Am I eating enough??

kboezeman
kboezeman Posts: 4
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been dieting and exercising daily for the past 7 weeks. I had a pregnancy loss and since then I have dropped 26 pounds. My issue is that the scale hasn't moved in the past 2 weeks.

I have been pretty good at measuring all my portions. I am trying to keep my carbs low as I have PCOS. My exercises have consisted of walking, running, hiit, and pilates.

My husband seems to think that I do not eat enough and my body is going into starvation mode. I try to hit 1200 calories but never seem hungry.

I am using a Garmin vivofit to keep track of daily steps, heart rate, etc.

Any ideas?

Replies

  • Amanda4change
    Amanda4change Posts: 620 Member
    1,200 calories is the absolute minimum for a woman and you should never go below this (unless supervised by your doctor). You didn't say how long ago you lost the pregnancy, or what your loss goal is (how many pounds per week) how many pounds total. That will make a difference as well
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Starvation mode doesn't exist. What are your stats and can you open your diary?
  • I think I opened it so you can view it.

    My loss was 9/25. I was shooting to lose 2 pounds a week. I am having surgery in December and wont be able to achieve my goal for a while after that. I was hoping to be down to 180 by surgery but don't see that happening now.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    kboezeman wrote: »
    I think I opened it so you can view it.

    My loss was 9/25. I was shooting to lose 2 pounds a week. I am having surgery in December and wont be able to achieve my goal for a while after that. I was hoping to be down to 180 by surgery but don't see that happening now.

    Very sorry for your loss.
    I looked and there are days you're 300-800 calories, this is NOT enough. It's not healthy and not sustainable. As aforementioned, there is no starvation mode, there is however metabolic adaptation. You need to eat your 1200 PLUS at least half of those exercise calories back. You will still lose, as you will still be in a deficit.
  • sugarlips1980
    sugarlips1980 Posts: 361 Member
    edited November 2014
    Not starvation mode (google this and 'myth', it does exist but at much lower cal levels), but your body can get used to what you're doing. I had a personal trainer who recommended a 'cheat day' one every two weeks, not an excuse to overeat but a day eating at maintenance. I regularly diet for a few weeks and have a weekend off from logging where I don't go crazy, but just relax my eating. Psychologically I NEED this! But also I find it kick starts my metabolism again and I lose once I start eating 1200 again after a few days off. Having said that a couple of weeks at the same weight isn't quite a plateau. Sometimes your diet is still 'working' but there's a pause then a chunk of weight comes off. Sorry to hear about your pregnancy loss too.
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    This will seem two sided - but here goes. First, sorry for your loss - I haven't been through that but I can only imagine what it would feel like.

    Second, you're probably eating more than you think and here's why. If you're not burning more than you consume you won't lose weight.

    Now before anyone get's into "but medical factors blah blah blah" yes I know, there are factors which can affect your metabolism and how fast/slow your body processes foods. There is also metabolic adaptation where your body essentially becomes more efficient and can sustain the same energy output using less calories. Bottom line of all of that is: you're consuming more than you burning, or potentially consuming the same (within 1 - 200 calories) of what you're burning, also known as maintenance.

    Also, the days where you log 300 calories - are you really only eating that, or only logging that? If you were truly only eating that, your body would be eating itself, you'd experience extreme EXTREME fatigue, you wouldn't be able to exercise, and if continued you'd lose LBM, experience organ malfunction or shut down, hair loss, brittle nails and teeth, bones would lose their density, your skin would become almost see through, basically the same issues those who have been anorexic for a long time experience.

    I would see a nutritionist because if you are only eating this, you are on your way to an ED. Second, unless you're a bedridden 4'9 75 year old woman, I doubt you're "not hungry" on 300 calories. Even those who have an ED admit they are hungry and they need to do other things to distract themselves from eating.

    Finally, if you want to have a baby - bring a child into this world who is completely dependent on you to grow him/her for 9 months ish - why the heck would you do this to your body? If you want to have a healthy baby you need to have a healthy body and that includes eating properly. You need to see a doctor/nutritionist to help you figure out how to get your body the nutrients it needs to help grow a baby and to keep you healthy during pregnancy, and in the long run so you can see your kids grow up. You need to take better care of yourself if you're genuinely only eating 300 - 800 calories on most days.
  • JosieRawr
    JosieRawr Posts: 788 Member
    do a search for sexypants in the forum and reevaluate your goals. I do not think you are eating enough... As long as you're recording everything that you have consumed you should still be losing weight though. 2 weeks is hardly a plateau, sometimes it just takes time. and depending on the time of month we do retain extra water pounds even with reasonable sodium levels... I do anyways. Also, drinking lots of water helps with that.. seems counteractive, but the more water you drink, the less your body feels the need to hold onto it. I generally hover in weight then lose a pound or two in a week(my goal isn't really defined at this point and I'm not tracking, but when I was my goal was half a pound a week and that's how it worked-nothing for a couple weeks then the weight I lost the last month showed)
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    kboezeman wrote: »
    I think I opened it so you can view it.

    My loss was 9/25. I was shooting to lose 2 pounds a week. I am having surgery in December and wont be able to achieve my goal for a while after that. I was hoping to be down to 180 by surgery but don't see that happening now.

    Very sorry for your loss.
    I looked and there are days you're 300-800 calories, this is NOT enough. It's not healthy and not sustainable. As aforementioned, there is no starvation mode, there is however metabolic adaptation. You need to eat your 1200 PLUS at least half of those exercise calories back. You will still lose, as you will still be in a deficit.

    Agreed. Honestly, I would cut yourself some slack...you have been through A LOT and with surgery coming up, you should probably get your body into a healthy, happy place. Talk to a doctor, dietitian and/or a therapist. Sincerely wishing you all the best!!!
  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
    You're for sure in Starvation Mode.
  • Where are you guys seeing between 300-800 calories? I usually eat between 1000-1400 calories a day...or so I thought.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    kboezeman wrote: »
    Where are you guys seeing between 300-800 calories? I usually eat between 1000-1400 calories a day...or so I thought.

    Friday November 7th 278 calories. Regardless, 1000 isn't enough, especially if you're exercising.
  • I must not have logged the rest of the day that day.
  • arkowalyshyn
    arkowalyshyn Posts: 132 Member
    May I ask what your surgery is? I also lost a baby, ectopic rupture needed to remove remaining tube and everything. After a few months I needed an additional surgery + a D&C. Hormones will be changing, body will be changing, and emotions/energy. Keep eating well and making good choices every day. Do what exercises are allowed, and make it a habit. Not any new advice, but a hug and good thoughts for you!
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