Can't eat over 800 calories a day.

1235

Replies

  • irialanthas
    irialanthas Posts: 1
    If the food you intake are in the proper proportions of protein/fat/carbs and have high nutritional value, with 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week, i DO believe it is possible to still sustain a healthy body on an 800-1000 calorie diet (for females). There are clinical studies which indicate caloric restriction does have multiple benefits. It's just that eating brings pleasure to most people, and that most people don't aim for a slow metabolism to lose weight.

    I ask people to keep an open mind as of course, what I'm posting is contrary to popular belief. However, please consider the following:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/397191-what-are-the-benefits-of-a-slow-metabolism/

    Of note: "However, as reported by Science Daily, a slow metabolism as a result of calorie restriction can possibly protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes and increase longevity. A calorie-restriction diet reduces your intake of calories 20 to 40 percent. It cuts empty calorie foods, such sugar and processed carbohydrates, rather than foods containing essential nutrients and vitamins. Calorie restriction diets make you lose weight at first. But, over time, your body adjusts your metabolism to fit the lower calorie intake.

    Mechanism of Action

    Many animal studies show that calorie restriction can extend the lifespan of animals. It has not yet been shown that calorie restriction has the same effects in humans. However, more doctors consider it a promising approach, and, in recent years, more grant money has been devoted to studying it. How might calorie restriction prolong life? No one really knows."

    Who knows, in 100 years, we might all be aiming for slow metabolisms, once more documentation is provided.

    Also, "http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/weight-loss-metabolic-rate-the-slower-the-better.html"

    The MD says, "However, having a fast metabolism does not mean that you are healthier – in fact, it may cause you to age more quickly. Many supplements claim to increase your metabolism and promote weight loss, but these are merely stimulants. Instead of trying to increase your metabolism with the goal of losing weight, I say, get your body to run on fewer calories and slow your metabolism for a longer, healthier life."

    There are actually multiple sources of scientific literature that suggest slower metabolisms gained from caloric restriction in the test group leads to a life that has less disease events than the non test group. Of course, so far these test groups are animal based studies, so I assume people will discredit as they will ("no human studies done, doesn't count" etc), but also consider that we've had proof since 2002 that "mice and men share about 97.5 per cent of their working DNA, just one per cent less than chimps and humans."

    Of course, I am not promoting starving, but for the original poster of this thread, if you feel that 800 calories is too "little" because everyone else is saying so, despite the fact that you may not feel hungry at all, then I am simply providing another perspective to reflect upon. There is no way for anyone really, to tell you what is more valid or not. Only you know the best, what the intricacies of your lifestyle demand, and how you should adjust and monitor your intake accordingly. Everyone's bodies are different; this is also why medications that work wonderfully for some people, work terribly for others, because we all metabolize things differently. Forgoing extremes (again, I'm not saying to live a life of 800 calories' worth of junk food, or, if you are running 5k marathons every other day, of course 800 calories/day is far too little...using an extreme example to illustrate) and assuming a lifestyle and diet within reason, who knows? Humans may be adopting caloric restriction in 100 years, if studies can prove it significantly decreases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular events.
  • gavini
    gavini Posts: 248 Member
    i am a 6'2 man so obviously i am going to need to eat more than someone your size but i cant imagine 800 calories being enough for you, i eat 800 calories before 9am most days
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    my mustache needs more than 800 cals/day

    Pmsl! I think mine does too :laugh:
  • Swizzle1986
    Swizzle1986 Posts: 31
    I think its a gland issue based on the fact that you said you had surgery and it messed them up.

    Keep steady at 1200, work out and tone 5 days a week, measure inches not the scale.

    You could also go see a personal trainer and have them assess you.
  • katweeks63
    katweeks63 Posts: 59
    It seems everyone is having a fit to see my diary, as if that will be the key to this issue. I have made it public, but other than the fact that I can not do real exercise because of my issues with my hips, I had 3 10lb babies which messed them up pretty bad (Dr said I couldn't have a 4lb baby naturally and I had all of them naturally), and my heart murmur (caused by scarlet fever when I was 4yr old), I do eat right, lots of veggies and lean meat, no red meats because I had my galbladder removed and it causes me issues. I try to never eat past 7pm. I don't eat all day, hate eating before noon, watch my sodium, etc. So, for those of you that think you can find an answer there...
  • gnarlynoodle
    gnarlynoodle Posts: 99 Member
    hate eating before noon

    That's your first problem.
  • gnarlynoodle
    gnarlynoodle Posts: 99 Member
    Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.
  • katweeks63
    katweeks63 Posts: 59
    Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.

    Any time I eat breakfast I gain weight. I know the norm, but I obviously am not normal. Going to do what works for me, but I am concerned that I NEVER loose weight when I eat over 800 calories a day. I do take lots of vitamins and minerals to make sure I have the nutrition that I am missing by not eating as much.
  • gnarlynoodle
    gnarlynoodle Posts: 99 Member
    Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.

    Any time I eat breakfast I gain weight. I know the norm, but I obviously am not normal. Going to do what works for me, but I am concerned that I NEVER loose weight when I eat over 800 calories a day. I do take lots of vitamins and minerals to make sure I have the nutrition that I am missing by not eating as much.

    At this point, it doesn't appear that you know your body as well as you believe.

    I think a good starting off point for you would be to eat something small each morning for 2 weeks and re-evaluate. Even if it's just 1 scrambled egg, 1 piece of whole grain toast, etc. You're still not going to believe a bunch of internet people that you probably honestly just need to retrain your body on how to eat, so instead just take that small challenge. Try to eat an extra 50 to 100 calories each morning. 1 large egg is about 70.

    If adding 50-100 calories to your day makes you start packing on the pounds then you should have been at the doctor yesterday.
  • now_or_never12
    now_or_never12 Posts: 849 Member
    Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.

    Any time I eat breakfast I gain weight. I know the norm, but I obviously am not normal. Going to do what works for me, but I am concerned that I NEVER loose weight when I eat over 800 calories a day. I do take lots of vitamins and minerals to make sure I have the nutrition that I am missing by not eating as much.

    Eating breakfast isn't what makes you gain weight... the calories are.

    If you aren't a breakfast eater, don't eat breakfast. Meal timing has nothing to do with weight loss. If you would rather eat later than do it.

    Stop checking the scale for a few weeks. Each week add 100 calories to your goal and make them good choices. You need to eat more. Add 100 cals each week for a month (don't weigh yourself!) and keep it at that for at least two weeks than weigh... I'm sure you will see a drop.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.

    You must be new here.
  • AbsoluteNG
    AbsoluteNG Posts: 1,079 Member
    It seems everyone is having a fit to see my diary, as if that will be the key to this issue. I have made it public, but other than the fact that I can not do real exercise because of my issues with my hips, I had 3 10lb babies which messed them up pretty bad (Dr said I couldn't have a 4lb baby naturally and I had all of them naturally), and my heart murmur (caused by scarlet fever when I was 4yr old), I do eat right, lots of veggies and lean meat, no red meats because I had my galbladder removed and it causes me issues. I try to never eat past 7pm. I don't eat all day, hate eating before noon, watch my sodium, etc. So, for those of you that think you can find an answer there...

    Bingo! I called it first. Both exercise and eating right go together. Because you feel that you can reinjure your hip you do the least amount of work possible in a day, and so it reflects in your calorie maintenance. This might sound strange to you but putting more muscles on your body will help straighten your hip. This is how athletes do it all the time.
  • katweeks63
    katweeks63 Posts: 59
    It seems everyone is having a fit to see my diary, as if that will be the key to this issue. I have made it public, but other than the fact that I can not do real exercise because of my issues with my hips, I had 3 10lb babies which messed them up pretty bad (Dr said I couldn't have a 4lb baby naturally and I had all of them naturally), and my heart murmur (caused by scarlet fever when I was 4yr old), I do eat right, lots of veggies and lean meat, no red meats because I had my galbladder removed and it causes me issues. I try to never eat past 7pm. I don't eat all day, hate eating before noon, watch my sodium, etc. So, for those of you that think you can find an answer there...

    Bingo! I called it first. Both exercise and eating right go together. Because you feel that you can reinjure your hip you do the least amount of work possible in a day, and so it reflects in your calorie maintenance. This might sound strange to you but putting more muscles on your body will help straighten your hip. This is how athletes do it all the time.

    If I have to make a choice between working out and being able to walk, I choose walking. My oldest son is 33 yrs old, so I am no stranger to what happens to me when I do more than normal daily activities. I have had times when I have sat on the floor and played with my grandchildren, only to have to be lifted off the floor and limped for 3 days. I know my limitations, and unfortunately, this one is not up for debate.
  • AbsoluteNG
    AbsoluteNG Posts: 1,079 Member
    It seems everyone is having a fit to see my diary, as if that will be the key to this issue. I have made it public, but other than the fact that I can not do real exercise because of my issues with my hips, I had 3 10lb babies which messed them up pretty bad (Dr said I couldn't have a 4lb baby naturally and I had all of them naturally), and my heart murmur (caused by scarlet fever when I was 4yr old), I do eat right, lots of veggies and lean meat, no red meats because I had my galbladder removed and it causes me issues. I try to never eat past 7pm. I don't eat all day, hate eating before noon, watch my sodium, etc. So, for those of you that think you can find an answer there...

    Bingo! I called it first. Both exercise and eating right go together. Because you feel that you can reinjure your hip you do the least amount of work possible in a day, and so it reflects in your calorie maintenance. This might sound strange to you but putting more muscles on your body will help straighten your hip. This is how athletes do it all the time.

    If I have to make a choice between working out and being able to walk, I choose walking. My oldest son is 33 yrs old, so I am no stranger to what happens to me when I do more than normal daily activities. I have had times when I have sat on the floor and played with my grandchildren, only to have to be lifted off the floor and limped for 3 days. I know my limitations, and unfortunately, this one is not up for debate.

    Ehhh yeah, because sitting around and doing nothing is the road to recovery right? Wrong. Building muscles around your hip area is what you need to be doing but it's your choice. I can't force you to get up and exercise. Only you can do that and I highly doubt you have it worst than the guys posted in the videos below trying to learn to walk again after being in a car accident.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTpdgTvOboI
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTMuImBISLY
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL5Vm0mWis0
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skJToEFojDM
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3RM7V3WxPE
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJqSRpRv34
  • katweeks63
    katweeks63 Posts: 59
    It seems everyone is having a fit to see my diary, as if that will be the key to this issue. I have made it public, but other than the fact that I can not do real exercise because of my issues with my hips, I had 3 10lb babies which messed them up pretty bad (Dr said I couldn't have a 4lb baby naturally and I had all of them naturally), and my heart murmur (caused by scarlet fever when I was 4yr old), I do eat right, lots of veggies and lean meat, no red meats because I had my galbladder removed and it causes me issues. I try to never eat past 7pm. I don't eat all day, hate eating before noon, watch my sodium, etc. So, for those of you that think you can find an answer there...

    Bingo! I called it first. Both exercise and eating right go together. Because you feel that you can reinjure your hip you do the least amount of work possible in a day, and so it reflects in your calorie maintenance. This might sound strange to you but putting more muscles on your body will help straighten your hip. This is how athletes do it all the time.

    If I have to make a choice between working out and being able to walk, I choose walking. My oldest son is 33 yrs old, so I am no stranger to what happens to me when I do more than normal daily activities. I have had times when I have sat on the floor and played with my grandchildren, only to have to be lifted off the floor and limped for 3 days. I know my limitations, and unfortunately, this one is not up for debate.

    Ehhh yeah, because sitting around and doing nothing is the road to recovery right? Wrong. Building muscles around your hip area is what you need to be doing but it's your choice. I can't force you to get up and exercise. Only you can do that and I highly doubt you have it worst than the guys posted in the videos below trying to learn to walk again after being in a car accident.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTpdgTvOboI
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTMuImBISLY
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL5Vm0mWis0
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skJToEFojDM
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3RM7V3WxPE
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJqSRpRv34

    I listened to my sons tell me the same things you have just said years. When I let it get to me and did what they insisted I had to do I became immobile. It's not just that my hips were damaged, it caused the bones to deteriorate and to get arthritis in the joints. All the muscle in the world is not going to fix this. I don't expect you to understand, just as they did not for years.

    I will continue to walk, which in it's self is exercise, and a blessing. Thank you for trying to help me.
  • katweeks63
    katweeks63 Posts: 59
    I have closed my diary to prevent further criticism. Thanks to all that truely tried to help. I have some ideas now.
  • abctrejo3
    abctrejo3 Posts: 1 Member
    My mom lost about 20 pounds and after she hit 15 pounds, it was harder for her to lose weight. Your body gets used to eating so much and it's no longer a new thing. It's just a normal routine. It's like walking every day. If you walk every day, you're going to get used to the exercise and the 'challenge' you first experienced. I hope this helps! Good luck!
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    OP, wtf? Are you for real? I've been following this thread the last day or so because I'm so curious. You had your diary open, what, 5 minutes? I was the last comment before you opened it, and it was not open when I commented. It is now closed again. Barely anyone got a chance to see it.

    Like the person pointing out your inactivity... what the hell, have you ever even GONE to physical therapy? Call up an appointment NOW. Do some lifting. Do some cardio (even low impact, in a pool, anything). Lifting STRENGTHENS bones as well as muscle. You don't sound like you know much about science in health or general... I'm still waiting to hear what "glands" got surgery (as someone who had a complete thyroidectomy, adrenal insufficiency, ovarian cysts, etc... I know a thing or do about glands).

    You're not losing weight because your body is SEDENTARY.

    P.S. Criticism is not "bad" by definition. Even if everyone said, "Your diary looks great!" that is still technically criticism. Frankly, I think you're someone that wants easy answers and frankly doesn't want to take care of themself. What's easy isn't always what's best.
  • Sublog
    Sublog Posts: 1,296 Member
    Why is it that if I eat more than 800 calories a day I either maintain or gain weight. I basically do the same amount of activities every day, and I drink fluids, but if I eat anywhere near 1200 calories a day I gain weight, if I eat between 800 and 1000 I maintain. Any ideas?

    Please understand the difference between water weight and fat weight. You're not gonna gain fat eating 1200 calories a day unless your metabolism is completely and utterly jacked up and you sit around all day doing nothing. Which I am 99.99% sure is not the case. Also, please make sure you're counting properly. People, in general, suck at accurately counting calories.

    IF the scale goes up the following day after eating 1200 calories you've just gained some water weight.
  • grubb1019
    grubb1019 Posts: 371 Member
    I don't know why you even asked for help, you have a nasty rebuttal for all suggestions. Eating 800 calories a day for a long period is killing your body. Go have your kidney function tested. My mil ate 1000 calories or less a day for a couple years and her kidneys began to fail. If your situation with your hips is as serious as you state then you need a good doctor that cares about you and will get you help. As someone else said, sitting around is not helping your hips. My father has deterioration and arthritis in his back, hips, and knees. What did they do for it? Physical therapy, which is, essentially exercise. I really don't know what you want us to say to you. How about try 500 calories a day, continue to sit around and let your muscles deteriorate and see how that works for you.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Why is it that if I eat more than 800 calories a day I either maintain or gain weight. I basically do the same amount of activities every day, and I drink fluids, but if I eat anywhere near 1200 calories a day I gain weight, if I eat between 800 and 1000 I maintain. Any ideas?

    Your body is like a sports car you can be fast and furious but not without fuel. Eating to few calories s just as damaging to your weightloss journey as eating to many.
  • delaney056
    delaney056 Posts: 475
    Are you short?
    I have a similar thing, If I ate the recommended daily allowance for a woman I'd be the size of an elephant! I'm only 5ft and have come to the conclusion that since I am the size of a child that I can only ever eat child portions and have to eat a lot less than 'normal' height people.

    Height doesn't really have that much to do with it. I'm 4'10 and eat almost 1,300 calories/day to lose half a pound a week. I would eat 1,500 calories/day for maintenance.
  • Brodieno
    Brodieno Posts: 11
    After losing close to 230 lbs since Feb of 2011 and tracking weight almost daily I can tell you that it is totally possible to not lose or gain when on a Very Low Calorie Diet. In fact when coming off a VLCD you will find that if you increase your calorie intake by a modest amount even if it is still under your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) you may well find that you will actually gain weight. Your body will adjust but sometimes it my take as long as a month before it's ready to let you lose some weight.

    Hang in there, but make sure you are getting enough nourishment. VLCD do work over the short term but over the long term besides the obvious health issues there is a downside and I think you are experiencing it. Might be a case of where if you want to lose more your just going to buckle in and eat more.
  • katweeks63
    katweeks63 Posts: 59
    OP, wtf? Are you for real? I've been following this thread the last day or so because I'm so curious. You had your diary open, what, 5 minutes? I was the last comment before you opened it, and it was not open when I commented. It is now closed again. Barely anyone got a chance to see it.

    Like the person pointing out your inactivity... what the hell, have you ever even GONE to physical therapy? Call up an appointment NOW. Do some lifting. Do some cardio (even low impact, in a pool, anything). Lifting STRENGTHENS bones as well as muscle. You don't sound like you know much about science in health or general... I'm still waiting to hear what "glands" got surgery (as someone who had a complete thyroidectomy, adrenal insufficiency, ovarian cysts, etc... I know a thing or do about glands).

    You're not losing weight because your body is SEDENTARY.

    P.S. Criticism is not "bad" by definition. Even if everyone said, "Your diary looks great!" that is still technically criticism. Frankly, I think you're someone that wants easy answers and frankly doesn't want to take care of themself. What's easy isn't always what's best.

    Sorry to disappoint you, a bit frustrated when people try to push me into something that I know i can not do, so, as I said before, I will continue walking.
    As for the glands, I had 2 unidentified growths in my neck that almost choked me to death in a month's time, they thought I had cancer, but could not determine the cause, so they explored while they were in there. Then I had 3 more unidentified growths in my back 2 yrs later, again they thought it was cancer and explored, this time the entire area from my waist to my shoulders, which made my back numb and tingle for years. I was super skinny before those 2 surgeries without any concern for what I ate, and I had already had 3 children. The sudden weight gain happened immediately after that, and the only time I have lost weight has been when I eat lots of fruits and veggies and reduce my calorie intake to under 800 a day. I maintain at 1000 a day, and I gain at 1200.
    I don't want a quick fix, what I am doing is working, just wondering why. Possibly some of what I have seen here will work, guess I'll find out when I get to the point that I feel I have to change things, but I can promise you that it will not be exercises that cause me so much pain that I can't walk or sit or lay down. I am grateful that I can walk and prefer to continue to do so.
  • SunnyAndrsn
    SunnyAndrsn Posts: 369 Member
    I don't know why you even asked for help, you have a nasty rebuttal for all suggestions. Eating 800 calories a day for a long period is killing your body. Go have your kidney function tested. My mil ate 1000 calories or less a day for a couple years and her kidneys began to fail. If your situation with your hips is as serious as you state then you need a good doctor that cares about you and will get you help. As someone else said, sitting around is not helping your hips. My father has deterioration and arthritis in his back, hips, and knees. What did they do for it? Physical therapy, which is, essentially exercise. I really don't know what you want us to say to you. How about try 500 calories a day, continue to sit around and let your muscles deteriorate and see how that works for you.

    Agreed. If your hips are that bad (OP) look into a hip replacement. Honestly, posters like you are frustrating. You ask for help, and then you don't want it. Everyone is wrong and you have all the answers. Well, since you already have them, hats off to you, and good luck.

    I'm 5' tall, and have no intention of ever surviving on that few calories. I'd be homicidal if that's the case. I eat between 1640-2000.

    Sit in a chair and do upper body exercises. In the nursing home, we had a workout program for the residents with light weights. If they can do it, so can you.
  • katweeks63
    katweeks63 Posts: 59
    After losing close to 230 lbs since Feb of 2011 and tracking weight almost daily I can tell you that it is totally possible to not lose or gain when on a Very Low Calorie Diet. In fact when coming off a VLCD you will find that if you increase your calorie intake by a modest amount even if it is still under your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) you may well find that you will actually gain weight. Your body will adjust but sometimes it my take as long as a month before it's ready to let you lose some weight.

    Hang in there, but make sure you are getting enough nourishment. VLCD do work over the short term but over the long term besides the obvious health issues there is a downside and I think you are experiencing it. Might be a case of where if you want to lose more your just going to buckle in and eat more.

    Thank you! I truely appreciate responses like yours. I do take my daily regiment of vitamins and minerals, which seem to sustain my energy and I am in good health despite the achy breakys (LOL) and the heart murmur. I have an adopted daughter who is a cardiac nurse, so she makes sure I take care of my heart.
    Again, Thank you.
  • ljsedam
    ljsedam Posts: 2
    Without more information my guess would ge that your body is in survival mode. What this means is that your body is going to shore any extra calories you consume in antisipation for calorie deprivation. I have had this problem myself. When I started eating more calories the pounds started to melt off of me. I would suggest that you start eating more calories for at least a month and leave the scale alone for that time. Good Luck
  • Sublog
    Sublog Posts: 1,296 Member
    Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.

    Uhh, NO, don't listen to this ^

    Eating breakfast does NOTHING to speed up your metabolism.
  • Zerashen
    Zerashen Posts: 59 Member
    Some people just need less. The 1200 estimate a day is just that - an estimate. If 800 works for you, then continue that, just make sure to take a vitamin. It'd be good to probably talk to a doctor or nutritionist just to be on the safe side.
  • jmp1031
    jmp1031 Posts: 95 Member
    Do you do any weightlifting? Women lose muscle mass as they age and muscle burns more calories daily just to maintain itself than fat. That would help boost your BMR so you could eat more and not gain. I'd be miserable eating only 800 calories a day and i imagine you are too. Good luck!

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