I Tried “Eat More to Lose Weight” — Sounds Crazy, But It Actually Worked

Last updated on: January 27, 2026

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent years trying to eat less. Less carbs. Less sugar. Less calories. Less of everything. Most of us grew up believing that eating less is the only way to lose weight. So the idea of eating more sounded like the kind of advice that only works for people on the internet — not for someone like me.

But here’s the strange part: I tried it… and it worked.

I know it sounds wild. When I first heard about “eating more to lose weight,” I rolled my eyes. I thought it was just another trend. But after struggling for months with no progress, low energy, cravings, and constant frustration, I reached a point where I felt stuck. Truly stuck. So I decided to give this idea a real chance.

And honestly? It changed everything — my metabolism, my energy, and my relationship with food.

This is my story, and maybe it will change something for you too.

Table of Contents

When Eating Less Made Everything Worse

For years, I lived in “diet mode.” I tracked calories. I skipped snacks. I said no to birthday cake. I always tried to stay under some random number that the internet said would make me skinny.

But you know what actually happened?

I felt tired all the time.
My mood was all over the place.
My hair started feeling thin.
My workouts felt weaker.
And worst of all… my weight didn’t move.

I kept thinking I needed to eat even less. Have you ever been there? That place where you’re doing “everything right,” but nothing changes? I felt broken, like something was wrong with me.

The truth: something was wrong… but not the way I thought.

I wasn’t eating enough.

My body wasn’t “holding on to fat” because I was flawed. It was holding on because I wasn’t giving it fuel. And I think so many of us women fall into that same trap without even knowing it.

The Moment I Learned About Eating More

One night while scrolling online, I came across a woman who said she started eating more and finally lost weight. I almost laughed out loud. But her story sounded exactly like mine — tired, hungry, frustrated, doing everything right but seeing nothing.

So I started reading more about something called reverse dieting and metabolic healing. Don’t worry — I won’t get into complicated science, because honestly, I didn’t fully understand it either. What I did understand was this:

When you under-eat, your body slows down to save energy.
When you fuel it properly, it wakes back up.

Something clicked for me right then.

Maybe it wasn’t that I needed to try harder.
Maybe I needed to try smarter.
Maybe I needed to trust my body instead of fighting it.

So I made the choice to try it.

My Wake-Up Call: Realizing I Was Under-Fueling

Before I started, I took a honest look at how much I was eating. And I realized something shocking — I was barely hitting 1,200 to 1,300 calories a day. Some days even less. No wonder I felt exhausted.

I thought I was doing the “right thing,” but I was actually starving my own metabolism.

Maybe you’ve felt this too:

You eat too little but still feel bloated
You feel good for a few days, then crash
You can’t stop snacking at night
You feel cold all the time
You lose weight then gain it back fast

It’s not your fault. It’s diet culture.

How I Started Eating More (Without Feeling Out of Control)

I didn’t suddenly jump from 1,200 calories to 2,000 in one day. That would have overwhelmed me. Instead, I added 100–150 calories per week, mostly from foods that kept me full and energized.

Things like:

Eggs, chicken, fish
Greek yogurt
Oats and rice
Potatoes
Fruits
Veggies
Avocado, nuts, olive oil

And listen… I was terrified. The first time I added a full extra snack, I felt guilty. My brain kept saying, “You’re going to ruin everything.”

But I reminded myself:
Your body is not your enemy. You’re allowed to eat. You’re allowed to feel full.

Slowly, the fear softened.

The First Two Weeks: Fear, Fullness… and a Surprise

I thought I would gain weight immediately. I didn’t.

Something surprising happened instead.

I slept better.
My energy went up.
My skin looked brighter.
I wasn’t thinking about food every second of the day.
My workouts felt stronger.

None of that happened when I was eating less.

It felt like my body had been waiting for this.

A Month Later: The Scale Finally Moved

Here’s the part that still shocks me — after a few weeks of eating more, the scale finally moved down. Not fast, not dramatically, but steady. I lost inches around my waist before I even lost pounds.

I felt lighter, not because I was shrinking, but because my body wasn’t stressed anymore.

That’s something we never talk about:
A calm, fueled body burns more than a starving, stressed one.

My cravings dropped.
My bloating reduced.
My mood felt balanced.
My period became more regular.
My clothes fit better.

I didn’t just lose weight.
I gained peace.

Eating More Doesn’t Mean Eating Everything

Let me say this clearly:
Eating more is not the same as overeating.

I didn’t binge. I didn’t eat mindlessly. I didn’t rely on junk food. I simply gave my body enough fuel to trust me again.

I added:

More protein for fullness
More carbs for energy
More healthy fats for hormones
More fiber for digestion

It wasn’t complicated. It was just… food. Real food.

Why It Works (In Simple Words)

Here’s the simple version of the science:

When you don’t eat enough:

Your metabolism slows down
Your hormones get stressed
You hold on to fat
You feel tired and hungry

When you eat enough:

Your metabolism speeds up
Your body feels safe
You burn more naturally
You stay energized

That’s it. No complicated formulas. Just your body doing what it was designed to do.

The Benefits I Didn’t Expect

The physical changes were great, but the emotional ones were even better.

I felt free.
I wasn’t scared of food anymore.
I stopped calling foods “good” and “bad.”
I stopped obsessing over every bite.
I stopped punishing myself.

I felt like a woman again — not a person trapped in an endless diet cycle.

If You Want to Try This, Here’s What Helped Me

You can follow these same simple steps:

Figure out how much you’re eating right now.
Most women eat way less than they think.
Add 100–150 calories a week.
Slow and steady is the magic.
Focus on protein first.
It keeps you full and supports your metabolism.
Strength training helps.
Even 20–30 minutes a few times a week boosts your burn.
Pay attention to energy, mood, sleep — not just the scale.
Be patient with yourself.
Your body has your back once you start giving it what it needs.

Who Should Be Careful

If you have medical conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a history of eating disorders, talk to a doctor or registered dietitian. This journey should feel safe and supported.

My Final Thoughts: Eating More Isn’t Crazy — It’s Healing

If you told me a year ago that eating more would help me lose weight, feel better, and trust my body again, I would have laughed. But now? I believe it 100%.

Fuel changed my life.
Food healed my body.
And I’m finally done punishing myself to fit into smaller jeans.

If you’re tired of being tired…
If you’re frustrated with doing everything “right”…
If you want to feel strong, steady, and free…
Maybe your body is whispering what mine whispered to me:

“Give me more. I’ll take care of the rest.”