Calorie restriction and depression

RoyaltyTB

Went to the doc and found out I have high blood pressure and am prediabetic. Was “prescribed” a diet of 1100 calories per day (1400 in plus 300 in exercise that I don’t eat back.) Since beginning two weeks ago I’ve experienced these horrible and extreme waves of depression. I originally thought I was just stressed and worried about my health, but now I’m wondering if it is hormonal/chemical - some research seems to support this as well.

Long story short: I’m curious if anyone else has experienced this and, if so, where was your “comfort zone” with caloric intake? Do I just need to suck it up or did I, perhaps, receive some less than stellar medical advice?

(FYI - MFP calculates that to lose 2lbs per week I’m supposed to be eating 1800 per day.)

NovusDies

I doubt you can suck it up. That is extremely aggressive and very stressful. I would call back and see if there is a justification for trying to make you lose nearly 3.5 lbs per week instead of 2. Or get a second opinion...

malibu927

Doctors, sadly, have little training in nutrition, and 1100 calories is way too low unless he/she is closely monitoring your blood pressure/A1C/sugar levels. I would ask if they can refer you to a registered dietitian to help you get started on something more sustainable.

RoyaltyTB

I really appreciate the feedback - I have a habit of talking myself out of things I don’t really want to do and needed some validation that wasn’t happening. I have an appointment to follow up in 3 weeks. I plan on increasing my calories until then. I did lose 4.5 lbs this week, but the emotional roller coaster is NOT worth it.

NovusDies

If I were in your shoes I would bump up my calories to 2100-2400 for 2 or 3 days to get my head clear. You would still be losing but much slower. 2800 is your maintenance calories if 1800 is 2 lbs per week. After that decide what you think you can handle.

I am not you though and have never been in your situation so this advice is just a guess at what I would do if I was. It seems like a mini-breather is needed but someone else may have better info for you.

Orphia

Finding out you have high blood pressure and are prediabetic sounds pretty depressing at the best of times, let alone having a 1000 calorie deficit!

Was the very low calorie limit prescribed because your blood pressure puts you in a very high risk category? i.e. do you really need to lose a lot of weight urgently for serious medical reasons?

Or is your BP responding to medicine, and you just need to lose weight to not need as much or any medicine?

MichelleWithMoxie

What are your stats?

RoyaltyTB

BP is 140/90, A1C is 6.5. Doc recommended an expedited weight loss so that I could avoid being put on medication - at 340lbs I’m considered morbidly obese. She is a new (new to me) doctor and I didn’t much care for her - thinking this may have been a bit of an overreaction.
Do I need to lose weight? Absolutely. I’m just not sold that I need to lose it all in a matter of 6 months.

NovusDies

Is there some reason you can't be on meds while losing weight at a pace you can handle?

CharlieBeansmomTracey

RoyaltyTB wrote: »

BP is 140/90, A1C is 6.5. Doc recommended an expedited weight loss so that I could avoid being put on medication - at 340lbs I’m considered morbidly obese. She is a new (new to me) doctor and I didn’t much care for her - thinking this may have been a bit of an overreaction.
Do I need to lose weight? Absolutely. I’m just not sold that I need to lose it all in a matter of 6 months.

not to offend you and its not my intention but at your weight you can eat a lot more than 1400 calories. there is no need to go down to 1400 and then 300 exercise calories and not eat them back. I would try for 2lbs a week and eat those calories and some of your exercise calories and go from there. but I also agree being referred to a registered dietitian.