Seeking Some Advice :)

Manisaa
Manisaa Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
- female, 24 years old, 5'4, 140 lbs, medium frame -
I actually have lost 80 lbs (208 to 128), most of that weight I had lost since Oct. of last year. ( this is my second account )
I had always followed MFP's suggestion of 1200 cals a day, but because I didn't know as much as I should have, I often went under that due to my motivation to really lose the weight. I wasn't weak or tired so I figured I was doing fine. I also worked out (cardio) for about 40 minutes, 5 days a week. In march I began to do Atkins (induction) - which actually led to me quitting my workouts - and I ended up in the hospital due to fatigue and an extremely low heart rate. They found nothing wrong, but I reintroduced some carbs and I take thyroid supplements to help with the fatigue and shortness of breath.

My biggest problem began late June, when I finally reached 128 lbs. I developed an issue with binge eating. I would eat up to three days worth of calories in a few hours, usually of carbs. I struggled with this for about two-three weeks, I would binge and then diet (985 cals a day) to make up for it.

Well, I have finally got a grip on the binge eating (thank God!) but now I am 140 lbs. I would love to get back to 128, I just began working out again 4 days ago. I've heard something like eating at maintenance or above will reset your metabolism, so my question is, do you think 1200 is my maintenance now or what amount of daily calories should I aim for?
I want to have hope that I won't have to eat 900 calories to lose the weight I've gained.
I'm sorry I know you all get this question often, but I am completely confused with all the conflicting information out there.
Thank you to all who respond!

Replies

  • talisamb
    talisamb Posts: 65 Member
    For your height and weight 1200 is way too low, I am the exact age and height as you but I weigh 135....your basic metabolic rate is 1466 calories, meaning that you should never go below this number, that is what your body requires when you are rest. (no exercise) I workout 3-5 times per week and I lose eating 1700 calories, which is what I am doing now. I can maintain on 2000 calories per day. Everyone is different when it comes to calorie needs but I can promise you that your weight loss will eventually stall on 1200.
  • Manisaa
    Manisaa Posts: 3
    Thank you for your response.
    How long/what type of exercise do you do?
    My main issue is I've learned 1200 isn't enough by my hunger levels these days, but from what I've read - after 11 months of dieting - 1200 could be my maintenance and if I go any higher I can gain. I also haven't been strength training so I definitely lack muscle.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    Read this thread.
  • Hildy_J
    Hildy_J Posts: 1,050 Member
    The road map thread, as posted above, is genius. The MFP bible, if you like.

    Sorry you've had such a rough ride and good for you for taking back control. And don't be too hard on yourself about the bingeing - everyone's done that at some point!

    Good luck! x
  • Manisaa
    Manisaa Posts: 3
    Going to read and get into that, thank you.
    and thank you Hildy_J, for the encouragement!

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