Random problems, perhaps a little help?

Phoenixflame

Hello guys! I'm excited to be joining this place.

I filled out my profile and everything, and was surprised at my calorie intake. It appears I haven't been eating enough (except for occasional "special occasion" treats/meals) since summer began. I swear I haven't been intentionally starving myself, and the stuff I do eat is ultra healthy.

Since I started working out a lot more (I was working out before, but I've upped the intensity a lot since the school year began) I started eating a bit more...but it seems I'm still not eating enough. It's weird, because I don't feel deprived...have I been in "starvation mode" so long that I've adapted?

Also, imagine my surprise when I entered an exercise and suddenly realized I was in an even bigger deficit!

Now, I guess some people would be leaping for joy. But I'm not. I'm friggin scared. I WANT to trust MFP, but I have the fear that the moment I start eating my recommended calories that my weight will balloon up again (I've lost quite a bit, but I'm aiming for more, and the fact that it slowed down a lot made me join this site). Will this happen? Should I start listening to MFP? What should I eat to fill up my calorie allotment?

I guess support or advice would be uber-appreciated.

Oh, as for my stats: Female, 5'4", 154 pounds (approx...the scale at my gym is broken).

Phoenixflame

Hello guys! I'm excited to be joining this place.

I filled out my profile and everything, and was surprised at my calorie intake. It appears I haven't been eating enough (except for occasional "special occasion" treats/meals) since summer began. I swear I haven't been intentionally starving myself, and the stuff I do eat is ultra healthy.

Since I started working out a lot more (I was working out before, but I've upped the intensity a lot since the school year began) I started eating a bit more...but it seems I'm still not eating enough. It's weird, because I don't feel deprived...have I been in "starvation mode" so long that I've adapted?

Also, imagine my surprise when I entered an exercise and suddenly realized I was in an even bigger deficit!

Now, I guess some people would be leaping for joy. But I'm not. I'm friggin scared. I WANT to trust MFP, but I have the fear that the moment I start eating my recommended calories that my weight will balloon up again (I've lost quite a bit, but I'm aiming for more, and the fact that it slowed down a lot made me join this site). Will this happen? Should I start listening to MFP? What should I eat to fill up my calorie allotment?

I guess support or advice would be uber-appreciated.

Oh, as for my stats: Female, 5'4", 154 pounds (approx...the scale at my gym is broken).

aubs057

My advice would be, change slowly. If you all of a sudden start eating a lot more, you probably will put on more weight. If MFP says you're eating way too little, you probably are. So, you should gradually eat a little bit more, allowing your body to adapt to the change. Keep working out and eating healthy, that is awesome! But the reason the weight loss has slowed down probably has to do with how little you're eating. Your body will get used to that and then won't want to lose anymore. So I'd suggest slowly starting to eat a little bit more, but keeping it healthy good luck!

kerrilucko

well, just for reference, I weigh 158 lbs right now and I am 5'6". I eat 1300 calories a day to lose 1 lb a week. I also eat ALL of my excercise calories. I successfully lose weight and feel healthy, never deprived.

Everyone's body is a little different, but if you are consistently eating very little in terms of calories, your body will essentially begin hoarding what you do eat and storing it as fat. This is known as starvation mode. When this happens, weight lose is very difficult. If it continues over long periods of time you will literally starve.

I'm not saying that this is happening to you. You didn't say how much you eat, or just how large your deficit is. BUT if I were you I would trust MFP's numbers. Also, steer clear of the scale for at least a month. If your body is in starvation mode, it is very likely that you will gain weight once you start eating more, and that can be really discouraging for people trying to lose weight. Don't worry, that stage will pass. :flowerforyou: good luck!

DjBliss05

A lot of people have this problem...

There is a thread about a woman who was eatting 700 calories a day but couldn't lose weight. If anyone can dig that up or if you can find it then that would be a good read for you.

From what I have heard on here, you will gain a little at first. But that will be necessary to get your metabolism moving again. After that, you are on the right track to being losing. I would stick with what MFP tells you for a while. Give it at least a month before getting at all discourage (could be two). But it DOES WORK.

Eat all your calories and make sure you are about 1200 calories. Eat close to your BMR. Without knowing your stats, it is hard to know if you are doing that now. Your body will straighten itself out. Check out the stuff on success stories and the Total MFP weight loss thread to convince yourself that it does work! You can absolutely do this and trust that you are giving yourself the food it needs to run.

:flowerforyou:

Phoenixflame

Thanks for the support, guys!

I was a little confused on "activity level." I'm a student, so I spend a lot of time at desks, but I'm also navigating my college campus and walking most places that I need to go (like the grocery store). At the same time, my college is in San Francisco, so the walking I do involves lots of hill climbing.

I work out every day though, with an absolute minimum of 30 minutes of cardio and some form of weights.

The exercise calories surprise me a lot. I did a spin class today as well as a "body sculpting" class that combines all sorts of weighted lunges, strength moves, and toning exercises, as well as jump rope. MFP told me that I have 713 extra calories. ?!!?! That brings my goal to 1,943 calories. Gah, I can't eat that much in one day! I suppose I was eating more than that back when I ate poorly and never exercised, but the concept seems utterly horrific to me now. And Americans on average eat 3,800 calories a day? Good God!

arewethereyet

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

these 2 are long reads, but well worth the time.