Did upping your calorie allowance help you lose weight faster?
jessmillross
Posts: 11 Member
Having been on the minimum allowance of 1200 for a few months I have not lost as much weight as I thought I would and this has slowed even more recently.
I am considering upping my allowance a bit to see if that speeds up my metabolism but I guess I'm struggling with the idea that more calories in could really increase the speed I lose weight.
I don't really struggle that much with the 1200 limit so it feels a little bit like giving myself more might just be unnecessary eating.
I was just wondering if anyone who has been in this situation and gone through with it. Did it work?
I am considering upping my allowance a bit to see if that speeds up my metabolism but I guess I'm struggling with the idea that more calories in could really increase the speed I lose weight.
I don't really struggle that much with the 1200 limit so it feels a little bit like giving myself more might just be unnecessary eating.
I was just wondering if anyone who has been in this situation and gone through with it. Did it work?
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Replies
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Maybe not faster, but definately more sustainable. I'm losing size still, the scale moves slow (which is fine with me), i also add exercise and now recently added 4x/wk lifting 1.5 hours/sessions. It's still calories in/calories out, for me that is.0
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Well, eating more definitely doesn't work for me.
But there are some questions to ask yourself if you're not happy with your progress.
Sounds like you ARE losing weight. How much and how fast? How close are you to you goal and/or a healthy weight? How long have you been working at it?
If you don't have much to lose, a half pound a week might be GREAT progress, in which case you just need to stick with it. A half pound a week is great bc it's gradual enough that you are less likely to yoyo once you hit your goal.
If you have a LOT to lose, then you might be able to expect up to two pounds a week. If that's the case and you're not seeing the results, then maybe you're eating more than you think you are or overestimating your exercise. Or both.
If you expect to lose more than two pounds a week, you need to dial back your expectations.
If it's been less than six weeks, you need to be patient. Wait a while and average your total weight loss across the number of weeks you've been losing. You might see that looking back, you are losing weight at the proper speed, just not in a straight line.....
I see a case being made for eating more if you're lethargic or starting to get injuries, starving and miserable, or losing too fast. But in all those cases, your weight loss will slow down vs speed up. And sometimes that is exactly what a person needs.
Be patient and keep working at it. You can do this.0 -
kikichewie wrote: »Well, eating more definitely doesn't work for me.
But there are some questions to ask yourself if you're not happy with your progress.
Sounds like you ARE losing weight. How much and how fast? How close are you to you goal and/or a healthy weight? How long have you been working at it?
If you don't have much to lose, a half pound a week might be GREAT progress, in which case you just need to stick with it. A half pound a week is great bc it's gradual enough that you are less likely to yoyo once you hit your goal.
If you have a LOT to lose, then you might be able to expect up to two pounds a week. If that's the case and you're not seeing the results, then maybe you're eating more than you think you are or overestimating your exercise. Or both.
If you expect to lose more than two pounds a week, you need to dial back your expectations.
If it's been less than six weeks, you need to be patient. Wait a while and average your total weight loss across the number of weeks you've been losing. You might see that looking back, you are losing weight at the proper speed, just not in a straight line.....
I see a case being made for eating more if you're lethargic or starting to get injuries, starving and miserable, or losing too fast. But in all those cases, your weight loss will slow down vs speed up. And sometimes that is exactly what a person needs.
Be patient and keep working at it. You can do this.
Well said. I finally did up my intake to give me a 0.5 Lb loss per week to 1420/set at sedentary + 20 to 50% workout calories. I am feeling great which makes me think I can keep this up as my lifestyle. 1200/day, I was weak and my workouts/energy suffered.0 -
kikichewie wrote: »Well, eating more definitely doesn't work for me.
But there are some questions to ask yourself if you're not happy with your progress.
Sounds like you ARE losing weight. How much and how fast? How close are you to you goal and/or a healthy weight? How long have you been working at it?
If you don't have much to lose, a half pound a week might be GREAT progress, in which case you just need to stick with it. A half pound a week is great bc it's gradual enough that you are less likely to yoyo once you hit your goal.
If you have a LOT to lose, then you might be able to expect up to two pounds a week. If that's the case and you're not seeing the results, then maybe you're eating more than you think you are or overestimating your exercise. Or both.
If you expect to lose more than two pounds a week, you need to dial back your expectations.
If it's been less than six weeks, you need to be patient. Wait a while and average your total weight loss across the number of weeks you've been losing. You might see that looking back, you are losing weight at the proper speed, just not in a straight line.....
I see a case being made for eating more if you're lethargic or starting to get injuries, starving and miserable, or losing too fast. But in all those cases, your weight loss will slow down vs speed up. And sometimes that is exactly what a person needs.
Be patient and keep working at it. You can do this.
You're right. I mean you tell MFP you want to lose 2lbs a week and you think if you do what you're told it'll happen. I'm losing closer 0-0.5lbs every week or so which will still get me there in the end.
My main issue is that I wanted to be in a certain place in time for my holiday in July and at this rate I won't be there which is sad.
Thanks for the post though. Sometimes I need someone to open my eyes and tell me that it's not the end of the world if I don't hit my target weight at my target time as long as I hit it in the end
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Are you weighing your foods on a scale? Looking at your diary it's hard to tell, but it doesn't look like it.
Rather than upping your calories, tighten up your logging. If you're truly eating 1200 calories and have no medical issues (like thyroid), then you would be losing more than .5 lbs (your profile shows you have a good amount to lose).
Invest in a food scale (they're not really expensive) and start weighing your solids.0 -
Just make sure you're logging properly and are not underestimating your food portions, or overestimating your exercise burns. At your age you should be able to lose much more if you're really accurate in your diary... so it doesn't really add up.
That being said, with what you have to lose, 2 pounds a week is way too extreme and I'd switch to the 1 pound a week setting.
I'm totally jealous of the Desperados and Kinder Surprise in your diary, that being said, lol!0 -
No,jessmillross wrote: »Having been on the minimum allowance of 1200 for a few months I have not lost as much weight as I thought I would and this has slowed even more recently.
I am considering upping my allowance a bit to see if that speeds up my metabolism but I guess I'm struggling with the idea that more calories in could really increase the speed I lose weight.
I don't really struggle that much with the 1200 limit so it feels a little bit like giving myself more might just be unnecessary eating.
I was just wondering if anyone who has been in this situation and gone through with it. Did it work?
You must only up your calorie allowance while still staying in a deficit if you are sure of your calorie intake.
Also, you do not up your calorie allowance if you are not losing weight or you are gaining weight. If this were true, then the more we eat, the skinnier we would get.
Eating more does not speed up your metabolism. However, raising your calorie goal while still staying in a deficit might give you more energy to fuel those workouts and your daily activities, therefore maintaining your deficit. However, keep in mind that raising your calorie goal slows weight loss.0 -
jessmillross wrote: »kikichewie wrote: »Well, eating more definitely doesn't work for me.
But there are some questions to ask yourself if you're not happy with your progress.
Sounds like you ARE losing weight. How much and how fast? How close are you to you goal and/or a healthy weight? How long have you been working at it?
If you don't have much to lose, a half pound a week might be GREAT progress, in which case you just need to stick with it. A half pound a week is great bc it's gradual enough that you are less likely to yoyo once you hit your goal.
If you have a LOT to lose, then you might be able to expect up to two pounds a week. If that's the case and you're not seeing the results, then maybe you're eating more than you think you are or overestimating your exercise. Or both.
If you expect to lose more than two pounds a week, you need to dial back your expectations.
If it's been less than six weeks, you need to be patient. Wait a while and average your total weight loss across the number of weeks you've been losing. You might see that looking back, you are losing weight at the proper speed, just not in a straight line.....
I see a case being made for eating more if you're lethargic or starting to get injuries, starving and miserable, or losing too fast. But in all those cases, your weight loss will slow down vs speed up. And sometimes that is exactly what a person needs.
Be patient and keep working at it. You can do this.
You're right. I mean you tell MFP you want to lose 2lbs a week and you think if you do what you're told it'll happen. I'm losing closer 0-0.5lbs every week or so which will still get me there in the end.
My main issue is that I wanted to be in a certain place in time for my holiday in July and at this rate I won't be there which is sad.
Thanks for the post though. Sometimes I need someone to open my eyes and tell me that it's not the end of the world if I don't hit my target weight at my target time as long as I hit it in the end
If you told MFP you want to lose two pounds a week and you're only lose a half pound, then you are eating to sustain that half pound per week weight loss.
Do you weigh your food? Log everything you eat? Ensure you are using correct entries?
Do you eat your exercise calories back? Where do you get the exercise burn estimates from?
ETA: I looked at your diary. It appears to me you are not weighing your food because there are a lot of general entries. You also have an entry for 4 grams of Nutella, which would be less than even a quarter of a tablespoon. Is that a guess or did you actually weigh that smidgen?
Also, I see you get your calorie burns form your phone app, which syncs with MFP. Phone apps, MFP, internet sources, and gym machines overestimate calorie burns. I would eat only half those calories back.
The good thing is you are losing weight, even though it's slow, so you have a choice here. Continue doing what you're doing and lose weight at a slower rate, or get your logging under control and lose at a faster rate. However, keep in mind that as you get closer to your goal, your weight loss will slow down and you will have to be as accurate as possible when when logging your food. Create the good habits now and they will carry you throughout your weight loss journey and into the future so that you can maintain your weight loss.0 -
Eating more only works for me IF I am working out daily being active. It also depends on the foods I am choosing...leafy greens and good proteins ..beans and lean meats..I dont choose junk food as a source just to up my cals...If I choose wisely on my more hungry days and up my cals and boost my workouts I do tend to lose more..0
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You're right. I mean you tell MFP you want to lose 2lbs a week and you think if you do what you're told it'll happen. I'm losing closer 0-0.5lbs every week or so which will still get me there in the end.
My main issue is that I wanted to be in a certain place in time for my holiday in July and at this rate I won't be there which is sad.
Thanks for the post though. Sometimes I need someone to open my eyes and tell me that it's not the end of the world if I don't hit my target weight at my target time as long as I hit it in the end
Well. I guarantee if you stick with it until July, you will feel better than you would if you quit! Don't be sad, because you just never know how things will work out. Stay positive and try to enjoy the process. Every workout and every day you meet your goal is a victory! Pretty soon you'll lose an inch here or there, or you'll go shopping right before your vacation and notice that a new outfit just fits a little nicer than it would have before. Or maybe there a new style of bathing suit that is surprisingly flattering! You just never know. But a couple months from now, and you will feel great if you stick with it. Don't let the numbers and expectations get you down. You've got lots and lots of opportunities to succeed each day between now and then, and then for the rest of your life!
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You're increasing your gross calories but decreasing your net calories.MyaPapaya75 wrote: »Eating more only works for me IF I am working out daily being active. It also depends on the foods I am choosing...leafy greens and good proteins ..beans and lean meats..I dont choose junk food as a source just to up my cals...If I choose wisely on my more hungry days and up my cals and boost my workouts I do tend to lose more..
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
You're increasing your gross calories but decreasing your net calories.MyaPapaya75 wrote: »Eating more only works for me IF I am working out daily being active. It also depends on the foods I am choosing...leafy greens and good proteins ..beans and lean meats..I dont choose junk food as a source just to up my cals...If I choose wisely on my more hungry days and up my cals and boost my workouts I do tend to lose more..
^^ This is the key to "eat more to lose more," in my experience. Adequate fuel for me has led to much better and more satisfying workouts and decreased net calories.
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My advice would be the following:
1) Make sure you're changing up what you're eating, your metabolism will always use the least amount of energy it can, so one way to make it work harder is to change what you're eating regularly.
2) Make sure your calorie intake is productive calories (i.e. high protein, high fibre, low sugar/salt). 500 calories from healthy food is much different than 500 calories of junk
3) Water, water, water 0 -
jessmillross wrote: »kikichewie wrote: »
You're right. I mean you tell MFP you want to lose 2lbs a week and you think if you do what you're told it'll happen. I'm losing closer 0-0.5lbs every week or so which will still get me there in the end.
My main issue is that I wanted to be in a certain place in time for my holiday in July and at this rate I won't be there which is sad.
Thanks for the post though. Sometimes I need someone to open my eyes and tell me that it's not the end of the world if I don't hit my target weight at my target time as long as I hit it in the end
If you tell it to lose 2 pounds per week but it is physically impossible to do that without going below 1200, MFP will just give you 1200 as a calorie target and disregard your setting. It won't give you a plan that would cause you to actually lose 2 pounds if that would cut your calories unhealthful low. If you want to do the math yourself, figure out how many calories you burn per day at maintenance (there are internet calculators out there for that) and then subtract 1000 which is the kind of deficit you'd need to run every day to lose 2 pounds per week. It might not be possible for you, short of overdoing it with exercise or starving. Which is why people are told to set more realistic and healthy goals of 1-.5 when they weigh less.
I also agree with those that say to watch out that you don't overestimate your calorie burn or underestimate your food intake, which is a common source of error. My loss rate tracks pretty closely with my predicted rate (based on my logging and fitbit estimates), so I don't worry about that too much other than continuing to do what I'm doing. But if my tracking predicted 1 pound loss and I was averaging .5, that tells me there is an error in my food logging, exercise estimates, or in the formula used to calculate my BMR (because I had a slower metabolism than the average person or because some incorrect numbers were being put in the formula). Logging/exercise is the only one under your direct control, so I'd start there.
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For me yes, I'm trying to maintain right now but it's pretty hard since i keep losing more weight when upping calories. I lost +- 200 grams per week when eating 1300-400 kcal a day+ exercising 7 days a week, now I eat 1900+ kcal, exercise 4/5 times a week and i've lost 1 kg in 2 weeks...0
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i only recently came back to MFP, but back when i was logging in daily i found that the 1200 calorie was hard to sustain. And i found that i wasnt losing weight on it either. i upped my calorie intake to 1400 and did lose a few pounds at that intake. then i fell off the MFP bandwagon and stopped altogether, and was just doing my own thing and trying a thing or two here and there. However, i am back. I have not, and probably will not step on a scale because i found that living by the number that i saw on that damned thing determined my day for me. and as we all know those numbers can fluxuate for a lot of reasons. And every time my number wasnt what i wanted to see, my days were not good. I am guaging my success by how i feel now, and how my clothes feel. I did try the "5:2 diet" for a few months earlier this year. That is the 2 days a week (Mon and Thurs for me) fasting (you can have 500 calories on your fasting days) and it was pretty good. I actually felt fantastic on my fasting days. I only stopped because i went on course for 2 months which entailed a lot of worldwide travel and trying to juggle time zones and eating is not an easy feat. Anyway- Google the diet online or buy the book- there are a lot of health benefits to fasting, and honestly- weight loss is really just one of the side effects of it. It changes a lot of things in your body including how your metabolism works. And also has so many other health benefits. You would be surprised. Read up on it- it is pretty interesting. My doctor actually recommended it to me. So maybe try that to fuel some fire onto your weight loss. You might really like it.0
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I upped my calories and my non-exercise activity level at the same time, and I've dramatically leaned out since then. I think this is down to moving more. I was eating 1200ish and now I let myself eat up to 1750, with most days falling in the 1400-1600 range. So it is possible that I increased my deficit.
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acooke1274 wrote: »My advice would be the following:
1) Make sure you're changing up what you're eating, your metabolism will always use the least amount of energy it can, so one way to make it work harder is to change what you're eating regularly.
2) Make sure your calorie intake is productive calories (i.e. high protein, high fibre, low sugar/salt). 500 calories from healthy food is much different than 500 calories of junk
3) Water, water, water
1)- food has nothing to do with metabolism. Weight loss is calories in/calories out. I successfully lost 44 pounds eating the same things, and gained weight eating a variety of foods.
2) No, this has nothing to do with weight loss either. It's calories in/calories out.
3) I agree water is important for hydration, but the only thing it has to do with weight loss is we are drinking instead of eating.
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jessmillross wrote: »kikichewie wrote: »Well, eating more definitely doesn't work for me.
But there are some questions to ask yourself if you're not happy with your progress.
Sounds like you ARE losing weight. How much and how fast? How close are you to you goal and/or a healthy weight? How long have you been working at it?
If you don't have much to lose, a half pound a week might be GREAT progress, in which case you just need to stick with it. A half pound a week is great bc it's gradual enough that you are less likely to yoyo once you hit your goal.
If you have a LOT to lose, then you might be able to expect up to two pounds a week. If that's the case and you're not seeing the results, then maybe you're eating more than you think you are or overestimating your exercise. Or both.
If you expect to lose more than two pounds a week, you need to dial back your expectations.
If it's been less than six weeks, you need to be patient. Wait a while and average your total weight loss across the number of weeks you've been losing. You might see that looking back, you are losing weight at the proper speed, just not in a straight line.....
I see a case being made for eating more if you're lethargic or starting to get injuries, starving and miserable, or losing too fast. But in all those cases, your weight loss will slow down vs speed up. And sometimes that is exactly what a person needs.
Be patient and keep working at it. You can do this.
You're right. I mean you tell MFP you want to lose 2lbs a week and you think if you do what you're told it'll happen. I'm losing closer 0-0.5lbs every week or so which will still get me there in the end.
My main issue is that I wanted to be in a certain place in time for my holiday in July and at this rate I won't be there which is sad.
Thanks for the post though. Sometimes I need someone to open my eyes and tell me that it's not the end of the world if I don't hit my target weight at my target time as long as I hit it in the end
If you told MFP you want to lose two pounds a week and you're only lose a half pound, then you are eating to sustain that half pound per week weight loss.
Do you weigh your food? Log everything you eat? Ensure you are using correct entries?
Do you eat your exercise calories back? Where do you get the exercise burn estimates from?
ETA: I looked at your diary. It appears to me you are not weighing your food because there are a lot of general entries. You also have an entry for 4 grams of Nutella, which would be less than even a quarter of a tablespoon. Is that a guess or did you actually weigh that smidgen?
Also, I see you get your calorie burns form your phone app, which syncs with MFP. Phone apps, MFP, internet sources, and gym machines overestimate calorie burns. I would eat only half those calories back.
The good thing is you are losing weight, even though it's slow, so you have a choice here. Continue doing what you're doing and lose weight at a slower rate, or get your logging under control and lose at a faster rate. However, keep in mind that as you get closer to your goal, your weight loss will slow down and you will have to be as accurate as possible when when logging your food. Create the good habits now and they will carry you throughout your weight loss journey and into the future so that you can maintain your weight loss.
I do weigh foods such as meats and spreads but not things that come prepackaged like bars and things I don't weigh.
I don't weigh salad cause it's so low calorie that it seems unnecessary.
The 4g of Nutella was because I stuck my finger in the jar and had a small coating and I just compared the amount it looked like to how much it weighs on toast.
I have my phone synced but I try not to eat back my exercise calories if it can be avoided.0 -
Just make sure you're logging properly and are not underestimating your food portions, or overestimating your exercise burns. At your age you should be able to lose much more if you're really accurate in your diary... so it doesn't really add up.
That being said, with what you have to lose, 2 pounds a week is way too extreme and I'd switch to the 1 pound a week setting.
I'm totally jealous of the Desperados and Kinder Surprise in your diary, that being said, lol!
I think I'm quite accurate but I suppose there have been a couple of guilty chocolate incidents over Easter that I may have forgotten about and they probably add up
Oh dear, yesterday's diary entry was not my best moment but at least I was honest XD In my defence it had been ages since I'd been out (and since I'd had a kinder surprise)
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Maybe not faster, but definately more sustainable. I'm losing size still, the scale moves slow (which is fine with me), i also add exercise and now recently added 4x/wk lifting 1.5 hours/sessions. It's still calories in/calories out, for me that is.
that.
im losing at the same rate eating between 1500 and 1800 (sometimes eating back exercise calories, sometimes not, just depending on how i FEEL), then i was at 1200 and eating back ALL my exercise calories (cause i was a hungry raving *kitten*) LOL0 -
jessmillross wrote: »Having been on the minimum allowance of 1200 for a few months I have not lost as much weight as I thought I would and this has slowed even more recently.
Peeked at the last five days. Only two of them were around 1200, and one was at 1900 and another at 2600. This is not really what's generally meant by "1200 cal/day".
Haven't looked at the entries yet...
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jessmillross wrote: »Having been on the minimum allowance of 1200 for a few months I have not lost as much weight as I thought I would and this has slowed even more recently.
Peeked at the last five days. Only two of them were around 1200, and one was at 1900 and another at 2600. This is not really what's generally meant by "1200 cal/day".
Haven't looked at the entries yet...
those pesky details..... LOLOLOL 0 -
jessmillross wrote: »Having been on the minimum allowance of 1200 for a few months I have not lost as much weight as I thought I would and this has slowed even more recently.
Peeked at the last five days. Only two of them were around 1200, and one was at 1900 and another at 2600. This is not really what's generally meant by "1200 cal/day".
Haven't looked at the entries yet...
Yeah this week is kind of embarrassing XD
But I have more good days than bad ones I think is my problem. Ok perhaps I shouldn't be expecting the 2lbs a week but I keep hitting a wall where I'll make a loss and then I'll gain it again the next day and it sticks there.
Then I get annoyed and think if it's not gonna work then I'll just eat what I want and stop bothering.
Then I remind myself that being like that is what got me here in the first place And to stick with it.0 -
Um. No. But it helped me clear my mind, lift more weight, and be less hangry. Naturally, adding calories made me lose weight more slowly. Science.0
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arditarose wrote: »Um. No. But it helped me clear my mind, lift more weight, and be less hangry. Naturally, adding calories made me lose weight more slowly. Science.
Perhaps "faster" was the wrong word to use. "More effectively" would have been better.0 -
jessmillross wrote: »jessmillross wrote: »Having been on the minimum allowance of 1200 for a few months I have not lost as much weight as I thought I would and this has slowed even more recently.
Peeked at the last five days. Only two of them were around 1200, and one was at 1900 and another at 2600. This is not really what's generally meant by "1200 cal/day".
Haven't looked at the entries yet...
Yeah this week is kind of embarrassing XD
But I have more good days than bad ones I think is my problem. Ok perhaps I shouldn't be expecting the 2lbs a week but I keep hitting a wall where I'll make a loss and then I'll gain it again the next day and it sticks there.
Then I get annoyed and think if it's not gonna work then I'll just eat what I want and stop bothering.
Then I remind myself that being like that is what got me here in the first place And to stick with it.
If it's messing with your head it might be better to switch to 1 lb/week and see if you can be really consistent. I started at 1250, but eventually found I did better at 1400, as I was feeling deprived on days on which I had no exercise calories.
I'd also look at your goals page, as even at 1200 you probably aren't predicted to lose 2 lbs/week, given your current weight, and that might be why you are ending up feeling disappointed with your results.0 -
jessmillross wrote: »arditarose wrote: »Um. No. But it helped me clear my mind, lift more weight, and be less hangry. Naturally, adding calories made me lose weight more slowly. Science.
Perhaps "faster" was the wrong word to use. "More effectively" would have been better.
Ah. Not for me, because I can be a crap logger. I like to take extra licks. And when the deficit is small, there is not much room for error.-1 -
jessmillross wrote: »arditarose wrote: »Um. No. But it helped me clear my mind, lift more weight, and be less hangry. Naturally, adding calories made me lose weight more slowly. Science.
Perhaps "faster" was the wrong word to use. "More effectively" would have been better.
It really depends. If you keep going out and going over once or twice a week, you're better off keeping a bigger deficit, honestly. It's all about averages. My guess is that your average is closer to 1400 than 1200 already... so if you increase your calories but still keep having higher calorie days, it's not going to help you at all.0 -
It was more effective for me to keep a bigger deficit and be done with it, rather than drag it out.jessmillross wrote: »arditarose wrote: »Um. No. But it helped me clear my mind, lift more weight, and be less hangry. Naturally, adding calories made me lose weight more slowly. Science.
Perhaps "faster" was the wrong word to use. "More effectively" would have been better.
Not every hare takes a nap and lets the tortoise win.
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