How many calories are too few?

verykristin

When the site set my goals, I was allowed 1200 calories a day. I'd like to be more aggressive with my weight loss, so I've cut it down to 800 a day, allowing myself to go over that amount a couple times a week, while staying under 1000.

I keep getting the message about your body going into "starvation mode" when you eat too few calories, and making weight loss more difficult. At what point am I doing myself a disservice by cutting the calories?

I know I cannot keep at 800 forever, but I thought doing it for a couple weeks would kick it into high gear and I am pleased with the results so far. Any advice or suggestions?

karibari

according to my "boot camp" instructor, if you drop under 1200 you're body starts storing the calories/fat. not sure how accurate this info is. this site recommended I eat 1500 calories/day...i've been eating around 1200-1500 (changing it up every day) and I've lost 10 pounds in 12 days. hope this helps.

nightshadow

Well I think it might partially depend on what you're eating. In "starvation mode" you kind of suck the fat off your food and pack it on, making it harder to lose weight, because your body thinks it's gonna need that extra fat if times get harder (ie food becomes less available. unfortunately, there's no way to tell your body you're on a diet :grumble: ) But if you're not eating stuff with a lot of fat in it, then you might be more okay with this method than if you're someone who eats junk food type stuff, or other high fat foods, because there's less fat to store.

I would maybe step it up to at least 900 if you're eating super healthy stuff all the time, and up to about 1000 at least if you're eating kind of fattening stuff. Another question would be: how much are you exercising? Because if you're exercising, then you definitely need to be eating more.

Hope this helps, and good luck

thirtyby40

I believe 1200 is that absolute minimum for anyone. I was doing 600-1000 a day and lost nothing forever. As soon as I upped it I started to lose. When I was a teen I suffered from an eating disorder, and old habits die hard so it has been very different to eat more not less, but is seems to be working. I would talk to your doctor. Mine happens to be the one I had when I was a kids, so she is very hesitantly supporting my efforts, and has told me to EAT!! She agrees I need to lose weight, but will not support any diet below 1200, and feels 1500 is more reasonable ( so I exercise and eat more).

It will be much easier to stick to a plan that allows more. Good Luck!!

thirtyby40

The other thing I should have mentioned, is if your body thinks it is starving you may lose weight, but your belly fat will increase ( very dangerous). Nobody wants that.

sixtyinchesoffury

IMHO

this isn't a good idea.

think of your metabolism as a fire.

the less fuel-- the cooler and slower the burn.

stoke that baby!!!!

i found the most success around 1400.

good luck:flowerforyou:

ivykivy

Obesity, Weight Loss, and Very Low-Calorie Diets (VLCDs)
http://www.webmd.com/diet/low-calorie-diets

Traditional weight loss methods include low-calorie diets that allow between 800 to 1,500 calories a day and encourage regular exercise. However, an alternative method that moderately to severely obese people may consider for significant, short-term weight loss is the very low-calorie diet (VLCD).

Many VLCDs are commercially prepared formulas of 800 calories or less that replace all usual food intake. Others, such as the well-known grapefruit diet (also called the Hollywood Diet), rely on eating a lot of the same low-calorie food or foods. VLCDs are not the same as over-the-counter meal replacements, which are substituted for one or two meals a day.
How Effective Are Very Low-Calorie Diets?

A very low-calorie diet may allow a severely to moderately obese person to lose about 3 to 5 pounds per week, for an average total weight loss of 44 pounds over 12 weeks. Such a weight loss can improve obesity-related medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. However, VLCDs are no more effective than more modest dietary restrictions in the long-term maintenance of reduced weight. Combining a VLCD with behavioral therapy and exercise may increase weight loss and help keep it off for the long-term. Behavioral therapy helps you to recognize what causes you to overeat so that you can consciously change those behaviors.
Are Very Low-Calorie Diets Safe?

Very low-calorie diets are generally safe when used under proper medical supervision in people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30. Use of VLCDs in people with a BMI of 27 to 30 should be reserved for those who have medical complications resulting from their obesity.

VLCDs are not suitable for everyone. Doctors generally recommend them on a case-by-case basis and your doctor will decide whether or not such a diet is appropriate for you. VLCDs are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and are not appropriate for children or adolescents except in specialized treatment programs. Due to the potential need for other medications for preexisting conditions, as well as the possibility of side effects, these types of diets may not be suitable for people over 50, either.
What Are the Side Effects of Very Low-Calorie Diets?

Many people on a very low-calorie diet for 4-16 weeks report minor side effects such as fatigue, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea, but these conditions usually improve within a few weeks and rarely prevent people from completing the program.

The most common serious side effect seen with VLCDs is gallstone formation. Gallstones, which frequently develop in obese people (especially women), are even more common during rapid weight loss. The reason for this may be that rapid weight loss appears to decrease the gallbladder's ability to contract bile. But, it is unclear whether VLCDs directly cause gallstones or whether the amount of weight loss is responsible for the formation of gallstones.
What Are the Other Drawbacks of Very Low-Calorie Diets?

To be healthy, we need a balance of foods from different food groups. It's quite difficult to get good nutrition in as few as 800 calories (even a dietitian would have trouble doing this), especially if one eats the same foods day after day.

Also, once you go off the diet, you will likely regain your weight unless you change your lifestyle and commit to healthy eating, regular physical activity, and an improved outlook about food. By sticking to a long-term commitment, you can prevent your weight from drifting back up the scale.

lilla19

i've finally realized that the only way to keep the weight off is to make it a lifestyle change. i've been a yoyo for so long and i'm ready to keep it off this time. i used to get into phases where i would only eat a salad all day...i'd get down to the size i want, but then i'd start eating "normal" again and gain back everything. i'm allowing myself carbs and sweets, as long as i track them. training myself to get into a healthy diet while still being able to enjoy what i like has been a challenge. it may take a little longer than it has before, but if i can lose my extra pounds and keep it off, then it is completely worth it!

keppick

Eat your calories! Don't starve yourself! Your body will, essentially, panic and start frantically storing all the fat it can find! It's also dangerous to be on such a low number of calories. If you want to get more agressive workout plenty and eat all the calories you should be eating. That way your body will know that everything is cool (no famine in the area) and relax enough to drop some pounds.