How many calories do you eat a day?

Interesting thread!

So, after reading what everyone eats calorically in a day, I wonder why it seems that those that eat more ( 1700-2300 cals a day) are more satisfied with their body weight and struggle less to keep weight off.

Does anyone else notice this? Maybe those who are eating more calories are simply taller and more muscular.

dmd
 
I am only 5'4 and eat a tremendous amount of calories, almost twice as much as half of the people posting here, including the taller ones, and probably more muscular.

Missy
 
Missy, you brought on a good point about the lower calories & starvation mode. I started BFFM and was shocked to see I ate so few calories (yet I'm not skinny). So I've been increasing my calories with difficulty to at least 1600 or above. I feel a little pudgier after about 3 weeks but also more solid. I may not be burning fat but my starving muscles are getting some attention. So I made up my mind to just see it through the initial weight gain (at least I hope it's initial) and see how it goes.

I would like to see a sample menu of what you eat to see how I can get those extra calories without feeling stuffed. Would you mind emailing me? I would really appreciate it.

Marla:)
 
Missy, you bring up a good point about starvation mode... however, I don't think I could possibly eat any more food! I would be stuffed to the gills all the time (and I HATE that feeling of being so stuffed I might explode). I eat when I'm hungry, and sometimes even when I'm NOT hungry just because I know I should have something every 3 hours. I'm not sure what else I can do short of stuffing myself silly. Or eating fattening junk food because it would be more calorie-dense. Is it possible, given my genetically slow metabolism, and my short stature, that my body is happy with only 1700 calories a day?
 
I zig-zag/stagger like Jane and Jes.

My high calorie day is 2182. My 20-30% deficit range is from 1527 to 1746.
 
icklemoley, I am so with you. I wish I could feel full eating so little. I used to be able to eat a lot less (1800 cals a day), but since Cathe, there's just no way. I am so relieved to hear of women who are eating so much and maintaining! I guess that's what I've been doing these past few weeks. I'd try to eat in the lower range (1800-2000) and could do it for 3 days max. Then a serious binge would happen. The calories I was consuming in the binges definitely put me eating a lot more a week and I hadn't gained anything. So, I guess I really can eat more than I thought. It just seems so hard to believe!
 
Somewhere between 10 and 10,000.
(I don't keep track, and eat mostly natural, whole foods, so don't worry about it).
 
But you are male aren't you? Also, it's hard to eat a ton of calories if you eat a ton of veggies. I love all vegetables except beets. Guess I have to load up on more whole grains and fats.

Marla:9
 
I'm packing away ridiculous numbers of calories each day and somehow maintaining. Last night I had a 1000 calorie ice cream snack before I went to sleep. That was after eating all my regular meals. And that wasn't the only snack I had. But when I weigh myself at the gym on the weekends, it's always the same, except I weigh more when I'm doing a lot of strength training, but I think that's just muscle. I'd like to lose a few lbs., but it seems like I never lose or gain. Can't figure it out, but I'm pretty content. I just hope I can stay like this when menopause finally hits.

-Nancy
 
I too, am a female and for my size can pack in an astronomical amount of calories! I do not keep track but once in awhile I do the math and it is easily 2500-3000 before I just give up counting. I also don't deprive myself of any food groups/types - everything in moderation is the key for me. I am 5'4. I do not own a scale but for my yearly doctor visit the scale in his office says 108 consistently. I must add though that I workout very intensely 6 days a week. I have some good muscles for my size. I am healthy, injury free and very rarely get sick. Food is fuel. My body needs it to do what I ask of it.
 
Hi There,
Well, I don't know what is going on with my body, because if I eat more than 1300 calories a day, I gain weight. I'm eating only 1200 calories a day, and work out intensly (for an intermidiate person) 6 days a week. Three days a week weight training, and 5 or 6 days are cardio (40-60 min).

Why can't I eat more? I'm jealous, and still need to lose at least 10 pounds. I'm 5' 5 and half inches and 135 pounds.
Janie
 
Jane,

Then what am I doing wrong? Nutrition has always been hard for me to understand. What do you eat during the day?

Sincerely,
Janie
 
Wow, your current stats are great! Maybe you're not losing the 10 pounds you think you need to because your body is perfect right where it is?

Regardless, I agree with the above posters, it doesn't sound like you're eating nearly enough. I couldn't imagine how I'd survive on 1300 calories!
 
I am also one of those people that has to go under 1500 to lose weight. Also, I've talked with doctors who commented that starvation mode definately slows down your metabolism, but you'll still lose weight because of the old calories in vs. calories out. You screw up your body that way and are very uncomfortable, but it won't make you gain weight (as it's been explained to me). Have I been told wrong? BTW, I'm not saying it's good to go really low on calories, just that it might not be why someone isn't losing weight.
 
I'm 5'0", muscular build. I am trying to lose and aim to stay under 1500 calories a day...but I don't count non-startchy veggies, I leave them "free" to encourage myself to eat more of them to fill up. I did really well over 2 years but since Feb I've been stuck at this weight and I can't seem to stay under 1500. I try every day and I usually come close but at my height and after losing so much weight I can't seem to lose if I don't eat under 1500.

And for those wondering I did try to eat more to make sure it wasn't "conservation mode" and when I did that I gained.

I probably exercise less intensely than some of you. I workout 5-6 days a week. Some days are longer/intenser, but some days are light (example today was 20 min elliptical machine and Gym Style Legs timesaver premix for a light day...Monday was Gymstyle Chest & Tri timesaver premix, Stress Relief Yoga (20 min), Kick Max Low Impact premix, and abs/non-weighted back from Timesaver DVD.)
 
I think I'm going to amend what I posted earlier. Although I do eat a lot, I probably eat fewer calories than I think because I don't count. I was a very plump teenager and I was overweight in my 20s. Now, at 49, I've had a long time to learn what not to eat. It's all second nature now, no thought involved.

I don't touch anything with butter or cream in it, and I haven't eaten anything fried in decades. Real cheese is a rare treat. I haven't had red meat in about 25 years. The only beverage with calories that touches my lips is wine. So, even though I think I'm eating alot, the calories are probably fewer than I realize.

I just wanted to mention this to encourage those who are struggling with weight issues. For me, it seems to get easier all the time. I would have loved to weigh what I weigh now when I was in my 20s, or even my 30s. I think I just learned how to eat smart over the years.

I hope this makes someone feel more optimistic!

-Nancy
 
Here we go again.

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND THEREFORE HAS DIFFERENT CALORIC NEEDS!!!

Age and activity level play a huge roll in this don't forget.
 
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