wow - more energy already! can it happen THIS fast?

i've made several posts about how i wasn't really eating enough (anywhere from 1100-1500 cals a day) due to health problems i've been having (mono, gallbladder disease). through all of this, i became SCARED to eat more because i was scared of gaining weight after eating so little for so long then upping my cals. i'm 20, 5'3, and 107-108 lbs. i've pretty much been hovering around 105-108 for the past 8 or 9 months.

anyway, i decided this week that enough was enough and that i'd have to up them soon, because i am always feeling so tired & sick and i believe it's because i wasn't eating enough. i even have these crazy urges to binge, and i don't want to deal with that! so .. 2 days ago i upped my calories to around 1700, and yesterday was 1800 .. and i am already feeling very energetic! maybe it's all in my head, but i feel great.

here's an example of what i've been eating the past few days (this is pretty much everything i logged yesterday, today i'll be eating pretty similarly) .. if anyone has any suggestions on how i can improve this, let me know!

yesterday--

Breakfast:
5 egg whites
1/2c oatmeal

Snack:
baby carrots & cucumbers
1 2% cottage cheese snack pack

Lunch:
1.5-2 tbsp Peanutbutter & a banana on whole wheat bread

Snack:
Apple

Dinner:
2 pieces of boneless chicken breast
1c brown rice
1/2 c black beans

Little random things I was picking on throughout the day (kind of a binge-type habit sorta?):
1c special k red berries
a little bit of homemade taco salad (with full-fat creamy italian dressing..eh.)
1 dove dark chocolate miniature

i know i probably could use some more protein and stop snacking on the special k (honestly, it's not even that good .. why the heck do i even bother?) .. but yeah, i'm feeling pretty good & intend on keeping this up :)

thanks in advance for any suggestion

Actually, I was just thinking "that's some good protein levels", honestly.  If anything you seem a little afraid of fats -- you have very little in this meal plan.  Remember the body needs fats to work, the brain needs fats to function, fats help keep your hair "shiny" and is good for your skin.  No need to go overboard, and of course, try to stick with "good" fats -- olive oil, fish oils, the PB was good, (of course the dove was good, LOL).  The special K won't kill you -- and if those little things stop you from having a full on binge, then they can't really be bad right now.

Congratulations on the positive changes!

When I awakened to the fact that my calorie intake was far too low and finally started giving myself the energy I really needed, I noticed the difference the very same day. I did my usual workout with more weights and I felt like I had the powers of three people . Ever since I've been all revved up, so the energy boost can really be effective instantly.

Original Post by coach_k:

Actually, I was just thinking "that's some good protein levels", honestly. If anything you seem a little afraid of fats -- you have very little in this meal plan. Remember the body needs fats to work, the brain needs fats to function, fats help keep your hair "shiny" and is good for your skin. No need to go overboard, and of course, try to stick with "good" fats -- olive oil, fish oils, the PB was good, (of course the dove was good, LOL). The special K won't kill you -- and if those little things stop you from having a full on binge, then they can't really be bad right now.

Congratulations on the positive changes!

thanks! :)

as far as the fats, i think i've just gotten used to eating a VERY low fat diet. i mentioned i had gallbladder disease, and basically had to eliminate fats from my diet. i had my gallbladder removed 2 months ago, and i'm slowly getting back into adding them .. i guess it's just something i'm not used to and has sort of turned into a 'phobia' .. but i'm definitely working on it! :)

also, i've found that since my surgery, i've had problems with dairy products, especially milk .. so unfortunately i haven't been able to have much of that :(

Original Post by eveliina:

When I awakened to the fact that my calorie intake was far too low and finally started giving myself the energy I really needed, I noticed the difference the very same day. I did my usual workout with more weights and I felt like I had the powers of three people . Ever since I've been all revved up, so the energy boost can really be effective instantly.

awesome!
i seriously feel great, and it's definitely a huge motivation to continue eating ENOUGH!

Original Post by crombiexbabe:

thanks! :)

as far as the fats, i think i've just gotten used to eating a VERY low fat diet. i mentioned i had gallbladder disease, and basically had to eliminate fats from my diet. i had my gallbladder removed 2 months ago, and i'm slowly getting back into adding them .. i guess it's just something i'm not used to and has sort of turned into a 'phobia' .. but i'm definitely working on it! :)

also, i've found that since my surgery, i've had problems with dairy products, especially milk .. so unfortunately i haven't been able to have much of that :(

oops -- sorry, missed that part (no coffee, yet).  Totally understand a desire to introduce fats back in slowly and in small amount.

One thing I did notice is that your diet is lacking in fruits and vegetables (with the exception of the baby carrots/cucumber snack).  You need 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day (more on the veggies than the fruit).  Unless there is a health reason why you can't eat the produce, I would consider adding more vegetables into your diet.  You can do this easily at breakfast by adding some spinach, peppers, mushrooms, etc. (really whatever you like) to your egg whites.  The black beans are great -- try mixing them with some peppers and onions, or adding broccoli to that meal as well.

It does not surprise me at all that you feel better eating this way -- you are giving your body the fuel it needs.  Great job and good luck!

i figured i'd give a little update --

after about a week or so of eating more .. i feel GREAT. i actually can make it through the day without feeling like i need a nap .. and i just generally feel more energetic and happier. i'm definitely going to continue this. while the scale now reads between 108-110, i know that the jump is due to the increase in food. i honestly don't really care that much .. i just love feeling better.

i feel like a 20 year old SHOULD feel -- energetic! not tired all the time like a 90 year old.

also, i should add that my constant thoughts of food are slowly dissapating .. and i really don't have any desires to binge. awesomeee