Calorie intake

nyy03

Is it OK to have a calorie intake of say 1400 and then burn 1200 and not take in any extra calories?

Make sense?

chevy88grl

Hm. If you're looking for someone to say "sure, it is" you'll probably find someone out there who will.

I, on the other hand, will not tell you it is okay to starve yourself. You need to eat if you want to lose weight in a healthy manner. This isn't the way to lose weight correctly and keep it off.


Eat. It is the key component to losing and keeping it off. I don't get why people think starving themselves is gonna be the key to successful, long term weight loss. Can you live on 200 net calories a day?

pkarim

I think If i had 200 calories in one day I would be starving so I would have to say no lol

SergeantSunshine_reused

I could live off 200 net calories honestly. I am a person who is just never hungry. No need to be rude. Because I have actually seen many people who have done it through starvation and didnt know it.

BUT I wouldnt do it that way :] Eat and be happy! Dont want to lose muscle is my main concern

mark03264

You should eat close to the calorie goal MFP gives you each day including eating back most of the calories you burn through exercise.

jchester71

It is OK, if your goal is to lose weight. At 1400 calories you are taking in plenty to keep your metabolism going (and exercise also boosts metabolism). One of the common sense things that has been lost is the need to listen to your individual body.

SusM321

Hm. If you're looking for someone to say "sure, it is" you'll probably find someone out there who will.

I, on the other hand, will not tell you it is okay to starve yourself. You need to eat if you want to lose weight in a healthy manner. This isn't the way to lose weight correctly and keep it off.


Eat. It is the key component to losing and keeping it off. I don't get why people think starving themselves is gonna be the key to successful, long term weight loss. Can you live on 200 net calories a day?

I totally agree. It's just not a healthy way to loose weight. Starvation just makes the body retain what it does eat when we start eating again...nature's law of survival maybe. Whatever you loose may be back on twofold when you try to eat properly again! So please, eat sensibly instead.

Kassielin13

Absolutely not ok on any level. You are placing your body in starvation mode which is going to end in disaster. Sorry to be so blunt about it but there is no way that your body can live healthy on 200 net calories a day. As you add exercise calories to your diary, you receive extra calories for a reason. The bare minimum for a human being to live on is 1000 calories and that is still putting you at risk for starvation mode. I myself struggle with eating back my exercise calories and my net is usually around 1000-1200 calories each day but I have a health condition that I have to accomodate. So to plainly answer your question, no. Eat back most of your exercise calories! HTH!

nyy03

Hm. If you're looking for someone to say "sure, it is" you'll probably find someone out there who will.

I, on the other hand, will not tell you it is okay to starve yourself. You need to eat if you want to lose weight in a healthy manner. This isn't the way to lose weight correctly and keep it off.


Eat. It is the key component to losing and keeping it off. I don't get why people think starving themselves is gonna be the key to successful, long term weight loss. Can you live on 200 net calories a day?

I'm not looking for an OK. It's a question.
I did this program U weight loss for 4 weeks and they put me on a 1400 cal/day diet without taking into account the exercise I was doing(P90X & running).

Elanesse100

Hm. If you're looking for someone to say "sure, it is" you'll probably find someone out there who will.

I, on the other hand, will not tell you it is okay to starve yourself. You need to eat if you want to lose weight in a healthy manner. This isn't the way to lose weight correctly and keep it off.


Eat. It is the key component to losing and keeping it off. I don't get why people think starving themselves is gonna be the key to successful, long term weight loss. Can you live on 200 net calories a day?

What would you say about mine? On a typical day, I will eat 1600 calories, but burn 600 doing P90X. I know I should eat more, but I can't. I eat more than enough at meals, to the point of being full, I just don't eat food high in calories. Primarily just veggies, salads, and healthy meats. I avoid pasta, rice, and potatoes because I'm on the Fat Shredder Nutrition Plan for P90X which just has 1 serving of carbs, but 7 servings of proteins and 4 servings of veggies.

The problem is, net, I'm at like 1000 calories, and definitely can't eat back what I burn.

SergeantSunshine_reused

heh starvation mode seems to be thrown around too much IMO. I have seem studies for and against it.

BroiledNotFried

I read somewhere that your brain needs 50 calories an hour to sustain itself. Go too low, and you'll feel like you are crashing. It is.

I'd make sure my net calories (intake less exercise) is between 900 to 1200 calories for a woman. It will vary each day as your eating varies. You'll have enough to exercise and feed your brain

chevy88grl

Hm. If you're looking for someone to say "sure, it is" you'll probably find someone out there who will.

I, on the other hand, will not tell you it is okay to starve yourself. You need to eat if you want to lose weight in a healthy manner. This isn't the way to lose weight correctly and keep it off.


Eat. It is the key component to losing and keeping it off. I don't get why people think starving themselves is gonna be the key to successful, long term weight loss. Can you live on 200 net calories a day?

What would you say about mine? On a typical day, I will eat 1600 calories, but burn 600 doing P90X. I know I should eat more, but I can't. I eat more than enough at meals, to the point of being full, I just don't eat food high in calories. Primarily just veggies, salads, and healthy meats. I avoid pasta, rice, and potatoes because I'm on the Fat Shredder Nutrition Plan for P90X which just has 1 serving of carbs, but 7 servings of proteins and 4 servings of veggies.

The problem is, net, I'm at like 1000 calories, and definitely can't eat back what I burn.

Eat healthy foods that are higher in calories - like nuts. That is the key. Not eating high calorie foods that aren't good for you, but eating higher calories foods that ARE good for you.

SergeantSunshine_reused

Hm. If you're looking for someone to say "sure, it is" you'll probably find someone out there who will.

I, on the other hand, will not tell you it is okay to starve yourself. You need to eat if you want to lose weight in a healthy manner. This isn't the way to lose weight correctly and keep it off.


Eat. It is the key component to losing and keeping it off. I don't get why people think starving themselves is gonna be the key to successful, long term weight loss. Can you live on 200 net calories a day?

What would you say about mine? On a typical day, I will eat 1600 calories, but burn 600 doing P90X. I know I should eat more, but I can't. I eat more than enough at meals, to the point of being full, I just don't eat food high in calories. Primarily just veggies, salads, and healthy meats. I avoid pasta, rice, and potatoes because I'm on the Fat Shredder Nutrition Plan for P90X which just has 1 serving of carbs, but 7 servings of proteins and 4 servings of veggies.

The problem is, net, I'm at like 1000 calories, and definitely can't eat back what I burn.

You sound a lot like me! I eat about 1400 ish and burn 400-500 maybe more. Im full all day though! And work out right before bed. I MUST BE IN STARVATION MODE! *gasp* Lol jk :] learn to laugh peeps

but seriously i dont see anything wrong with this. I am a dietetics student at my university and i havent heard anything proving starvation mode and net calories yet xD

ocrunner11

Your question is valid. This program here on MFP is new to most of us. It is wonderful to get feedback on understanding the need to fuel the body. I too had this questions and understood after researching the site that I was putting my body in starvation mode and that I needed to consume more calories to get to my 1200 level per day. Most other programs I have been on never talked about added more calories, so I am very thankful for the input from the group. Eat your calories with a smile, just make good choices.

chevy88grl

heh starvation mode seems to be thrown around too much IMO. I have seem studies for and against it.

I think if you search around this site - you'll find many people who've eaten too few calories and felt the affects on "starvation". Including hair loss, brittle nails, feeling "spacey", not being able to concentrate. Believe it or not - it's up to you. But, at some point .. your body WILL rebel if you aren't eating enough calories to sustain basic life functions (which is where knowing your BMR comes into play).

And I wasn't being rude. I was simply stating a fact. Too many people think starving themselves is the way to lose weight (hey, I used to think it too). But, it isn't how you'll be achieve long term success with weight loss. Do you want to burn muscle for fuel? I don't. I want my body to feel comfortable enough to burn the fat for fuel and not rely on my muscle to fuel my organs and complete basic life functions.

But, that's just me. Do what works for you.

SergeantSunshine_reused

heh starvation mode seems to be thrown around too much IMO. I have seem studies for and against it.

I think if you search around this site - you'll find many people who've eaten too few calories and felt the affects on "starvation". Including hair loss, brittle nails, feeling "spacey", not being able to concentrate. Believe it or not - it's up to you. But, at some point .. your body WILL rebel if you aren't eating enough calories to sustain basic life functions (which is where knowing your BMR comes into play).

And I wasn't being rude. I was simply stating a fact. Too many people think starving themselves is the way to lose weight (hey, I used to think it too). But, it isn't how you'll be achieve long term success with weight loss. Do you want to burn muscle for fuel? I don't. I want my body to feel comfortable enough to burn the fat for fuel and not rely on my muscle to fuel my organs and complete basic life functions.

But, that's just me. Do what works for you.

If you would scroll up and read my earlier post then you would see that I said I didnt want to lose my muscle. Some just dont care. And I dont care to search around the site. I have been here for a long time (different account). I look at science. Sure some have actually put their body into it and had loss of hair and such. But thats more in extreme cases from what I have seen. I eat my 1400 calories then run right before bed. Do i need to eat 400-500 calories more? No. My body doesnt need the energy at that point.

And sorry to say but its coming off rude. You have a know-it-all attitude. I understand its more of a been there odne that thing though :] some people just have to experience it on their own! Before I started college as a nutrition major i thought the same. Only salads for every meal is the way to lose weight right?! wrong! hehe :]

chevy88grl

heh starvation mode seems to be thrown around too much IMO. I have seem studies for and against it.

I think if you search around this site - you'll find many people who've eaten too few calories and felt the affects on "starvation". Including hair loss, brittle nails, feeling "spacey", not being able to concentrate. Believe it or not - it's up to you. But, at some point .. your body WILL rebel if you aren't eating enough calories to sustain basic life functions (which is where knowing your BMR comes into play).

And I wasn't being rude. I was simply stating a fact. Too many people think starving themselves is the way to lose weight (hey, I used to think it too). But, it isn't how you'll be achieve long term success with weight loss. Do you want to burn muscle for fuel? I don't. I want my body to feel comfortable enough to burn the fat for fuel and not rely on my muscle to fuel my organs and complete basic life functions.

But, that's just me. Do what works for you.

If you would scroll up and read my earlier post then you would see that I said I didnt want to lose my muscle. Some just dont care. And I dont care to search around the site. I have been here for a long time (different account). I look at science. Sure some have actually put their body into it and had loss of hair and such. But thats more in extreme cases from what I have seen. I eat my 1400 calories then run right before bed. Do i need to eat 400-500 calories more? No. My body doesnt need the energy at that point.

And sorry to say but its coming off rude. You have a know-it-all attitude. I understand its more of a been there odne that thing though :] some people just have to experience it on their own! Before I started college as a nutrition major i thought the same. Only salads for every meal is the way to lose weight right?! wrong! hehe :]

If you know you'll run before bed - try eating more during the day to make up for it - if you feel you need the calories.

Know it all? Nope. But, I've been through alot to lose this weight and I cringe when I see people make the SAME exact mistakes *I* made because at some point they'll like hit the SAME walls I hit. They'll be frustrated and do you know how many will simply give up? More than will fight through it and try and figure out what is going on with their bodies. If my words stick with someone (even if it is because I have riled them up and ticked them off) then maybe they'll stop and think to themselves "Wait. Remember what she said? Maybe she was right!" before they throw up their hands and go back to eating junk.

I've been through many years of "dieting" - everything from starving myself to not eating carbs to drinking shakes that swore I'd be 20lbs less in the blink of an eye. There is a lot of information out there and a lot of people are unsure of what to believe. Is the key learning your body? yes. But, a lot of people struggle to learn that and need the words from a been there done that person to know which way to turn.

fastbelly

Would it be OK to fill in the tank of your car to full and then drive 4000 miles?

I doubt you'd get away with it.

That is exactly what you're doing to your body, you're demanding a high burn of fuel (fat, muscle, carbs, sugar, etc) but you're not giving it enough to burn in a healthy way...
You'll also probably achieve a faster rate of weight loss if you feed your body correctly.

Everyone wants fast results but its different for everyone. Some can lose fast, others take more time. The important thing is to keep healthy while you lose.

fallenangelloves

Chevy88 is right... And i think her 60lb loss shows she knows something about what she is talking about. There is too much info available about your body going into starvation mode if you go below a certain amount of calories. The debate is at what calorie... Not whether it exists. The key is to throwing off your metabolism. Keep exercising and eating the same day in and day out is also bad. Your body adjusts and can cause you to stop losing. Change things up. CHEAT ON OCCASION! It's actually very good for you!

SergeantSunshine_reused

heh starvation mode seems to be thrown around too much IMO. I have seem studies for and against it.

I think if you search around this site - you'll find many people who've eaten too few calories and felt the affects on "starvation". Including hair loss, brittle nails, feeling "spacey", not being able to concentrate. Believe it or not - it's up to you. But, at some point .. your body WILL rebel if you aren't eating enough calories to sustain basic life functions (which is where knowing your BMR comes into play).

And I wasn't being rude. I was simply stating a fact. Too many people think starving themselves is the way to lose weight (hey, I used to think it too). But, it isn't how you'll be achieve long term success with weight loss. Do you want to burn muscle for fuel? I don't. I want my body to feel comfortable enough to burn the fat for fuel and not rely on my muscle to fuel my organs and complete basic life functions.

But, that's just me. Do what works for you.

If you would scroll up and read my earlier post then you would see that I said I didnt want to lose my muscle. Some just dont care. And I dont care to search around the site. I have been here for a long time (different account). I look at science. Sure some have actually put their body into it and had loss of hair and such. But thats more in extreme cases from what I have seen. I eat my 1400 calories then run right before bed. Do i need to eat 400-500 calories more? No. My body doesnt need the energy at that point.

And sorry to say but its coming off rude. You have a know-it-all attitude. I understand its more of a been there odne that thing though :] some people just have to experience it on their own! Before I started college as a nutrition major i thought the same. Only salads for every meal is the way to lose weight right?! wrong! hehe :]

If you know you'll run before bed - try eating more during the day to make up for it - if you feel you need the calories.

Know it all? Nope. But, I've been through alot to lose this weight and I cringe when I see people make the SAME exact mistakes *I* made because at some point they'll like hit the SAME walls I hit. They'll be frustrated and do you know how many will simply give up? More than will fight through it and try and figure out what is going on with their bodies. If my words stick with someone (even if it is because I have riled them up and ticked them off) then maybe they'll stop and think to themselves "Wait. Remember what she said? Maybe she was right!" before they throw up their hands and go back to eating junk.

I've been through many years of "dieting" - everything from starving myself to not eating carbs to drinking shakes that swore I'd be 20lbs less in the blink of an eye. There is a lot of information out there and a lot of people are unsure of what to believe. Is the key learning your body? yes. But, a lot of people struggle to learn that and need the words from a been there done that person to know which way to turn.

Sounds a lot like how i used to be! And most people here I am guessing haha we have tried it all. I even did the master cleanse! Even the thought of warm salt water makes me gag But i think people need to learn on their own or the wont be convinced :]

Oooh and i know i could eat more during the day. Never really hungry tho. Cannot stand nuts so makes it harder I monitor my bf% and lean body mass and have had minimal muscle loss tho If I did am workouts it might be different. But since its directly before bed it changes things up a little.

ANd congrats on your loss and find what works

NeonNikki

Some weeks are hectic for me and I'll net 200 one day , 2,000 the next then 500 then 2000 again and then 200 again.

It all balances out-People who don't count calories may do this often. Doing it for a day is not bad for you in my opinion-just make up for it the next day