Am I really eating too little?

angeladdie270
angeladdie270 Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 18 years old (female) and I weigh about 129 and 5'4. I know I'm at a healthy weight and I'm not really trying to lower the number as much as I'm trying to get rid of fat and gain muscle. I do at least an hour, usually more, of some sort of cardio activity like hot vinyasa yoga or high resistance elliptical training. However, I only come in at about 815 net calories a day. I eat about 1000-1100. I would eat more but I just get so full and even thinking about eating more makes me feel sick. I take energy and metabolism multivitamins to help keep up my metabolism. Is it really necessary to eat at least 1200 calories? Or would I be fine simply adding some green tea into my diet to help out my metabolism?

Replies

  • alexagia
    alexagia Posts: 37 Member
    Weightlifting is the best way to burn fat and gain muscle. I am also 5'4 (20 years old) and I eat 1200 calories a day (usually a little less). Your current weight was my starting weight. You'll definitely lose weight, but gaining muscle may be difficult on a low calorie diet. And you should be fine (healthy) as long as you keep up with your macros.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    1. Yes, you need to eat more.
    2. You will not gain muscle doing yoga or the elliptical. You need to lift weights if you want to increase strength and build muscle.
    3. You will not gain muscle eating at a deficit. In fact, your current calorie intake is actually causing you to lose muscle.

    These links are very helpful. You should aim to lose no more than 1/2 lb per week with your stats and goals.

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

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • Oi_Sunshine
    Oi_Sunshine Posts: 819 Member
    1. Yes, you need to eat more.
    2. You will not gain muscle doing yoga or the elliptical. You need to lift weights if you want to increase strength and build muscle.
    3. You will not gain muscle eating at a deficit. In fact, your current calorie intake is actually causing you to lose muscle.

    These links are very helpful. You should aim to lose no more than 1/2 lb per week with your stats and goals.

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

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    +1

    One possibility could be that you are underestimating how much you actually eat. Try measuring and weighing your food if you're not already. These two threads mentioned will help you set your calorie and exercise goals to achieve what you have stated you want. Good luck! :)
  • angeladdie270
    angeladdie270 Posts: 4 Member
    Sorry I really only mentioned the cardio because it's good for my metabolism. I do a lot of strength training as well. I do weigh and measure my food when I eat it. I have a lot of stomach issues and allergies which makes it hard to find foods I can eat. The only foods I can really eat are all low in calories but really filling.
  • lemonlionheart
    lemonlionheart Posts: 580 Member
    Sorry I really only mentioned the cardio because it's good for my metabolism. I do a lot of strength training as well. I do weigh and measure my food when I eat it. I have a lot of stomach issues and allergies which makes it hard to find foods I can eat. The only foods I can really eat are all low in calories but really filling.

    Again, if you want to build some muscle you need to eat more. Lifting while on a calorie deficit helps you retain muscle and build strength, but I'm worried that eating that little you will still be losing muscle as well as fat. If the thought of eating 1200 calories makes you feel sick it is possible you are developing some unhealthy mental attitudes towards food, which is not uncommon amongst people who start counting calories to lose weight. I would try to gradually up the calorie intake, there are loads of things you could add to your diet without it being too much food; nuts, peanut butter, oil in cooking, coconut oil, avocado. You can also just incorporate a treat or two a day if you have calories leftover! If I have a hard workout I eat a protein bar and reward myself with a couple of squares of lindt chocolate- 2 pieces is like 150 calories :)

    P.S. I'm not sure about the science behind 'metabolism multivitamins'- I've never heard of this and it kinda sounds like BS to me, but maybe someone else has other information :)

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