I need help!

DiKah

Hi, I have been counting my macros + calories for about 2 months now and I haven't seen a lot of progress (I want to lose weight). I am pretty much consistent with hitting and counting my macros + calories, I drink a lot of water, I work out 4-5 times a week for about 75 min (doing HIIT + weights) and I get a good amount of steps in each day, trying not to stress a lot and have a peaceful mindset etc. etc. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong on this side of the weight loss process.

However, I'm a former restrictive and bulimic person (I've fully recovered) and I never used to count my calories or my macros up until recently but I do think I've been generally under eating (after recovering, without knowing), I'm talking about perhaps 1000-1200 cals a day for a good amount of my life (I'm 20). I think that due to my history with food my metabolism might not be the best and I don't see how it's possible for me to lose weight atm when I've basically always eaten around 1000-1200 cals a day because lowering on top of that wouldn't be ideal.

With counting my calories though I've noticed that I haven't been eating enough and so I've upped my calories to around 1500-1600, and I have noticed a difference in my energy but barely any on my body. So my question is, instead of focusing on losing weight after recovering from an ED, should I start by trying to eat enough to get my metabolism going and then reduce my calories to see weigh loss? However, I don't want to end up gaining weight.

I would appreciate some help, I am very confused!

malibu927

What do you define as "not a lot of progress"? What are your stats/how much have you lost?

Are you still in contact with your treatment team? They may be able to give you better advice than anyone here.

jgnatca

How much progress have you seen?

The increased energy level might be a sign that you are on the right track.

DiKah

1 kg so far, and my measurements are pretty much the same

Shezzad45

8 weeks is usually when your body starts to change so I think if you stick with it and give it a few more weeks you will start noticing more changes. Also I do Hitt and Strength and remember that Muscle weighs more than fat so you are most likely building a lovely bit of muscle whilst also losing fat (1kg so far), I think that is progress. You are probably so used to restricting and the fact you have not put on weight since upping your calories is good. I think you should carry on for a few more weeks, its still early days for major body changes. Slow and steady is best. Good luck. x

ahoy_m8

A couple thoughts.
1) 1lb/month is a healthy rate of loss for someone who is within 20 lb of their goal. If course, it's hard to see changes this small amid the normal healthy day-to-day fluctuation. Weight trending apps can help see the trend through the noise. How much do you have to lose, OP? What rate of loss were you expecting?
2) Measuring your intake accurately can help assess what your TDEE actually is (and why your rate of loss may be different than expected). There are many common sources of error (eyeballing & measuring cups vs. scale, unverified MFP food entries, forgetting to count ingredients like oil). Most of us err on under-counting (even dietitians do).
3) The advice to engage with your treatment team sounds like a really good idea. They can help you assess if the extra effort to become more accurate is net beneficial in your particular circumstance.

Best to you.