Calorie Counting: at the end of the day?

GeauxTigerLily129 · January 2012

Hi ladies! I know a lot of you use myfitnesspal or something similar to track your calorie intake for the day. I'm trying to get started tracking on MFP again, and to be really consistent with it. I know I've been eating terribly..

My question is, what do you do at the end of the day when you have, say, 100 calories left? I wouldn't think this is a concern, but when you press "COMPLETE", the program fusses at me saying I'm not eating enough! And I know about going into starvation mode and then not losing the weight..

I'm not starving myself, but yesterday I had a small lunch, a healthy dinner, and then had a dance class so I tracked that. 200 calories leftover for the day (and I'm at a goal of 1200) ate some cookies after class to fill out the calories...that probably wasnt the best choice!

So do you have something specific you will eat (that's better than cookies) when you have those "leftover" calories? Or do you just ignore it and assume something will balance out down the road? Or are you just that good and plan your day around all your calories?

Thanks!

athlete010688 · January 2012

Sorry I'm not help, but I'm wondering the same thing! I'm at a goal of 1200 calories as well. I've found if I exercise and burn around 300 calories per day, I'm finding that I'm having a hard time eating back what I burned. I'm trying to eat a little more throughout the day, but I'm never that hungry.

dawnie204 · January 2012

Hmmm.......I'm not sure, but if I had to make this decision, I would probably eat some kind of protein.

anna.oskar · January 2012

peanut butter if it's just a small calorie deficit (literally a spoon of it.)

If I'm really short I'mm make a smoothie since it's easy to add extra healthy calories via fruit, yogurt, milk, peanut butter, chia seed, oatmeal

entropicbeauty · January 2012

I would try to balance better throughout the rest of the day because eating late at night isn't going to do you any favors. If you know you're going to be doing X amount of cardio a day and you burn approximately Y calories, you need to take that into account starting out that morning. Maybe in the morning if you normally would eat a yogurt you eat two eggs and hashbrowns instead.

maribeth721 · January 2012

It's really hard to get the exact amount of calories you are supposed to. If I worked out that day - I often fall short. Honestly I don't feel hungry though. Sometimes I will grab a fruit cup or a rice cake or even a spoon of peanut butter (as mentioned above) to try and fill the gap a little bit. Also, If I am way under goal (200-300) it's usually safe for me to have a glass of wine that night

I usually do that about once a week.

kak2m4 · January 2012

I will usually eat some almonds (the natural kind, not the salty ones). I also have a tendency to eat cookies, like you suggested, but am trying to curb that. One thing I really love is to have an apple with some natural peanut butter. Delicious - and filling! But yes, I usually try to fill the gap because I don't want my body to go into starvation mode.

SCogs18 · January 2012

My goal is 1380 and I try to stick to 1200 or so, never less. If you need just a few extra calories grab a banana or some peanut butter. Almonds or some other nuts as PPs would work too (but I'm allergic to all tree nuts so I never eat them).

kristinanddan · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_calorie-counting-end-of-day?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:6fcabe41-e96b-4380-b680-2bf3106d6c9aPost:d1548291-31ac-4c24-bf9e-c65c73bceee0">Re: Calorie Counting: at the end of the day?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would try to balance better throughout the rest of the day because eating late at night isn't going to do you any favors..
Posted by entropicbeauty[/QUOTE]
That's not true at all. There is nothing detrimental about eating at nighttime.

J&K10910 · January 2012

If you're consistently coming up short, you should re-evaluate your eating plan during the day, and add in another healthy snack, or make one more calorie dense (some PB with your fruit, a few nuts, etc). If it's just a sometimes thing, I'd have a glass of milk, or some hot chocolate, or a small treat if you're in the mood.

marisas316 · January 2012

Hey ladies,

After reading your posts, Im definitely doing something wrong. I am only allowed 1200 calories a day and I ALWAYS GO OVER, even when I put in exercise. Can someone share with me what you're eating, so that I can cut some of my calories. My problems are is that I have a sweet tooth and I love my carbs. I've lost about 8 pounds so far(since April), but for the past 2-3 months, I haven't lost a thing and have only 4 months to go. i would like to lose another 5. Any help would be great!!!

Thanks!

alyss21mom · January 2012

If I have the calories left, I put a banana in a blender with some skim mild and ice. If I have a lot of calories left, I add low fat yogurt and flax seed.

GeauxTigerLily129 · January 2012

thanks all (sorry for not checking back in, but hopefully someone sees this). I appreciate the help!
I think the spoonful of peanut butter idea is just what I need.
It's not always coming up short, it was just a day that I wasn't that hungry, didn't snack, and then had a cardio class. I'm just starting back with calorie tracking, so this was helpful!

Calorie Counting: at the end of the day?

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