Is anyone else having this problem? With my nutritionist's guidance, I've been bumped up to 2,000 cal. a day from my average of about 1,500. Reason being that I work out hard every day burning on average 800 cal or so, and I simply wasn't eating enough. The increase has worked and taking me out of my stall as I have dropped 8 pounds in the past 4 weeks under this new regime!

The PROBLEM is that i find it VERRRY difficult to get all this food in every day! I am truly struggling! She has offered suggestions for adding things like almonds, etc. to my salads, etc. advocado, etc. I just still have trouble. I am close to being very full all the time, but when I make that effort to eat 6 times a day, every few hours, balanced (50% carb/25% protein/25% fat) meals, the weight comes off, plain and simple. Just getting there is a huge effort.

Maybe this is all a habit change for me? and i just need to get used to it? Any thoughts?

It's something you might get used to within a few weeks. Just as your stomach has gotten used to less food.

But adding in calorie-dense foods like nuts, avocado, or switching to full-fat versions of things like milk and cheese may help to fill the calorie void.

Also, congrats on getting past that stall! You're doing great work

Faerie, thanks very much! You know.. the mere thought of adding "full-fat" versions of milk and cheese really does freak me out a bit.. it's a lot of psychological pull with me (which i've commented on in another post).. but she did say I could have a few whole wheat crackers, some cheese and maybe some grapes for a snack - which i have added and as long as it isn't all the time -- it DOES seem to get me to my calories.. I guess, too, it's a matter of having the control now.. that i don't need to eat a pound cheese and a whole sleeve of crackers!

It's such an "anti-diet" thought, isn't it? Using the full fat versions of food. Good thing that none of us are actually on "diets"! I remember I had the same slight freak-out-ery when I had to do the same thing to get in all my WW points when I first joined. I was like "What?! I just got rid of that stuff!"

Did you ever think about those cereal bars? If you've got problems to reach your daily level one or two every second day or so might be a help.

thanks esther -- i do look into those from time to time. Most of them are too sweet for me, I prefer a more natural tasting one that doesn't taste like bark! I'm still searching.

try adding peanut butter to a bagel or to oatmeal (sounds weird, but tastes good!) ...more calories in the form of lean protein is a good way to go, too...an extra piece of chicken or lean beef!

Yup, i do all that! I guess i just need to not be afraid of the "fat" in that natural peanut butter

If you are looking for a bar that is natural, that doesn't taste like "bark", I recommend KIND bars. They sell them online, at most health food stores, and at Wal-Mart. They are basically nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc. and other ingredients-with just enough honey to hold them together.

I wish adding calories was my problem.

The biggest freak out for me was when I realized that when I eat more calories...1500-1600 I lose faster. When I dip them I stall out. And that by eating more calories I learn to live at that range, I'm not starving, and I think that I can actually LIVE this for the rest of my life. Now I'm to the point where the thought of 1000-1200 calories gives me the shivers. And I rarely eat "fatfree" commercial foods. I go for the real thing in smaller doses added to my regular diet. That adds calories within reason. If I have a nutritious salad I usually have a roll with 1/2 pat of butter on it. Go healthy but NO deprivation. You are on the right track.