[JessicaDawn]

Here's the deal.
I've been fat for a LONG time, but I've never really eaten a lot. I go weeks eating around 700 calories a day, then have a couple day long binge and that's how I put on my weight.

I've cut out the binging, but I am really struggling to eat enough. I'm managing because I'm stubborn, but will this part ever go away? Will I get hungry?

I hate telling people that I struggle to eat enough because they look me up and down and just snicker or w/e...but it's true. People have always commented on how little I eat (unless in the middle of a binge) and I don't know how to change this mindset.

I don't like FORCING myself to eat because I'm afraid it will turn into a binge, but I have been. I feel like I'm not losing as much weight as I could be because I'm not eating enough. I eat my 'points' (modified weight watchers) but I'm well aware of the fact that 1 point is roughly less than 75 calories, meaning I could have 1 point worth 74 calories or I could have 1 point worth 20 calories...and generally I'm eating the lower calorie portions.

I think I might have to start actually calorie counting in order to eat properly, but I'm afraid it will just bore me and discourage me. It's been a month of eating healthy/exercising with no fudge ups and I don't want to mess it up now!


If you read that (thanks) any suggestions? Should I calorie count or should I keep on with the weight watchers? How do I force myself to eat MORE without turning it into a binge?

Thanks.

[Lyn2007]

I think calorie counting would help you be moderate and balanced. You'd know when to eat more and when to quit. If you space your meals/snacks no more than 3 hours apart, it can help you not get too hungry. It is just as important to eat enough as it is to not eat too much. Give the counting a try and see how it works for you! Sending you happy, positive vibes

[Eliana]

I so get this!! And I think we are a rare breed. I struggle daily to eat enough.

My best method for eating is to eat six mini meals a day of equal calorie content. I find that when I do this I am hungrier than I am if I only eat three meals. The less frequently I eat, the more my hunger monitor gets out of whack. It's very strange.

A good way to increase the calories is to drink milk and/or eat walnuts. Both offer great nutritional value for their calories.

I get the "yeah right" looks. In fact, I'm guilty of doing that to myself! I think there are just some people out there with messed up hunger monitors. Some are hungry all the time and some of us are never hungry at all. My difficulty is with cravings which are eliminated when I'm eating on plan. But cravings and hunger are really two very different things. I can have a craving and really not be hungry at all.

[matt_H]

I feel like I'm not losing as much weight as I could be because I'm not eating enough.

I know there are different opinions on this, but I totally think this is a myth. "Starvation mode" doesn't mean you could lose more weight eating more. It simply means that you might not lose as fast as expected.

Here is an article about this:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/a...1&art_id=35501

[Eliana]

Matt, I completely agree with you in most cases. I don't know about JessicaDawn, but there are days I struggle to eat more than 700 calories and that's not recommended or healthy. Some of us truly do tend to not eat enough and we still get fat.

[astrophe]

My spouse is a chronic meal skipper.

He had to see the dietitian about putting ON weight and she told him it wasn't just eating more calories, but eating more often.

Go too long without food and the hunger cues shut down.

So hang in there -- they'll revive!

A.

[JessicaDawn]

Matt, I wasn't very clear, I meant that I'm not losing as much right NOW, (referring to speed of weight loss) not that I wont lose as much in the long run.

For the other comments, thank you!
Eliana, it's nice to know I'm not the only one, so thanks again!