fitness pal wants me to eat 400 more calories?! WHAT?!

AngB1230

so i guess i figured out why i am not losing 2lbs a week.  I never updated my fitness pal exersice level...i should be consuming 400 more caloires than i normaly do...HELP!!! my brain does not understand this..i am afraid if i consume 400 more calories i AM GOING TO GAIN weight because i have been eatting this way for such a long time....and i dont even know how to eat 400 more calories a day?!   PLEASE HELP ME OUT....

Lobsters25

I think we all struggle with this at a point.  I am so afraid of going over even by 20 calories on a single day, because that red number just glares at me.
The only thing to do is just suck it up, and make those four hundred calories count.  If you fill it with avocado, nuts, and more higher-cal, healthy snacks, than it won't feel as 'painful' to eat what you used to consider too many calories.  I also like to make a little challenge out of trying to find foods that will help my body in other ways (good for skin, hair, whatever) to get the extra bonus from all the calories.

sparent2010

You won't gain weight. You probably need to eat more to counter act the exercise. You need to eat the calories back

Snack post work out:
3 turkey links -120
2 egg whites- 34
2 pieces whole wheat toast (little butter)- 180

334 more calories.

maribeth721

Yes, I agree I think we all struggled with this. You should not be netting less than 1200 calories a day. So yes, you need to be factoring in your exercise. For example, if you are eating 1200 calories and burning 400 calories working out, you are essentially eating (netting) 800 calories. This is NOT enough to keep your body going and you will actually slow your metabolism down and make your body work harder to store fat because it thinks you are starving (starvation mode). You will be shocked at how much faster the weight comes off when you eat a little more. Also, you must actually feel like you are starving if you are not eating more on days you work out!

Like Lobsters said, just make sure those extra calories are being used for healthy food.

Most days if I work out I am struggling to reach my calorie limit - I actually started doing protein shakes to give me extra calories/protein.

AngB1230

thanks guys! i am still really having a hard time adjusting after all these months ...wish me luck!  16lbs to go before the wedding!...who knows i might even get below that!
 your right maribeth....i was wondering why i felt like i was starving when i increased my workout

stefwells23

MFP can be tricky at times!

If you are quoted 1200 calories every day to lose 1pound per week, burn 400 at the gym that gives you a total of 1600. If you consume all 1600 you will still be losing weight, because the workout cancels out the additional 400 calories

You can do it!!

anna.oskar

There are lots of simple, high calorie, high nutrition things you can add.  Some have been mentioned by others already.

My favorite for a quick cal jump is this smoothie:

http://kickmeiamfat.blogspot.com/2012/01/cheers-to-smooth-new-year-of-being.html

firsttimersluck

Yeah.. I super struggle with this too. 
Like PP said, I think we all do. It seems so counter productive. 

BUT you can make those 400 extra calories awesome for you. 

1 banana- 105 cal. 

1 apple- 80 cal

And BAM You're halfway there, already! 

Bump those calories up for a couple months and if you hate it, switch back.. but I think you will be pleasantly surprised. 

eeweiss

The best thing I ever did to lose weight was to start eating MORE.  I know it's hard to grasp but I now eat 6 small meals a day and eat way over what myfitnesspal tells me to eat.  It has bumped up my metabolism like crazy.  Make sure you drink a gallon of water a day too!!

Erin from http://www.livelifeactive.com

blubuilding

You could also add a whey protein shake -- the powder kind which is is mixed with water or milk. It is an extra 150 calories that will help you create lean mass.

gymbugmj2k

A calorie is a unit of ENERGY.  The app is trying to tell you that your body doesn't have enough available energy to keep up with you!

when you're eating too little calories, your body goes into 'starvation' mode, where it hangs on to everything it can in fear that there's not enough energy and nutrients available.  if you give your body 400 more calories of GOOD energy (fresh ingredients, homemade foods, etc) it will happily let go of the fat and excess that it's hanging onto right now