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Increasing my calories to be healthy

modie28
modie28 Posts: 4 Member
edited February 18 in Health and Weight Loss
This is my first time posting, and I am not really sure how this works.

I am 27 years old, 5'7" and weigh 121. I was living off of 800 calories or less for the past 2 years and came down from 132 to 121. I have corrected this and realize my health is MUCH more important, so I have slowly been increasing my calories.

I recently began working out this week, mostly the elliptical, every day about 30-45 minutes, roughly burning 300 calories per session. I know my body is holding on to water because of DOMS and I have gained 5 pounds... but I am worried that even though I am eating 1200 calories a day, with the increase from my past restrictions... won't I still gain weight quickly due to the increase?? I am health oriented and want to do things the right way this time;however, would like to have a better understanding on the process of weight loss via working out, calories in vs calories out, type of thing.

Thanks everyone!!:flowerforyou:

Replies

  • sargessexyone
    sargessexyone Posts: 494 Member
    Are you trying to lose, gain or maintain? I think I can say with confidence you are still not eating enough if you eat 1200 and burn 300 you are only netting 900 calories per day.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    more than likely your body is replenishing glycogen and you are retaining water so it is not fat.

    as previous poster pointed out, you should really be netting 1200..so if you burn 300 eat 1500 for a net of 1200.
  • sanderdejonge
    sanderdejonge Posts: 415 Member
    Edited post: See post below.

    Oh, and welcome! :)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    If you eat so few calories your body will go into starvation mode. Meaning your body will store fat because it thinks it will need if for when you'll actually run out of food. Although there is not much to store with just 800cals a day.

    You're better of eating healthy and working out a couple of times a day.
    And by healthy I mean: Enough so your body gets the nutrients it needs. Including calories.

    Since your body was in starvation mode it will probably store more fat in the first two weeks. Which could be the reason for weight gain. But then your body gets used to the extra (normal amount) of calories, and you should lose weight again. Seriously 1200 calories is still really low. I'm actually having a hard time gaining weight (muscles, though) eating 4000cals a day (2600 default + 1400 exercise).


    Oh, and welcome! :)

    ummm no…

    OP was eating about 800 calories a day that is NOT starvation mode. Starvation mode is eating nothing for a pro longed period of time.

    what op has probably done is more then likely damage her metabolism through metabolic adaptation …

    Please stop spreading this nonsense….
  • sanderdejonge
    sanderdejonge Posts: 415 Member
    If you eat so few calories your body will go into starvation mode. Meaning your body will store fat because it thinks it will need if for when you'll actually run out of food. Although there is not much to store with just 800cals a day.

    You're better of eating healthy and working out a couple of times a day.
    And by healthy I mean: Enough so your body gets the nutrients it needs. Including calories.

    Since your body was in starvation mode it will probably store more fat in the first two weeks. Which could be the reason for weight gain. But then your body gets used to the extra (normal amount) of calories, and you should lose weight again. Seriously 1200 calories is still really low. I'm actually having a hard time gaining weight (muscles, though) eating 4000cals a day (2600 default + 1400 exercise).


    Oh, and welcome! :)

    ummm no…

    OP was eating about 800 calories a day that is NOT starvation mode. Starvation mode is eating nothing for a pro longed period of time.

    what op has probably done is more then likely damage her metabolism through metabolic adaptation …

    Please stop spreading this nonsense….

    Hm, yes you're right indeed. I just read up some articles.
    I'll edit my first post.

    Yet still; 800 isn't healthy.
  • xsmilexforxmex
    xsmilexforxmex Posts: 1,216 Member
    https://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/burning_calories/starvation.htm
  • modie28
    modie28 Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks everyone for the input. To clarify, I am not trying to lose - more maintain in a healthy way, as well as become toned? I guess is the best way I can describe it. I understand 800 is very low, hence me slowly increasing my caloric intake. 1200 is also low, yes, but I do not want to increase at such a rapid rate that my body freaks out and holds on to everything.
  • elliej
    elliej Posts: 466 Member
    Up your cals weekly by 100 until you get to 1800/2000, /let/ your body freak out and hold onto everything and then iron it out rather than continuing to damage it by not eating enough to maintain your lean mass (muscles,bone,organs). Work out your TDEE (how active you are and your height/weight, plenty of calculators online) and increase your cals until that's what you're eating. By eating 800 you've basically slowed your metabolism into the ground so it will take time to speed it up again. Watch your macro nutrients and eat more protein (helps keep you full)

    Edit to add: if you want to be more 'toned' you're saying you want to lose fat. Best way to do this is, and retain your muscle mass, is not to go crazy on cardio and to lift weights. Lifting heavy will not make you bulky.
  • modie28
    modie28 Posts: 4 Member
    thanks! that all helped a lot
This discussion has been closed.

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