Low Calorie Diet

megancrites

Hi!
So I am aiming to lose as much weight as I can, as safe as I can. I started doing Insanity by Beach Body this week, and I realized I am not burning no where near as many calories as I was when I would use a rowing machine for 90 minutes (19k meters 5x a week). Would a 1700 calorie daily diet be efficient enough to see results during the first 30 days? I don't have room to meal prep so I need more dry goods (like corn cereal with almond milk) or things I make each day (like salads). Any meal ideas or calorie deficit ideas would be helpful.

L1zardQueen

What results are you hoping for? What are your stats? Fast is not really the best plan.

janejellyroll

If your daily calorie usage (including intentional exercise, daily activity, and just the calories you burn being alive) is more than 1,700, then 1,700 will result in weight loss. If your daily calorie usage is less than 1,700, it won't.

For many women, 1,700 would be a calorie deficit, especially if they're active.

The goal isn't to burn as many calories as possible. The goal is to find a safe and sustainable way to consistently be in a calorie deficit. That can include all kinds of activities and all kinds of foods.

megancrites

I understand fast is not an option, which is why I am asking for opinions for diet and caloric deficits. I have been rowing for a long time, and now that I am not burning 2000+ calories a day, 5 days a week due to COVID-19, its taking its toll on me. I am, however, doing Insanity which I did 2x in a row in the past and seen good results during a 4 month period similar to my rowing results. I am noticing my body isn't metabolizing as fast as it did a year ago, so I have to do more, work harder. I would do a low calorie budget if I knew it was low enough to still get nutrients from food only (no supplements), and to be in a good enough deficit to lose 1-2lbs a week. I was considering starting at 1400-1500 calories. The issue is not getting enough protein to recover from each workout without having a stupid high calorie shake full of crap and sugar. I did try eating string cheese every hour on the hour, but I got sick from doing that and am nervous to try that again. Thanks!

kimny72

What is your height, current weight, and goal weight? How much weight have you lost so far?

AnnPT77

You aren't giving us enough information to answer you.

Kimny asked the right questions.

I'd lose weight at 1700 gross calories, around a pound a week (faster than it would be sensible to lose at my current stats, frankly), but I'm not you. I can also get adequate nutrition at 5'5" on 1400-1600, for my definition of "adequate", but until we know more about you, it's hard to say whether you can, or can't.

In fact, in that context: Do you have any major eating style you prefer, or dietary restrictions (allergies, disease conditions, sensitivities, etc.)? Do you have any specific nutritional goals or priorities, or are you looking for advice on that?

LargeEricS

If it helps, I'm doing Insanity (day 20) right now eating 1,770 cal. as a 6'4 240lbs Male and losing weight. For additional protein I drink Premier Protein shakes. The're not chalky, smooth, and a good way to get some protein if I'm light for the day

NovusDies

megancrites wrote: »

I understand fast is not an option, which is why I am asking for opinions for diet and caloric deficits. I have been rowing for a long time, and now that I am not burning 2000+ calories a day, 5 days a week due to COVID-19, its taking its toll on me. I am, however, doing Insanity which I did 2x in a row in the past and seen good results during a 4 month period similar to my rowing results. I am noticing my body isn't metabolizing as fast as it did a year ago, so I have to do more, work harder. I would do a low calorie budget if I knew it was low enough to still get nutrients from food only (no supplements), and to be in a good enough deficit to lose 1-2lbs a week. I was considering starting at 1400-1500 calories. The issue is not getting enough protein to recover from each workout without having a stupid high calorie shake full of crap and sugar. I did try eating string cheese every hour on the hour, but I got sick from doing that and am nervous to try that again. Thanks!

The is a concerning post. How are you determining how fast you are metabolizing and why would this require harder work? Couldn't you just eat the calories you need for the activity you are able to do at the moment? What is the urgency?

Also what is wrong with a shake that has sugar and whatever you think 'crap' is if you need quick energy? I would assume that someone that once burned 2k a day in exercise would have a better understanding that sometimes sugar is your best friend.

kshama2001

megancrites wrote: »

I understand fast is not an option, which is why I am asking for opinions for diet and caloric deficits. I have been rowing for a long time, and now that I am not burning 2000+ calories a day, 5 days a week due to COVID-19, its taking its toll on me. I am, however, doing Insanity which I did 2x in a row in the past and seen good results during a 4 month period similar to my rowing results. I am noticing my body isn't metabolizing as fast as it did a year ago, so I have to do more, work harder. I would do a low calorie budget if I knew it was low enough to still get nutrients from food only (no supplements), and to be in a good enough deficit to lose 1-2lbs a week. I was considering starting at 1400-1500 calories. The issue is not getting enough protein to recover from each workout without having a stupid high calorie shake full of crap and sugar. I did try eating string cheese every hour on the hour, but I got sick from doing that and am nervous to try that again. Thanks!

There are lots of options for protein other than "having a stupid high calorie shake full of crap and sugar." Biochem Natural Whey protein powder (and presumably others) has no sugar (or artificial sweeteners.) By itself, that's not filling enough for me, so I add sources of fat and fiber.

Other low calories options for protein are chicken breast, certain fish and other sea food, egg whites, etc. We have a list of proteins somewhere - someone might be along to post a link.

I know you said you're not looking for fast weight loss, but the rest of your words indicate otherwise. Now is not the time for a goal of fast weight loss. That is a stressor. We're already stressed enough. The only people who should seek fast weight loss at this time are those whose lives depend on fast weight loss.

DancingMoosie

MFP in and of itself is set up to give you a calorie goal based on the info you put in. Is there a reason you aren't using the goal it gives to you? Then you add in your exercise and can eat those calories as well, assuming they aren't grossly exaggerated. Tracking/logging will give you more answers than we can since we don't know your stats.

And protein shakes aren't necessarily full of sugar and crap either. For example, my snickerdoodle Pescience is 110 calories, 24g protein, <1g carb or sugar.

paperpudding

I dont understand why you were eating string cheese every hour on the hour??

what is the reasoning behind that??

There really is no way to answer the question of whether 1700 calories is right for weight loss for you without knowing your basic stats.

It would not result in weight loss for me - time has shown me that 1700* is about my maitenance level and I had to drop to 1460* to lose.

But I am not you - I may be taller/shorter, heavier/lighter, more/less active - and am almost certainly older.


*net numbers, after excercise (or at least a percentage of it) eaten back.
Of course if you were previously doing an excercise that you no longer can because of coronavirus restrictions, you have to adjust your net accordingly.