Eating too little???

projectjamaica
projectjamaica Posts: 30
in Health and Weight Loss
Soooo I think I'm eating too little and I'm reading everywhere that it's bad and that I'm not going to lose weight that way. Although, I'm already losing weight and it's working out for me. I can't eat too many calories because I feel like I'm not going to lose any weight. I eat around 1000-1200 of healthy calories and then I work out, netting around 500-600 calories.

I have lost 10lbs in 3 weeks, now I'm trying to lose 50 more in 4 months. What can I do to eat more HEALTHY calories?

Replies

  • symphoniaix
    symphoniaix Posts: 9
    if lower calories works for you then don't eat more just because you think you have to? that's how i feel any way, if you eat 1200 and you're not hungry then keep with what works for you.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    Active people really need more calories, especially if you want to maintain your lean body mass. If you dont' fuel your body enough, it will turn somewhere to get the calories, generally, its the amino acids from your muscle tissue. And if you want a lean and tight body, then a moderate deficit (1 lb per week) is ideal. Most women I know can eat 1700-2100 calories to lose weight. So why not eat more if you can?

    Below might be a good thread to read. But if you are honestly afraid to eat, then you might want to see some professional help. Food is fuel and not to be scared of. BTW, a combination of weight training and cardio will yield the best results.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/506349-women-who-eat-more-than-1800-calories-a-day

    BTW, the first few weeks is very common to lose a lot of weight as most of it's water from changing your lifestyle. 50 lbs will almost be impossible, unless your body allows for a substantial amount of muscle loss.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    It really depends if you want the skinny fat look, or the tone skinny look. If you just care about scale weight then by all means don't eat more. 50 lbs in 4 months is ya..
  • projectjamaica
    projectjamaica Posts: 30
    It really depends if you want the skinny fat look, or the tone skinny look. If you just care about scale weight then by all means don't eat more. 50 lbs in 4 months is ya..
    I don't know what the "skinny fat" look is. I just want to lose some weight and then tone up. I don't want to do both simultaneously because I feel like I won't see the results of my muscles toning up under all the fat.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Healthy fats - nuts, nut butters, olive oil, avocado ....these are all small portions and very healthy.

    Add some almonds to a salad (use full fat dressing). Spread peanut butter on apple slices or stir it in your oatmeal. Roast veggies in olive oil & garlic.

    As you lose fat .....the muscles underneath are revealed. You likely won't be adding new muscle while eating at a calorie decifit. Strength training while eating at a deficit is about KEEPING the muscle you have. Losing muscle mass means a lower metabolism too.

    "Skinny fat" is like a smaller version of the current me. The current me is jiggly & lumpy (yuck!). Adding muscle is hard work....it's much easier for me to hang onto what I already have.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    I'm sure you will lose lots of weight netting only 500-600. However, most people here are going to tell you this is a really bad idea. The longer you do it, the worse it is. Sure you'll lose some fat, but this may result in a loss of a lot of muscle mass, maybe some hair falling out, possible lack of nutrients, and as a bonus, some adaptive thermogenesis to slow down your BMR a few more percentage points, on top of what was due to the weight loss.

    It's my opinion you're trying to do this too fast. Slower is better, safer, and easier to adhere to. I would recommend getting your calorie deficit to somewhere around 20%. Muscle mass is your friend, and you can keep most of it by getting plenty of protein and doing some strength training while in your deficit.

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