Help!

molarbear31

Ok, so I've been dieting for nearly three weeks now. I've been eating between 1000 - 1400 calories per day. Mostly 1400 but some days (even with 3 substantial meals) I only reach the 1000 calorie mark. Now I've heard that this might be a reason why I'm not losing weight. And I am now (for the past week) exercising daily (except weekends) and intend to keep this up. I'm now having to force myself to have healthy snacks to up the calorie intake...even though I'm eating a normal AMOUNT...they're just not reaching my calorie goal. Is this bad? I don't want to force myself to eat more, but I don't want my body to be in 'starvation mode' if I'm not consuming enough calories.

jwdieter

Have you read:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

If not, you should.

diannethegeek

Have you read:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

If not, you should.

^This

And also:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

Brandolin11

+1 on reading the recommended articles.

I, for one, am just curious - what do you define as "3 substantial meals" that equal less than 1,000 calories?

molarbear31

I would class 3 substantial meals as - muesli, raisins and fat free milk (breakfast), a sandwich or salad (lunch) and something like Spagbol/chilli/jacket potato, beans and salad (dinner). This, on average, comes to about 1000 calories.

lalaburgess3

It really isn't about less calories in (eating) and more calories out (exercising) The key is to force your body to chew off the fat and maintain the lean mass so you will forever have the fat burning motor (muscle) If I were you I would do no more than 30 min work out and you do not have to kill yourself. Eat whole foods, not processed. Drink half your body weight in oz h20 daily and strive for 1/2 your IDEAL body weight in grams of protein per day So if your ideal weight ( not your current weight) is 150, try to consume 75 grams of protein per day. Then you know you're getting fuel for muscles, including amino acids. Protein does not just mean steak and chicken, there is a lot of plant proteins too. Start your day with lemon water and stay away from acidic foods, like coffee, sugar, pop alcohol to name a few. The more acidic you are the more fat your body produces to protect the organs from acid ( think of a fire extinguisher) Also look to avoid foods that cause fungus like peanuts, pistachios, corn, mushrooms and white potato's to name a few