Not being able to eat enough...give me a break!
 

I can't hold it in anymore but if I see one more thread started about not being able to eat enough I'm going to scream! Really??? This is a forum for weight loss support and dieting. I can't speak for everyone but I got to 240lbs by EATING, eating a lot, lots of crap, lot of high calorie food, I like to eat. How can eating more then 1000 calories in one day be a problem??? Shoot I used to do that in one meal. Okay, sorry I just had to get that off my chest....aaaaahhh.

i kind of agree with that .... sometimes i get angry when i see ppl say things like i cant even eat that much because im sitting here thinking ... i could ... and i did .... and i wish upon a star that i could get more than what im allowed too ..... granted some days i dont feel very hungry somedays i feel like i can eat a horse !

disordered eating comes in all shapes and sizes.

take what you need, leave the rest. (click/close)

isolde

AMEN SISTER!!!! I have always been annoyed by that too. unless you are very very ill for some reason, or like 102 yrs old....this can not possibly be an issue :rolleyes:
especially not on this WEIGHT LOSS SITE!

While I agree (eating too little will never be a problem for me!) and I wish I HAD that problem... I do understand why people find themselves in this position. If you switch from pure junk to real whole food the calories really do stack up less quickly.

So many easy solutions to fitting a few hundred more calories in though. A tablespoon of peanut butter... more healthy oil in your cooking... Its such an asy "problem" to fix. Eatting too much though seems so much harder to fix.

But i do see both sides of the fence. The other side sure does look greener though doesn't it?

I can sure understand it being frustrating. I certainly don't have that problem. But I think we have to be careful about implying people are lying or should not be here. How could many forum members not be offended at this? This is really difficult.

While I have occasional days when I feel I should lock the dogs up, I'm so hungry, most days I would have calories to spare if I didn't try harder. This is indeed because moving from eating high fat, highly processed foods to whole foods has meant I get a hlluva lot more bang for my buck; that is to say, more bulk for my calories.

There are all kinds of posts that push my buttons ~ people twice my weight yet half my size (call me shallow, I know I should be in this for my health but it's really for my looks); people my size, twice my size, thrice my size who are in happy relationships with a significant other (no reason why they shouldn't be, just I always thought I was unattractive cos I'm fat, the fact that there's clearly more to it than that is unsettling); people who write 'loose' for 'lose' (it's a different verb). I find it probably better to skip those posts when I see them coming, basing this on the assumption that people didn't post a button-pusher just to annoy me.
I still need to work on my Diet Rage issues though.

Oh you are funny. I will admit that I've thought this at times myself. Well, make that every time I read a post of that nature. It's hard to fathom someone who's overeaten to the point where they need to lose weight, all of sudden "not being able to get their calories in" and actually need advice on doing so. Whatever. :dunno:

I'm sure lots of people can't fathom some of the things that I *say* either. Probably. Most likely. Pretty much so. Whatever. :dunno:

By the way, it's not that I think they're lying like someone mentioned, and the OP didn't elude to that either - it's *I* just can't fathom it. It makes no sense *to me* as eating a lot extra, never mind a little extra is ez shmeazy *for me*. I am a compulsive overeater, hence why I got to be 287 lbs. The thing is, I'm envious of them. QUITE! It boggles my mind how soooo quickly they can change their eating habits. Make a complete 180 - going from eating too much to too little. But it doesn't really matter what I can and can't fathom. Just because I can't fathom it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Oooh and the loose thing makes me a big crazy too.

I've had my share of typos. I cringe sometimes after I'll reread a post days later and see it blaring back at me. Now why in the world didn't I catch it earlier? Whatever. :dunno:

I've been obese nearly all my life, 37 out of my 43 years, and I've been in weight loss groups since age 8.

Call it karma, but most of my life, I rolled my eyes (at least on the inside) at people who claimed they couldn't get in enough calories - and also those who claimed to "eat like a bird," and couldn't understand why they didn't lose weight. I knew I was fat because I ate more than "normal" people, a lot more - way, way more. And I thought that everyone who was fat, did too.

Even my mom and grandma, who were overweight, but seemed to eat a lot more like normal people - I just assumed they "snuck" food when no one was looking, like I had learned to, in order to avoid being lectured. I assumed they were hungry all the time, like me. Obsessed with food, constantly. Hungry, even after eating until I felt sick.

When I was younger, I was never in the "How can I get in more calories," nor the "I'm not eating, why am I not losing," clubs.

Now, I can say I've experienced both (well, the first one only sort of). When I eat very low-carb, my hunger disappears and 1500 calories feels like A LOT of food. I don't have "trouble" getting in calories, because healthy fats are always a way to add calories for little volume. Eating any amount of starchy/sugary foods (even "whole" foods like grains or potato), however turns hunger back on. If I eat refined carbs, the hunger returns, and I don't have hunger, I have HUNGER.

Not eating much calorically, and not losing weight, now that I've experienced, but only in the last six years. I now have health issues, including borderline low-thyroid (my thyroid hormone levels are just barely under the point most doctors want to prescribe thyroid medication. I could doctor shop, but that's not me).

Looking at what I'm eating now, just to maintain my weight - on the same calories twenty years ago I would be losing 5 to 8 lbs a week. There are a lot of reasons, including the fact that I'm not nearly as active, but sometimes it does seem like cosmic pay-back for all that eye-rolling and lack of sympathy I had for situations not my own.

Now I sometimes SEE those eyerolls directed my way. Sometimes when I take home 3/4 of my dinner in a restaurant, or when I turn down cake at a family gathering, or when I tell doctors what I'm eating. Luckily, none from my primary physician (who is trying to lose 15 to 20 lbs himself, and not having the luck he would like to).

I guess I've learned that weight loss is a lot more complicated than many of us think - especially when we're encountering experiences so far from our own. It's difficult to be sympathetic and impossible to be empathetic to an experience we can't at least imagine being in ourselves. That doesn't mean it's ok to judge people in those situations, but I do think it means that the eyerolling and disparaging comments need to be kept away from people it might hurt.

Wow... Ok then.. I'm one of the ones who posted about that in the last couple days. I posted to ask for help. I ate more calories when I ate crap too, but now that I've done a complete overhaul on my diet, things are different.

I'll definitely think twice before posting now... Sorry to have offended anyone. :o

No, no, no, no, no - you didn't offend any one - not in the slightest. Like I said, I'm just envious! Really, really envious. Please post away and keep on asking for help. We're all different and all require different things.

Remember this is the internet and things can easily get misconstrued. I can't speak for the OP or anyone but myself for that matter. But when one needs to lose 100 lbs or more, they *usually* ARE in a different *category* for lack of a better word and DO have different issues then lighter folks. So for us, we really have a hard time comprehending such things.

Just like the lighter folks probably can't comprehend getting to the point where one NEEDS to lose 100 + pounds.

Like I said we are all different. And every ones' thoughts, questions, suggestions and opinions are welcome and valid. :hug:

Not sure what you mean about the lying statement but in no way shape or form was I saying someone should not be here. Just want to set that clear right up front. And yes, maybe some would be offended at my original post. What can I say it was late I was frustrated, I just blurted it out without further explanation.

I should know better by now and skip the posts that are going to upset me (I already know which ones will :D)

Yes, my statement was more of a "me" thing. Just hard for "me" to understand but I leftout the other half...

The reason I get so frustrated with those posts is that I worry that some people try to eat little in the beginning because they want faster results. Then where are they going to go calorie wise when they have say 10-20lbs left to lose. The WONDERFUL thing about calorie counting is the options and that you can tweak things to work for YOU. I'll be the 1st to admit that I have had to make many changes to the amount of calories I eat to keep seeing weight melt off and yes I have made mistakes. I droped my calories to soon at 200lbs and got stuck there for a month.

It's just hard for me to understand the "I can't eat enough". I feel satisfied 95% of the time. There are some days where I'd like to eat more but I think that's more about emotional eating the real hunger. It is pretty cool to know that I can feel full without having to eat 2500+ calories.

I know this whole weight lose thing is hard and that we come here for support, I'm usually very supportive and upbeat but I guess I just threw my first hissy fit on the boards...my bad :o

So let me share a few more things that lead to this post that might help others. I'm a bit of a data nerd so I made this to help me see the big picture about a month ago.

You can see that in Dec I dropped my calories hoping to keep losing weight but I got stuck and had to up my cal to get the scale going down again. Just this week I upped my cal to 1800 from 1600 because I'm running more (training for a 1/2 marathon) and I noticed I was getting tired and didn't have enough energy during my weight lifting workouts. I'm pretty sure I'll still be able to lose at 1800 cal because of all the exercising I do and it's below my maintenance level. It's going to be slower but I've accepted that.

Thanks for listening and I hope this post encourages some good conversation :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/...806197a2_o.jpg

Crap now I feel bad please don't think twice about posting! I wasn't trying to single you out or anyone else for that matter.

THANK YOU SO MUCH Robin! I couldn't have said it better myself. This is why you rock!

You wore a bikini? Hallelujah! I am so impressed; and jealous and all the other things that come out sounding tit for tat and don't mean to, just how I feel and wow! congratulations!

I love your data too (and your gracious spirit). Fascinating that pattern of peaks and troughs seems to repeat consistently, like floral wall paper.

I'm sure you're right and you'll continue losing at 1800, it sounds good and sustainable.

Today is a 'run dogs, she's firing up the barbie' day; I forgot to go shopping yesterday, can't really work up the enthusiasm to walk into town to get something, so I'll either be creative with a bunch of veggies or eat some high cal bread that'll leave me hungry in half an hour. Hm.

Daniela, I've been concerned over my calories recently and may very well have been one of the people who annoyed you. So let me clarify what the issue is. It's not that I CAN'T eat enough calories. It's that I've been concerned about whether my calories were high enough to keep losing weight.

I don't qualify as obese yet. With a BMI of 42.87, I qualify as extremely obese. And that's after losing 45.6 pounds since the middle of March. I'd hate to think what my BMI was before I started losing weight.

Although I admit that I do on occasion stuff myself beyond being full (I've been known to take "all you can eat" as a personal challenge at a buffet), for the most part, that's not how I came to weigh 280 pounds. I'd eat 2-3 very high calorie doughnuts for breakfast and wash them down with a large Frappacino (sp?), munch candy throughout the day as the mood struck me (and it struck me often), then hit a buffet or a high calorie restaurant meal for dinner. Plus dessert(s). On top of that, it was nothing to eat an entire pint of Hagen Daaz or Ben & Jerry's or consume an entire package of eclairs as a snack between those meals. I didn't eat because I was hungry. I ate because I was bored and lonely.

In the middle of March I decided that I'd lose the weight. I didn't want a "diet" plan. I wanted a lifestyle change where no foods were forbidden. I wanted an eating plan I could be happy with for the rest of my life.

I decided to eat only if I was hungry and to eat mostly nutritious calories instead of sweets and restaurant meals. I substantially increased my water intake and committed to eating 5+ servings of vegetables per day. I started measuring out everything from protein to condiments. I made a rule for myself to rarely eat anything after 7PM. And I added some light exercise.

The weight came down quickly at first because I found that after eating all those vegetables and drinking that volume of water, plus eating my servings of protein and fruits, I rarely had room for sweets and starches. I was loving the food I was eating (except my mandatory daily salad which I tolerate but will never love), I was never hungry and I was feeling healthier than I'd felt in years.

I've been meticulously tracking my progress and I'd recently had a nice stretch of weight loss for 3 weeks - 4.8, 5.0 and 4.6 pounds. Then I hit a week where I only lost 1.4 pounds and the worries set in. I see many posts advising people to eat more calories to lose weight so I started tracking my food on The Daily Plate to see how many calories I was eating. (Over 6 days, the average has come to 1254 calories per day.)

I've lost 2.4 pounds this week so far since Monday. I'd prefer a loss of 3 pounds per week until I get under 200 pounds, but I'm not hungry after I consume my planned foods, I allow myself a bite of cake or a piece of chocolate if I want it and I feel healthy. At this time, I'm content with 1254 calories per day as an average.

I'm trying my hardest to eat proper nutrition and exercise and to become healthy and slim. But I'm human and have little mental demons which tell me that I'm not doing it "right" when I don't see the results I want. So please try to tolerate the posts if some of us worry that maybe we aren't consuming "enough" to continue to lose our extra weight at a decent pace. We're all here for the same reason, to become more slender and healthy. And we all need encouragement.

Oh, and I agree that when I see posts where people use "loose" instead of "lose", it makes me want to hit the edit button for them. But I'd rather cheer them on in their efforts to lose weight than beat them up about their spelling.:)

Edit: Of course people were posting as I was typing. I type slowly. :) Daniela, I didn't take your post as any form of slam, I was just trying to help you understand the issue. 100+ pounds to lose is a little overwhelming and can lead to worrying about doing it "right" at times. :)

Morning kaplods and thanks for sharing, I've learn a great deal from your posts. What you said about the "hunger" from carbs could have been me too. I think it's also important to learn that what we eat (carb/pro/fat ratio) is just as important as how much we eat, it can be life changing.

Sorry if it came across that I was judging, I just wanted to see if anyone felt like me and I guess in that I might of hurt others. I've always had a hard time getting my true thoughts out online (I'm not the best writer) so take that in consideration.

OMGOODNESS! Yes, YES, YES. I so completely agree with your post!

I'm sorry but just cannot relate to the inability to muster 1400 calories a day or whatever. I can easily do that in one sitting. Nope, I didn't get to 232 by having difficulty consuming calories.

It seems that lots of people new to calorie counting get to the evening and are hundreds of calories short. Asking "how can I eat more" may be hard to read about, if one is a person like me, who often has to fight off the munchies in the evening after having eaten ALL of my calories! :o

But here is how I think it happens. People who have never counted calories before tend to just go on "a diet" as they have done in the past, and then count up their calories at the end of the day. That untracked diet of the past always left them running short of what they needed, but only now do they realize that! So suddenly it's like--whoa! how do I do this?

That's why I usually recommend that folks plan their day in advance, not tally it up at the end. That way it's easier to make sure one is getting enough calories throughout the day.

And also, it's completely true that one can skip the posts that are irritating. After having been on 3FC for five years, I can tell you that I have seen many, many topics way too many times! :lol: But the people posting do so because they are having difficulties and can use some help.

Jay

Hi Ailidh! I had a feeling you would like the graph. Don't ask me how I would hehe ;) As for the bikini, I wore on on vacation in Hawaii. I was scared but my hubby said I looked awesome so what the **** I wore it at the pool tanning & had a tankini for swiming at the beach. Hope you have a good day and your cravings don't get in your way. I have to go shopping as soon as I get of this computer so I feel your pain, grocery shopping is still kind of hard for me (too many yummy food choices).


Hi Cami, OMG so not annoyed with you :hug: This is my fav part of your post
Personally I think that's key! My feelings 100% And it sounds like you are off to a great start :) It's exciting when you start to lose and you think okay this feels good, it's not that hard. The weight first melts off but then (at least for me) you can get stuck and if you are already at 1200 cal where do you go from there? This is all personal and you can make a plan that works for you. I guess you'll have to make that decision when or if you get stuck. Don't worry about losing it fast, if you keep doing what you are doing it will come off.

Jay, Thank you for bringing this up! Perfect, what great advice. I forgot to mention that I also plan my day in advance, usually the night before that way I know I'm eating all my calories and the macro ratio I'm shooting for.

Okay now it's time for breakfast, food shopping, and some gardening.

Unlike Robin, I am not a volume eater. And yes, I did not get fat by not eating enough ... but I did get fat by my eating choices. Once you change your eating choices, I can certainly be easier to fall short of target calories. I still fall short some days, even though my meals are planned out in advance, because sometimes I just don't want all that I planned. It tends to even out during the week for me.

I'm positive the chicks that post about not eating enough COULD get extra calories in - in the form of Doritos, ice cream, etc. The "previous" eating habits. I'm of the mindset they are asking for help getting them in in a GOOD way. For someone new to calorie counting, coming off of other "diets", I've noticed the posters are overlooking things that those of us who have been doing this for a while take for granted. Like good fats, nuts and nut butters, seeds, whole grains, etc.

Anyone can max out calories for the day, but some people need steering in the right direction to get there in a productive manner.

well i think this was directed to me. it was not asked to roll over anyone, i guess it was a stupid question but maybe i am stupid about this whole diet thing, i needed help so i asked my question here.. ill refrain next time dont worry

That's sometimes my problem exactly, because most days I can't risk filling up with a trigger food like processed carbs ~ either I end up just wanting to dive headfirst into a vat of chocolate or roast pork (chocolate coated pork? I wonder?...) or the processed-ness affects my fluid retention badly. I still need to work on eating 'just a bit' of my triggers. OK, I'd be happy if I didn't but it would please me to be able to.

Take it easy, Emma! :hug: :hug: :hug: There were several posts in the last few weeks with this topic, so you weren't being singled out.

bacilli, of course Doritos to raise calories are not the right approach! Another way would be to increase portion size slightly and make sure there is some protein in each meal or snack. I see lots of 3FC members not getting enough protein and running short on calories. For example--one can have 3 ounces of chicken instead of 2, or 4 ounces instead of 3. Or eat 2 lowfat string cheeses instead of only 1. Like that! :)

Jay

I think it's great to discuss the impact of what we say, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be said. We need to be careful about offending others, but we can't be so concerned that we don't bring up the subject.

I think the OP is a valid question/concern, but discussing not only the question, but it's impact on folks (and yes, even if a person finds it offensive). Criticism isn't terrible (though when you get it, constructive or neutral criticism, doesn't feel much different than the destructive kind, especially since it's hard to know the intent behind a critique).

Because talking about weight loss at all can be a loaded subject, it's almost impossible to discuss without hurting or offending someone. We all have to know that ahead of time, and develop a thick skin so that we can discuss what is often considered undiscussable.

There are so many taboos about what can and should be said about weight loss, it's very refreshing to be able to discuss most things here. Even "You're wrong, I wish you wouldn't say that, or I'm offended by that" is a whole lot better than the icy stares and broken friendships you can get in "the real world," if someone thinks you're being rude or off-base.

I don't think weight loss is a topic that you can discuss freely and guarantee inoffensiveness. Although I think that's true of many taboo topics - you can be polite or you can be honest, but you often can't be both. Here, I'd much rather give and receive honesty.

Sometimes that honesty does come at a cost, and the cost has to be figured in before you post, but that doesn't mean it's not a cost worth paying. Considering others feelings has to be considered, but the cost of offending someone is often "worth it." Here, unlike some social situations in the real world, the value of honesty "trumps" social graces.

What I meant by keeping away the comments from the people it could hurt, had more to do with knowing when and where to say some things, not the right to voice them at all. For example, I get really frustrated (often with accompanying eyerolling) when I read "featherweights" obsession over a couple pounds, or isolating themselves or avoiding exercise (especially the "bathing suit" dilemma - if I can swim in public, someone with 5 lbs to lose should), I've talked alot about it here, but never in threads in which someone whined (er, voiced their concern) about not being fit to be seen in pubblic in a bathing suit. I also would avoid voicing my opinions on the subject in the featherweights forum.

So I think care is warranted, but paranoia isn't. Sometimes it's just a matter of wording (starting or ending by saying - I know this could offend or hurt someone, and I know it may even be irrational, but this is how I'm feeling right now).

Rants are legitimate, but you've got to know that it might inspire someone else's rant, sometimes on the opposite side of the argument.

I think it can be like a boxing match here, where the boxers after bloodying each other, go and have a drink together. Or the old sheep dog/ Wiley coyote cartoons, where they're chatting as friends, punch in their timecards, and the coyote goes about trying to hunt the sheep, and the sheep dog tries to stop him, until it's quitting time.

I learn as much, no probably more from people who disagree with me (even passionately, even angrily) as from people who agree with me.

oh no! my inner datnerd is showing!!!:hug:

That was my issue exactly. Low by 400 calories? I could go eat junk food and get there no problem... but I didn't WANT to. I sincerely wanted to be healthy, but I quickly discovered that you have to eat a LOT of volume of food to make a lot of healthy calories add up. So I too have been in this boat. A lot of it is determination to stay healthy but not eat too little, I guess.

So I just decided to start this thread on List of Healthy High Calorie Foods: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173862 and it's helped me a lot get to the number I want by the end of the day... in a HEALTHY way.

Oh you should have seen me yesterday getting in lots and lots of healthy calories. Can you say - CHERRIES? :T

Daniela, no worries... ;) I debated even joining this board because I don't have a lot to lose, but went for it anyways. I am in awe at so many here who have made such amazing changes to their lives/bodies!! The weight I have to lose is "baby weight", to be honest, I've never been overweight except from my pregnancies, so most of this is all new to me... *blush* So really, perhaps I should have left well enough alone and just lurked... I joined for friendship & to learn from many of the pro's here.

Kapolds, about the Featherweights, I am now 17lbs from my goal weight and would NOT wear a bikini, or any other bathing suit for that matter! We all have our own issues, and I don't feel that just because we may have less to lose means that our feelings/fears are negated because of it.

Again, not trying to offend anyone, just putting in my 2 cents....

Thank-you for sharing this link! :)

I've really enjoyed the discussion this thread has provoked. When I first started WW I was soooo hungry because all I could think of to eat were carrots. I laugh now at those days, but when a person begins a new program/change it can be hard because they may not know what they are "allowed" to eat. I guess it's sometimes hard to shed yourself of the idea of being/not being allowed to eat certain foods.

I just started doing the calorie counting and I have found it easier than WW because it doesn't SEEM as restrictive. I know in reality that it is really the same principles, but I just needed a mental change to lose the last 10 pounds. I've been "stuck" at this weight for 6 months now.

I have always enjoyed reading the different perspectives presented on this forum and there is always some little part of me that can relate to all of the problems people have (I seem to have all the food issues :) ). I can honestly say that I have rolled my eyes and indentified with a post at the same time.

:hungry: I have certain fruits I can go pretty gonzo on too. I think for me it's strawberries. I could eat an entire giant carton of strawberries if you'd let me! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Daniela, I have to say as a total data nerd, that chart was inspiring! Looooooved it.

Hi there!
Although I'm SURE it's been said before, the issue here is that people have difficulty when they go from low volume high calorie-dense foods to high volume low calorie-dense foods.
MAN I could pack away the calories:
Think of it this way -- I'd go from the DQ where I'd have a medium Blizzard (approximately 1000 calories) as a SNACK, then go right to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant with friends.
1000 calories = approximately 11 apples!
If I had to sit and eat 11 apples in 1 sitting, I'd be really, really in pain.

HOWEVER, I DO confess that I skip these posts because I am having a HECK of a time controlling my WW points right now. I've upped the exercise and am hungry all the time. Unfortunately, I'd rather eat a banana (2 points) than salad and fat free dressing (0 points), and those bananas DO add up. Especially on a limit of 22 daily points!

Like I've said before, I WISH I had this problem. And it comes down to the food I am choosing to eat...sigh...

Kira

Hm, doesn't WW have activity points, kira?

Jay

Hi JayEl! WW sure does have activity points! But I find that if I eat these and my flex points, I don't lose any weight. Right now, I do hot yoga 7 days a week (90minutes) and have done so for 28 days (2 days left in the 30 Day Challenge!). I eat 22 points a day. I eat an extra banana a day (2 points) as exercise points. (If I don't exercise, I don't eat above the 22 points -- which will happen after the 30 day challenge). Usually, DH and I go for dinner out ONCE a week and I use all my Flex points there. And I on average just over 1 lb a week (5 lbs a month on average). I've tried upping the calories, through eating all my Flex and all my exercise points, and I maintain my weight. (I thought upping calories might help with weight loss, given my activity level). I've also had two temporary blips due to vacations (i.e. up 3 pounds, but down 3.5 lbs on return).

So, yes, I do eat 24 points vice 22 points on the days I exercise, but I still have trouble sticking to 22 points a day (I consider the banana soley as "exercise-related" eaten 2 hours before yoga and I don't plan it in my daily points allotment, per se).

I am SUCH a turtle!!!
sigh
Kira

:lol: I have enjoyed reading the responses here. I'm one of those people that ALWAYS clicks on those "how to I add in more calories" threads.

Even though I planned my eating, (early in my journey) some days I got to the end of the day and needed more calories. A busy day with out a chance to eat all my snacks could derail my plan.

Like many of the people asking the question, I really wanted to know

1. Would it hurt if I DID undereat my calories occasionally?
2. What kinds of foods could I eat that would be nutritious and not cause binges if I ate them later in the day?
3. What foods were people eating that were balanced and added extra calories?

I really appreciated all the chickies that answered my questions! I spent way too many years buying the notion that all fats were equal and evil. I needed assurance that I could have peanut butter at 9 p.m. and I wouldn't gain 2 lbs overnight. Silly, of course - but a real concern nonetheless.

So, while this is a button-pusher topic for some, I completely relate to those that have posted the question.

Button pushing posts for me are the new chickies that want to know the best plan to drop 25 lbs. in two weeks for an upcoming event :(

The loose thing bothers me too... but I'm the last person to make fun of peoples typos. I make bucket loads myself. It only bothers me because I keep reading it as loose (not tight) versus Lose.

I think the end of the story is most of us want to be the person who struggles to get the calories in - seems like an attractive problem, and it fairly unimaginable for some of us. I do have days where I look at my calories and say oops... need to eat more, but they are WAYYyyyy less frequent then the over calories days. I can do that without blinking an eye.

I do think this is the place for MOST issues food related though... so keep posting these kind of issues! Some people will just skip the posts if it ends up bothering them. I don't think the OP meant to offend people... seemed more like venting.

I feel your pain
 

One of the things that's harder for me with this whole problem is that I have to have a certain amount of carbs. Depression runs in my family and when I was on Atkins after a month I got suicidal. I got put on antidepressants and we tried so hard for so long to try to balance me out but the best we could do was get me morose. I lost 40 lbs but it just wasn't worth it. Within 2 weeks of giving up on atkins it went away and we weaned me off the medicine. Then a year later we were talking in my college chemistry class about chemicals used by the body for various things and my teacher told us that the reason low carb diets work is that complex carbs are the one thing your body needs that it can't create on its own but its used for things like making serotonin the chemical that makes you happy. *ding* Luckily at the time I knew what sort of problems this was likely to entail and went through my apartment with a trash bag getting rid of anything that might be dangerous to me and got a friend to move in with me for a while until I could get medicated. I know that's not going to be an issue for everyone on Atkins but as I apparently have leanings that way I'm not risking it anymore.

So I make sure to get a certain number of healthy complex carbs a day whether it's bread or rice or whatever. But a 1/4 cup of flour has 110 calories. That really takes a big chunk out of my calories especially since they don't tend to fill me up as much or as long as protein or vegetables do. But I'm eating them anyway