Anyone else having to eat more food when calorie counting?

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

I'm using a Fitbit alongside calorie counting. I have a massive sweet tooth but have banished chocolate from my diet entirely. I'm also walking between 6-10km a day. I'm aiming to have a 500 calorie deficit to lose a pound a week and have lost 12lbs in 6 weeks so have beaten my goal by double.

I'd like to lose another 2.5 stone to put myself back in the healthy BMI range.

However, according to the Fitbit I'm eating way below my output, I.e today I've eaten 1150 calories but have burnt off 2550 so far.

Should I eat a little more? I don't want to lose weight too quickly, I'm really after a maintainable lifestyle of exercise and healthy food.

Any advice would be welcome!

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

Just me then?!

[cindyrella]

Tough one. I'm using MFP and I get told off occasionally for not eating enough. But when I excersize and it gives me more calories to eat, if I don't eat them I don't get told off (does that make sense?)
I would think outside the calories. For example are you eating good healthy food? Are you happy and not hungry?

[Not2bObvious]

I did the blood sugar diet which was an 8 week plan of 800 calories a day, I didn't manage to stick to 100% but I'm a stone down now after 3 months on some variety of it. Reading the book about it, it dispels the theory of slow weightloss, the idea of 8 weeks on low cal/high fat/protein/v. Low carb means you lose a decent amount that kickstarts your weightloss and keeps you motivated. The fact you're eating close to 1200 a day and losing nicely is great. It will balance out over time and remember Fitbit calorie burns aren't always exact. Are you feeling very hungry on the 1150? If not, stay as you are. If you are, eat something with protein & fat but just a bit. You sound like you're doing great! Well done on the 12 pound, that's fab

[RunnerOnTheRun]

Two things here.

Eating unprocessed, real whole foods WILL mean you have to eat more in volume, this is a very good thing!

Secondly, don't add the exercise, it is so misleading. Just multiply your body weight in pounds x 10 to get a fat loss figure which already allows for someone who exercises moderately. See if it is similar to what you are aiming for.

Sorry, there is a thirdly.... eat all your calories, this will prevent a rebound and metabolic damage from under eating. It will also help to prevent all out binges.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

Sorry, didn't realise anyone had answered. I was in the end getting so hungry I have upped the calorie consumption. The Fitbit calculates the bmr plus calories from eating. I don't add in any exercise for the reason mentioned above. Weight loss so far is now 18pounds which I'm very pleased about. Thank you :).

[PacificDogwod]

Don't calorie count

Eat more protein and healthy fats - you'll be full, take less calories AND improve your metabolism.

I think the Fitbit is incredibly inaccurate btw - it is predictably inaccurate, but inaccurate it is.

[KindDogsTail]

You are doing well, but I definitely think you should eat a little more.

You don't mention your age, height, build. There are some sites that can calculate how much you would need to stay the same weight, then you could work it out from there.

You are getting a lot of exercise, and losing weight fast. I think you would be in a more balanced position with 300 calories more.

It could be in the form of excellent food that gives you masses of nutrients for your calories but still keeps your metabolism working well. An example would be some nuts and a little bit of fruit; ground linseeds mixed with some full fat yogurt and some fruit; an avocado with some olive oil and then some other snack. A little cheese with some celery or an apple if you eat dairy.

What there is no need to do is have a high sugar snack, which would have the same calories but give you insulin in your body. But some very dark chocolate squares could give you a few more enjoyable calories safely.

[KindDogsTail]

Sorry OP I missed the middle part where you said you were eating a little more.

I am glad you are eating more.
Feeling very hungry is a bad sign imo.

If you eat the right food, frequently, you should not feel hungry but still manage to lose weight.

[fishonabicycle]

Probably eating too little. My PT got me monitoring my food over a couple of weeks. Often not enough and composition not right. Now I am eating 1600 cals per week with 25 or more grams of fibre, 70 plus of protein, 60 or less of fat and about 120 carbs. I am quite small and lost about 3 kilos eating 1500 cals.

[sarahs88]

Wow, weldone on burning so much! I seem to struggle with being able to burn those damn calories. Have you tried the myfitnesspal app? It's really good at tracking both calories and exercise, or is your one the same kind of thing?