need some help

bethanysurrett
bethanysurrett Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, I just started exercising every day and I'm trying to track myself using this app. I'm not on a hardcore diet, but I have trying to stop eating things that are really, really bad for you and I stopped drinking cokes. I have been working on intensely and I weigh myself every day... Now I know I'm not going to see crazy results now, but I noticed I'm gaining weight instead of losing. I kinda thought maybe it was muscle or something, but when I googled it I read that my body is going into "starvation mode" because I'm not taking in enough calories. I NEVER eat 1200-2000 calories a day like I saw on some of the sites. Not because I'm starving myself by any means, I just never have. I snack on things a lot. I don't even know how to go about eating that much. If it helps any, I'm 5'4" and weigh 126. Also, I'm only trying to lose 10-15 lbs. Can someone help me or point me to a site that I can? Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • pinkiemarie252
    pinkiemarie252 Posts: 222 Member
    Well, you're gonna get responses about TDEE, starvation mode, etc. Mostly, don't go below 1200. Even if you can't figure out a way to eat more you have to eat more. Have a spoonful of peanut butter or a protein shake or whatever. Also if you're working out really hard you have to eat back your calories. Plus you WILL retain water if you've just started working out and you won't see any progress until your body adjusts.
  • KateK8LoseW8
    KateK8LoseW8 Posts: 824 Member
    1. You're seeing a gain on the scale because you started exercising. Your muscles are hoarding water for repair and recovery, but it will drop off soon.

    2. Starvation mode is not happening. Your body doesn't go into starvation mode until you literally are starving and have hardly any fat left. At that point, yes, your metabolism will slow down to help preserve your body mass, but it doesn't happen from a week of dieting.

    3. Adaptive thermogenesis DOES happen after a long period of time at a very low calorie intake. Eventually (after a long time), your body will become more accustomed to a low calorie intake and learn to preserve your body mass better on that low calorie intake. This is why people don't recommend starting out at 1200 calories, because when you stop losing weight, you can't adjust downward. Eat as much as you possibly can while losing weight.

    4. How much are you eating? You really need to get up to at least 1200 calories. Preferably up to 1200 NET calories (meaning you eat your exercise calories back). Poor nutrition will not make your body happy, and a happy body is much more cooperative with fat loss than a pissed off, malnourished body (speaking from personal experience).
  • martyqueen52
    martyqueen52 Posts: 1,120 Member
    I strongly advise you plug in your info, and get your maintenance level of calories and go from there : http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm


    Do not weigh yourself everyday.... that's a terrible idea. Your body changes weight rapidly, and quite frequently from day to day.


    To lose a lb. a week you cut 500 calories from your maintenance level, but If I were you I would only cut 300 as a beginner.
  • lewandt
    lewandt Posts: 566 Member
    The best thing you can do just starting out is to learn to accurately count your calories and to log them everyday. Everything else is just a bonus.

    The exercise is great, i believe everyone should get at least 30 minutes a day for fitness and it will help you get extra calories for the day, but just starting out the calorie counting is top priority.
  • bethanysurrett
    bethanysurrett Posts: 2
    Thank you every one!!! That actually makes me feel better to hear that "starvation mode" isn't happening!!! I will take all of your advice!

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