Stuck in a rut - long term low calories.

Just want to add in, great job on slowly raising up your calories and seeing you can maintain there, OP. I would really suggest talking to your OBGYN about the period thing, however. Your doctor not being more concerned about that in and of itself is very concerning.

You just described me and what I was going through. I'm 5'10'', 135lbs. I would eat about 1300 calories a day, workout(weight training and cardio) 1 1/2-2 hours a day and maintain an active daily lifestyle. Even though I knew that I needed to, I had this huge fear that if I ate more, I would gain weight. What happened was that my body started doing the bare minimum it needed to on the calories I gave it; I was cold all of the time, I would become agitated easily, I was always tired and fatigued, lost my period, when I would get sick, I would be sick for about 2-3 weeks, and multiple other things. I have since increased my caloric intake to about 2000 and you know what happened? I kill my workouts every day, I have more energy for my workouts and just throughout the day in general, I feel as though I have more strength, I am much more uplifted and energized and in a better mood, I don't get as cold as easily, I have my period back, have not gotten sick, and just all around feel better. I will be honest with you though, I still struggle with the thoughts every day, but all I am seeing are improvements in my life and that is what keeps me motivated.
Feel free to add me and we can talk more if you like!

Low energy, headaches, missed periods, slow metabolism. Did the doc do blood work? I have Vitamin D deficiency, low iron, and blood sugar issues. All of the above combine to your symptoms (also other things like muscle cramps, bruising - not super easy but easier than most, brittle nails - they don't break all the time but they definitely don't grow super long, etc.). My symptoms present worse when my issues are left uncontrolled.

If you are drinking on the weekends then keep in mind beer raises blood sugar while hard liquor (vodka, rum, etc.) lowers it. Alcohol also interferes with absorption of different types of vitamins so if you are already low it will usually make it worse. You can google for info on it or IM me if you need particulars.

A multivitamin plus a Vitamin D and iron chocolate chew are essential for me - every day. I also run and watch closely my sugar so that it remains level all day.

I'm not saying these are your issues. I'm saying that there are a host of things that can describe your symptoms as they are pretty general. I think the person(s) who suggested a second doc's opinion are right on the money. And most definitely if your doc did not do blood tests I'd find another doc who will.

My first instinct is to wonder how much muscle mass you lost along with fat when you originally reduced to lose the weight to begin with.

The more muscle mass you lose, the lower your metabolism. Dieting can actually cause a trap for people because when muscle is lost, the ability to keep off the weight also is possibly lost along with the muscle and in turn slows down your metabolism exponentially.

I am also curious by what your BMI is, I suspect it is rather low (or you are rather short) if you have to eat only 1300 to stay steady. Either that or you have yo-yo'd and caused a bit of sluggish metabolism from that.

I would suggest upping your weight bearing exercises so you build muscle. Additionally, I would measure yourself right now and stop with the constant scale checking...That way you can build up your muscle mass (and metabolism), stay the same size (which is the point after all) and not freak out when the numbers expand along with your muscle gain and metabolism boost. I believe that since you are hungry and weak seem to gain when eating just over 1300, this is likely the best way to get out of that restriction cycle.

The point is to remove fat not muscle. You should be able to eat 1600 at least without gaining fat.

You may also considering eating foods that do not focus cause fat gain. Such as insulin spiking food like sugars and simple carbs.

All the best to you. If you continue like this, you like will binge, gain fat, give up and yo yo back to where you were. Hardly can restrict forever and not lose their mind eventually. Particularly while weak.

mmccallum474 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I've been wanting to post for a while as I would like some advice. I am a 25 year old female, 5 ft 5 and 120 lbs. For about 4 years I have been eating 1300 calories a day, with a bit more on weekends including alcohol. I am currently maintains my weigh overall but experience 1-3 pound fluctuations over the week.

Common sense tells me this is not enough. I experienced quite low energy levels several days a week, sometimes get headaches and can get extremely agitated if I have not eaten. I have also not had a regular period in over two years. My doctor says this is nothing to worry about.

I have always been conscious of food but not to the extent I am now. As a child I was overweight and always 'chubby' but was never preoccupied by thoughts of calories.

At present I usually pre-log my calories to ensure I stay around 1300. I do wonder what would happen if I increased and deep down I think I want to try to do so but as yet I have not had the courage.

The thing that gets me most now is that I cannot eat a particular food just because I enjoy it. I know the calorie count of everything and will always go for the lower option even if I would prefer the taste of something else. The feeling of losing weight is one that I enjoy. I weigh myself daily and my mood is dictated by the number in the scale even though I know that fluctuations are normal.

I am scared that if I increase I will gain weight. On the other hand, I would like to increase my calories to see if I feel better.

Sorry for the long post. Have any of you experienced this? What happened when you increased your calories? Thanks.

less alcohol but more actual food... increase food slowly. Are you exercising? that'll help get yr metabolism regulated. If things seem really off kilter, try seeing a dietitian or nutritionist for a recovery plan.