Need some advice

desmith1982

I had an exchange on Facebook with a fellow member here, jmapes9, who is also my cousin, about how many calories I should eat during the day. He insists that I should eat all of my allotted calories plus at least half of what I work off when I work out. He asked me to post this exchange on the board here and ask for you folks' thoughts as well. This exchange will also tell where I'm at weight wise, where I started, my calories and a few other pieces of information. Here is the exchange:

Me: it seems I've hit the wall. Lost 18 lbs exactly and just can't lose any more. Been this way about 3 days now. My progress is 18 lbs and I started my diet on May 27th. Exercised about 15 minutes more than normal and my net calorie count was a little over 900. I'm typically eating 1200-1500 calories a day and I'm allowed 2790. But as I said, I've hit a wall and even with more exercise, I still am not dropping weight.

jmapes9: I was only eating between 1400-1600 calories a day my first two weeks. By the second week, I had only lost two pounds. Your body has gone into starvation mode, as a man your size needs WAY more than 1200-1500 calories a day to function. EAT YOUR RECOMMENDED CALORIES DAILY! Eat back at least half of your exercise calories. TRUST ME! Are you drinking enough water? Drink at least a gallon a day. I'm not as heavy as you, and I'm drinking that much. IF YOU DO NOT FUEL YOUR BODY WITH THE RECOMMENDED CALORIES, IT WILL NOT FUNCTION AS WELL! Does and engine work as well, with less oil? No. Neither does your body.

Me: I've read in multiple places including Web MD that if you want to lose a pound a week you have to stay 500 calories under and for 2 a week it has to be 1000 and this has to be done everyday. My metabolism is also extremely bad. I've had 3 doctors over the years tell me something was wrong but they didn't know what was. I've pretty much cut beef out except maybe 1 meal every 8 to 10 days. Lot of chicken, pork and turkey. I also have cut all soda, even diet and low calorie soda.

jmapes9: Have you been in the community section of My Fitness Pal? You can't access it from a phone, but you can from a regular computer. PLEASE tell them exactly what you told me an hour ago, and see what they have to say about it. That way, it won't be just me telling you what I said about eating the recommended calories. The body needs fuel for everything, INCLUDING burning fat.

Me: I'll do it when I get home tonight. One big advantage you and most people have is the ability to exercise at a beneficial level. Remember what you told me about "work until you're uncomfortable but stop when you're in pain." I try to walk everyday for at least a total of an hour and everyday, I go to walk and in 3 minutes time my back begins tightening up and hurting. 10 minutes into my walk I'm usually seeing blurry if not seeing double because I'm in so much pain. What should I do then?

ladyraven68

Can I just clarify?


you have lost 18lb in 4 weeks, and you are worried about staying the same for 3 days?

jmapes9

Bump... really would like some more feedback for my cousin, everybody.

MeMyCatsandI

First, do I understand correctly that you haven't lost weight in 3 days???? No offense, but BIG WHOOP! 3 days is not a plateau by any means, so stop worrying about it.

Second, you are NOT in starvation mode (if such a thing even exists!) if you've only been restricting calories since May.

Third, I agree with your cousin. You need to eat more.

It seems to me you're over thinking this and expecting results WAY too quickly. Eat well, exercise if you want to, sleep, relax, and it will happen.
*Edit for typo

jeanninecurran

I agree with you-18 lbs is excellent. Your body is just leveling out. Also, water weight can fluctuate and 3 days is not enough time to get a good reading. I'm trying to only weigh myself 1x week. Once I weighed myself 2 days in a row and the 2nd day I gained 2 lbs. When I weighed myself the next time I was back down. Don't get obsessed!

NamibianRose

Can I just clarify?


you have lost 18lb in 4 weeks, and you are worried about staying the same for 3 days?

First, do I understand correctly that you haven't lost weight in 3 days???? No offense, but BIG WHOOP! 3 days is not a plateau by any means, so stop worrying about it.

Ditto. I have experimented with weighing everyday, sometimes the scale would be the same for days, then suddenly drop. Water retention makes the scale out worst enemy.

I also agree with your cousin, I recommend eating more. I think it's difficult for most people to sustain netting 900 calories. I've seen time and time again people go all 'gung ho', cut their calories too drastically, then eventually burn out and quit altogether. You could be the exception, true, but odds don't look good, based on my years being part of a weight loss community. Also, personally experience as well. I will never only eat 1200 calories ever again! Lol.

I won't even get into the health aspect of it.