Dropping below 1200 calories/day?

rileysowner

allysar wrote: »

rileysowner wrote: »

Do you use anything but the scale to measure your progress?

The measuring tape hasn't shown much change but my jeans fit better now.

Measuring tapes tend to only be useful over say 4 week periods, however, if your jeans are fitting better that is a good thing.

JustMissTracy

I wouldn't go any lower with the calories....maybe change up your workout routine, add weight, add reps, add time....anything to surprise your body into working harder again...or....you could lay off the logging and exercise for a week or two, and start over. I find whenever I walk away, I come back twice as strong, with twice the endurance needed to burn more fat...Good luck! It sounds like you've got it down pretty good, 19 lbs since August is an amazing achievement! xo

ericGold15

BecomingBane wrote: »

I was mainly asking that question of that particular user because their profile states that they are a doctor and they were seemingly recommending a 1000kcal intake for OP

I recommend that dieters take in adequate nutrients of protein, vitamins and trace minerals and eat a varied diet. Try to not misconstrue what I write.

I have posted links to the medical literature before regarding protein intake in healthy, active young people before:

1. At 0.5 grams/Kg*day, 50% enter into a negative nitrogen balance
2. At 0.6 grams/Kg*day, 30% enter into a negative nitrogen balance
3. At 0.8-0.9 grams/Kg*day, non enter into a negative nitrogen balance

I personally shoot for around 1 gram/Kg*day, knowing that it is more than needed but it is not going to cause any harm. I certainly do not worry if I eat less. Body builders (not just 'lifters', but people who go through e.g. bulk/cut regimens) are a different story.

allysar

WinoGelato wrote: »

Oh also for what it's worth, I'm 5'2, 41, and started at about 153. My initial goal weight was 125 which I reached, but then tried for 120 and just couldn't seem to get there. I decided I was tired of the deficit and moved myself to a maintenance range of 123 +/- 2 lbs. that gave me some extra calories but more importantly the ability to roll with the natural fluctuations in my weight without getting discouraged. The funny thing is once I took that pressure off, I sort of of settled into the lower end of that range and for the last few weeks I've been weighing in at 119!

Thank you, so much! What a great post and very encouraging. I will refocus my efforts and I hope to end up with results like yours!