Eating Too Few Calories

mobomama

I started myfitnesspal.com last Monday July 21. My weight was 134.2. By July 24 I had dropped to 129.8 but have not been able to lose more. Each day my note comes up I am not eating enough calories. When I try to add calories to bring my quota up to 1200 calories I increase either sodium and/or sugar which I am trying to reduce. Any help would be appreciated for others out there who have found a solution.

126siany

First of all, you do realize that losing 5 lbs in 3 days is mainly water weight, right?

For now, don't worry about the sodium and sugars. Sodium is only an issue if you have high blood pressure or other similar conditions. I have no idea where MFP gets its sugar number, but a couple of glasses of milk will throw you over so I have always ignored it.

For now, focus on hitting your calorie goal. If sodium is an issue, then try to eat fewer processed foods and prepare more meals at home.

SLLRunner

First of all, you do realize that losing 5 lbs in 3 days is mainly water weight, right?

For now, don't worry about the sodium and sugars. Sodium is only an issue if you have high blood pressure or other similar conditions. I have no idea where MFP gets its sugar number, but a couple of glasses of milk will throw you over so I have always ignored it.

For now, focus on hitting your calorie goal. If sodium is an issue, then try to eat fewer processed foods and prepare more meals at home.

This.

Also, it looks like you have very little weight to lose. If you have your goals set to lose 2 pounds a week, that is way too aggressive. Set your goals to lose .5 pounds a week and your weight loss will be slower and more sustainable in the long run.

yasmine334

Yes, please eat the 1200! this is the only help we can give you.

for sodium you can drink lots of water to get rid of the water retention due to sodium intake. for sugar, please reduce your intake from juices, soda, and be smart in your fruit choices - it is not that hard.

hello6098

I ignore the nutrients too, but I'm always between 250 and 600 calories under my calorie goal of 1330. Not sure if that's unhealthy but it works and it seems so easy for me. I'm not sure if this is the worst advice ever but I use those to continue normal social activities - eg I have 1600 calories saved up, but I'll ditch all of it in a few days when I bake brownies for my friend and we completely stuff ourselves. It's our tradition, and that matters a lot more to me than dieting.

So, do ignore the nutrient guide (not that you shouldn't stay away from fatty foods, 250ml orange juice is just 8 calories less than 4 squares of milk chocolate!) but I've read around the subject and I can't see why calories can't be spread over a week, just as in the weightwatchers point system. Maybe I'm wrong though - I'm no nutritionist!

cuckoo_jenibeth

First I would caution you that complaining about "only losing 5 pounds" in 1 week is sure to anger the pitchfork carrying mobs! That is a huge loss!
Onto the question at hand...clearly you were eating more than 1200 calories a day before last Monday, so why so difficult now? Loom to fuller fat options in place of fat free dressing, milk, yogurt, etc. If you have room in your calorie allowance, use full/higher fat to increase feelings of satiation. Also make sure that you are getting in plenty of lean protein.
Best of luck!

ZaCkOX

You don't have to listen to every little bit. I know I am very unhealthy in my own diet and exercise. But my results work so why go off into a path that will make me feel I'm not achieving my goals? My body is used to my extreme diet and I don't suffer from the dizzy spells or hungry anymore. I have a lot more energy and surprisingly sometimes too much.

As long as you aren't feeling faint and sick, I wouldn't worry about the calories too much. Eat what you feel is necessary but nutrition is serious stuff. You definitely cannot eat the exact same food everyday.

If you are consuming those calories you saved for days, you might feel up and down but losing weight is an added affect, so as long as you are fighting to reach that goal more than not, you will make it.

1princesswarrior

First I would caution you that complaining about "only losing 5 pounds" in 1 week is sure to anger the pitchfork carrying mobs! That is a huge loss!
Onto the question at hand...clearly you were eating more than 1200 calories a day before last Monday, so why so difficult now? Loom to fuller fat options in place of fat free dressing, milk, yogurt, etc. If you have room in your calorie allowance, use full/higher fat to increase feelings of satiation. Also make sure that you are getting in plenty of lean protein.
Best of luck!

First, weight loss in the first week or two is typically water weight. Second you should read the TOS in the Welcome pages because it is against it to call people names and it is unnecessary as well. Nobody who has responded above has said anything about the OP's weight loss. There are no pitchfork carrying mobs around here, there are actually some very knowledgeable people around here who you seem to be automatically dismissing.

Finally, I'm just going to leave these for anyone new here who has not read them yet:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

cuckoo_jenibeth

First I would caution you that complaining about "only losing 5 pounds" in 1 week is sure to anger the pitchfork carrying mobs! That is a huge loss!
Onto the question at hand...clearly you were eating more than 1200 calories a day before last Monday, so why so difficult now? Loom to fuller fat options in place of fat free dressing, milk, yogurt, etc. If you have room in your calorie allowance, use full/higher fat to increase feelings of satiation. Also make sure that you are getting in plenty of lean protein.
Best of luck!

First, weight loss in the first week or two is typically water weight. Second you should read the TOS in the Welcome pages because it is against it to call people names and it is unnecessary as well. Nobody who has responded above has said anything about the OP's weight loss. There are no pitchfork carrying mobs around here, there are actually some very knowledgeable people around here who you seem to be automatically dismissing.

Finally, I'm just going to leave these for anyone new here who has not read them yet:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

First, I apologize if that comment was taken in anyway other than intended...my intent was to lightheartedly point out to the OP that (water wright or not) a weight loss was experienced in the first week that many would be envious of! I would not be on MPF if I felt the majority of the people were anything other than helpful & friendly!