High Calorie Deficit

Jo2926

I initially started using MFP to track carbs rather than calories - but I cant help watching them! I'm getting large calorie deficits most days (especially if I exercise). Usually 500-1000. Sometimes I eat something for the sake of it to cut it down a bit. What about others? Do you worry about it?

I'm never ever hungry, and I feel great. And the weight is coming off.

So is there a problem?

I sometimes think websites like MFP can cause you to imagine issues where none exsist LOL

Sunny_Bunny_

Do you have plenty of fat to lose? You've got an onboard pantry... so your body is doing what it's supposed to. It's using it. Since you've taught it to seek fat instead of glucose, you're not feeling as hungry because you've got fat reserves.
Enjoy it. It won't last. As the reserves become smaller, it will be more difficult to under eat that much.

RalfLott

Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »

Do you have plenty of fat to lose? You've got an onboard pantry... so your body is doing what it's supposed to. It's using it. Since you've taught it to seek fat instead of glucose, you're not feeling as hungry because you've got fat reserves.
Enjoy it. It won't last. As the reserves become smaller, it will be more difficult to under eat that much.

Perfect advice!

In other words, @Jo2926 - no, there's no problem at all.

When the day comes that you start getting hungry because the shelves in your pantry - like Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards - are bare, you'll know what to do!

Jo2926

Thanks both. Yes I have an awful lot to lose, the shelves will be well stocked for some time!!

kpk54

Very low calorie diets generally require the input/direction of/by medical professionals. I am hoping that the deficit of 500-1000 calories does not place you in that very low calorie category. Food is fuel and is required for proper functioning of everything from heart to digestion to hair growth to hormones (thinking leptin/grehlin at this time).

I encourage moderate calorie deficits, moderate exercise (if you're able) and patience. JMO. ETA: Fuel your body to not only feel good today but to also feel good tomorrow and in the future.

Sunny_Bunny_

kpk54 wrote: »

Very low calorie diets generally require the input/direction of/by medical professionals. I am hoping that the deficit of 500-1000 calories does not place you in that very low calorie category. Food is fuel and is required for proper functioning of everything from heart to digestion to hair growth to hormones (thinking leptin/grehlin at this time).

I encourage moderate calorie deficits, moderate exercise (if you're able) and patience. JMO. ETA: Fuel your body to not only feel good today but to also feel good tomorrow and in the future.

I agree with what your saying but only when it comes to people eating like that on purpose by ignoring hunger and forcing the large deficit.
I can't believe a body being supplied the proper foods, having plenty of stored energy sources, eating to satisfaction but still getting low calories is a problem. I tend to think the body is king in knowing how much food it needs.
So, if this were someone saying they wanted to eat that large of deficit on purpose, I would not have offered the same advice.

Jo2926

Not sure what you class as very low calorie - I don't think I hit it personally. Always over 1000 calorie mark, and mostly nearer to 1500. But I also have a high calorie need because of size etc. And then when you add in a few hundred calories a day for exercise (heart rate and fit but measured not MFP) then the deficit gets bigger.

kpk54

I have no way of knowing what people eat, how much people eat, how much they "should" eat, etc unless or until it is stated. Very low calorie is and can be quite different for individuals based on their age, weight, gender, exercise, medical history, etc.

I will always choose to encourage people to eat at a small deficit, exercise (if able) and be patient in their weight loss.

It's all good @Jo2926

Jo2926

I agree kpk54 - never had this big a deficit before when lossing weight, and I've always eaten back all my exercise calories. Its just too hard this time! I literally feel like I'm stuffing my face with fat bombs to make up the calories because I can't face anything which takes up more space LOL

nvmomketo

500-1000kcal doesn't seem like an overly large deficit. That's for 1-2lbs lost per week. I would agree that if you are not hungry, then just go with it.

kpk54

I hear ya @Jo2926 . I started keto just 5 months ago for a health reason unrelated to weight loss. I lost my excess weight a couple of years ago and have maintained the loss. I have mentioned many times in my posts over the last 5 months that switching to keto has been an absolute godsend from the perspective that I no longer feel like I am "starving" all the time. I really struggled throughout 2015 to maintain my loss even though I was getting about 30% of my calories from fat. 30% must not have been enough fat for me, perhaps when combined with ~40% carbs...to keep me from being hungry.

Keto has made all the difference regarding ease of maintenance (because I'm not always hungry) and is proving effective in managing my neurological movement disorder. I will keto on.

elize7

I can only speak for myself, but I lost 120 pounds doing very low cal, very low carb. I reversed 3 health conditions and at the age of late 50s have never had more energy and haven't felt this good since my 30s. Follow your gut instinct, seek help if issues arise, and pick and choose which advice seems helpful to your mindset. If I had believed all the naysayers, I could not have achieved what I did. I'm so happy now, even though I battle food issues daily.
I do believe strongly in daily supplementing with potassium(replenishing electrolytes), magnesium(leg cramps), and daily bouillion (salt), and multi vitamin... especially since I realized my keto diet was more extreme than normal...and when I forget those daily things I am reminded by my body that I need to take them to feel as awesome as I do.
I wish you so much luck on your journey!! You can do it!

Sunny_Bunny_

Jo2926 wrote: »

I agree kpk54 - never had this big a deficit before when lossing weight, and I've always eaten back all my exercise calories. Its just too hard this time! I literally feel like I'm stuffing my face with fat bombs to make up the calories because I can't face anything which takes up more space LOL

See, that just can't be right.
Your body doesn't want that food. To me, ignoring your body and force feeding yourself is incredibly unnatural and I just can't get my head around how it's possible for that to be a good idea. Your body knows there is available energy and wants to use it. I'd let it if it were me.
I used to have that little appetite too. Most of us did in the beginning. I only had about 40 points made total to lose for my goal but I reached "normal" BMI after only about 20. Even with that little extra weigh, there were days I couldn't stomach any more than 800 calories. But it didn't last. As I lost weight, the days I would naturally be below my goal of 1200 calories were fewer and fewer. Then it got impossible to stay under 1300, then eating less than 1400 meant I had to distract myself or carefully stick to measured portions. Occasionally I'll have a couple days where I'm not hungry again but now they are a few times a month only.
I think learning to follow hunger queues is very important. And eating this way allows us to really do that since we don't have insulin and blood sugar calling the shots when it comes to hunger.

Jo2926

nvmomketo wrote: »

500-1000kcal doesn't seem like an overly large deficit. That's for 1-2lbs lost per week. I would agree that if you are not hungry, then just go with it.

Sorry I should say it 500-1000 below the deficit I've already built in to lose 1-2 lb a week, but agree with your point anyway :-)

Jo2926

Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »

See, that just can't be right.
Your body doesn't want that food. To me, ignoring your body and force feeding yourself is incredibly unnatural and I just can't get my head around how it's possible for that to be a good idea.

Thanks for that - interesting that as body fat stores reduce appitite can increase. And makes sense to me too. I am struggle with this balance, always thought "don't go low on calories" but also firm believer not to eat what I dont want. Think I'll just keep going a few weeks and not worry too much :-)