Can't eat over 800 calories a day.

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.

my mustache needs more than 800 cals/day

Pmsl! I think mine does too :laugh:

Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.

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.

Seriously, though - eat breakfast. That's the first favor you can do for your metabolism.

You must be new here.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.