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Originally Posted by
greenie25 
NB In a tired period a few days ago I even considered adding back dairy in case that was the problem but logically, I know it's not. I mean..there's nothing in dairy that I'm not getting elsewhere . I don't think..
Cow milk is the perfect food for calves, not humans. It isn't just unnecessary, it is very harmful.
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Originally Posted by
greenie25 Thanks :) . I've been counting calories over the last 2 or 3 days and I'm averaging around 1900 with reduced physical activity ( winter and new job. Hours walking a day is about it this week ) . Most of that comes from carbs and fat but there's a good enough dose of protein I think.
Does it sound like enough? It sure feels like enough. I always eat slightly past full because I've always been conscious of 'feeling like' less than I probably need. Small meals etc. But I make sure I eat good amounts and 1900 is about where I'm at. If that's not enough, I'll try increasing it. I just figured since it's the same or more than most of my calorie counting friends it's probably okay?
Sorry to be a pain. I just want to be healthy..
It is hard to say if your calorie intake is sufficient without more detailed information, but some of the things here suggest that you are thinking about food more than is healthy (i.e. it is either neurotic or pathological). I would suggest staying away from those "calorie counting friends," or else refrain from discussing diet with them until you have your own diet worked out.
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Originally Posted by
greenie25 Hmm. These are really good points. I used to be really fit and muscular but I'm definitely not anymore. I want to be, and I've started swimming again and kept up the epic amounts of walking that I do but I tire quickly ( no muscle? catch 22... ) .
Maybe I need to do something about this afterall.
Actually, I have a lot less energy than I used to but I didn't weigh much more then either so unless it's a wearing-down-gradually ( or hangover caffeine withdrawals somehow from stopping my massive coffee intake about 2 months ago and just drinking tea with the occasional latte ) it's unrelated.
Or rather, I have a fair bit of energy but it runs out quickly and I have to rest more often than I want to.
Up until recently I would have said that I've never felt better since going vegan from veg about 8 months ago. A ton of energy, better sleeping since going vegan ( and yes, I take b12 etc. I'm careful about such things ! ), but lately it seems I either feel worse than ever or awesome.
Mainly awesome..I think..
Wow, I'm confusing myself now. :I That's the other thing i've noticed lately. That I can't THINK for as long. Maybe I AM missing something in my carefully planned diet?! Or maybe it's just something normal like stress. Whooooo knows.
I eat as much as everyone else ( which might not be enough to gain weight but I definitely maintain it ) I think and eat til just past comfortably full so gaining weight would be a huge task requiring discomfort and effort and I don't want to do it unless it would be beneficial in the cases above.
Oh. That DOES sound crazy..
I just came on here and posted when I was feeling a bit confused, then didn't bother about the thread or weight because I felt less confused ( read: great ) and now have no idea all over again.
This is quite the ramble...
To build and keep muscle you need to use it, but you cannot build muscle if you are not eating enough calories. If you tire from walking it may be due to low glycogen levels because you are not eating enough of the right foods. Food is (among other things) the fuel your body needs to power the individual cells, and the best sources of fuel are raw fruits & vegetables, followed by cooked whole grains and legumes.
It sounds as though the little weight that you recently lost was probably muscle from what you have said. Since you are lighter, walking would be easier if you had as much muscle as before. That and low energy are both signs that you lost weight by restricting intake of food.
Coffee is a very harmful substance. Caffeine causes the adrenal glands to excrete adrenaline, a defensive response to the toxic substances in the coffee. In a natural environment, adrenaline is normally released in response to an immanent danger, such as a lion pouncing on you. Repeatedly drinking caffeinated substances is like repeatedly subjecting yourself to the perception of immanent danger, and the accompanying anxiety. An imbiber of caffeinated drinks is putting large stresses on internal organs involved in detoxification, and the substance becomes necessary for the body just to continue functioning. The body is constantly fighting a homeostatic imbalance created by toxic substances in the coffee, tea, or other caffeinated substance. Good thing you have cut back.
Having trouble thinking is yet another clue that suggests to me that you are underfed and under-carbed. Also, you seem to spend a lot of time thinking about whether you are eating too much/too little. I know how that goes, I have been there (restricting intake led me to a BMI of 17.3, little muscle and even less energy and ability to think). Could you give more details on your diet, height & weight, level of activity & exercise? What do you eat in a typical day or days, etc. You can PM me if you don't want to post it publicly.
Are you certain you're eating enough? That's the most common reason. Sometimes posters will give an example of a day's food and others might give advice. I've never tried it, but I hear good things about foodtracker.com to see if you're "missing" anything or need more food. 
