Advice please

IIIIISerenityNowIIIII
IIIIISerenityNowIIIII Posts: 425 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello! Well, I started MFP in mid-January and over the course of 8 weeks have lost 3 pounds per week for a total of 24 pounds so far out of a goal of 60 pounds. I set my goals to lose 2 pounds per week and calories at 1250 and lightly active. I have an open diary and though it is really motivating to keep losing more than expected, I don't understand WHY I am losing 50% more than calculated. I eat back calories after exercising and get close to reaching my goal each day. Then I read some people on here saying that if you don't eat over your BMR (mine is around 1550) your organs will all shut down and you die (essentially lol). I do get that people think this low of calorie can not be nutritious enough, but honestly in the last two months I have felt better and had more energy than I have in years! So, am if I were going to have a bad reaction, wouldn't I feel less than stellar already? I would like to keep everything as it is, losing 3 pounds per week and feeling great, but the things I read from some people saying it is too little to survive on is making me second guess it all.

Replies

  • beautifulwarrior18
    beautifulwarrior18 Posts: 914 Member
    Those people clearly don't know what they're talking about. I personally think that 1250 is too low of a goal. I wouldn't go under 1300 (mine personally is set at 1500), but if you feel great then go with it. If you feel full of energy and healthy I'm not really sure why you're asking because if your organs were dying you wouldn't be feeling great, you'd be in the hospital.
  • terbusha
    terbusha Posts: 1,483 Member
    1250 cal/day is ok, but you would be better off eating more (since you are losing weight at a rapid rate). The problem is that when you are eating at the low end of the spectrum, if you hit a plateau, you don't have anywhere you can cut from to get things moving again. I would suggest that you up your calories to 1400/day. If you are still losing weight at a good rate, add in some more. We want to maximize your metabolism. This will make it easier down the road for you.

    Allan
  • IIIIISerenityNowIIIII
    IIIIISerenityNowIIIII Posts: 425 Member
    If I need to bump up my calories do I just start now or move up gradually?
  • terbusha
    terbusha Posts: 1,483 Member
    increase your calories slowly. Add 5-10g carbs and 1-2g of fat/week.
  • ToogieTuesday
    ToogieTuesday Posts: 29
    I'm not certain if it pertains to you, but keep in mind that it's also a matter of if you have more to lose, essentially you start burning more faster and more easily. I've heard of people who even mention just cutting 1 sugary, high in fat food or drink (like soda) and all of a sudden the lbs are melting off. It's also why you hear of people struggling to lose the last 10 lbs... because then your body gets used to the cleaner food and less calorie diet and you have to up your exercise, up your protein to feed the growing muscles etc.

    But keep doing what feels good. If you notice a change, adjust accordingly, but for now keep on doing what works for you and doesn't effect your quality of life for the worse.

    Good job!!!! =)
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    you can eat below your BMR..

    As for your weight loss goal...now that you are getting closer to goal you should change it to 1lb a week...the fast weight loss could mean that not only are you losing fat but muscle as well...

    The key is to eat the maximum number of calories and still lose the weekly weight that is healthy.

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