Realistic to lose weight?

austinmclark · March 2013

Hi,

I am 19 years old, 6 feet 6 inches tall, and 310 pounds. My goal is to weight 270. My Fitness Pal has given me an allowance of 2080 per day. But I've been eating about 1400 with about 300 burned from exercise. (I am exercising 6 days a week). Will this plan work for me to get to my goal? I'm only 4 days in, so I have yet to weigh myself. I haven't cut out what many consider "bad" food completely. I've only stopped drinking soda or any other sugary drinks and have picked up only drinking water. Do I need to start eating healthier?

mjrkearney · March 2013

Healthier will definitely help and you'll feel better in the process. However, you may not be eating enough. Your body still needs a certain amount of fuel to process and do things like pump blood. There are debates about the reality of starvation mode, but if you cut your calories too far you could easily be losing out on a lot of nutrients. I'm also exercising 5-6 days a week and I have a tendency to forget to log my food. As such, I wind up with days like today where I think I'm done but I've only netted around 400 calories. I plan on filling out the rest with things like fresh fruit and oatmeal, no matter how much a part of me wants to walk down the street and nosh out on Denny's.

AllonsYtotheTardis · March 2013

Let me put it this way. I'm 41, 5'2", 154 lbs, and I'm still eating more than you. And I'm losing about 1 lb per week. You need to eat more. Dropping your calories that low is doing yourself a disservice, and can be counter productive.

mikegales · March 2013

I think you need more calories per day. Use the BMR calculator (or use several from different sites) to get an idea of your bodies daily calorie lower limit. I think you need that many calories per day at a minimum. Then try adjusting your weekly weight loss goal to get your calories intake somewhere between BMR and TDEE. I'm new here but I am a tall man and my BMR is around 2400 calories per day.

nkyjennifer · March 2013

One real problem with going way under on calories is that it can lead to burn-out. Then you binge and get discouraged. It's a vicious cycle. Your body needs fuel to live and to do your workouts.

There's nothing wrong with eating occasional treats that fit into your calories. Trust the system - eat your calories (including your exercise ones) and enjoy the things you like. Just watch the portions and try to fit in as many fresh veggies and fruits as you can.

NanaWubbie · March 2013

Do what works for you. The starvation mode thing is kind of a myth, in that 1400 calories does not equal starvation. If you are highly motivated right now, I see no problem with riding that wave for the short term. Somtimes seeing quick results is a good motivator. It is important that you do get in enough good nutrition. Make sure you are getting in enough protein, and it wouldn't hurt to take a vitamin. Rapid weight loss can cause your hair to fall out, and at your age you don't want to go there! I kind of like the idea eating calories that you would require if you were at a normal weight now. At least be aware of what those numbers are. If you make that number be your ceiling, you will can't fail.

eileen0515 · March 2013

Yes Austin you need to eat healthier. You might lose weight eating a calorie restricted, junk food diet, but you won't sustain it. And your calories are too few. Fantastic you have cut out the sugary drinks!

My son started out with practically identical stats, except he is 6'5" and a little older. He is down to 260 in 4 months. Not sure what his caloric intake is, as he does not count calories. A typical day for him is a breakfast of cheerios, milk, banana. Lunch is a lean ham sandwich, with mixed greens. Dinner is a good size portion of lean meat or chicken, steamed veggies and some nights black beans or roasted potatoes, as a side dish.

Take advantage of your youth, and it's ripping metabolism. Eat healthy, eat more calories, cut the junk and excercise, and you WILL lose the weight.

I asked my son to read your post, and if he had some words of wisdom. He said this, "suck it up, and don't cheat".

austinmclark · March 2013

Thanks for the feedback everybody I really appreciate it!

austinmclark · March 2013

Could you all give me some healthier alternatives to junk food? I know fruits and vegetables, obviously. But I mean more along the lines of certain products.

nkyjennifer · March 2013

Could you all give me some healthier alternatives to junk food? I know fruits and vegetables, obviously. But I mean more along the lines of certain products.

Really, the less it's a "product" the healthier it is. Roasted or grilled meats, proper cheese (not that "cheesefood" stuff in a can), eggs, whole grains like quinoa and slow oats. The fewer things that come in a box or bag the better. The best things for you aren't product lines, they're whole foods that haven't been overly processed. In fact, most things that say "diet" or "healthy" on the box are not much better for you than a box of Little Debbie's.

It's really a balance thing, though. You have to find what works for you and is sustainable for the long haul. Start looking up recipes for things that you might not be familiar with. The Recipes board here is full of great ideas. You just have to experiment and be open to trying new things.

nkyjennifer · March 2013

Could you all give me some healthier alternatives to junk food? I know fruits and vegetables, obviously. But I mean more along the lines of certain products.

Check out this thread - all kind of goodies in there! And the pictures help. :-)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/823358-what-do-your-meals-look-like-show-me-pictures

austinmclark · March 2013

Thanks so much!

Realistic to lose weight?

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