have I ruined my metabolism?

nowucme123
nowucme123 Posts: 9 Member
edited February 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been on a very low cal diet for a number of months (sometimes below 1200 + cardio). I have not lost weight for months but I feel that now is the time to get back to normal habits. If I resume a normal caloric intake will I gain weight?

Someone please help! I'm desperate. I still have 6lbs to lose:(
If you are wondering my stats are 5'4, 131lbs.

Replies

  • amberlykay1014
    amberlykay1014 Posts: 608 Member
    As I understand, you can "re-set" your metabolism by eating at your TDEE for several weeks, then gradually start to reduce calories again. We actually have similar stats: I'm 5'4" and ~140 lbs. My TDEE for moderately active is ~2200. I usually eat ~1900/day.

    Whatever you decide, you health should be the most important factor, not your weight. If I were you, I'd start gradually increasing calories to near TDEE for a while. Yes, you'll probably gain weight initially.
  • nowucme123
    nowucme123 Posts: 9 Member
    Yes of course, health was really my main motivation at the start but I became so caught up in the hype of looking good:(

    Do you know if it will be much weight? I have currently lost 16lbs, I don't really want to throw it all away:(

    Would gradually upping my calorie intake work better? Thank you!
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  • nowucme123
    nowucme123 Posts: 9 Member
    Do you think I should start on upping my daily calories to my TDEE straight away? Thank you!
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    Do you think I should start on upping my daily calories to my TDEE straight away? Thank you!

    Given that your current diet is unhealthy I would say for your health yes. If your goal is weight loss and you legitimately have some weight to lose you can do so by being just under your TDEE. 1200 calories is drastic.
  • nowucme123
    nowucme123 Posts: 9 Member
    OK thank you very much! Do you think I'll see a weight gain in the next few weeks due to the extra calories?
    Also, should I continue doing exercise like running and walking?
  • sheltol
    sheltol Posts: 120 Member
    Do you think I should start on upping my daily calories to my TDEE straight away? Thank you!

    No. Gradually over several weeks and or months depending on how long you have been at an excessive calorie deficit. Google Layne Norton + Metabolic Damage. You'll see various names for it but that is the terminology he uses.

    I'm pretty certain you'll gain weight as you get yourself back on track. But you have to trust in what you are doing. Best of luck to you.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    OK thank you very much! Do you think I'll see a weight gain in the next few weeks due to the extra calories?
    Also, should I continue doing exercise like running and walking?

    If you are currently at maintenance and you start to eat more then yes you will gain weight. You can continue to exercise but whatever you do in terms of exercise you should eat that much more.
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    You will clearly die if you eat over 1200 calories.
  • nowucme123
    nowucme123 Posts: 9 Member
    Thank you very much:)
  • nowucme123
    nowucme123 Posts: 9 Member
    If I am currently on 1200 a day and I up it to my TDEE will I gain weight do you think?
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    If I am currently on 1200 a day and I up it to my TDEE will I gain weight do you think?

    Okay. I don't know how much you are actually eating. For a second, and I'm not trying to be rude, lets say you aren't logging accurately and you are eating more. Hard to say because your diary is closed. Therefore lets just say you are eating "X" amount of calories.

    If you have been consistently eating "X" number of calories for months or longer and have not lost weight then you are at maintenance. As such if you then start eating calories above X then yes you will gain weight yes.

    That said if you are 18 years old and exercising there is no way that you maintain at only 1200 calories. A 18 year old 5'4'' 131 pound woman who is completely sedentary would likely maintain around 1800 calories, not 1200. Even your BMR is considerably larger than 1200.
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