800-1000 calories a day
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Wow youve done a fantatic job!0
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Have you tried doing a maintenance break?
Have you been using a food scale to log?0 -
I've been losing weight since April 2012. I started out around 400lbs. It took a year and 4 months to get 70lbs off doing it the "right way" and I hit a plateau in June 2013 and I decided to shock my body this month. I'm eating 800-1000 calories a day and I've lost 8lbs this past week. If I workout, I may go as high as 1200. I know people say it's not healthy, but I just want to be under 300lbs so badly and I only have 18 more pounds to go! I've heard of doctors putting extremely obese patients on an 800-1000 calorie diet. When I get to 299, I plan on taking it back up to 1200 calories a day for a while. As long as I'm not hungry, not passing out from low blood sugar, and losing weight, then what is the harm in this? Just want some opinions...no rude comments please.
Unless you are a doctor or are under a doctor's supervision on a diet that low, please do not do it. I know the impatience of wanting to get to a lower weight, but you're doing great without resorting to that.
^ This. It wouldn't be my ideal recommendation to go that low even under a doctor's supervision, but I certainly wouldn't try it without.
I know plateaus can be frustrating. Your diary is not open, so others cannot comment on the specifics. It does sound though like you've made some progress and you look good and in the updated picture I can see progress.
Good luck to you.0 -
I was on a VLCD but it was under a doctor's supervision. I literally took handfuls of supplements a day and ate a VERY specific diet. I had a check up on a weekly basis, which included thorough questioning about how I was feeling. I would never recommend someone eat that low without a doctor supervising their progress. Besides, what if there is a medical issue that is causing you to stall, that you simply aren't aware of? It's just too dangerous. I would suggest you see your primary physician and see what he/she has to say.0
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me advice is to up your daily calories you will still lose a lots, if you want that decifit try to make it happen with exercise. don't kill your metabolism!! then will be harder to get back on track, you will hit another plateau and what will you do then? reduce calories? up your calories while your are still on time.
Also if you lose too fast you may have more chance to see lose skin, which is not what we want!
Talk with some doctors they can advice you better. Also to avoid plateau you can just change workout you don't need to change your daily calories.
Anyway congratulations for your 70 lbs loss! Keep doing what you were doing!0 -
Pick a reasonable calorie goal, weigh and log everything you eat. Be honest with yourself, accurate with your logging and re-commit to your diet. Make sure to get some exercise every day -- walking is excellent and 20 minutes is enough. Break it up into two ten minutes walks if you have to.
For anything else see your doctor. Best wishes.0 -
Also what's your current calorie level?0
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well, on one hand I heard that people who are so big wont starve because they are so big their body can take it.
But just because it CAN be done, does not mean it should be done.
The reason/purpose behind MFP is to lose 1-2 pounds a week.. which is considered safe. Slow but safe. You cant even modify the GOALS to try to lose 3 pounds a week.
Consider that 8 pounds a glitch but dont strive for it because when you go a week and lose nothing, or even gain, then it will be frustrating.
2 years may seem like a long time,but please be patient and dont do shortcuts. we are here to learn how to eat sensibly the rest of our lives.
Youre about where Im at, i have 22 pounds to go till i get to 299 and I cant wait.. but i know it will take a couple of months so thats not a long time at all. really.0 -
eating under BMR = damaging your body. Organs, heart (which is a MUSCLE), bones, hormonal systems etc... just, NO.
check out www.iifym.com and see what it suggests your BMR to be. YOU MUST eat AT LEAST that. BMR is the amount of calories your body uses to basically keep you alive. Eat under this, and where do you think your body gets the extra energy? Sorry, it's NOT all fat. Muscle is included in that list. Your heart is a muscle.
Don't be naive or think that your case is different. Such a restrictive diet is harming yourself and going to make it HARDER for you in the long run
/endrant0 -
Just want some opinions...no rude comments please.
my opinion is that this is unwise and unnecessary0 -
VLCDs have specific risks. If you are aware of them and are trying to mitigate them (from binging to galls stones to nutritional issues) you can do this for a short time successfully. I would strongly recommend you see a doctor for supervision and supplements.
It's generally an unhealthy way to diet, but you seem to be aware of that.0 -
relevant to OPs thread...
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-big-caloric-deficits-and-lots-of-activity-can-hurt-fat-loss.html
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1077746-starvation-mode-adaptive-thermogenesis-and-weight-loss
These will get you on the right path...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1069278-acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants0 -
So what happens when you hit a plateau again? Cut more? Then again? Until you're eating 100 calories a day and die.
That's what's wrong with it, if you are eating less you have less leeway to cut later.0 -
Honestly, what you're doing WILL work. As long as you aren't starving yourself and you're getting small amounts of every food group.
References please.0 -
Okay, I try not to be rude to anyone and you are no exception. My opinion, however, is probably not the one you are hoping to hear. Based on this reasoning:You know it's not healthy and you acknowledge that you've prioritized speed over sustainability.
It's unhealthy, unsustainable, and ultimately not even the most effective method. So what's the point? To get to an arbitrary number on the scale and then to increase your calorie goal to another still-too-low number, equally arbitrarily? You'll still have a long way to go. Wouldn't it be better to build the right knowledge base and habits now?
What I would recommend is what I believe you already know.....educate yourself, look at this as a lifestyle change (read: long-term change rather than quick fix), fuel your body.
There are lots of success stories posted where people have lost weight comparable to what you're looking at and are now the most fit they have ever been. How many of them do you see who did it like this? I would rather learn from and imitate people who are healthy and successful than those who sprinted for a while and then gave up.
I hope you do well and I cannot in good conscience encourage this course of action.0 -
You know, a "shock" shouldn't last too long. Now you're clearly off your plateau, definitely consider increasing your calories.
The harm in eating this amount include:
- developing an anorexia-like mindset
- getting loose skin
- adaptive thermogenesis
- muscle catabolism
- gaining weight when you begin eating normally
and just so much more.
I just read through your some of your profile and from a psychological point of view I can understand why the desperation to lose weight is there. Going at it in a healthier way will save your life. You're screwing with your own body by eating at this amount, and I mean this in the nicest way possible because I know what that desperation is like and I know how easy it is to rely on calories and just reduce, reduce, reduce. You feel like you're doing your mind and body a favour by decreasing your calories significantly but you'll end up a wreck if you continue like this. For someone of your weight even 1200 calories isn't enough. Compared to what it will be when you're slimmer, your metabolism is currently at a high. Work with it, don't destroy it.0 -
It doesn't sound like a good idea to me, but your doctor can advise you better than any of us. I know weight loss can be difficult and you're getting desperate, but make sure you're not damaging your body more in the process!0
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The important part of the Doctor supervised 800 calorie diet is the Doctor supervision.0
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Thanks everyone for your input. I just do what works for me. As for seeing a doctor, I would if I could afford it. I ironically work at a hospital and the medical insurance is so high I can't afford it. Just a fact. I wish all of you the best with whatever goals you're trying to reach. I feel better than I have in years. This website is a God-send.0
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From what I've read a 300lb + person is one of the few who could stick a VLCD for a short period relatively unscathed. Make sure you are getting all your vits and mins and dont do it for long..0
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Thanks everyone for your input. I just do what works for me. As for seeing a doctor, I would if I could afford it. I ironically work at a hospital and the medical insurance is so high I can't afford it. Just a fact. I wish all of you the best with whatever goals you're trying to reach. I feel better than I have in years. This website is a God-send.
This is not my first time reading this on mfp :frown: I almost cannot imagine our neighbors cannot see a doctor when needed. I won't hijack your thread, I could type forever on that subject. However, if you cannot see a doctor and you want to not only increase the quality of life but prolong it, do not do unnecessary damage to your vital organs.
If you eat 800 cals, and 1200 on the days you work out, you are confident you are 100% burning less than 400 calories? Because eating under your BMR is so dangerous and on top of it, you could have a caloric intake of less than 800 cals if you burnt more than 400 on a workout. What you are doing is dangerous when you have access to health care, but knowing you have family and people counting on you and no doctor to see you may not be aware of the damage that is occurring. That's the problem you don't feel the damage being done. Also the "what works for me?" umm this is science, our bodies all come down to scientific equations unless you have a medical condition "what works for me" should be the same across the board. If someone is eating well and working out hard, giving it 100 and not losing; they are either not eating as well as they claim, not working out as hard as they claim, or have a medical condition. So if you have a medical condition and have a deficit as large as this and have no access to a doctor this worries me.0 -
The harm is something called metabolic adaptation. Also, you are over 300 pounds. Where will you cut to when you hit your next plateau? I started out at 347 pounds on October 1, 2012. I was eating 1760 calories a day. MFP kept cutting it down, down down, till I got to something like 1270, and I decided that was BS, so I started working out more. I've slowly increased my calories to 1600 a day, and I'm still dropping 2-3 pounds a week. Watch Layne Norton, PhD explain.
http://youtu.be/QHHzie6XRGk 0 -
I've been losing weight since April 2012. I started out around 400lbs. It took a year and 4 months to get 70lbs off doing it the "right way" and I hit a plateau in June 2013 and I decided to shock my body this month. I'm eating 800-1000 calories a day and I've lost 8lbs this past week. If I workout, I may go as high as 1200. I know people say it's not healthy, but I just want to be under 300lbs so badly and I only have 18 more pounds to go! I've heard of doctors putting extremely obese patients on an 800-1000 calorie diet. When I get to 299, I plan on taking it back up to 1200 calories a day for a while. As long as I'm not hungry, not passing out from low blood sugar, and losing weight, then what is the harm in this? Just want some opinions...no rude comments please.
I started off at the same weight as you (give or take 5 pounds) in May, 2013. Now it's September, and I have lost 76LBS.
I did this the "right way" I simply counted calories, stayed within my daily allowance and I started to exercise. As of yet, I've not hit a plateau.
Lowering your calories probably isn't going to help. I hate being hungry, it makes me miserable and short tempered. I think maybe twice I've had around 1000 calories since I started eating healthy, and that was due to work and travelling, and I felt tired and lethargic the next day.
The best way to go about this (IMO) is exercise. Build up a calorie deficit, go swimming, go for long moderately paced walks, etc. Then you can eat calories back, whilst still having a large deficit.
If you need any advice, just drop me a friend request.
Good luck!0 -
Yes.... At leeeeast... you should still lose even at 1400-1500stay at 1200 at least, you will still lose
All in time Grasshopper. Have patience. Lose in a healthy manner. Dont go too low.. It will still come off. And then when you go to maintenance, you will be able to maintain at a higher intake level. Come on..Trust us....0 -
I started at 400lbs and just weighed in at 315 today.0
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It is probably better to boost your metabolism by eating MORE calories, not less calories. Anything under 1200 can put you into "starvation mode" where your body starts to slow down and hold onto all the fat instead of processing things correctly. Also try doing strength training to build muscle and at least 30 minutes of cardo 5x per week. Eat more protein and fiber, lots of veggies, lower your carb intake, have whole grains, cook more meals at home, drink lots of water.0
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I've been losing weight since April 2012. I started out around 400lbs. It took a year and 4 months to get 70lbs off doing it the "right way" and I hit a plateau in June 2013 and I decided to shock my body this month. I'm eating 800-1000 calories a day and I've lost 8lbs this past week. If I workout, I may go as high as 1200. I know people say it's not healthy, but I just want to be under 300lbs so badly and I only have 18 more pounds to go! I've heard of doctors putting extremely obese patients on an 800-1000 calorie diet. When I get to 299, I plan on taking it back up to 1200 calories a day for a while. As long as I'm not hungry, not passing out from low blood sugar, and losing weight, then what is the harm in this? Just want some opinions...no rude comments please.
I would advise caution with this approach. Intermittent fasting is supposed to have some benefits if done properly (and doesn't appear to be what you're suggesting here) but massive ongoing calorie deficits can backfire in a myriad of possible ways ranging from encouraging a binge/purge mentality, to 'falling off the wagon,' to nutrional deficits, and, if done long and consistently enough, to screwing up your metabolism.
It's sometimes hard to accept, but slow and steady seems to work best in the long run.0 -
I've been losing weight since April 2012. I started out around 400lbs. It took a year and 4 months to get 70lbs off doing it the "right way" and I hit a plateau in June 2013 and I decided to shock my body this month. I'm eating 800-1000 calories a day and I've lost 8lbs this past week. If I workout, I may go as high as 1200. I know people say it's not healthy, but I just want to be under 300lbs so badly and I only have 18 more pounds to go! I've heard of doctors putting extremely obese patients on an 800-1000 calorie diet. When I get to 299, I plan on taking it back up to 1200 calories a day for a while. As long as I'm not hungry, not passing out from low blood sugar, and losing weight, then what is the harm in this? Just want some opinions...no rude comments please.
I would advise caution with this approach. Intermittent fasting is supposed to have some benefits if done properly (and doesn't appear to be what you're suggesting here) but massive ongoing calorie deficits can backfire in a myriad of possible ways ranging from encouraging a binge/purge mentality, to 'falling off the wagon,' to nutrional deficits, and, if done long and consistently enough, to screwing up your metabolism.
It's sometimes hard to accept, but slow and steady seems to work best in the long run.0 -
I've had the VSG and I'm down 80 lbs since May. Whether or not you've had surgery, please consider the following: Weigh and measure everything you put into your mouth. Eye balling it is not an option. Get a minimum of 50 to 60 grams of protein in everyday. Get a minimum of 64 fluid ounces in a day, preferably water. Watch your sodium intake. If you can exercise, even a walk around the block, do it, everyday. Follow the 30/30 rule, i.e., stop drinking any fluid 30 minutes before a meal, never drink with a meal, and wait 30 minutes after a meal to drink again. Eat your protein first, then vegetables, then fruit, then carbs, if any room. I personally don't count calories but I do monitor my protein intake closely. You are welcome to add me, if you'd like. I wish you the best.0
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