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Can you gain from eating too little calories?

Sakura00005
Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am in the Army National Guard. I weight like 160lbs I need to weigh about 145lbs by oct 20th or else stoof will go down in the army for me. And I don't want that to happen. I'm trying my hardest to lose weight. I exercise everyday, doing about 12min jog per mile everyday and will eventually increase it to 2miles per day. I input all the food I eat daily and every time I do it tells me I don't eat enough calories. That I need to eat like 1,000 cal a day. I eat like around 900 cal a day (I eat tofu/onions/mushroom/oatmeal with banana/94% fat free 100 cal popcorn/tilapia and green beans everyday. Is it okay to just ignore the whole 1,000 cal rule and just continue with my 900 cal a day? Or Will I gain weight by doing so?
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Replies

  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    You won't gain weight - but I can only see you losing weight up to a point.
    You are on a very unhealthily low calorie plan. 1200 is the absolute minimum ANYONE should be eating regardless of height and weight. You'll probably find a nice little weight loss boost if you fuel your body correctly.
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    I tried once to eat more calories but then I end up eating too much protein... What food would be best to raise cal and cal only?
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    are you weighing your food accurately?

    if you are not losing, you are eating at maintenance or above.

    protein has nothing to do with it.
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    are you weighing your food accurately?

    if you are not losing, you are eating at maintenance or above.

    protein has nothing to do with it.

    Yeah I use a measuring cup to measure it all so that it's accurate.

  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,368 Member
    More protein is fine.
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    15lbs in 6 weeks is not a healthy rate to lose weight. What will happen if you haven't reached your goal weight by then?
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    I tried once to eat more calories but then I end up eating too much protein... What food would be best to raise cal and cal only?

    It's highly unlikely you ate too much protein. How many grams of protein was it that you thought it was too much?

    The tilapia has 25g of protein. The tofu has 12g of protein. whole grain oats have 6g. banana has 1. mushroom w/spinach has 6. green beans have 3. popcorn has 4. This morning I had an egg 9g protein (i usually don't have it but today i did). total of 66g of protein. my daily goal is 69g of protein. but my cal total is 920. I wanted to add more spinach to gain more cal but then it would increase the protein over the goal .. so I left it alone
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Why do you care about a protein goal of 69 grams, though?
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    Why do you care about a protein goal of 69 grams, though?

    I thought that the cal/carb/fat/protein/sodium/sugar goals all have to be no more than the goal number or it would increase one's weight or something. Or tip the scale a lil more than it should. (Like the saying. too much of anything is not good for one's health)

  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    edited September 2015
    I tried once to eat more calories but then I end up eating too much protein... What food would be best to raise cal and cal only?

    It's highly unlikely you ate too much protein. How many grams of protein was it that you thought it was too much?

    The tilapia has 25g of protein. The tofu has 12g of protein. whole grain oats have 6g. banana has 1. mushroom w/spinach has 6. green beans have 3. popcorn has 4. This morning I had an egg 9g protein (i usually don't have it but today i did). total of 66g of protein. my daily goal is 69g of protein. but my cal total is 920. I wanted to add more spinach to gain more cal but then it would increase the protein over the goal .. so I left it alone

    69g of protein is not to much. 75 or 85 is not too much. A solid target for protein intake can be anywhere from .6-.87g per lb of bodyweight in protein. You also mentioned things you ate and from the looks of it you are very low on dietary fat which is vital to optimal health. You are neglecting the 2 important macronutrients, protein and fat.

    I'm just doing what the little chart tells me my goal numbers are D: I don't even see dietary category on the chart. I try not to drink milk or eat cheese because it has so much fat in it.... same with meat (unless it's chicken then I have that every so often) and especially when you cook it in oil .... I'm amazed how oil has like 23g of fat for 1tblespoon.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Why do you care about a protein goal of 69 grams, though?

    I thought that the cal/carb/fat/protein/sodium/sugar goals all have to be no more than the goal number or it would increase one's weight or something. Or tip the scale a lil more than it should. (Like the saying. too much of anything is not good for one's health)
    You can eat more protein and less carbs or fat so that your calorie total is still on point. 69g of protein is nowhere near "too much."

  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    It's good to incorporate protein in to your plan especially if you're working out - but remember, it's the deficit that's important here. I don't know your stats but 900 is too low, I can tell you that now. Put your details into the MFP app and it'll add it up for you and tell you how much you should be eating :)
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    the macros do not matter.

    the amount of calories you are taking in DOES.

    Learn to weigh your food properly.
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.
    Measuring cups are made for liquids only. Your food will also give you a number in grams. That is what you should be using. You can get a food scale that weighs in grams for about 10 bucks. You can eat as much protein as you want so long as calories remain in check. Extra protein does not cause weight gain. So long as you remain in a calorie deficit, you will not gain weight.

  • ammo7
    ammo7 Posts: 188 Member
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.

    Cup measurements are only for liquids, you need to use a kitchen scale for solid foods, otherwise it can be wildly inaccurate.

    And to emphasize what others have said: it's okay to eat lots of protein.
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    vismal wrote: »
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.
    Measuring cups are made for liquids only. Your food will also give you a number in grams. That is what you should be using. You can get a food scale that weighs in grams for about 10 bucks. You can eat as much protein as you want so long as calories remain in check. Extra protein does not cause weight gain. So long as you remain in a calorie deficit, you will not gain weight.
    ammo7 wrote: »
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.

    Cup measurements are only for liquids, you need to use a kitchen scale for solid foods, otherwise it can be wildly inaccurate.

    And to emphasize what others have said: it's okay to eat lots of protein.

    Okay. I understand now about why I should use a scale and not a measuring cup. The protein thing still baffles me but seeing as so many say more protein is fine I shall eat more protein and enough cal for that 1,000 mark.

  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    No, eating too few calories will not cause weight gain. Eating too few calories can easily lead to not getting proper nutrition which is important no matter what the weight goal is.
    You won't gain weight - but I can only see you losing weight up to a point.
    You are on a very unhealthily low calorie plan. 1200 is the absolute minimum ANYONE should be eating regardless of height and weight. You'll probably find a nice little weight loss boost if you fuel your body correctly.
    are you weighing your food accurately?

    if you are not losing, you are eating at maintenance or above.

    protein has nothing to do with it.
    Francl27 wrote: »
    More protein is fine.
    15lbs in 6 weeks is not a healthy rate to lose weight. What will happen if you haven't reached your goal weight by then?
    Why do you care about a protein goal of 69 grams, though?
    vismal wrote: »
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.
    Measuring cups are made for liquids only. Your food will also give you a number in grams. That is what you should be using. You can get a food scale that weighs in grams for about 10 bucks. You can eat as much protein as you want so long as calories remain in check. Extra protein does not cause weight gain. So long as you remain in a calorie deficit, you will not gain weight.
    ammo7 wrote: »
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.

    Cup measurements are only for liquids, you need to use a kitchen scale for solid foods, otherwise it can be wildly inaccurate.

    And to emphasize what others have said: it's okay to eat lots of protein.

    THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!! :smiley:

  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    edited September 2015
    15lbs in 6 weeks is not a healthy rate to lose weight. What will happen if you haven't reached your goal weight by then?

    I won't be allowed to transfer from PA army national guard to FL army national Guard. which means I have to quit my job in FL and leave my loved ones that I'm staying with in FL and go back to PA where my parents kicked me out of their house.... not a happy ending if i fail. If I do pass it. I have to stay in that 145 lb range (no more than 147lbs) in order to stay in the army or else I get a dishonorable discharge (It's only for certain units in the army national guard. Some let it fly. Some if u fail the weight and measurment 2 times u get discharged with dishonorable) I can never pass the measurements.. I get a 15in neck. 32 waist. and 40 hip (when they measure the hip the thickest part of ur butt is included which i think is bull... so I'm aiming to lose the weight and not the inches off my body)
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    edited September 2015
    vismal wrote: »
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.
    Measuring cups are made for liquids only. Your food will also give you a number in grams. That is what you should be using. You can get a food scale that weighs in grams for about 10 bucks. You can eat as much protein as you want so long as calories remain in check. Extra protein does not cause weight gain. So long as you remain in a calorie deficit, you will not gain weight.
    ammo7 wrote: »
    you need to use a scale.

    you are eating more than you think you are.

    I use a scale to measure my weigh but not to measure food... The bag usually tells me how many cups = 1 serving. Not in oz.

    Cup measurements are only for liquids, you need to use a kitchen scale for solid foods, otherwise it can be wildly inaccurate.

    And to emphasize what others have said: it's okay to eat lots of protein.

    Okay. I understand now about why I should use a scale and not a measuring cup. The protein thing still baffles me but seeing as so many say more protein is fine I shall eat more protein and enough cal for that 1,000 mark.
    1000 calories is not enough. You are not getting proper nutrition on many fronts. That's not a good idea.

    Right now I'm not rly focused on the nutrition because I have a deadline to lose the weight. After that deadline sure.. I'll have more of a proper nutrition meal plan. But for now ... too much is at risk.
  • Sakura00005
    Sakura00005 Posts: 12 Member
    edited September 2015
    15lbs in 6 weeks is not a healthy rate to lose weight. What will happen if you haven't reached your goal weight by then?
    I'm also using diet pills called "Mega-T lose weight & burn fat" and drinking 1liter of water a day. (The pill is organic and is suppose to help me suppress hunger and increase my metabolism. A friend of a friend told me it works, so I'm trying it out.) Also another friend of mine said that I could do this fast thingie for a last resort. Basically you drink a gal of syrup mixed with lemon juice through out the day and nothing else. She lose 10lbs in a week. BUT it's a last resort sort of thing. (My friend is a nurse who likes to eat healthy. She usually is the one who tells me what i should eat.. like tofu.. and not chips... god i want chips TT^TT.... I was gana eat that microwaved mac and cheese because it has like only 3g of fat and 210 cal... I thought it was good... but she scolded me :T but yeah... She helps me when she or I are not working.) I really went off topic.. sorry ^^;;
  • ShandaLeaS
    ShandaLeaS Posts: 136 Member
    Please just delete this whole post so other new people don't see what you're doing and think its ok. Because its not! Diet pills aren't ok, drinking lemon syrup not ok, eating 900-1000 cals a day not ok. IF you do hit the goal weight, you'll be close to physically useless from ruining your muscles and body
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    ShandaLeaS wrote: »
    Please just delete this whole post so other new people don't see what you're doing and think its ok. Because its not! Diet pills aren't ok, drinking lemon syrup not ok, eating 900-1000 cals a day not ok. IF you do hit the goal weight, you'll be close to physically useless from ruining your muscles and body

    thats the thing. shes eating more than she thinks she is. probably a lot more since she THINKS shes eating so little, but still not losing weight.....
  • slideaway1
    slideaway1 Posts: 1,006 Member
    15lbs in 6 weeks is not a healthy rate to lose weight. What will happen if you haven't reached your goal weight by then?

    I won't be allowed to transfer from PA army national guard to FL army national Guard. which means I have to quit my job in FL and leave my loved ones that I'm staying with in FL and go back to PA where my parents kicked me out of their house.... not a happy ending if i fail. If I do pass it. I have to stay in that 145 lb range (no more than 147lbs) in order to stay in the army or else I get a dishonorable discharge (It's only for certain units in the army national guard. Some let it fly. Some if u fail the weight and measurment 2 times u get discharged with dishonorable) I can never pass the measurements.. I get a 15in neck. 32 waist. and 40 hip (when they measure the hip the thickest part of ur butt is included which i think is bull... so I'm aiming to lose the weight and not the inches off my body)

    Sorry to be rude, But If it's that important to you then treat it professionally like a proper job/interview and prepare/research/do the hard work and don't take short cuts. You have a solid goal in front of you and you should take it seriously if it's something your committed too. You should be researching this catalogue of errors properly on the internet and applying it to reach your goals. Good luck.
  • ShandaLeaS
    ShandaLeaS Posts: 136 Member
    Oh I get that but overall she's generating unhealthy thoughts and habits that new people who are trying to figure it out won't realize.
  • vivelajackie
    vivelajackie Posts: 321 Member
    I don't get the obsession with too much protein. As a member of the military, you can use the extra help in building and repairing muscle. Not to mention, muscle in turn burns calories. The amount of calories you're attempting to take in is very unhealthy. 1200 minimum. That's why you're getting scolded when you log, because it's the rule of thumb. Get a scale. Measuring cups are okay but not accurate.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    It seems that you're out of tolerance according to AR 600-9 and the physical fitness standards. The Army is reducing the number of Soldiers across all components (active, reserve, and guard) starting with those who self nominate for elimination. You currently fall in that category.

    The diet plan you describe is foolish and unhealthy. It is clear that you have no understanding of what comprises a healthy intake. Do some homework.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    There is so much wrong & sadness in this post
This discussion has been closed.