Calorie problem!!!!

gembirch

I'm sooooo stuck hope someone can help!! For about a year now I've been having 1200 cals a day but the past two months it has done nothing I used to feel the weight drop off me and I'm now worrying my body has gotten used to my calorie intake!!!
What do i do? Should I reduce it to 900? Won't that make me ill? I still have so much more to loose I need your help!

ElyseL1

DO NOT REDUCE!!!!!!!! that will cause you to have an eating disorder. you need to start working out. it will make the biggest difference. your body is a machine use that to your advantage.

mc322011

no! don't reduce to 900! it is dangerous!! try exercising more to get a higher deficit or try to mix up your training to get your body to overcome the adaptation!!

30Purple

Don't go below 1200 -- maybe start increasing your exercise, or doing different exercises, and maybe even increase your calories a bit so that you start losing again.

EvanKeel

I don't know what your activity is like, but have you considered raising it to around 1400?

What you're experiencing is a completely normal response by the body to weight loss. You might try just eating at maintenance for a month.

brown41stacy

Don't reduce your cals-do you exercise? You could up the burn or change up the routine a bit.
Your body does get used to your cal intake. Maybe eat more one day a week.
Good luck .

taso42

long term undereating

gembirch

I do a bit of running and swimming and fitness DVD from time to time but its so hard to fit it all in when I'm studying at university and do 25 hours a week as a cleaner it tires me out haha! I'm not making excuses by the way, it's just so hard to find motivation, time and commitment

gembirch

If I raise it won't I put on weight?

Melo1966

Been there done that. You have killed your metabolism by being too low too long. To repair yourself you need to up your calories. Some people start to lose again right away and others stay stuck and need to go up further. Sometimes you have to change your settings to maintain and eat that for a month and then you can go lower again. Usually the longer you have been low cal the longer it takes to break a plateau. Good luck and you can add me for encouragement.:flowerforyou:

EvanKeel

I do a bit of running and swimming and fitness DVD from time to time but its so hard to fit it all in when I'm studying at university and do 25 hours a week as a cleaner it tires me out haha! I'm not making excuses by the way, it's just so hard to find motivation, time and commitment

Not a professional or anything, but I don't think you're eating a enough. Just my 2 cents.

ElyseL1

get up earlier and do it in the morning..does it suck...yep, but you really shouldnt think abt lowering your cals.

EvanKeel

I would also like to point out that adding exercise while keeping your calories the same is effectively lowering your calories...which everyone here is basically suggesting you not do.

taso42

If I raise it won't I put on weight?

you might in the short term as your body re-adjusts to eating normally again.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

gembirch

Thanks for everyone's answers it's so annoying stating the same weight for a long time when I'm only eating 1200! But I now understand I have to eat more then loose it again such a vicious cycle but ill hopefully get there one day!
Thanks again for the answers I'm not very bright when it comes to weight loss situations

SerahLaffere

I've known people eating at 1200 cal a day to once a month eat 2000 cal. Might work! But everyone is different best to fiddle around and see what works best!

RobynMWilson

How much more do you need to lose? Do you exercise and you're eating 1200 cals on workout days?

1200 is awfully low to begin with. Why don't you try slowly increasing and see how it goes from there? you may be surprised that as you're eating a little more you may actually have more energy and start losing again.

Also, do you eat several small meals throughout the day?

And ADD WEIGHTS to your workouts. Heavy weights! Muscle burns fat! I'm proof!!

PikaKnight

Maybe you need to raise your calorie goal?

If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan -
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.

Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.


For those eating below their BMR, not going to preach at you, but here's something you might want to look at:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science

For the whole eating under a 1000 calories, look...you are going to do what you want but check out the link below at some of the stories of people who thought it was okay (especially because they weren't "feeling" hungry a lot of times) but ended up regretting it. These links are just information to give you options. I'm not preaching or trying to tell you or anyone what is the "right way"...just throwing some info your way is all.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521480-1000-calories-or-less-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/3-reasons-why-eating-less-than-1000-calories-is-a-waste-of-time-3347.html


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

Melo1966

If I raise it won't I put on weight?

Sometimes yes, but usually only a few water weight pounds. Sometimes you immediately start losing again.
If 1,200 does not work you might as well enjoy 1,500-2,000 calories in yummy food then starve your body and not lose.

taso42

I've known people eating at 1200 cal a day to once a month eat 2000 cal. Might work! But everyone is different best to fiddle around and see what works best!

No, not in this regard. Everybody is not different

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/you-are-not-different.html

gembirch

Wow that's amazing detail I will look in to it!! And yeah I've never added weights to my workouts, always been scared to haha but I will definetly try it!! Thanks so much everyone

peckish_pomegranate

Sounds crazy, but up your calories a little! And then up your workout.

tigersword

I do a bit of running and swimming and fitness DVD from time to time but its so hard to fit it all in when I'm studying at university and do 25 hours a week as a cleaner it tires me out haha! I'm not making excuses by the way, it's just so hard to find motivation, time and commitment

This is the definition of making excuses. I work a full time job of about 45-50 hours a week, have a wife and daughter to support, and I'm a full time college student. I still find the time in my day to exercise. If you want it, you will do it. If you don't, you'll make excuses.

And you are eating far too little.

gembirch

My fitness pal goal says to have 1200 a day

pspetralia

Been there done that. You have killed your metabolism by being too low too long. To repair yourself you need to up your calories. Some people start to lose again right away and others stay stuck and need to go up further. Sometimes you have to change your settings to maintain and eat that for a month and then you can go lower again. Usually the longer you have been low cal the longer it takes to break a plateau. Good luck and you can add me for encouragement.:flowerforyou:

^^this!! You have slowed down your metabolism and need to up your calories to fix it.

pspetralia

My fitness pal goal says to have 1200 a day

This is what got you to where you are. If you want something to change then you need to change something.

staceypunk

I recommend Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred. It's only like 20 minutes long but it will build your stregnth and keep your body guessing. Make sure to change your MFP goals to reflect at least 140 minutes of exercise per week so that your calories will probably go up some too.

taso42

I recommend Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred. It's only like 20 minutes long but it will build your stregnth and keep your body guessing. Make sure to change your MFP goals to reflect at least 140 minutes of exercise per week so that your calories will probably go up some too.

mfp doesn't work that way. the exercise that you "plan" to do per week does not affect your calorie target.
if it did work that way, then perhaps way less people would be confused and eating ridiculously low calories every day

JenniBaby85

Don't reduce your calorie intake. Watch your sodium and sugar intake. Maybe that's all there is to it, maybe not. Eat fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. I like the suggestion of Jillian Micheals 30 day shred too. It's only 20 minutes out of your day.

PikaKnight

I recommend Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred. It's only like 20 minutes long but it will build your stregnth and keep your body guessing. Make sure to change your MFP goals to reflect at least 140 minutes of exercise per week so that your calories will probably go up some too.

mfp doesn't work that way. the exercise that you "plan" to do per week does not affect your calorie target.
if it did work that way, then perhaps way less people would be confused and eating ridiculously low calories every day

^What he said.

The calorie goal MFP gives you doesn't include exercise calories .They expect you to eat those back.

italiangirlinva

Have you consulted with a doctor or a nutritionist on your weight goal? Maybe you don't need to lose any more.