PEOPLE...EAT!!!

peachyxoxoxo

Forgot to mention earlier... I once lost 35 lbs eating 1200 calories a day. I eventually gained it all back. And now that I'm trying to lose weight again... it's HARD. Because I messed up my metabolism. I just wanna offer that as a warning. If you are okay with the possibility of that occurring, by all means proceed.

Josette89

Definitely! I regularly exercise, not like heavy weights and marathon running, but I break a good sweat at least once a day by exercising. I know that I should still eat a good amount of calories according to my BMR, but I feel that I do just fine getting in 900 net cals/day. I don't get shaky or dizzy. So, I think people should find where they are good.

TeenageSwag

I agree with this x100

ironanimal

We're different in that we're not all men and no, we can't all eat 1800-2300/day and lose.

I'm a woman and I eat 1800 calories per day and lose.

Same here

People don't listen...we can't quote ALL unquote eat 1800/2300 and lose. Congrats that you girls can. But I can't. The first commenter can't.

You look about 16. Of course you could if you stop buggering around trying to restrict more and more to lose weight.

Um, I'm 19. And I have an ED I'm trying to recover from, thank you very much.

Then I wish you well, but you of all people understand the long term effects of undereating.

And the age thing... take it as a compliment - you look younger than you are.

KatKatatrophic

We're different in that we're not all men and no, we can't all eat 1800-2300/day and lose.

I'm a woman and I eat 1800 calories per day and lose.

Same here

People don't listen...we can't quote ALL unquote eat 1800/2300 and lose. Congrats that you girls can. But I can't. The first commenter can't.

You look about 16. Of course you could if you stop buggering around trying to restrict more and more to lose weight.

Um, I'm 19. And I have an ED I'm trying to recover from, thank you very much.

Then I wish you well, but you of all people understand the long term effects of undereating.

And the age thing... take it as a compliment - you look younger than you are.

I do, and that's why I'm trying to recover. But the thing is when people say that...why don't you just eat more? It's complicated. You can just tell someone with an ED to eat more, it'll make them eat LESS for the fear of weight gain. And then people saying that EVERYONE can eat 1800-2300 and gain is kinda just an opinion. Because not everyone can do that. I can only MAINTAIN about 1600, anymore and I'll gain. But I do not want to maintain, because with my metabolism it'll surely take a while for it to get on the right track from restricting.

Way_2_a_Healthy_Mel

I see a lot of people talking on this thread about "losing weight"...yes, you can lose weight eating very little, but you can also lose muscle, and become very unhealthy. Lots of people on here have also shared their experience with how it has hurt them in the past. Lots of people are saying "it works for me, I'm losing weight", but is that weight fat or muscle? I am not expert, but I have been reading a lot of information, and it just seems dangerous to me. Also, if someone is eating such a little amount that they are losing hair, having low energy, or dizzy spells, they need to consider eating more, and talking to a nutritionist. People also mentioned eating low calories, but not getting enough nutrients. If someone can eat very little calories, but still get all the nutrients their body needs EVERY DAY, my hats are off to them.

crochetnut

I've eaten 1509 out of my 1887 calories today, but the night is still young, and I still have 378 remaining....and I WILL eat them!! I eat my exercise calories - always have (the odd day I have some leftover), and since May 8th, I've lost 14 lbs! I agree.....PEOPLE....EAT!!!

jiggalude

I rarely eat more than 1100 calories or so in a day...however, I attribute that to my low calorie choices....I definitely eat A LOT of food, and have been consistently losing at my desired rate. I also almost always meet or exceed my other recommended nutritional values.

fiveohmike

I just find it amusing all the people that say everyones bodies are different, that they believe they are some special little snowflake so remotely different than anyone else.. In reality humans are 99.9999% genetically identical. You may have a slower or faster metabolism but the physiology is the same.

Barring a medical condition, everyone's body works the same.

ProjectTae

Everyone has a BMR or Basal Metabolic Rate. This is the number of calories your body needs to function and be inactive-think digestion, blood flow and organ functions. Once you add in activity of any kind,you have to consume more to offset that activity. Now, if you eat below your BMR ( which for most women is 1500 cals per day) your body goes into starvation mode. Your body begins to store fat as fuel and burn lean muscle mass, this muscle mass comes from your heart, liver, lungs and brain. When your body exhausts those stores, it will then move onto the fat stores.

Have you ever seen Survivor or The Biggest Loser? Oddly, they've all lost their fat at the end, not their brains, hearts, livers, lungs or structural muscle.

And oddly most have gained at least a lot of their weight back...
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40423712/ns/today-entertainment/t/biggest-loser-where-are-they-now/#.T_KI5F3ULWU

mcarter99

It looks like a lot fewer of those Biggest Losers regained than the 95% of people in the general population who regain it.

Whitezombiegirl

I rarely eat more than 1100 calories or so in a day...however, I attribute that to my low calorie choices....I definitely eat A LOT of food, and have been consistently losing at my desired rate. I also almost always meet or exceed my other recommended nutritional values.

Sanme here- some days its as low as 800 cals. I'm not hungry and not tired and have enough eneregy to do exercise. I don't eat any grains-I substitute them for veg, so this is the reason I think my calorie intake is low. I have no intention of increasing it or adding grains back into my diet though.

Weight_less

I agree with the first post. I lost 72 pounds eating a lot of food, eating whatever I want and when I want. And now I eat EVEN more! :flowerforyou: I don't starve, I feel amazing and I'm sure I will reach my goal. So people, please EAT! :drinker:

mcarter99

How come the heavier eaters are encouraging the lighter eaters to eat more but not vice versa? We're adults and we're fine with a choice so personal as our own calorie intake.

taso42

BUMP

shelleybelly35

I don't understand what the problem is with restricted calories. If you eat fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein, you can eat a ton of food for 1200-1400 calories. If you eat snack chips and junk food, you will barely eat at all. Research has also proven that restricted calories and exercise together reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease. In fact, there is something in restricting your calories that is actually beneficial. This was proven during the 1950s study on the island of Crete. I guess I am at a loss because I eat so much food on 1200-1400, and I don't feel like it is restrictive at all.

Kim55555

You lose some lean body mass but it's unavoidable with weight loss and you can build it back.

It is avoidable!! I lost my 32kg slowly over 2 & 1/4 years eating at a small deficit, lifting heavy & vigorous exercise. I didnt lose any muscle. I was able to maintain my muscle.

If however you eat at a large defecit then true yes you will lose both fat and muscle!