Trainer said I should be only consuming up to 850 cal

pavang82
pavang82 Posts: 454 Member
edited September 20 in Health and Weight Loss
..in order for me to lose my last 10 lbs. So I told him that I've always thought that if I go under 1000 calories, my body is going to go in starvation mode. He told me that it depends upon the person. I'm just worried that if I change my calorie intake to 850, I'm gonna go into starvation mode. Anyone in here actually ate 850 cal/day and lost weight? ANd if so, how did you manage 850 cal/day?
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Replies

  • 3babybeans
    3babybeans Posts: 8,268 Member
    I'm sorry, but that's insane. 850 calories isn't enough for anyone to survive on. Just my opinion and I'm sure there will be others...but that just doesn't sound healthy.
  • iamalexa
    iamalexa Posts: 53
    I stayed under 1000 calories for about a month and thats how I lost my first 10 pounds or so actually.
    BUT my doctor however disagreed and told me I should NOT be doing this and was very upset with the days I was eatin 500 cals or so...I probably wouldnt reccommend it but you know your body and if its hungry dont deny it but if your full why feed it!
  • Sunsh1ne
    Sunsh1ne Posts: 879 Member
    What are his certifications? Because 850 cals sounds ultra-shady to me. Like, he calls himself a trainer, but his certificate is in training seals.
  • Livi_Loves_Pink
    Livi_Loves_Pink Posts: 754
    :huh:

    850 calories per day?

    Are you sure of this person's credentials?

    ......I would be seriously skeptical.

    Everything I've heard about losing the last ten has said you need LESS of a deficit and you will just have to lose more slowly.
  • MirandaJayne
    MirandaJayne Posts: 600 Member
    What are his certifications? Because 850 cals sounds ultra-shady to me. Like, he calls himself a trainer, but his certificate is in training seals.

    I totall agree here!
  • pavang82
    pavang82 Posts: 454 Member
    What are his certifications? Because 850 cals sounds ultra-shady to me. Like, he calls himself a trainer, but his certificate is in training seals.
    He's actually the training manager. He told me that calorie intake varies for each people.
  • pavang82
    pavang82 Posts: 454 Member
    I stayed under 1000 calories for about a month and thats how I lost my first 10 pounds or so actually.
    BUT my doctor however disagreed and told me I should NOT be doing this and was very upset with the days I was eatin 500 cals or so...I probably wouldnt reccommend it but you know your body and if its hungry dont deny it but if your full why feed it!
    Just curious if you've gained weight when started eating more calories?
  • pojo30
    pojo30 Posts: 62
    Very odd because I was discussing this with my ob/gyn and she told me that it is okay to "short term" reduce calories to boost your weight loss. 850 is the same amount she told me and mentioned that when she has an obese patient that wants to get started with weight loss she puts them on proteins shakes and the 850 for a week then increases to 1000. I haven't tried it, so I can't say anything about starving. Hope this helps!
  • ractayjon
    ractayjon Posts: 365
    I think you need to check this trainer out -- 850 suggested to lose weight makes no sense...every trainer I know will up your exercise so you eat more ! check him/her out and keep with what you have been successful at so far!
  • vhuber
    vhuber Posts: 8,779 Member
    Is he saying 850 PLUS your exercise calories? If he's not then i would say he is WRONG, Yes you may lose a quick 10 pounds BUT your body cannot survive that long on that low when you are bustin your humo in the gym. Some days I burn way more than what you are eating per day! STARVATION MODE is true! Lot's of time Personal trainers do not admit the are NOT nutritionist and really are NOT to give out that information. THEY are to instruction fitness only and send you to the one who knows nutrition!!! If you are working put everyday I would say do not go lower than 1200 and eat at least half your fitness cals, slow and steady will win your race, but then again I will ADMIT I am NO nutritionist. Happy workouts and and be smart on your food choices!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Just remember most trainers are not nutritionists. Although most trainers are well versed in nutrition, if you want the the best information see a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
  • khskr1
    khskr1 Posts: 392
    I am currently working on my training cert and nutrition certification. My eyes have been opened tremendously throughout this process. There are no real "standards" for training certification (problem #1). Most certifications that I have researched are purely training moves...no nutrition training (problem #2). To top all of this off...last statistics I heard were that 15% of doctors receive a nutrition class and that averages 30 minutes. Soooooo....I would gather as much info as I could based on your own body and trust your instincts. The best thing to do is to go see a dietician or a doctor that specializes in this field. Easier said than done. But I would be very wary of anyone who is not qualified of taking you below 1000-1200 calories a day. I wish you luck...and good health!
  • jalara
    jalara Posts: 2,599 Member
    850?? That's too low. And what happens when it's time to maintain???
  • jalara
    jalara Posts: 2,599 Member
    850?? That's too low. And what happens when it's time to maintain???
  • frenchybowiggler
    frenchybowiggler Posts: 5
    I am studying to be a personal trainer and your trainer is not allowed to even tell you that. Unless he is a physician or a nutritionist, he is not supposed to tell you how many calories you should be taking in. Also if you are working out, you need to eat more calories... I would drop that trainer and get one that knows their job... The tools on this website are much more accurate in my opinion or weight watchers... but that's only because I have tried them...Good luck!
  • arasm
    arasm Posts: 65
    I have to agree with all. 850 a day is insane! & WITH exercise? no way! I mean I guess it could drop the weight BUT you would feel like crap & I'm sure would put some if not all back on once you started to consume higher calories again.
  • 11kimberly11
    11kimberly11 Posts: 65 Member
    FIRE HIM!
  • CasperO
    CasperO Posts: 2,913 Member
    What are his certifications? Because 850 cals sounds ultra-shady to me. Like, he calls himself a trainer, but his certificate is in training seals.
    He's actually the training manager. He told me that calorie intake varies for each people.
    That's correct - caloric needs vary from person to person. 850 calories might be perfectly correct for you. If you are 3'6" tall and weigh 60 pounds. :laugh:
  • iamalexa
    iamalexa Posts: 53
    I stayed under 1000 calories for about a month and thats how I lost my first 10 pounds or so actually.
    BUT my doctor however disagreed and told me I should NOT be doing this and was very upset with the days I was eatin 500 cals or so...I probably wouldnt reccommend it but you know your body and if its hungry dont deny it but if your full why feed it!
    Just curious if you've gained weight when started eating more calories?

    Nope! It has been about the same amount of weight lost per week for me. But I also struggle eating 1200 plus some exercise calories. So I guess either way it works for me, but I would rather not take the chances of starvation anymore i guess so i force myself to eat them. Also if you do go with 850 calories make sure they are protiens and good foods plus lots of veggies. So maybe you would be in starvation but at least you would get some nutrients?? Thats just my opinion and Im not qualified with this stuff i just do what works!
  • ambee0803
    ambee0803 Posts: 89 Member
    I know I couldn't do it. I could wipe that out in 1 meal and a snack. It doesn't sound healthy at all. I'd ask your doctor. Besides, if you're trying to loose weight and keep it off you have to change your life style. You're not really going to spend the rest of your life eating that little are you?
  • pavang82
    pavang82 Posts: 454 Member
    Nope! It has been about the same amount of weight lost per week for me. But I also struggle eating 1200 plus some exercise calories. So I guess either way it works for me, but I would rather not take the chances of starvation anymore i guess so i force myself to eat them. Also if you do go with 850 calories make sure they are protiens and good foods plus lots of veggies. So maybe you would be in starvation but at least you would get some nutrients?? Thats just my opinion and Im not qualified with this stuff i just do what works!
    Thanks for the info. I guess if I do it short-term it isn't that bad.
  • pavang82
    pavang82 Posts: 454 Member
    I know I couldn't do it. I could wipe that out in 1 meal and a snack. It doesn't sound healthy at all. I'd ask your doctor. Besides, if you're trying to loose weight and keep it off you have to change your life style. You're not really going to spend the rest of your life eating that little are you?
    No, I might just do it short term.
  • sdirks
    sdirks Posts: 223 Member
    Ask a *certified nutritionist and always consult your doctor before begining ANY new diet. Blood testing catches things that even the most trained eye can't. Always, always, always protect your health and be informed.

    That being said, 850 + exercise cals COULD be okay... under very strict conditions. If you are "very, very petite" or "very, very overweight," for example. Every person's body is unique and has unique needs.

    Like erickirb said, I highly doubt your trainer is a *certified nutritionist. Most trainers aren't. I'm sure he or she is an excellent fitness trainer, but it's actually a hard and lengthy process to become a certified nutritionist, especially here on the east coast. It took my friend about 18 months to get certified, and her certification was more involved than her thesis! The certification means you can trust what they're saying is medically accurate, based on the most up-to-date scientific research available, and tailored to your specific needs. A fitness trainer has been just as well educated, but in kinesthesiology--not chemistry and biology. You wouldn't take your bicycle to a car repair shop. Best advice: talk to the experts. They can tell you what's best (and healthiest) for your body.
  • snowmanluv
    snowmanluv Posts: 200 Member
    If you're going from totally sedetary - start out at 850. But then bump it up to 1000 with exercise, then 1200 with more exercise. Hilton Head had a diet plan that start out low calorie but bumped it up as you add exercise. I would be concerned with 850 for any long term espcially with exercise. You're better off to eat a little more and exercise more for your metabolism. 1100 - with 200-300 burn calories would be so much better for you.
  • pavang82
    pavang82 Posts: 454 Member
    If you're going from totally sedetary - start out at 850. But then bump it up to 1000 with exercise, then 1200 with more exercise. Hilton Head had a diet plan that start out low calorie but bumped it up as you add exercise. I would be concerned with 850 for any long term espcially with exercise. You're better off to eat a little more and exercise more for your metabolism. 1100 - with 200-300 burn calories would be so much better for you.
    Yes, I agree. I've been trying to get rid of my last 10lbs for about three months now. I think I need to do the calorie bump, of course short term only.
  • hunnie28k
    hunnie28k Posts: 16
    My trainer always said a diet you can't practice for a lifetime is not even worth trying a single day. He strongly advises trainers not to recommend caloric cutbacks to their clients on their diets based soley on weight loss because most likely you will lose the weight, but when you increase your calories back to normal, you will gain that weight back and probably more. A lot of times I think trainers do this so you can be another notch in their belts. "See look I helped this person lose all this weight" My question to them is, how does that person feel? Are they healthy? You should consume the calories that your body needs to stay healthy while losing weight. I agree that you WILL end up going into starvation mode if you do this. Your body is going to hold on to those 850 calories, unless you do a lot of excercising but again, can you maintain this fitness regime for life to KEEP the weight off? The amount of calories you consume a day is based on a number of things, not just losing the weight. We have to be healthy on the inside and out. Think about it. Good luck!
  • pavang82
    pavang82 Posts: 454 Member
    My trainer always said a diet you can't practice for a lifetime is not even worth trying a single day. He strongly advised trainers not to recommend caloric cutbacks on their diets because most likely when you lose the wait and increase your calories, you will gain that weight back and probably more. A lot of times I think trainers do this so you can be another notch in their belts. "See look I helped this person lose all this weight" My question to them is, how does that person feel? Are they healthy? You should consume the calories that your body needs to stay healthy while losing weight. I agree that you WILL end up going into starvation mode if you do this. Your body is going to hold on to those 850 calories, unless you do a lot of excercising but again, can you maintain this fitness regime for life to KEEP the weight off? Think about it. Good luck!
    Yea, if the weight comes off I want to keep it off for good.
  • Wolfena
    Wolfena Posts: 1,570 Member
    850?? That's too low. And what happens when it's time to maintain???

    My thoughts exactly.
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    What are his certifications? Because 850 cals sounds ultra-shady to me. Like, he calls himself a trainer, but his certificate is in training seals.
    He's actually the training manager. He told me that calorie intake varies for each people.
    That's correct - caloric needs vary from person to person. 850 calories might be perfectly correct for you. If you are 3'6" tall and weigh 60 pounds. :laugh:
    LOL. I was going to ask --- Are you super short and already pretty light weight? (aka how much do you weigh and how tall are you?) Um.... but I just looked up recommended values for my kiddo, and Baylor Medical recommends 1000 calories for 2 - 3 year olds. Granted they are GROWING but they weigh 30-ish pounds.....
  • leavinglasvegas
    leavinglasvegas Posts: 1,495
    When it comes to something like this, you need to consult your doctor. Trainers are not doctors or nutritionists. If he is recommending you go below the normal amount of calories for a human vegetable, you need to make sure from a medical stand point you can handle that.

    It IS different for everybody, but that is up to a doctor to decide, not a trainer. What happens if you get really sick? Is your trainer going admit he was wrong and accept responsibility? Probably not. Your doctor knows better what your body can handle.

    Thats my thoughts.
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