[Larry H]

I have been weighing and measuring since 1/6/2011 and felt I was doing good. My plan was for 1500 cal per day and most days it has averaged 1300.

This brings me to yesterday. I only ate 965 calories which is way too low. However I had no hunger and felt full.

My question is what should I do when this happens. Eat more even if I am full? That sounds like my old behavior which got me overweight in the first place and does not seem like a good choice. Or, should I just stop at the 965 and be satisfied that I am content? That also does not seem like a good choice because I would not be getting the proper nutrition levels my body needs.

I seem to be between a rock and a hard place. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Larry,
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In the Middle Ages, they had guillotines, stretch racks, whips and cahins. Nowadays, we have a much more effective torture device called the bathroom scale. ~Stephen Phillips

[bargoo]

How many times a day do you eat? I eat about every 3 hours , 3 meals and 3 snacks . My snacks are usually 100 calories or less. For example about 3 hours after breakfast I may have non fat yogurt or Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge or maybe an apple or tangerine. This might get you the extra clories you need.

[natamars]

I think it's only a problem if it occurs regularly. I have a day once in a while where I don't even make it to 1000 calories, and I don't make myself eat. If this happens a lot, though, it could be a problem and you'll need to find ways to get in some calorie-dense, healthy food - maybe some extra olive oil on your salad or a tablespoon of peanut butter on an apple or banana?

[manders01]

If I'm that low, regardless of whether I'm hungry or not, I make myself have a snack. I do not allow myself to eat less than 1000 calories, try to get to 1050 at minimum. For a good stretch I was having a problem eating that amount. I am back to the point where I'm over that and around my caloric allotment everyday though.

Is this the first time you've been that low? If so, I'd wait to see what affect it has on your body. If your up, then don't go that low again. If you're down, as long as it isn't a regular occurrence, I would say you might not have to worry about it.

[LindseyLou]

I would throw in some snacks in between meals to up the calories a bit. Under 1000 calories is very low. I eat about every 3 hours, so in between breakfast and lunch I throw in fruit or a yogurt, and in between lunch and dinner I might have an apple or string cheese. Like natamars said, if it's not happening regularly it's probably not a problem, but I think it's always something you can work on.

[surfnmom]

Hey Larry, I for one just go with my hunger. Normal people do. they don't force them self's to eat. When hungry eat if not don't. That's what I do. Hey just my thoughts. Then on those days when you are more hungry, then you have some extra calories to pull out of the hat. I total up my weekly calories and I average about 1300-1400 a day. some are low days. And I feel good and not stressing over it.

[carter]

Originally Posted by natamars

I think it's only a problem if it occurs regularly. I have a day once in a while where I don't even make it to 1000 calories, and I don't make myself eat. If this happens a lot, though, it could be a problem and you'll need to find ways to get in some calorie-dense, healthy food - maybe some extra olive oil on your salad or a tablespoon of peanut butter on an apple or banana?

I agree with this. There's no reason to eat if you aren't hungry, provided it's just once in a while.

I admit that I rarely, if ever, have this problem. My appetite is always active and it's pretty unusual for me to come in so far below my allotted calories. However, there are days "once in a while" when I'm famished and want to go over my allotted calories too - thanks to the occasional "under" day, I can do this and know it all comes out in the wash.

This process shouldn't be about nailing a specific number to perfection day after day or else. It should be about establishing healthy, sustainable, and especially long-term patterns. Daily guidelines are just guidelines; accommodating the vicissitudes of real life takes a little flexibility. It's not what the number you hit today that matters; it's the numbers averaged over many weeks and months. That's my view, anyhow.