Has anybody lost weight by increase her/his calories

FitinHonau

I was recently told to increase my calories to 1500-1600 cal/day according to my TDEE. I used to eat for many years around 1200 cal, most the times less, and some Sundays, over....

I was definitely in the starvation mode for quite a long time which explains my slow metabolism. I only have 8 kilos to lose. Since a week I started eating 1430 cal a day, and I saw a slight change on the scale (half a kg less), I guess it is it early to be excited about.
Should I go up to 1500 to see a fast result? Or… how long should I weight to see a result?

I am interested to hear your stories

jmzz1

bump.to hear response

dirtybadgermtb

What I have found is that calories only tell part of the story. MFP defaulted to 65% of my calories from carbs and that amounts to over 300 grams/day. No one burns fat that is on a diet that 65% of the caloric load is carbs. It will cause your body to produce insulin which will cause you to store fat. I recommend to keep your overall calories at about the amount recommended for your age and activity level as recommended by MFP but change the balance of fat, carbs and protein to where all are about even (30-35% ea).

FitinHonau

What I have found is that calories only tell part of the story. MFP defaulted to 65% of my calories from carbs and that amounts to over 300 grams/day. No one burns fat that is on a diet that 65% of the caloric load is carbs. It will cause your body to produce insulin which will cause you to store fat. I recommend to keep your overall calories at about the amount recommended for your age and activity level as recommended by MFP but change the balance of fat, carbs and protein to where all are about even (30-35% ea).

Oh, thanks mate! I haven't Ihought about the balance of fat, carbs and protein. I don't eat enough fat and protein. I have to check tomorrow my settings and how I was doing the couple of weeks.

Everyday I learn something knew!

FitinHonau

bump.to hear response

I saw a list of protein given to you by one MFP, I copied it for reference!

Koldnomore

I was recently told to increase my calories to 1500-1600 cal/day according to my TDEE. I used to eat for many years around 1200 cal, most the times less, and some Sundays, over....

I was definitely in the starvation mode for quite a long time which explains my slow metabolism. I only have 8 kilos to lose. Since a week I started eating 1430 cal a day, and I saw a slight change on the scale (half a kg less), I guess it is it early to be excited about.
Should I go up to 1500 to see a fast result? Or… how long should I weight to see a result?

I am interested to hear your stories

For less than 20 lbs to goal you should be aiming for a 10% reduction in TDEE and about .5 lbs/week (.2 kg). You will not see a 'fast' result regardless of what you do but you will see a 'fastER' result then if you continue to under eat.

DanaDark

When I upped my protein intake, I upped my overall calories and started losing weight. My natural diet is very low protein and low fat. So, it takes a concerned effort on my part to adjust to a more balanced diet.

The most weight I EVER lost while trying to diet was 1.5 pounds total. Re-Balancing my diet t allow for proper protein resulted in my initial 11 pounds loss. I have since stalled and nothing seems to be moving it.

AmyP619

YES. I started my weight loss in May. For the first 5-6 months, I was eating between 1100-1200 calories most days. I lost the first 30 lbs in the first 3 months, then things started slowing down. It took me another 3ish months to lose another 8 lbs. I was getting irritated and frustrated. I was afraid of upping my calories because I didn't want to gain after going so long on only 1200 calories. A couple of weeks ago I started upping my intake to 1500ish. Even in the short amount of time of upping my calories, I've started losing weight again. I've lost about 4 lbs in the past 2 weeks.... this might not seem like a lot, but remember it took me 3 months just to lose 8 stinkin' lbs!!! My weight loss started very fast and then slowed up. It seems to be picking right back up now that I'm eating more. I also switched my workout routine, so I'm getting more cardio. I was doing P90X, and now I'm doing turbofire, which is what I really needed. It's a lot of fun!! I didn't believe people when they said 1200 cals is too low because it TRULY does work for some people. My friend has lost 115 lbs since January eating 1200 cals a day. It wasn't working for me, though, so I had to take a gamble!! Plus..it's definitely enjoyable getting to eat MORE and still lose!;)

Camille0502

Yes, I had to increase my calories in order to get off of a plateau. In August, my weight would not budge. In looking over my calories intake, I noticed that I had continued to shave calories off until I was going pretty low. I was also not counting strength training calories. So I bought a heart rate monitor so I can get an idea of how many calories I burn during every exercise session and make it a point to eat my exercise calories and never dip below 1200 net calories for the day. This definitely kick started my weight loss. The difference was dramatic for me. Now, I tend to go slightly *over* my calorie goal each day instead of trying to come in under my goal.

stines72

i have. i was eating 800-1000 a day being way too strict and exercising too much. i didnt feel good so decided i needed to up my calories after reading around on mfp.. im still increasing them but now i eat around 1300-1400. i did it slowly. started eating 1,100 for about 2 weeks and then went to 1200 for another 2 weeks and now im at 1300-1400. i was stuck at 110-111 when my calories were really restricted and once i increased them i started losing again. am now 105.3! .3 from goal weight

FitinHonau

For less than 20 lbs to goal you should be aiming for a 10% reduction in TDEE and about .5 lbs/week (.2 kg). You will not see a 'fast' result regardless of what you do but you will see a 'fastER' result then if you continue to under eat.

So sorry, I didn't get the meaning of your second sentence. According to a 10% reducion in my TDEE, I should eat over 1550. Will I see a result if I eat less than that? 1430 is Ok or shall I go up a little bit keeping in mind the balance of fat, carbs and protein?

FitinHonau

When I upped my protein intake, I upped my overall calories and started losing weight. My natural diet is very low protein and low fat. So, it takes a concerned effort on my part to adjust to a more balanced diet.

The most weight I EVER lost while trying to diet was 1.5 pounds total. Re-Balancing my diet t allow for proper protein resulted in my initial 11 pounds loss. I have since stalled and nothing seems to be moving it.

I should increase my protein consumption. I have to get some ideas from the vegetarians to get protein. I eat meat but not that often.

FitinHonau

YES. I started my weight loss in May. For the first 5-6 months, I was eating between 1100-1200 calories most days. I lost the first 30 lbs in the first 3 months, then things started slowing down. It took me another 3ish months to lose another 8 lbs. I was getting irritated and frustrated. I was afraid of upping my calories because I didn't want to gain after going so long on only 1200 calories. A couple of weeks ago I started upping my intake to 1500ish. Even in the short amount of time of upping my calories, I've started losing weight again. I've lost about 4 lbs in the past 2 weeks.... this might not seem like a lot, but remember it took me 3 months just to lose 8 stinkin' lbs!!! My weight loss started very fast and then slowed up. It seems to be picking right back up now that I'm eating more. I also switched my workout routine, so I'm getting more cardio. I was doing P90X, and now I'm doing turbofire, which is what I really needed. It's a lot of fun!! I didn't believe people when they said 1200 cals is too low because it TRULY does work for some people. My friend has lost 115 lbs since January eating 1200 cals a day. It wasn't working for me, though, so I had to take a gamble!! Plus..it's definitely enjoyable getting to eat MORE and still lose!;)

Thanks for sharing your story. You have lost a lot in a short time. I have started enjoying my food.. no more obsession! I have a slow metabolism from eating little, I am 40 and I guess age matters as well.

mogletdeluxe

I upped my calories a few months back when I started regularly lifting heavier weights - or rather, I ate back a lot more of my exercise calories.

I'm set at 1750 calories a day, and burn anywhere from 650 - 1200 calories most days through exercise. It's almost as if my body now expects those calories, as I am very hungry - whereas before it was so used to the deficit it just didn't even bother asking. Now my body SCREAMS for food - who am I to ignore it?

Aaaand, whilst there was an initial gain, most (but not all) of that has dropped off. Now I suspect I have a new, slightly heavier maintenance weight - and one that seems to suit me well, as my clothes are certainly looser and I have changed shape some.

Hogscliffe

Really worked for me, I was fine with 1200 but half to a pound loss a week, upped it to loose less by mfp standards and have actually lost 1-3 per week! Amazing

FitinHonau

Thanks all for those success stories. :flowerforyou:
I should not worry much then if I am doing the right thing!