't you stick around?

I guess I'm not making myself clear, sorry.

I want to post that I've only eaten, for example, 500 calories today without someone assuming I am purposely starving myself. I am looking for ways to up my caloric intake. I am not trying to starve myself.

I know 500 calories is way too low. I just want to openly say that I've only eaten that many calories without someone saying that I'm starving myself and that my body will go into starvation mode. This is not what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to up the number so that I can be healthy.

Follow...lol

I'm sorry people automatically assume you're starving yourself on purpose.  It is unfortunate that some people think the worst right off the bat.

If you do consistantly come in under 1200 net calories (it's not enough to just come in at 1200, you should have 1200 after exercising), menu planning will probably be key.  What kind of foods have you been eating?  What kind of foods do you like?  If you're not feeling hungry at all during the day, you might have to switch up what you've been eating - if you're eating low-cal foods, try the full calorie foods.  Try a banana instead of an apple (not sure if you eat either, but eating more solid and less watery foods was my prime example).  Nuts are great - they're full of protein and good fats that you actually need.

Always - we understand you completely.  I commend you for trying so hard to be healthy.  This is the whole reason why CC exists.  Some people here are confused and upset, and don't know what to think when they run into someone who feels like they can't eat enough....however, there are alot of us here who understand exactly where you are coming from.

Examples of how to raise your calories just a tad:

Eat a handful of almonds.  they have good protein

use just a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil when cooking your veggies

Have a spoon of peanut butter

Add half an avocado to your salad.

I understand that you are trying to cut out the fat...but there are some fats that are good for you.  they help to regulate the metabolism as well as metabolize the vitamins that you are taking.  If you don't have fats, you can't absorb those vitamins

Ok for me, I skipped breakfast and lunch everyday, and only ate dinner for years.  (Partly, because I wanted to loose weight, but I noticed my skinny friends ate a heck of a lot more than I did).  It quickly became a way of life, that I had a hard time breaking, but now I have no trouble eating about 1500 cals per day.

If I haven't eaten enough through the day, I'll have a calorie rich dinner... a steak, or ribs, maybe a burger with avocado.  Sometimes I even save my calories for the purpose of having a calorie rich dinner, but that's another subject.

Snack on fruits, more than veggies, for added calories.  Nuts and crackers or granola bars (not diet) are other good snack foods to up your calories without stuffing you.

Try a protein shake to start the day.  I would guess the biggest thing you're probably robbing yourself of is protein.  Protein is the building block for muscle, and muscle is necessary to burn fat.

Actually, to me, the tone of most of your posts is one of "wanting to learn".  I do understand, though, feeling like some on this site are a bit harsh.  Please don't leave because of that though.

Anywhere you go, you will find those who don't agree with you.  You will also find those who will be of a lot of support to you.  Listen to the ones who help you and make you feel empowered and leave those who make you feel bad out of your mind.

There is so much to learn about being healthy, and I urge you to stay here and learn it.  It all takes time, and it won't come to you overnight.

Hi

sorry to jump in to this discussion, but i have to agree with ATFG. i do find that this forum does have a set standard of how people should diet. and dare you say anything that goes against this unwritten rule.

However this is only some members most CC members are great!!! so please do not take offence.

yesterday i only consumed about 500 calories because i generally did not feel like eating.

the other day i post a message about problems with breakfast i only mentioned that i might start skiping breakfast and one member told me i had an eating disorder how stupid.

AFTG, diet and eat how you feel comfortable this is not a promotion of starvation! but i think people should diet how they feel. some people use a fasting diet some use atkins etc. we have all got our opinions on the way others diet but really unless we are asked do we have a right to express them??