Stupid Question...

nikii14

ok...I am really dumb when it comes to dieting.

Ive only been doing this for less than a week, but every day after I add up my calories, I am under anywhere from 200-300 calories. (I, by no means, am starving myself, I just don't seem to be as hungry.)
Anyway, my question is...obviously if Im eating less calories, I will lose weight ...right? (I am also going to the gym)
I just hear horror stories about people eating less and never shedding a pound. I guess im afraid of getting let down. Im REALLY determined not to feel like SH** this summer in a bathing suit!!!!! I say that every year and never follow through...this year I am determined!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nikii14

ok...I am really dumb when it comes to dieting.

Ive only been doing this for less than a week, but every day after I add up my calories, I am under anywhere from 200-300 calories. (I, by no means, am starving myself, I just don't seem to be as hungry.)
Anyway, my question is...obviously if Im eating less calories, I will lose weight ...right? (I am also going to the gym)
I just hear horror stories about people eating less and never shedding a pound. I guess im afraid of getting let down. Im REALLY determined not to feel like SH** this summer in a bathing suit!!!!! I say that every year and never follow through...this year I am determined!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

slieber

You should try to eat at least what you're supposed to eat. A hundred might not make a difference but if you go too low, the body goes into starvation mode and will make you lose muscle instead of fat. At least, that's my info and experience.

bldntz1856

A 200-300 caloric deficit is great! The thing that has kept me in trouble is the timing of the calories. Keep you total daily intake below your caloric output is great, but what time of day you take the calories in will influence weigh loss/ gain. Keeping the carbs lower in the afternoon and evening to prevent fat storage.

Every once in a while there will be a time when your diet needs adjusting. Our bodies adjust very quickly to changes we make, and all of us suffer from too many eating routines. Mix it up, try three high carb days followed by two low carb days. The lost carb calories need to be replaced with protein which will curb the hunger. Take the weekend to have your cheat meal and get back on track for the week.

Just remember how many weeks did it take for you to gain all of the weight you want to lose! It is a marathon, not a sprint.

Enjoy your journey.

dmflynt

nikii -- the recommendation is to not go under 1200 calories a day (that was confirmed by my doctor, as well as this site). Going under once in a while is OK, but you should try not to make a habit of it.

girlaskew12

When people eat less and don't shed a pound, it's probably because they are eating way too little. Their body goes into starvation mode and works hard to keep all the fat. Then their muscle gets eaten.

People do plateau, but if you hit a point where the weight isn't coming off, just try and concentrate and getting fitter. The more muscle you add, the better you will look. Yes, you might not be losing weight quickly, but you will still be losing inches.

The scale shouldn't be everything. You should also think about how much better your body feels and how different your clothes fit. That will be a better indicator of how diet and exercise is working.