View Full Version : Should I lower my caloric intake more?
Absolute_Zero
Sep 22nd, 2007, 01:25 AM
Well, I have been trying to lose weight.:(
I have been on a 1,200 calorie diet, for awhile.
But I wanted to lower it.
To a 1,000 calories or lower.
But I am afraid its too low, and my body will think its in starvation mode.
I so badly want to lose weight...but in a healthy way, that is kind to my body. I already count calories and control my portions, but I feel like I could see more weight come off if I lowered my calories just abit more.
I have just started to eat almost all fruits and veggies.(With whole wheats,
tofu, nuts, soy dogs, soy yogurt, and vegan chili and soups occasionally.)
I am active, I practice Hatha Yoga daily 30-60 min. (It depends)
It is an intense practice, not just gentle stretching.
I know most would recommend just 'working out more', but I feel like that
is a very good amount for me.
I mean I have to do it daily and need no equipment.
And I don't have the time to walk two and a half hours a day and keep it
up for the rest of my life.
I want this and it will be a complete life style change but I also want to be realistic.
I don't want to say that I will go to the gym six times a week,practice Yoga,
and walk two and a half hours a day.
I am only one woman!:p
Anyway, I would really love any advice, stories of encouragement, thoughts, and even constructive criticism.(But, be gentle please.):o
foxytina_69
Sep 22nd, 2007, 01:50 AM
your body would definitely think it was in starvation mode with 1000 calories, which means whatever you eat will be stored as fat and cause you to gain weight eventually anyway. youre probably not losing more weight because youre not eating enough. youre 17, which means youre still growing, so you need a lot more calories than youre getting now. not only are you probably contributing to stunting your growth, youre probably also contributing to your body holding onto weight as its thinking its starving as it is. you would probably see an increase in weight loss if you actually upped your calories, as your metabolism would go up and be more apt to let go of any excess weight, especially which a whole foods diet and regular exercise. i think the amount of exercise is great, if its good for you. everyones different in how much they need to exercise to feel good :) i personally regret the way i ate when i was younger, because i would be in a really different situation if i didnt starve myself then. i would also be taller and healthier.
bugaboo
Sep 22nd, 2007, 01:59 AM
caloric restriction is a good thing to lose weight. but, how long have you been lowering your calories? have you lost any weight yet? many times, it takes a while for your body to switch to burning the fat. after i became vegan, my calories naturally became less because i wasn't eating all those cheeseburgers or whatever anymore. it took about two months to see that any weight had come off. but once it did start, it came off in a healthy 2-3 pound a week thing. give it time. sometimes we all want the quick fix, but if you perservere i'm sure you'll get to your target weight.
I don't think your body would go into starvation mode from 1000 calories. its usually about 600 where your body starts to starve.
also there is a great tool on calorie-count.com click on the tools button and then below that click on "allowance." input your height and weight and your target weight and it should tell you how many calories you should eat and when you will reach your target weight. very useful tool.
twinkle
Sep 22nd, 2007, 02:01 AM
Do you actually need to lose weight to be healthy? forgive me if I'm wrong but your user title as well as the detail you're going into lead me to suspect you may have anorexic tendancies :(
foxytina_69
Sep 22nd, 2007, 03:11 AM
bugaboo, i disagree that your body would only go into starvation mode at 600 calories. i spent most of my life on an 800-1000 calorie diet and never lost weight because i was in starvation mode and everything i ate would just turn into gained weight. my metabolism is horribly slow now and i gain weight extremely easily and cant eat a normal amount like most people because i screwed it up so bad. it sucks!
tipsy
Sep 22nd, 2007, 04:57 AM
1200 calories a day is the average amount NEEDED by average bodies in the average day.
any less than that any your metabolism could start slowing down, thereby making it harder for you to loose weight.
my suggestion would be to try weight training. takes very little time... you can even do it at home!
the more muscle you have the more energy your body burns.
absentmindedfan
Sep 22nd, 2007, 11:14 AM
If you eat any less than 1200 cals your body will go into starvation mode, you will not lose weight (indeed your body will convert everything you eat to fat) and you are bound to get ill.
Eat small healthy meals often, exercise and the weight will come off IF YOU NEED TO LOSE IT. Don't try and slim smaller than your healthy weight - firstly it ain't gonna happen and secondly it wont do your body any good.
If you really feel like starving yourself then there is something in your head that needs seeing to, not your diet.
herbwormwood
Sep 22nd, 2007, 02:54 PM
Well, I have been trying to lose weight.:(
I have been on a 1,200 calorie diet, for awhile.
But I wanted to lower it.
To a 1,000 calories or lower.
Why would you want to do this? If you have been on 1200 calorie diet for a while and you are not getting the results you want I suggest you see a medical practitioner for advice.
You may need specialist help from a dietitian if you are very over weight, or you may need counseling for an eating disorder. As you are only 17 your body is still growing and you should not be restricting your calories to this extent.
mocap
Nov 25th, 2007, 07:23 PM
At seventeen it is a dangerous age to begin dieting- trust me, I was a large teen (and still am!) But because you are still growing (and will be into your twenties!) You are best not to control your calorie intake. Instead to lose the excess fat is to exercise which means yes kids- dance like no-ones watching Great fun way to lose weight and boost your confidence. And also, being a little chubby is NOT a bad thing, ask most men! They prefer something they can grab onto! Also, restricting your calorie intake at this age can make you have HORRIBLE periods. At this point, chances are a ot of it is still kid fat (Aye, I know at 17?! you may think) So will probably drop off as you get older. Anyway, curves are sexy, ask my boyfriend! If you have any other symptoms, like lethargy and peeing too much, go to the GP But the first step- in my opinion- to a healthy weight is accepting your weight, Thats pretty much -in my opinion- the only healthy way to go about it. Make it about health, not about look, or it can spiral into guilt ridden eating (Been there!) Just keep healthy not a stick thin model aspiration (Or exhalation- a gust of wind could knock em down!) Everyone is beautiful irrelevant of size, don't let the media convince you to endanger your health :)
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