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How can I reverse the damage???????

12333beth
12333beth Posts: 31
edited January 18 in Food and Nutrition
the past year, i have rarely eaten above 1200/1300 calories, averaging about 800 or so a day, whilst going to the gym as much as i could. for example, this lately i have been to the gym every day for 2 weeks or more...whilst eating about 800 calories a day and i don't know why i am doing this. I am afraid if i start eating more and more suddenly from what my body is used to it will cause me damage?
should I slowly increase it by 50 calories a week or something? will i gain loads of weight?

thanks

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    the past year, i have rarely eaten above 1200/1300 calories, averaging about 800 or so a day, whilst going to the gym as much as i could. for example, this lately i have been to the gym every day for 2 weeks or more...whilst eating about 800 calories a day and i don't know why i am doing this. I am afraid if i start eating more and more suddenly from what my body is used to it will cause me damage?
    should I slowly increase it by 50 calories a week or something? will i gain loads of weight?

    thanks

    continuing to eat at that level and doing lots of exercise will cause your body damage.

    try easing off the exercise and upping your calories by 200 a week until you are at a reasonable amount for your height/weight/activity level.

    you may see a gain in scale weight initially.
  • 12333beth
    12333beth Posts: 31
    im not too bothered about my weight, its feeling bloated I cant stand. Ive been doing muscle building lately too :/
  • downinaggieland98
    downinaggieland98 Posts: 224 Member
    the past year, i have rarely eaten above 1200/1300 calories, averaging about 800 or so a day, whilst going to the gym as much as i could. for example, this lately i have been to the gym every day for 2 weeks or more...whilst eating about 800 calories a day and i don't know why i am doing this. I am afraid if i start eating more and more suddenly from what my body is used to it will cause me damage?
    should I slowly increase it by 50 calories a week or something? will i gain loads of weight?

    thanks

    800 calories a day isn't enough for anyone. I know it's scary to eat more, but your body needs it, especially with exercise and weight training. I'd look to see what your BMR is and eat AT LEAST that.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    im not too bothered about my weight, its feeling bloated I cant stand. Ive been doing muscle building lately too :/

    so dont eat food that bloats you....
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Eat higher fat (no fat doesn't make you fat) calorie dense foods so you aren't feeling bloated although unless you eat 800 calories of broccoli I'm not sure how you could feel bloated on that much food.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    Eating more will allow your body to make all those tissues, hormones, antibodies, and other such physiologically healthy things that its probably been holding back on, and that will increase your caloric needs. Do it in a controlled way, if it makes you feel like you're in charge of the process. Add 100-200 more calories per day each week, or something that works for you, until you're up to your maintenance level where calories in = calories out. You can't keep running at a deficit in the long term.

    Also, Google "flexible dieting."

    If eating more seems unreasonable, or impossible, seek counseling.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    Eat higher fat (no fat doesn't make you fat) calorie dense foods so you aren't feeling bloated although unless you eat 800 calories of broccoli I'm not sure how you could feel bloated on that much food.

    I hope it's not the case here, but starvation causes edema and swelling of the liver, which leads to an enlarged abdomen.
  • ZyheeMoongazer
    ZyheeMoongazer Posts: 343 Member
    the past year, i have rarely eaten above 1200/1300 calories, averaging about 800 or so a day, whilst going to the gym as much as i could. for example, this lately i have been to the gym every day for 2 weeks or more...whilst eating about 800 calories a day and i don't know why i am doing this. I am afraid if i start eating more and more suddenly from what my body is used to it will cause me damage?
    should I slowly increase it by 50 calories a week or something? will i gain loads of weight?

    thanks

    I would suggest you talk to a professional. I'm not an expert but to me it sounds like you are on the start of a very slippery slope of an eating disorder. You acknowledge that you know only eating 800 calories and working out a lot if not healthy, yet you do not know why you are continuing to behave this way.

    Please speak with your doctor.
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