Why undereating is just as bad as overeating

[donnajo]

for fat loss. I thought this would be a good discussion to start.




GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

I will start.

1) Will not get enough protein for muscle growth during bulking and muscle maintenance during dieting. .

[Alicrmt]

Because it instills bad habits and bad thought processes and will inevitably lead to binging :piggie:

I have no idea if this is true :lol: but it makes sense to me :shrug:

[Ana]

Because it slows down your metabolism to a crawl and you're primed for fat gain when you do eat. :shrug:

[smuggie]

Because it leads to bingeing out.

[jackieleigh]

cant workout as intensely

[FitnessModerate]

I don't know, I'm consuming around 1600 calories a day, definitely don't get as much protein(132g) as the book says, lucky if I get 80-90(on a good day). Yet I feel great, my workouts are intense and I don't binge. Maybe I'm delusional?

[Trinity]

Because it slows down your metabolism to a crawl and you're primed for fat gain when you do eat. :shrug:


I SO wish I could get one of my girlfriends to realize this. If she's going out to eat let's say, she will go all day on just a slimfast shake so that she feels better eating more for dinner. On a good day she still doesn't eat any where near enough. I just can't seem to get her to realize that eating healthier foods at more frequent intervals is the better way to go!

[smuggie]

I don't know, I'm consuming around 1600 calories a day, definitely don't get as much protein(132g) as the book says, lucky if I get 80-90(on a good day). Yet I feel great, my workouts are intense and I don't binge. Maybe I'm delusional?

And you're not making the fat-loss progress you'd like to be making either.

[GraceGirl]

Because it makes me weak, sluggish and irritable, with terrible headaches. (It's interesting how overeating has the same effects!)

[FitnessModerate]

And you're not making the fat-loss progress you'd like to be making either.

I'll know more when I measure at the end of the month. I'm willing to be patient.

[Inatic]

I don't know, I'm consuming around 1600 calories a day, definitely don't get as much protein(132g) as the book says, lucky if I get 80-90(on a good day). Yet I feel great, my workouts are intense and I don't binge. Maybe I'm delusional?

consider would your results be better if you were eating more?

[Ana]

Because it makes me weak, sluggish and irritable, with terrible headaches. (It's interesting how overeating has the same effects!)

I agree. I always remember that when my calories get low and I feel that way. I feel ten times worse when I over eat.

[mcv]

And you're not making the fat-loss progress you'd like to be making either.


consider would your results be better if you were eating more?

The ladies have a point here!

[Trinity]

It's amazing to think that you can lose fat by eating more...but it can be done if the right foods are eaten.

[FitnessModerate]

The ladies have a point here!

Perhaps, but I don't want to stuff myself just to get to a protein number. On the other hand I feel I'm eating just enough, not under eating. I'll try this for a couple of months, if I see no results I'll find a way to up the calories.

[FitnessModerate]

It's amazing to think that you can lose fat by eating more...but it can be done if the right foods are eaten.

Well I admit I'm not willing to do the 6 exact meals a day. My schedule just doesn't work like that.

[Trinity]

Well I admit I'm not willing to do the 6 exact meals a day. My schedule just doesn't work like that.


I can totally relate! My schedule doesn't always allow for my meals when I should be having them. I'm a hairstylist and if I have a busy day some times it's hard to get all of my meals in.

For my clients sake, it's good if I can though....I get a wee bit cranky when I'm hungry :wink:

[FitnessModerate]

To Erik and other experts of LBF:

Is the 6 exact meals(each containing 1/6 daily required protein) absolutely essential to fat loss? I'm just trying to get to the scientific truth of this.

[donnajo]

To Erik and other experts of LBF:

Is the 6 exact meals(each containing 1/6 daily required protein) absolutely essential to fat loss? I'm just trying to get to the scientific truth of this.

It is not necessary to eat 6 meals. I average 4-6. I just make sure that I get my protein numbers in by the end of the day and the rest of my macros.

[smuggie]

I'll know more when I measure at the end of the month. I'm willing to be patient.
Are you sure about that? Because you've said before that you feel you should have made more progress than you have in the 10 weeks you've been on the plan you're on right now.

Perhaps, but I don't want to stuff myself just to get to a protein number. On the other hand I feel I'm eating just enough, not under eating. I'll try this for a couple of months, if I see no results I'll find a way to up the calories.
You came on this board asking for advice on how to get better results, but you don't seem willing to implement any of the great advice you've gotten. One of those pieces of advice is to eat more protein.

So what is it you want? Do you really want to progress or do you want validation for what it is you already believe and are already doing?


Well I admit I'm not willing to do the 6 exact meals a day. My schedule just doesn't work like that.
You mean you can't take five minutes a few times a day to down some food?


To Erik and other experts of LBF:

Is the 6 exact meals(each containing 1/6 daily required protein) absolutely essential to fat loss? I'm just trying to get to the scientific truth of this.
No, it's not essential, but eating more frequently, although not necessarily 6 times a day, is advantageous in that it helps keep your blood sugar levels stable. It also helps you to plan your meals so you can keep your carbs centered around your workouts.

---------------------

Alex, you've gotten tons of advice on this board on how to improve your results and progress, but all you do is make excuses for why you can't do it.

Nobody here has a life that enables her or him to maintain a perfect eating and training schedule at all times, yet we manage to make things work.

[FitnessModerate]

Well I'll definitely try to upgrade to one additional protein meal a day. Regarding carbs, I already eat most of my carbs around my workout, but what about rest days? Am I supposed to eat minimal carbs then?

[smuggie]

That's up to you. Some people eat no starchy carbs on off days when dieting, others include some, but still keep them low.

[FitnessModerate]

Now I'm reading that to maintain muscle you need 1-1.2g of protein/kg of lean body weight. Now I assume that's MINUS the fat. So that would be:

Protein(g) = LBM*(1 or 1.2)

LBM = total - fat(kg)

[smuggie]

Now I'm reading that to maintain muscle you need 1-1.2g of protein/kg of lean body weight. Now I assume that's MINUS the fat. So that would be:

Protein(g) = LBM*(1 or 1.2)

LBM = total - fat(kg)

There are two problems with that:


There are very few accurate ways to measure LBM.

If you base your protein intake on LBM, you also need to base the intake of your other macros on LBM, which ultimately means you're basing your caloric intake on LBM instead of bodyweight.


Alex, stick with what we're telling you. :lol:

[FitnessModerate]

There are two problems with that:


There are very few accurate ways to measure LBM.

If you base your protein intake on LBM, you also need to base the intake of your other macros on LBM, which ultimately means you're basing your caloric intake on LBM instead of bodyweight.


Alex, stick with what we're telling you. :lol:

Agreed it's difficult to know true LBM without doing an MRI scan, but there seems to not be an agreement on whether it's 1g/kg/bodyweight or 1g/lb/bodweight. This makes a big difference in whether I have to consume 70g or 140g of protein.

[smuggie]

Agreed it's difficult to know true LBM without doing an MRI scan, but there seems to not be an agreement on whether it's 1g/kg/bodyweight or 1g/lb/bodweight. This makes a big difference in whether I have to consume 70g or 140g of protein.
That's a DEXA scan, not an MRI scan. :lol:

The former rec is not for bodybuilders.

Now stop arguing with me. :lol:

[FitnessModerate]

That's a DEXA scan, not an MRI scan. :lol:

The former rec is not for bodybuilders.

Now stop arguing with me. :lol:

At the same time I'm not a bodybuilder. I'm just looking to eat enough to maintain my muscle mass with high activity level.

[smuggie]

At the same time I'm not a bodybuilder. I'm just looking to eat enough to maintain my muscle mass with high activity level.

You still need to eat more protein than you are. 1 gr. per lb. of BW is the minimum you should be eating. And when dieting you may even need to eat more, depending on how great your caloric deficit is.

Why do you keep arguing with me?

[Inatic]

At the same time I'm not a bodybuilder. I'm just looking to eat enough to maintain my muscle mass with high activity level.

if doing what you always do gives you the same results, why would you continue to do so.

It comes down to results. You might get them inspite of what your doing but can you challenge yourself to see if they might be greater?

[FitnessModerate]

if doing what you always do gives you the same results, why would you continue to do so.

It comes down to results. You might get them inspite of what your doing but can you challenge yourself to see if they might be greater?

Point taken, I'm trying like mad to get more protein.

[Inatic]

add it in pre training and take out the pb.

[sarahlou]

While I relize this thread was started to help someone else I want to say thank you. I have learned alot. I make a lot of excuses for not getting my meals in and I think maybe you are right. Surely I can find time to down a protein shake! Also, you are right I have no right to expect anything different if I don't change something so I am going to make it my goal to get all my meals in this week. Thank you!

[Blondell]

I have a very compelling reason.



If you undereat for long enough, you die. :lol:

[Blondell]

Just skimmed though. Lots of good posts in here. :thumb:

[smuggie]

I have a very compelling reason.



If you undereat for long enough, you die. :lol:

Shush up, you. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/montagnu/smiles%20and%20laughter%20smilies/icecreamlol.gif

[smuggie]

While I relize this thread was started to help someone else I want to say thank you. I have learned alot. I make a lot of excuses for not getting my meals in and I think maybe you are right. Surely I can find time to down a protein shake! Also, you are right I have no right to expect anything different if I don't change something so I am going to make it my goal to get all my meals in this week. Thank you!

There's always a way to get your meals in if you're determined enough.

As they say, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result each time.

[Trinity]

There's always a way to get your meals in if you're determined enough.

As they say, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result each time.


Then I know a lot of INSANE people! :lol:

[smuggie]

Then I know a lot of INSANE people! :lol:
Unfortunately, there are a lot of those around.

One look around the gym will confirm that. :lol:

[Trinity]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of those around.

One look around the gym will confirm that. :lol:

You're not kidding! I have seen my share of weird stuff at the gym. :headshake:

Actually at some point I was probably doing weird stuff too :lol:

[smuggie]

You're not kidding! I have seen my share of weird stuff at the gym. :headshake:

Actually at some point I was probably doing weird stuff too :lol:

I'm still doing weird stuff, except now it's good weird stuff, not stupid weird stuff. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/montagnu/smiles%20and%20laughter%20smilies/momlol.gif

[Trinity]

I'm still doing weird stuff, except now it's good weird stuff, not stupid weird stuff. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/montagnu/smiles%20and%20laughter%20smilies/momlol.gif


Exactly! :lol:

[sarahlou]

I know you guys were joking around at the end here but I wanted on reflection to add two things:
1) it isn't stupid if you don't know any better - sometimes we just lack the info to make good/better choices; and
2) it isn't stupid if you can't see a way out and a lot of times we are like trapped mice. we keep doing the same thing because we just don't "see" it - the way out and it seems so much safer (we know we will get the same result) if we just keep doing what we have been doing. I hope this makes sense to you guys.

[smuggie]

It does, and speaking for myself I wasn't referring to anybody on this board, because if you're here looking for a better way to do things, it means you're smart. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/montagnu/general%20smilies/choppercool.gif

[Trinity]

It does, and speaking for myself I wasn't referring to anybody on this board, because if you're here looking for a better way to do things, it means you're smart. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/montagnu/general%20smilies/choppercool.gif

Exactly...I'm with you Smuggie! I wasn't referring to anyone on this board, particularly because I'm a newb and don't know anyone well to refer to them. ;)

I used to do a lot of said "stupid" things because I didn't know any better. I used to spin my wheels because I didn't know any better so I'm not making fun of anyone just purely joking around.

[FitnessModerate]

What I've found is the key to break destructive eating habits - binging. Once I cut that out, everything dramatically improved.

[smuggie]

Exactly...I'm with you Smuggie! I wasn't referring to anyone on this board, particularly because I'm a newb and don't know anyone well to refer to them. ;)

I used to do a lot of said "stupid" things because I didn't know any better. I used to spin my wheels because I didn't know any better so I'm not making fun of anyone just purely joking around.

:ditto:, but since finding boards like this one I've learned a lot about how to do things the right way. :D