HELP!! Not enough?
sareyezz23
Posts: 53
I've been reading a few things here and there that have got me worried, when i set the app up it gave me a daily calorie goals of 1750 now to me i thought that was a lot for someone who wants to lose weight so i dropped it to 1550 but now I've been reading that i could be starving my body of vital calories and that although im losing weight will i struggle to continue losing weight and put it back on? I don't know how they work and i dont have a dietician i just want to make sure im not starving my body before i continue HELP!
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Eeee..I'm not sure.
My recommended calorie intake per day is 1350 to achieve my goal within a few months...but I know that's pretty extreme.
My experience has been that as I've reduced my caloric intake, I've finally seem to have found that 'sweet spot' that allows me to eat enough to feel satisfied, without feeling hungry or 'wanting'. I think that what you eat has a lot to do with how you handle the calories.
If it were me, I'd follow the recommendation of the app, making sure you exercise plenty also, and see how that goes. If you go for a few weeks without losing any weight (and without gaining) then maybe reduce the calories and increase activity a bit, and keep doing that until you find that 'sweet spot'.
No matter what. KEEP TRYING!
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1550 is ok for a while, if you eat back your exercise calories, if it gets to hard or you plateau up it back and see how it adjusts.
These are estimates, you'll find your own best level over time.
Give yourself 3-4 weeks with each change and track to see what works. It's a journey.0 -
1550 is ok for a while, if you eat back your exercise calories, if it gets to hard or you plateau up it back and see how it adjusts.
These are estimates, you'll find your own best level over time.
Give yourself 3-4 weeks with each change and track to see what works. It's a journey.
i dont eat back my calories i burn i sometimes go into it if i know im going to be eating more calories than usual thats it though, i mean i dont starve i never feel hungry and im still losing at the moment. when i lost my first 10lbs it gave me a new goal of 1675 so it did lower it for me. I think going for 1750 is high to me, i did at first when i got the app last year and found it really hard to eat that much food as i work a lot and only get 2 breaks where the food is pretty limited find it hard to eat that much without eating the wrong things.
i just dont want it to back fire on me...0 -
I'm in the same boat... MFP set mine up to around the same as yours, it was over 1500 I know but can't remember exactly. I cut it down to 1400 just because I felt like that was a good number to try for, but if I go over a little I don't stress since I know I would have been allowed more. I am actually under most days, and don't know how I could eat more since I'm never really hungry either.
I also don't eat back my exercise calories most days... I'm worried for the same reasons you are that I don't want to be doing harm, but I am losing so I'm going to stick with what I'm doing unless I stall out losing or something..0 -
I'm in the same boat... MFP set mine up to around the same as yours, it was over 1500 I know but can't remember exactly. I cut it down to 1400 just because I felt like that was a good number to try for, but if I go over a little I don't stress since I know I would have been allowed more. I am actually under most days, and don't know how I could eat more since I'm never really hungry either.
I also don't eat back my exercise calories most days... I'm worried for the same reasons you are that I don't want to be doing harm, but I am losing so I'm going to stick with what I'm doing unless I stall out losing or something..
well i just read a post someone put up asking if their calories was too low for their weight and a lot of people are saying the mfp sets it on average and u can adjust to ur liking....some were saying high some were low i think it depends on the person, i mean its only 100 calories less than mfp tells me i can have so im sure its not that bad, 1400 is good too.
Im not sure if were supposed to eat back our calories but to me it sounds silly as whats the point burning it to eat it back again? i do do it if for some reason i eat something like tonight im going out with friends but i worked out this morning so i know i can go over a little.
This whole weight loss thing confuses me
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well i just read a post someone put up asking if their calories was too low for their weight and a lot of people are saying the mfp sets it on average and u can adjust to ur liking....some were saying high some were low i think it depends on the person, i mean its only 100 calories less than mfp tells me i can have so im sure its not that bad, 1400 is good too.
Im not sure if were supposed to eat back our calories but to me it sounds silly as whats the point burning it to eat it back again? i do do it if for some reason i eat something like tonight im going out with friends but i worked out this morning so i know i can go over a little.
This whole weight loss thing confuses me
Thats how I feel! I'm like, I just worked by booty off to burn those 500 calories, I am not gonna eat 500 calories worth of food just because I can.
Now, tonight my husband and I are going to my favorite bar/steak place and I intend on eating (drinking.. I need a beer after this week) them back..lol. But definately not an everyday thing. A few times a month maybe.0 -
Mfp put me on 1200 and keeps telling me about starvation mode if i don't eat my exercise calories. I'm not overly hungry on 1200 so sticking with it as if i try to add calories for the sake of it they will most likely be the bad kind from chocolate etc. I don't know about the starvation thing as i know that some doctors recommend vlc diets for people who are obsese and those are 500 cal or something. Same with a band.0
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I've done some reading on this, I had he same worry a few days ago. I set myself on 1200 although MFP wanted me on 1750. I've read not to go under 1200 otherwise yo may struggle with starvation mode. I adjusted to 1500 although I am always under.
Make sure your diet is varied so you get all the nutrition your body needs. Also listen to your body, it will tell you if you're eating too little. Adjust if you need to, you need to find whats right fo you.0 -
I've been worried about that a lot because when I wasn't working it set my calories at around 1700 and then once I started this 3rd shift job about a month ago it jumped it up to just over 2400 calories. Since I've been watching what I eat and I'm on an overnight schedule I have trouble eating (or remembering to eat) just a minimum of 1200 calories without chowing down on fatty foods or empty calories. >.< It's a struggle.0
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Mine is 1470 to lose 2lbs a week and I eat that everyday when I work out I may eat a few cal back if I'm super hungry. But I would eat what they tell me to eat.0
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Mine is 1470 to lose 2lbs a week and I eat that everyday when I work out I may eat a few cal back if I'm super hungry. But I would eat what they tell me to eat.0
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Make sure to really evaluate what you are actually eating. The reduction in calories per week from where you are starting or your weight, is how your calories are determined. I am on a 1lb per week reduction. Therefore my calories are 1880. I am generally eating under, but if I work out I am eating back some of the calories earned if hungry after workouts. I also agree with the concept of trying it out as suggested and making decisions from there. We're so conditioned to see "diets of 1200" calories but this is a lifestyle change and tracking calories is about portion control and awareness of what your eating. If you are 120 lbs 1200 is probably good, but if you are 200 lbs, you may not have enough energy to get through the day on 1200 calories much less be active.0
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Go with your hunger. I just started and this week I've had to adjust to the calorie intake MFP gave me, mean ing I went over a few times and had too constantly review my food choices. Just remember it's a process. If you are able to not eat the calories that you burned, then thats great! BUT if you're hungry, eat! Yes we want to lose weight but if you drastically lower the calorie intake that they give you, it may backfire. As you slowly lower your calories intake, your hunger will diminish as well because you won't need as much to feel full.0
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If you are starving your body I am completely depleted! Most of the time I have MANY cals left because I don't eat Breakfast or Lunch..Only now and then like today will I eat before 4pm...It says that but, I am seeing lbs fall off so I do what I am comfortable with. This weekend I will eat more due to holiday but, you can look back on my Diary and see I have many many cals left over and yes, it tells me I am eating to few cals but, I am Ok with that. The weight is falling off.0
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Oh and I'm only allowed 1350 a day!0
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If you are starving your body I am completely depleted! Most of the time I have MANY cals left because I don't eat Breakfast or Lunch..Only now and then like today will I eat before 4pm...It says that but, I am seeing lbs fall off so I do what I am comfortable with. This weekend I will eat more due to holiday but, you can look back on my Diary and see I have many many cals left over and yes, it tells me I am eating to few cals but, I am Ok with that. The weight is falling off.
You are hurting your body by neglecting it for so many hours before feeding it the energy it NEEDS to merely function. If MFP allows you 1350 calories a day, eat them. If you want to "see the pounds fall off" then make better food choices, whole grains, veggies, fruits, eat clean and add strength training and cardio into your routine. You may loose weight fast but what your body is loosing is your lean muscle mass and water. Without lean muscle mass, it doesn't matter how little you weigh. You can weigh 110 pounds but still look flabby. We all can attest to the statement that flab is NOT sexy. If that is your goal I guess you're on the right path but I must say, it is not healthy and if you spoke with your doctor about it they would say the same.0 -
I do not really understand it either .... MFP said I should only get 1220 a day and that was NOT enough for me so I went up to 1450 and that's enough for me but at times I feel like I need more. 0
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I adjusted my macronutrients to 40/30/30. That is, I get 40% of my daily calories (1591) from carbs, 30% from fat and 30% from protein. I'm not on a huge loosing streak but I have some health issues that just about under control for now and I'll be able to start a new exercise routine soon. Until then, I'm maintaining and I think that's okay.
I agree with the gal who said to stick with a plan for a few weeks before deciding it isn't working out for you. I actually think 4 to 8 weeks is a better option, for me anyway, and then I'll try tweaking something to try for a different result.
There is another group on MFP, Eat More To Loose Weight and it is chalk full of great reads and tons of nutrition information. I have read a lot in that group and then researched it myself online and guess what? So far, nothing has been contradicted by science or the nutrition industries. That to me is worth MY weight in gold.
I'm also reading the book "The New Rules of Lifting for Women". A pleathora of information that I truly have always wondered about but didn't ever ask. Most public libraries have this book or you can get it on Amazon dot com for under $15 with cheap shipping.
I am NO expert but I do my body's own due diligence and when I have a question, I get online and research the heck out of it. I owe it to myself to find out the truths about the how's, when's, where's, why's and why not's. And so do you...as in, ALL OF YOU/US.0 -
If you are starving your body I am completely depleted! Most of the time I have MANY cals left because I don't eat Breakfast or Lunch..Only now and then like today will I eat before 4pm...It says that but, I am seeing lbs fall off so I do what I am comfortable with. This weekend I will eat more due to holiday but, you can look back on my Diary and see I have many many cals left over and yes, it tells me I am eating to few cals but, I am Ok with that. The weight is falling off.
You are hurting your body by neglecting it for so many hours before feeding it the energy it NEEDS to merely function. If MFP allows you 1350 calories a day, eat them. If you want to "see the pounds fall off" then make better food choices, whole grains, veggies, fruits, eat clean and add strength training and cardio into your routine. You may loose weight fast but what your body is loosing is your lean muscle mass and water. Without lean muscle mass, it doesn't matter how little you weigh. You can weigh 110 pounds but still look flabby. We all can attest to the statement that flab is NOT sexy. If that is your goal I guess you're on the right path but I must say, it is not healthy and if you spoke with your doctor about it they would say the same.
I have changed my eating to an almost Vegen diet completely..Lots of veges and fruits and with the workouts I do there is little chance of flab LOL The Biggest Loser Workouts don't leave flab for sure...All Cardio, Strength and Toning so nope no chance of that. I did talk to my Dr and he stated if you are not hungry do not force it but, do eat before 4pm and never after 5pm..We are Good!0 -
Oh sara I forgot to tell you..I misread your group here I thought it meant that you weighed over 200lbs ( at one time or now ) and I joined but, I didn't know it was you want to lose 200 or more..If I did that there would be no me LOL I would love to stay though because it is a very inspirational group..You did good 0
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So do you start eating at 4pm and have to be finished by 5pm? What I am understanding is that you only eat for 1 hour in a 24 hour period. Correct me if I'm wrong, please, but that is definitely not healthy so that's why I'm asking again. I don't want to be scratching my head thinking, "hmmm...." if I misunderstood you. Honestly though, I don't think I am. I kinda wish your diary was open so I could see what vegan dishes you were eating. I would like to eat more clean than I am and vegan is definitely one way to do that!If you are starving your body I am completely depleted! Most of the time I have MANY cals left because I don't eat Breakfast or Lunch..Only now and then like today will I eat before 4pm...It says that but, I am seeing lbs fall off so I do what I am comfortable with. This weekend I will eat more due to holiday but, you can look back on my Diary and see I have many many cals left over and yes, it tells me I am eating to few cals but, I am Ok with that. The weight is falling off.
You are hurting your body by neglecting it for so many hours before feeding it the energy it NEEDS to merely function. If MFP allows you 1350 calories a day, eat them. If you want to "see the pounds fall off" then make better food choices, whole grains, veggies, fruits, eat clean and add strength training and cardio into your routine. You may loose weight fast but what your body is loosing is your lean muscle mass and water. Without lean muscle mass, it doesn't matter how little you weigh. You can weigh 110 pounds but still look flabby. We all can attest to the statement that flab is NOT sexy. If that is your goal I guess you're on the right path but I must say, it is not healthy and if you spoke with your doctor about it they would say the same.
I have changed my eating to an almost Vegen diet completely..Lots of veges and fruits and with the workouts I do there is little chance of flab LOL The Biggest Loser Workouts don't leave flab for sure...All Cardio, Strength and Toning so nope no chance of that. I did talk to my Dr and he stated if you are not hungry do not force it but, do eat before 4pm and never after 5pm..We are Good!0 -
Oh sara I forgot to tell you..I misread your group here I thought it meant that you weighed over 200lbs ( at one time or now ) and I joined but, I didn't know it was you want to lose 200 or more..If I did that there would be no me LOL I would love to stay though because it is a very inspirational group..You did good
I understood it to mean this group is for those who are over 200lbs, not wanting to loose 200lbs or more. Is that how everyone else interpreted it too?0 -
Mine put me at around 2000 when I work out which seems so high but have talked to a lot of nutritionists and you have to be careful not to starve your body as it will store everything. It seems odd to eat so much but it is good to follow the recommended but to make sure it is with good food and also protein. Keep up the good work.0
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I read somewhere I can't remember is to put your calories to where your goal weight is, like me my goal weight is about 135lbs so I entered that into a calorie calculator and it gave me 1652 calories a day. Maybe try that.0
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Oh sara I forgot to tell you..I misread your group here I thought it meant that you weighed over 200lbs ( at one time or now ) and I joined but, I didn't know it was you want to lose 200 or more..If I did that there would be no me LOL I would love to stay though because it is a very inspirational group..You did good
It's for people who weigh 200lbs or more I didn't think how people would interpret it. I would also be nothing 
of course u can stay. Thank u x 0 -
I had a doctor's appointment a couple weeks ago and asked about the correct calories/day for me. I weighed about 250 that day and he said 1500 calories would be good with a 35% carb, 35% protein and 30% fat breakdown. I had been eating 1390 calories per day but was thinking that was high if I wanted to lose weight! I just changed it to 1500 on Monday (9/17) so will see if that helps or not! I also changed my percentages to his recommendation as well. It seems like alot of calories...but...I guess he might know a thing or two more about this than me!
Hope everyone has a great week!!
:flowerforyou:
Brenda0
