eat more to lose weight?

:drinker: so since the beginning of January i have only lost about 5 pounds. i had been eating 1200 cals each day and exercising about 3 days a week. ive gone from 149 lbs to 144 and lost them pretty quick but after those 5 lbs thats been about it. ive read that if you increase your calorie intake your metabolism will be faster and you will start to lose weight again ive been doing it for two days now but ive been wondering for how long should i continue this and is this for everyone or can it cause me to gain weight?

Replies

  • Prettymisssparkles
    Prettymisssparkles Posts: 1,274 Member
    Bump! I am pretty much in the same boat...would like to see what people say. :)
  • I am having the exact same problem. I lost 3 kgs in a week then I just stopped losing any weight :(
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    That is not how metabolism works.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/slow-metabolism/AN00618

    ETA: Don't expect super fast results. You didn't put the weight on overnight and you won't lose it overnight either. You'll get results but you have to give it time.
  • Gracie1214
    Gracie1214 Posts: 120 Member
    check out this link to a post on here it helped me http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/943139-weight-loss-cheat-sheet-ipoarm
  • Shereta5
    Shereta5 Posts: 13
    I always say, if what you're doing is not working, do something different. So, try it. increase your daily count by 200 or so and maybe add another day of working out and see if that gets things moving along .:heart:
  • konerusp
    konerusp Posts: 247 Member
    what is your height and weight and how many calories do you burn during a workout,what kind f other activity do you get during the day?


    please go through the below article,you will have enough inormation to get started

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013
  • Etienne54
    Etienne54 Posts: 88 Member
    Have a cheat meal on sunday something high in fat and calories, it'll disturb your metabolism.

    Basically your body get used to what you eat and do as exercises, you just need to stirr it up once awhile.

    Give it a go for 2-3 weeks see if you make any progress, if not. try something else, longer training session or add a few more days.
    Or you can also change up what you've been eating.
  • RoseRoiz
    RoseRoiz Posts: 95
    bump
  • atb0821
    atb0821 Posts: 458 Member
    This website is helpful for getting the amount of calories you need:
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Eating at your TDEE minus 20% is probably best for weight loss.

    Ideally, you'll keep your calories up the whole time. 1200 seems great at first when you lose weight so quick, but will usually lead to a horribly stubborn plateau, or even a gain (it happened to me, big time.)

    You may see a slight gain or feel 'puffy' at first. Take pictures and measurements, don't worry about what the scale says while you do this.

    Good luck! It's much better to have a smaller, more realistic, and more sustainable deficit so you aren't starving all the time!
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I had the same problem then i started eating more eatting back most of the cals i burned and wham weight started coming off and my pleatu was over
  • UsaJewels05
    UsaJewels05 Posts: 229 Member
    I upped my Calories but it took 2 weeks before I saw the Scale go down. I was stuck at 30 lbs and was not moving. I exercise 5-6 days a week, and was only eating about 1500 calories. I upped it to 2000 and normally eat around 1800, sometimes more sometimes less. I exercise 5-6 days a week for at least an hour each time, and burn between 450-600 calories each time. 2 weeks after I upped my calories I lost 2 lbs each week for about a month, and now it is about 1 -2 lbs a week. I am 5'11, and now weigh 239.
  • climbamnt
    climbamnt Posts: 190 Member
    This website is helpful for getting the amount of calories you need:
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    Eating at your TDEE minus 20% is probably best for weight loss.

    Ideally, you'll keep your calories up the whole time. 1200 seems great at first when you lose weight so quick, but will usually lead to a horribly stubborn plateau, or even a gain (it happened to me, big time.)

    You may see a slight gain or feel 'puffy' at first. Take pictures and measurements, don't worry about what the scale says while you do this.

    Good luck! It's much better to have a smaller, more realistic, and more sustainable deficit so you aren't starving all the time!

    This!!!! I eat around 1800 cals - Im 5'4" and 155lbs now. My TDEE is around 2200. Eat more protein, fiber, good fat, and drink more water!
  • jharb2
    jharb2 Posts: 208 Member
    You don't say if youve been eating your excercise calories back in order to maintain the 1200 calorie minimum. If you are not then perhaps thats why you are not losing. You are in too much of a deficit and your body will slow your metabolism..
  • kimberly728
    kimberly728 Posts: 124
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

    ^^ this is super helpful, and spells everything out for you!