Under Eating

[Bagheera]

Hello everyone. I am new to Fitbit and could use some advice from others who have this issue. I'm trying to maintain my weight currently. The only problem is that my calorie intake counts keep coming in way lower than the calories I'm burning. My weight has always fluctuated from week to week, but I never realized just how little I eat. I'm super active and can barely find time for food. I work a full time retail job and train horses in my free time. If I'm not riding, I'm running around at work. I rarily have any free time. Any tips on how to find time to eat more?

[HelenaFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hey there @Bagheera ! Welcome to the Fitbit Family, I'm sure you'll find plenty of members who are on the same path as yours. 

Member @Lisawith3dogs mentioned in this thread this amazing tip: 

"I usually set aside one Sunday per month and make soup, and lots of it.  Made from scratch, with lots of vegies. I make at least 2 or 3 different kinds, plus something like turkey chilli.  I put everything in individual containers and label before putting it in the freezer. Just before I get in my car in the morning, I grab one from the freezer in the garage. That way I always have a nutritious meal for lunch. 

I also pre-make wraps, boiled eggs etc, and keep them handy.  I buy snack size baggies and fill them with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, raw vegies.....There is a clear box in my fridge for lunch items and a basket on my counter for snacks that dont need refridgeration. I try and make enough on sunday to last for the work week. I don't have time to prepare stuff on work days, so spending a few hours getting organized on a weekend is crucial for me "

As a personal recommendation, follow your food plan as a guide and make sure you write down your meals as soon as you are about to get them; this will prevent the moment where you are holding your food log and remembering how much you ate and underestimating amounts. I have a tiny notebook where I write down the meals and their weight, so when I'm ready to write them down, they are accurate.

Get a food scale and measure everything. Increase your water intake and find different sources or variations for the meals you love that won't take a hit on your caloric budget.

Have a rest day! Enjoy your food and don't miss out on the opportunity to eat different.

Good luck! 

[Morgan_anne · Accepted solution]

The best thing you can do is take one day out of the week and meal prep all of your meals for that week. I am telling you it does wonders for you! You will always know what you are eating and if you are in a hurry you will already have it planned out and ready to go that you can just open the fridge and grab it! If you do that then eating healthy will become a lot easier!

[Bagheera]

Thanks for sharing that thread with me!  I absolutely love soup, so I will definitely try out that tip. I also love the idea of making little veggies with snacks to take to the stable and work. I never thought of doing that. What a great idea! I have been recording every thing I eat at the end of the night, so you're definitely right that it's not 100% accurate. Despite that, I know I'm still under eating most days. The idea if a notebook to write every thing down in is great. I'll get a little one to put in my purse. Thank you so much for the advice and tips. I super appreciate it! 🙂

[Bagheera]

I tend to spend my days off in the saddle, but going forward I will definitely dedicate at least one evening to make meals. My cooking skills are a bit questionable, but I tend to eat really basic foods like salads, fruits, and veggies. Anything processed or really greasy upsets my stomach to the point that I actually get sick sometimes. I'll start writing out a plan and pre-making everything I can. Thank you fir the suggestion and advice! I really appreciate all the help I can get.

[HelenaFitbit]

You're welcome @Bagheera ! Let me know if you have any questions and I'd love to help 

PS: I love cooking, if you wish to get some recipes that may last all week or are quick and easy, let me know. 

[Bagheera]

@HelenaFitbit Thank you so much! I would definitely be interested! 🙂

[HelenaFitbit]

@Bagheera I am a fan of Real Simple Magazine and my favorite section is "10 Recipe Ideas for... ", I have tried plenty of recipes and they are always really yummy 

It might help in putting a twist on your weekly meals with one ingredient, then you can pick your favorites and create different meals. Here is the link for the list of "10 Recipe Ideas for... ", my personal favorites are rotisserie chicken (part 1 and 2), smoothies and flank steak. 

Enjoy! 

[Bagheera]

@HelenaFitbit Sorry I am just responding now. I have been super busy. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out tomorrow night before I start making my meals for next week. Hopefully I'll find some quick recipes to help me out. Thank you so much! 🙂

[HelenaFitbit]

@Bagheera Not to worry! I know you are going to rock out your week's meal planning 

[DawnPJ]

Hello, I just gor my flex FitBit a couple of weeks ago and it is a little confusing. I DO NOT eat right no matter how I try. I have a business and I am really high enegery. I read on a few post that meal prep for the week would work. That is awesome. I bought this to track my sleep patterns mostly. Any ideas are welcome. Thank you.

Dawn

[HelenaFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Family @DawnPJ!  In this case I'd recommend checking with a registered Dietitian to see the best course of action. 

There are diets and meal plans as there are stars in the sky, you'll need to find the one that fits the best to you. 

[LPresley]

I have the same problem. I am trying to lose weight but often find myself eating less than 1000 calories a day and then go on a feeding frenzt around 10pm. My doctor has told me that I put my body in starvation mode. I teach in a Priority school and only have 30 minutes a day where I am not in my classroom. I usually spend that time making copies or prepping for another class; so time is not my friend. I work from 7:30a-3:30p and then coach from 4p-6p. Any meal prep suggestions or recipes would be most appreciated. Leigh

@helenarriaza 

[LPresley]

@helenarriaza