Lack of energy when restricting calories?

kblount10

This is day 3 of me restricting my calories to the 1200-1400 range. I didn't realize it but before then I was probably eating closer to 2300-2500 a day (and I wondered why I was so overweight). Yesterday I had SO much energy but today I am dragging. Not only tired but also my bones hurt more than normal. Working out was more painful than it has ever been. I got PLENTY of sleep (maybe even too much? 10 hours?) so that shouldn't be it. Ideas? Did this happen to you?

hiyomi

1200-1400 calories is pretty low for most people, unless you are really small. 1800-2200 is more of a normal healthy range of caloric needs. Remember, every persons body uses calories just by doing nothing, such as sleeping, this is known as BMR. My BMR is 2000 calories a day just so my body can keep moving You should look into upping your calories by checking your BMR first. This is not taking into account your level of activeness either.

ndj1979

if you were obese/gaining on 2300 to 2500 then you could eat 1700 a day (800 to 900 cal daily deficit) and still lose weight. I would recommend increasing to somewhere in that range….

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I get this way anytime I try to eat under 1600.

3dogsrunning

This is day 3 of me restricting my calories to the 1200-1400 range. I didn't realize it but before then I was probably eating closer to 2300-2500 a day (and I wondered why I was so overweight). Yesterday I had SO much energy but today I am dragging. Not only tired but also my bones hurt more than normal. Working out was more painful than it has ever been. I got PLENTY of sleep (maybe even too much? 10 hours?) so that shouldn't be it. Ideas? Did this happen to you?

You are on a 1100-1300 calorie deficit. That is quite drastic, especially for the amount of weight you are looking to lose. Why not go with more of a modest deficit, like - 500-750 calories which would put you in the 1 -1.5 lb a week weight loss goal area.
That would be what I would do.

ndj1979

This is day 3 of me restricting my calories to the 1200-1400 range. I didn't realize it but before then I was probably eating closer to 2300-2500 a day (and I wondered why I was so overweight). Yesterday I had SO much energy but today I am dragging. Not only tired but also my bones hurt more than normal. Working out was more painful than it has ever been. I got PLENTY of sleep (maybe even too much? 10 hours?) so that shouldn't be it. Ideas? Did this happen to you?

You are on a 1100-1300 calorie deficit. That is quite drastic, especially for the amount of weight you are looking to lose. Why not go with more of a modest deficit, like - 500-750 calories which would put you in the 1 -1.5 lb a week weight loss goal area.
That would be what I would do.

hey, lets not go crazy on the common sense there..!

I_Will_End_You

I get this way anytime I try to eat under 1600.

Same.


I tried 1200-1300 when I first started here....I lasted about a week. :laugh:

abadvat

First things first:
What's your age, stats and activity level?
Did you crash in one go from 2500 to 1200?
Breakdown of 1200... How many gr of P,C and F?

Sjenny5891

What do you do for a living? How active are you at home? How often do you exercise? Are you eating back your exercise calories?
Do you have any health issues?
Do you weigh your food?

By the time I ate back my exercise calories I was eating around 1800 calories a day losing weight.

mustgetmuscles1

^ what the others have said. Eat more per day or eat up to maintenance every few days. It will slow weight loss a little but keep your energy and mood up. No need to torture yourself.

sarafischbach9

Like others said, you are probably not eating enough.

Check your BMR and then do an activity factor. You could probably just be lightly/moderately active and consume 1800-1900 a day and still lose 1 lb a week.

Good luck!