Starvation mode

Because you have a significant amount of weight to lose, you can safely have a higher deficit than someone who has only a little to lose. If 1200 cal was working for you, go back to that!

Good luck!

I would go back to doing what works for you. I am about the same weight as you and I very rarely ever eat my exercise calories back. I figure I have a LONG way to go before I need to worry about starvation mode.

You are not in a situation where you are likely to enter starvation mode. Most people with a large amount to lose do not need to be concerned about it until they decrease fat stores.

That said, you do need to eat enough to meet nutritional needs, for both macros (protein/fat/carbs) and micros (vitamins and minerals).

You may be overestimating cals burned and underestimating intake. Try eating only some of your exercise cals, and do your best to make them come from healthy, nutrient dense foods. Weigh and measure your food, and be realistic with your burns; just use the most accurate numbers you can get and be honest about them.

May help to read these:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/230930-starvation-mode-how-it-works

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/117726-eating-exercise-cals-slowing-your-weight-loss-read-this

Also I just looked at your diary and you are consuming way too many processed carbs. It's not just about the number of calories you consume but the amoutn of protein. You cannot eat 300 grams of carbs a day and 80 grams of protein and expect to lose weight quickly. I try to eat the same amount of carbs and protein everyday. Try it out for a week and see what you think.

I know this is frustrating for you. I struggle with this as well. I'll tell you that when I eat back all my exercise calories, I either gain weight or stay at the same weight with fluctuation- and I'm on a 1200 calorie diet. I usually try to eat just above 1200 calories (like 1250 or 1275) just so I can be certain I've eaten at least 1200 since much of the calorie counting is guess work, and I don't want to slip into starvation mode. Also, I'm sure to exercise and I do not eat back my exercise calories (with the exception of the 50-75 calories over 1200) so that I can always have more calories burned than eaten. However, if I burn a lot of calories - a whole lot , like during a 10K run or something- then, I know my body needs to repair itself, so I will eat back half of my exercise calories.

The other thing to pay attention to is when you eat. I find I do better when I eat several small meals paced throughout the day, rather than three larger meals.

Usually, this works well for me, but the weight still comes off slowly. As long as it is decreasing, I'm okay with the slow pace, because I know it will stay off.

Whatever you decide to do, don't give up. You'll probably need to try a few things until you learn what is best for your body.

Best wishes...

As alot of people have told you, water water water... If your over on sodium, if your eating alot of processed foods, etc, you need the boost from water to flush it out... 18cups a day for your weight (and if ur over on sodium, going up to 20cups wouldnt be a bad idea, or if u excercise alot you need extra water too).

I dont have a problem with carbs, but maybe that is your issue. No idea. I dont even track carbs anymore cuz i was never over even on days where id have pasta and bread on the same day.

Im suppose to eat 1600 a day and alot of times ill be at 1400 or 1500 net; and rarely ever be at 1200 or below (maybe 2 a month total due to days of being really busy and not around food), and I loose weight just fine, so i really dont understand why you arent.

You also have a TON of stress and that can cause havik on your body.

Ive been doing this for 85days now and out of those 12weeks Ive been platued a total of 5 weeks (2weeks one time, and 3weeks the other; and breaks of 4-5 days at other times with no lose).. alls i can say is just keep at it, and things will go down on their own..

You have enough stress right now with you mom, dont let this stress you out too... On the 4th, get some better foods. Id make it a goal not to buy any processed foods; or not more than lets say 5 items... or whatever... You dont have to eat a ton of fresh fruits and veggies, you can get frozen (the sodium is a tad higher, but not enough to worry about when u cut out processed foods). I get potatoes and rice and frozen chicken and can go a long way with those types of items. I get apples and peanut butter for breakfast (half apple + 2tbls of peanut butter surprisingly fills me up), and things like chicken and rice for dinner (can add frozen spinach to rice water while its cooking for extra nutrition), and a frozen veggie on the side would be a good meal... You could change it up with a baked potaote and different veggie on a different night, or maybe a stir fry with some different seasonings added on a different night, etc.

Just go to the grocery store with some meal ideas in mind, and you can prepare one type of meal to last a few days to save time if you dont like cooking much or dont have alot of time--- like cooking multiple cups of rice at same time, or extra chicken.. yesterday we did a bbq and i made extra chicken so i could have a salad with lunch today and tomorrow; or i made enough salad to have plenty of leftovers for lunches, snacks, etc, and my pasta salad is enough to serve 20people, but im only feeding just a few.. u could make tuna casseroles (with less butter and low to no fat milk--or almond milk or whatever), which would just be a can of tuna some frozen veggies and the milk/butter and low cost noodles that will last multiple meals.. You could do black beans and rice, or a batch of chili with beans and ground turkey (or even chicken); with some onion, frozen corn, canned tomatoes. Eating healthy doesnt cost alot, but you need to plan your shopping better so that you have enough to last the whole month because seems like every month you really struggle with this issue towards the end or second half of the month. As im writing this, Im eating a salad with feta cheese that I bought with my food stamps on the 8th, with carrots i bought at the same time, with chicken that i bought at that time, and the only thing that is new is spinach which costs $3 for a bag and I saved $40 of my food stamps for the end of the month, and the mushrooms--i cut up one big mushroom for the salad, and I bought 5 mushrooms for $1. Yesterday for our bbq I made the pasta salad with pasta i bought 3 months ago, feta cheese from the 8th, a new cucumber (50cents), onion i got on 8th (I buy a whole bag at once, thats about $3), salad dressing i bought 2 months ago, and a can of olives from the 8th...

Dont go to the grocery store hungry, and ive heard people say to start with walking around the outter aisles first cuz usually the produce is on one side meats are in the back, and dairy and bread is all on the outside too.

yup.. I seem to have better results when I only eat back maybe 3/4 of my excercise calories instead of all of them.. although ive had weeks where i eat good with no excercise calories to eat back and seen just as much loss as when i do excercise... why im a firm believer in diet alone and excercise is just for toning and tightening.. im disabled and ive lost 34pounds in 12weeks by near diet alone (near 3lbs a week average--even with 5weeks of plateu).. focus on your diet when you get your food stamps and go from there.

You asked this exact same question the other day and got A LOT of great advice. Perhaps you should go back, read and listen to what people advised you. It appears to me that you're fishing for the answer you want to hear, when people already answered this question for you.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/242744-pissed-off

Sorry if that's too blunt.

I believe that sometimes it takes a while for stuff to actually sink in. i know it did for me regards weight. I believe you are frustrated and, after looking through your food diary, believe you aren't really clear about general nutrition. (Most people haven't a clue as evidenced by our obesity rate). You've already learned that each body is different and I found that to be true. A lot of this is just trial and error about what works for your body but the basic foundation is calories in/calories out. Then comes what those calories ingested are.

That said, I agree with previous posters that your carbs and sodium are high and your are actually wasting calories on processed foods. I know it is hard at first but try to avoid anything that isn't fresh and/or in its original form. There are other topics regarding shopping in bulk or at farmer's markets or getting exercise by planting own veggie garden. Whatever will work for you. Also, do some research on foods, nutrition. There are great articles here that can point you in the right direction and many, many posts as well.

I also agree that given the amount of weight you are targeting, your issue isn't eating back calories. Try focusing on eating healthier, getting the water in and getting in the ballpark of the recommended calories, carbs, proteins, fats and sodium. You are in this for the long haul to a healthier life, not a quick fix, so get comfortable with each phase. Most of all remember that you are worth it and there will always be folks willing to answer, re-answer and make suggestions. Good luck on your journey and if I can help, give me a shout.