A couple of questions reguarding my weight loss.

Hello everyone I am new to this site. I am a 19 year old 6 ft 297 pound guy who has lost 33 pounds in two and a half months. I currently was 330 pounds and really inactive. I jog on the treadmill for 20 minutes for four days a week. I consume nothing but oatmeal, chicken breast, broccoli, and salad with no dressing. I consume 900 calories a day and i have been successful however I am concerned what that will do to me in the long run. Today I am thinking about eating 1200 calories a day from now on. I am a little worried that i might gain my weight back by eating more. However if i do by any chance gain it all back i have the determination to workout and eat right again. I really need help because i worry that i might gain weight by this small calorie modification. Am i OK or am I over my head? Well I hope to hear from some of you soon! Thanks!

Replies

  • kk_stephens
    kk_stephens Posts: 129 Member
    You must eat a minimum of 1200 net calories. Deprivation never works. You are eating healthy foods but not enough of them. You also need to eat some good fat. If you dont like dressing on the salad that is fine but there re also good fats such as nuts and avacados that your body needs.

    Congrats on your weightloss thus far...that is a tremendous amount.....but it will slow and stop if you dont adjust your eating.

    Keep up the good work.:happy:
  • hollyg123
    hollyg123 Posts: 79 Member
    Yeah, I'm thinking you probably need to eat about 1800-2000 cals just to make sure that your body has enough to keep your heart beating and your lungs working.
  • IF you are only eating 900 calories and working out, you really aren't eating enough for your body to thrive on. I started at 317 about 3 weeks ago, I am eating 1200 calories a day and working out, and I'm still losing. I think it would be a good idea to increase it, you should still lose the weight. Good luck, and great work!
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    Do your body a big favor and raise that calorie limit. Click on Groups above and look for "Eat More to Weigh Less" and "Fuel the Machine". This has to be a lifestyle change in order to be a lifelong success. Do you really want to keep starving yourself?
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    You may gain a little bit initially, but once you readjust to higher calories you will start to lose again. 1200 is even WAY TOO LOW for a 6' tall man. What is the calorie goal given to you by MFP?
  • JessyJ03
    JessyJ03 Posts: 627 Member
    1200 minimum is for women. With someone your height you need AT LEAST 1500 NET. Which means 1500 + eating back your exercise calories. Eat more! Your body will thank you.
  • strongnotskinny121
    strongnotskinny121 Posts: 329 Member
    You won't gain back eating at 1200. And maybe eat some other fruits, veggies, and lean meats.
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
    1800 for a standard lowfat high carb diet or 2200 for a low carb style diet. Have faith, it will work.
  • rides4sanity
    rides4sanity Posts: 1,269 Member
    With that much weight to lose I'd consult a nutritionist or your family doctor to help you set a more realistic calorie range for weight loss. At your height & weight & current activity level you are not eating at a sustainable rate (to little to fuel your body in the long run), you could more than double your intake and still be losing weight, not 15 pounds a month, but still losing and not feeling so deprived. I'm not going to give you a number of calories to eat, but I suggest starting with the MFP calculator tool. Just enter your numbers and see what it says, you'll be surprised by how much you can eat and still lose. Good Luck, and remember if it isn't something you want to do for the rest of your life (your young thats a long time) you might need to find a better plan. :smile:
  • rodneyderrick
    rodneyderrick Posts: 483 Member
    Hello everyone I am new to this site. I am a 19 year old 6 ft 297 pound guy who has lost 33 pounds in two and a half months. I currently was 330 pounds and really inactive. I jog on the treadmill for 20 minutes for four days a week. I consume nothing but oatmeal, chicken breast, broccoli, and salad with no dressing. I consume 900 calories a day and i have been successful however I am concerned what that will do to me in the long run. Today I am thinking about eating 1200 calories a day from now on. I am a little worried that i might gain my weight back by eating more. However if i do by any chance gain it all back i have the determination to workout and eat right again. I really need help because i worry that i might gain weight by this small calorie modification. Am i OK or am I over my head? Well I hope to hear from some of you soon! Thanks!

    Lol. You won't gain any weight back by only eating 1,200 calories. How many friends do you have on your friend's list? I have an idea: find 40 to 70 good, motivated people, friend them, and log every single day. They'll give you support, and help you through the down times, and you can and should give them support back. In a year, you'll walk in front of a mirror, and freak, because you won't recognize the guy looking back at you. Remember, friends keep you from driving off cliffs.

    See all those people giving you advice about your calories? It's because they want you in the game for life, instead of a few months. If you're eating only 1,200 calories, you're heading for that cliff at full speed.
  • Billywoo
    Billywoo Posts: 141 Member
    Yes. You have to eat atleast 1200 calories a day. For most people, anything below that is starvation mode, meaning that you will watch your metabolism start slowing down to store those calories, etc (You don't "GO" to the bathroom, your body isn't working like a machine, like its supposed to), Some people say that starvation mode is a myth. Whatever you want to call it, just don't eat below 1200 caolories. A guy your size can eat a lot more than that (probibly around 2000 calories). At 265 I was eating between 1300 and 1600 and dropping weight fast. Remember that with this site, you can eat your way thin. Not to deprive your body of its fuel. You still need energy, a good metabolism, and peice of mind in order to keep on the journey. Good luck to you.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    You are a man. You really should be eating MORE than 1200 calories, IN ADDITION to whatever you burn off.

    Keeping the things the way you are now, yes, you will lose weight. However, once you go back to eating in the normal calorie range you will pack on weight again because your metabolism will have slowed down.

    I suggest going to fat2fitradio.com and finding out how many calories you need to eat to be the "thinner you" and use that as your goal. So many people are surprised at how much they can actually eat and still lose at a healthy rate.
  • I thank you guys for answering my post! I was alittle worried but i guess i need to eat a bit more. I guess i might increase my calorie intake and double up on my exercise because i feel a little more energetic even after 20 minutes on the treadmill. Thank you!
  • RAWBMEOW
    RAWBMEOW Posts: 64
    yikes, you need to be eating way more and you will probably lose way more.
  • AlliH621
    AlliH621 Posts: 102 Member
    I agree with everyone else, that you need at least 1200-1500, after the calories you burn exercising. I would also recommend taking your cardio up to 30 minutes or more. I have heard that you don't really start burning calories until your heartrate is up, and that sometimes takes 5 -10 minutes, so I think just 20 minutes of cardio is not quite enough. Also, try mixing it up on the treadmill and hold 5 or 8 pound weights walking with them for a few minutes, then do shoulder presses with them for a minute, then set the weights down. Increase incline gradually up to 10, then back down, then 12, then back down....up to 15 for a few minutes, then take it back down. I've been doing stuff like this and I really am pleased with the results.
  • Freyja2023
    Freyja2023 Posts: 158 Member
    I agree 1200-1500 cal a day won't make you gain weight. You should have a good strength plan worked in with your cardio. Muscles burn more fat and cardio is great for shedding the weight off but with out the muscles you won't tone and build the way you want. I would ask a doctor or nutrionist what you should be eating and how many calories a day you need to comsume. You are a man and you will probably require more calories then a woman.
  • steph1278
    steph1278 Posts: 483 Member
    I'm female and eat around 2000 calories per day and still lose weight. I agree with everyone else. Up those calories to at least 1500 net and give your body a chance to get used it. Why starve yourself to lose weight when you can still lose weight eating more? Good luck!
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Hello everyone I am new to this site. I am a 19 year old 6 ft 297 pound guy who has lost 33 pounds in two and a half months. I currently was 330 pounds and really inactive. I jog on the treadmill for 20 minutes for four days a week. I consume nothing but oatmeal, chicken breast, broccoli, and salad with no dressing. I consume 900 calories a day and i have been successful however I am concerned what that will do to me in the long run. Today I am thinking about eating 1200 calories a day from now on. I am a little worried that i might gain my weight back by eating more. However if i do by any chance gain it all back i have the determination to workout and eat right again. I really need help because i worry that i might gain weight by this small calorie modification. Am i OK or am I over my head? Well I hope to hear from some of you soon! Thanks!

    Heres my calculations.

    BMR 2403
    TDEE 3304

    You can consume 3304 calories and under to lose weight.

    REcommended amount is 2500 daily.

    Dont consume anything below 2400.

    Protein and fat should eb about 30$ each with healthy carbs making up the rest.

    Cardio is fine but if you like muscle and want to take advantage of your age, lift heavy **** 3x a week in a 5x5 program.

    www.stronglifts.com.

    Right now you are doing it wrong.
    Youll end up losing a ton of lean mass while dieting down.
    Unless thats what you want...it isnt recommended.
  • Well based on all of these answers I've decided to up it to 1300-1500 calories. I might gain weight or lose weight. Regardless of the circumstances I'll do what i can to lose these pounds. Time to get off this couch and into the sun for a nice run! No more starving myself...