Am I eating too few calories?

jayz_gal2004
jayz_gal2004 Posts: 18 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been dieting now for 15 days. My calorie goal is 1200 daily. I manage to stay within my goal, and I don't feel hungry. However, the scale is not where I want it to be. I am scared to up my calories for fear of weight gain. Any advice?

I am:
5'8
177 pds.
Goal:140

Replies

  • MorgueBabe
    MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
    Can you open your food dairy?
    I'm smaller (in height and weight) than you and I eat more than you and lose... so I'm going to guess you're not eating near enough.
  • Love4fitnesslove4food2
    Love4fitnesslove4food2 Posts: 711 Member
    Can you open your food dairy?
    I'm smaller (in height and weight) than you and I eat more than you and lose... so I'm going to guess you're not eating near enough.

    This.
  • jayz_gal2004
    jayz_gal2004 Posts: 18 Member
    Sure, check it out!
  • aekaya
    aekaya Posts: 163 Member
    15 days might not be enough to see a change....

    You might be eating too little, though. I'm an inch shorter than you and have the same goal weight, and I've been able to lose weight by eating between 1400-1600 per day.

    This is super useful: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet
  • LVCeltGirl
    LVCeltGirl Posts: 473
    My other questions since I haven't attempted to glance at your diary and last response said it was closed.

    Do you exercise? Do you drink water, or is it other things and what type?

    Also, have you calculated your BMR?

    All of those things can work into a scale that isn't budging.

    It can also be that you really don't have a lot of weight to lose and you're extremely close to the upper range of healthy BMI. So it's going to take a little longer to lose the weight. You might even want to go after strength training for toning up the muscle.

    My other piece of advice is patience. If you're afraid that you're not eating enough calories, then bump it up by 100, see what that does, it won't cause you to gain weight and give it more than 2 weeks.

    Also, check out this message board - it explains a bit more of the "science" (which is still just trial and error) of weight loss:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants?hl=how+to+get+to+sexy+pants

    Remember, weight loss isn't linear. You may have another week or two of nothing and then "boom" all of a sudden you start dropping. It's so different for everyone that there's not just 1 solution.
  • running_shoe
    running_shoe Posts: 180 Member
    We are of similar build - I was 160 lb when I decided I wanted to lose some weight, and I'm 5'8.5". I, however, was starving at 1200 and having headaches I was so weak and hungry. After reading the school of thought on here about eating more to lose, I decided to go out on a limb and try it. By tweaking my weight loss goal from 1 lb a week to 0.5 lb per week, I got given more calories, and my weight loss not only continued but maybe even happened faster. I am at 150 lb now and at maintenance at 1900 calories. I am holding my weight nice and steady and started a strength program in September. Since starting lifting, my weight has not changed, but I have gone from a size 6 to a size 4. I am a true convert from the 1200 calorie a day school. Don't be afraid to give it a try. What have you really got to lose?
  • jayz_gal2004
    jayz_gal2004 Posts: 18 Member
    I drink water and coffee(occasionally). I try to exercise at least 3x per week.I eat whatever I want as long as I keep within the 1200 range. I think I may have made my goal too aggressive :0/
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    I think 1200 may be too few at your height - I don't want to be a hypocrite though, I've did 1200 + exercise cals myself.

    However after 15 days 1200 or 'too few calories' isnt't going to stop you losin weight or put you into the fabled 'starvation mode'. A far more likely reason you're not seeing the results you want is that you're not logging accurately. Buy a food scale and be meticulous whatever calorie goal you go with.

    Good luck with it :)

    ETA: also, if you are eating back exercise cals MFP estimates can sometimes be over generous.
  • Smashley1947
    Smashley1947 Posts: 129
    I agree - eat more food,

    Also exercise and strength train.

    15 days is way way too soon to see results, check again in a month or 2
  • Kriistabell
    Kriistabell Posts: 181 Member
    I have been dieting now for 15 days. My calorie goal is 1200 daily. I manage to stay within my goal, and I don't feel hungry. However, the scale is not where I want it to be. I am scared to up my calories for fear of weight gain. Any advice?

    I am:
    5'8
    177 pds.
    Goal:140

    I just checked out your diary. I am similar to you (5'8" 168 pounds) and I'd like to be at about 145. I had to up my calorie intake too (I wasn't counting before but it was hard to hit the calorie goal set for me according to IIFYM because I felt like I was stuffing my face until I felt like puking. Turns out I wasn't planning my meals properly. Whatever. Point is, you need to eat more food - specifically more protein. Also, I would completely cut out simple carbs. I see that you are very low on carbs - you need them! They help you function and you need something to burn off throughout the day. I am eating low carbs, high protein due to my IIFYM goals and all -- but they're not that low. However my protein amount is equal to the amount of pounds I weigh. Don't be afraid. Eating 1200 calories is only stumping your metabolism and will hurt you more in the long run. I eat about every 2 or 3 hours (small meals that are fairly low in carbs with high protein and healthy fats). I think it makes sense. Just make sure your ratio of fats:carbs:protein is appropriate. I'm basically telling you to follow IIFYM to some extent so you can eat more calories and lose more fat :smooched:

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