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SingRunTing wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »In short, when you don't have consume enough calories your metabolism slows down because it thinks you are starving. So I don't agree that the less you eat the more you lose, within reason, of course.
So, as I said, I respect your opinion, and I sincerely appreciate that you took time to advise me. I think I just need to consult a nutritionist or doctor.
Thank you
This is a pretty widespread myth, so I can understand why you think that. While long-term starvation will impact the metabolism, 1,200 calories isn't going to put you in that range. And even if your metabolism slows, you will still lose weight -- if this wasn't the case, then nobody would ever starve to death. I understand where you're coming from though: there is so much misinformation, half-truths, and junk science floating out there about weight loss that many of us have had to unlearn what we thought we knew.
For those of us dieting to lose weight and not in siege/prison camp situations, the less we eat, the more we will lose. This doesn't mean we should eat as little as possible -- but as to your question (Will I lose more if I eat 1,900 a day as opposed to 1,200 a day?), the answer is clear.
I'm seriously not interested in debating you. I have my opinions and experiences, and am no longer interested in others' opinions or thoughts on the matter.
But thanks for the input
Your opinions and feelings don't change scientific fact.
My point exactly0 -
MissMollyPacendova wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »In short, when you don't have consume enough calories your metabolism slows down because it thinks you are starving. So I don't agree that the less you eat the more you lose, within reason, of course.
So, as I said, I respect your opinion, and I sincerely appreciate that you took time to advise me. I think I just need to consult a nutritionist or doctor.
Thank you
I would suggest a registered dietitian since nutritionists are a dime a dozen.
Adaptive thermogenesis happens over time during weight loss. But you seem to be inching toward what people call "starvation mode" which is a bunch of hooey. If you eat in a caloric deficit, you will continue to burn fat and lose fat. Some people diet extremely, which leads to cortisol issues, resulting in water retention that masks fat loss. But considering that you have not answered "yes" to the question of whether you are weighing your food with a digital kitchen scale, I doubt that is your problem. My guess is that you are simply eating more than you think you are.
I didn't answer the question about the scale because at that point I ceased to be interested in others' opinions. But for the record, I am very careful with serving sizes.
Thank you for your concern
So no, you are not weighing your food. You are eating more than you think you are. Your original post, which you deleted, indicated that you want to lose 3 pounds per week but are currently losing 1-1.5 pounds per week. With your weight loss goal, 3 pounds per week may be possible but I would suggest changing it to 2 pounds per week. I don't know your height but I ran your TDEE using this calculator with my height and age (5'6", 39 yo) and a 1.5 activity level (sedentary job + activity once per week) and came up with 3126 calories per day. A 1500 calorie (3 lb/wk) deficit would cut your intake nearly in half. I think that's extreme. I'd aim for 2100 calories per day, weigh everything, and log accurately. Do that you and you'll lose weight.0 -
Most of the posters here who have lost "massive" amounts of weight will tell you the same thing the people in this thread are telling you. I've currently lost over 20% of my original starting weight. When I first did it, I ate too little. I didn't stop losing weight, but I gained a bunch of it back because I didn't take the advice of others to eat at a sustainable deficit. The 2nd time I did it, I followed the advice I got on MFP and have had sustained success.0
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MissMollyPacendova wrote: »cafeaulait7 wrote: »If you are concerned about that, anecdotal evidence has it that you'd only need maybe a week of bumping up your calories before going back to the lower figure. People do 'nudge' little plateaus that way when eating a low amount for a while. No harm in trying it.
I don't know of any studies on nudging plateaus in weight loss, so why that would work is just speculation, of course. If that bothers anyone, just forget I said it
Thank you for your input. I will try eating the calories MFP suggests. I guess I was hoping for input from others like me that have massive amounts of weight to lose.
But I think speaking to a dietitian is the wisest course of action.
OP, many of the posters who have responded to you have lost a significant amount of weight. They stay here on the forums to give advice to people because they genuinely want to make it easier for new people than it was for them.
Even so, talking with a dietitian is a great idea. Good luck!0 -
tincanonastring wrote: »OP - I know you've made up your mind, but there's a distinct difference between an opinion and a fact. You are not hindering your weight loss by eating a low calorie total. That's a fact.
I think you're actually eating more than you believe. That's an opinion (unless it were to be verified by looking at your diary, in which case it would become a) a fact, or b) wrong.).
Yes, I understand that eating a low calorie diet is necessary to losing weight.
I know exactly what I'm eating, I weigh my food and measure portions. My original question pertained to the fact that MFP recommended a certain amount of calories and looking through my diaries I have found that I am consistently under eating at least 500 calories per day, sometimes up to 1000. However I don't believe that someone consistently eating that much less will lose more than someone eating "enough". I was hoping to hear from someone that has experienced 100 lbs+ weight loss. But at this point, I'd rather speak to a professional.
Thanks for your input0 -
juggernaut1974 wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »In short, when you don't have consume enough calories your metabolism slows down because it thinks you are starving. So I don't agree that the less you eat the more you lose, within reason, of course.
This is not true...at all.
This is not my opinion...it's a fact.
I too... Was very disappointed when I read several articles debunking the theory that consuming "too few calories will make your metabolism halt".
I had to lose the... "I'm starving myself so I'm not losing weight" excuse. The truth was I wasn't tracking my food. Forgetting about nibbles and little treats (those empty calories that have you hungry in like 5 seconds so they're really easy to forget.) I was using condiments without abandon. Giving into whims and cravings because... "I wasn't really eating all that much"
9 times out of 10... That's the reason we're not losing weight.
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What goal did MFP give you?0
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Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.0 -
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SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
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MissMollyPacendova wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »OP - I know you've made up your mind, but there's a distinct difference between an opinion and a fact. You are not hindering your weight loss by eating a low calorie total. That's a fact.
I think you're actually eating more than you believe. That's an opinion (unless it were to be verified by looking at your diary, in which case it would become a) a fact, or b) wrong.).
Yes, I understand that eating a low calorie diet is necessary to losing weight.
I know exactly what I'm eating, I weigh my food and measure portions. My original question pertained to the fact that MFP recommended a certain amount of calories and looking through my diaries I have found that I am consistently under eating at least 500 calories per day, sometimes up to 1000. However I don't believe that someone consistently eating that much less will lose more than someone eating "enough". I was hoping to hear from someone that has experienced 100 lbs+ weight loss. But at this point, I'd rather speak to a professional.
Thanks for your input
I've lost over 100 pounds. The less I ate, the more I lost. My biggest losses were when I was depressed, and didn't eat for a few days. And on a week long beach vacation, where I didn't eat as much as usual (mostly just canned ravioli, and apples), and was a lot more active.
Eating more will not make you lose faster. I don't understand why this myth is so prevalent.0 -
Your body doesn't though does it? If that's what you're losing over time that's what you're losing.
What's the problem with 1.5lbs per week
You're going in the right direction, just keep going0 -
MissMollyPacendova wrote: »
Are you eating 1900 (500 under 2400) or 1400 (500 under 1900)?0 -
VykkDraygoVPR wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »OP - I know you've made up your mind, but there's a distinct difference between an opinion and a fact. You are not hindering your weight loss by eating a low calorie total. That's a fact.
I think you're actually eating more than you believe. That's an opinion (unless it were to be verified by looking at your diary, in which case it would become a) a fact, or b) wrong.).
Yes, I understand that eating a low calorie diet is necessary to losing weight.
I know exactly what I'm eating, I weigh my food and measure portions. My original question pertained to the fact that MFP recommended a certain amount of calories and looking through my diaries I have found that I am consistently under eating at least 500 calories per day, sometimes up to 1000. However I don't believe that someone consistently eating that much less will lose more than someone eating "enough". I was hoping to hear from someone that has experienced 100 lbs+ weight loss. But at this point, I'd rather speak to a professional.
Thanks for your input
I've lost over 100 pounds. The less I ate, the more I lost. My biggest losses were when I was depressed, and didn't eat for a few days. And on a week long beach vacation, where I didn't eat as much as usual (mostly just canned ravioli, and apples), and was a lot more active.
Eating more will not make you lose faster. I don't understand why this myth is so prevalent.
So did you make it a point to eat less then recommended?
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MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Basically what people are saying, also, is that you aren't losing more because you aren't actually eating half of what MFP recommends. If you aren't weighing your food, your calorie counting is inaccurate and you are eating more calories than you think you are. This is why you need the food scale, and to log everything you weigh and eat.
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MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Until you start using a digital food scale to weigh your food, you have no clue what you are eating. It makes a HUGE difference.
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SingRunTing wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Until you start using a digital food scale to weigh your food, you have no clue what you are eating. It makes a HUGE difference.
Omg... I do weigh my food! I even make my own salad dressings!0 -
MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Until you start using a digital food scale to weigh your food, you have no clue what you are eating. It makes a HUGE difference.
Omg... I do weigh my food! I even make my own salad dressings!
Ok then, here's the flow chart. You can check the first two off the list. Keep moving down it.
ETA: if you're not losing weight, you're not in a deficit. Increasing the number of calories you're eating isn't going to make a bigger deficit. It just won't.
If you have a medical condition, they can treat it and help you create a deficit. But it's still about the deficit.0 -
Just leaving this here.
Because serving sizes, cups and spoons is inaccurate and can make a lot of difference. Weighing in grams is the only way to way as accurate as possible what your calorie intake is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY
Good luck OP i know you can do it!
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How long have you been counting calories?0
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MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Until you start using a digital food scale to weigh your food, you have no clue what you are eating. It makes a HUGE difference.
Omg... I do weigh my food! I even make my own salad dressings!
Your diary isn't open, so we can only take your word for it that you are logging accurately. when someone says they are eating at a low calorie intake and are not losing weight, typically the first thing that's a possibility is inaccuracy in logging/weighing. Unless there's a metabolic issue with thyroid or another health related problem that hasn't been addressed yet.0 -
MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Basically what people are saying, also, is that you aren't losing more because you aren't actually eating half of what MFP recommends. If you aren't weighing your food, your calorie counting is inaccurate and you are eating more calories than you think you are. This is why you need the food scale, and to log everything you weigh and eat.
Excuse me... How do you know that I'm not eating half? How do you know that I'm not weighing my food, etc? Don't judge me
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MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Until you start using a digital food scale to weigh your food, you have no clue what you are eating. It makes a HUGE difference.
Omg... I do weigh my food! I even make my own salad dressings!
Your diary isn't open, so we can only take your word for it that you are logging accurately. when someone says they are eating at a low calorie intake and are not losing weight, typically the first thing that's a possibility is inaccuracy in logging/weighing. Unless there's a metabolic issue with thyroid or another health related problem that hasn't been addressed yet.
Also, you were asked a bunch of times whether or not you weighed your food and I think your response got buried in a post.
How long have you been counting your calories? I believe that your OP said you just started using the app. Were you using the website or another calorie counting method before? What entries are you choosing from the MFP database? Are they authoritative (i.e., USDA entries, entries matching food packaging, etc.) How many calories are you actually eating? How much weight have you lost altogether, and over what time frame? What kind of exercise are you doing and how often/long are you doing it? What is your non-exercise daily activity level like? Your age and height?
ETA She answered the weighing question here:MissMollyPacendova wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »OP - I know you've made up your mind, but there's a distinct difference between an opinion and a fact. You are not hindering your weight loss by eating a low calorie total. That's a fact.
I think you're actually eating more than you believe. That's an opinion (unless it were to be verified by looking at your diary, in which case it would become a) a fact, or b) wrong.).
Yes, I understand that eating a low calorie diet is necessary to losing weight.
I know exactly what I'm eating, I weigh my food and measure portions. My original question pertained to the fact that MFP recommended a certain amount of calories and looking through my diaries I have found that I am consistently under eating at least 500 calories per day, sometimes up to 1000. However I don't believe that someone consistently eating that much less will lose more than someone eating "enough". I was hoping to hear from someone that has experienced 100 lbs+ weight loss. But at this point, I'd rather speak to a professional.
Thanks for your input0 -
I've been losing without weighing my food but I know to get a scale when I hit the wall.
Logging alone has made a world of difference for me. Logging makes me remember those two or three mini chocolates I may have had from the candy jar. Or those fries my coworker insisted I try.
That's where I was getting done in.
Food scale ... Up next0 -
MissMollyPacendova wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »In short, when you don't have consume enough calories your metabolism slows down because it thinks you are starving. So I don't agree that the less you eat the more you lose, within reason, of course.
So, as I said, I respect your opinion, and I sincerely appreciate that you took time to advise me. I think I just need to consult a nutritionist or doctor.
Thank you
I would suggest a registered dietitian since nutritionists are a dime a dozen.
Adaptive thermogenesis happens over time during weight loss. But you seem to be inching toward what people call "starvation mode" which is a bunch of hooey. If you eat in a caloric deficit, you will continue to burn fat and lose fat. Some people diet extremely, which leads to cortisol issues, resulting in water retention that masks fat loss. But considering that you have not answered "yes" to the question of whether you are weighing your food with a digital kitchen scale, I doubt that is your problem. My guess is that you are simply eating more than you think you are.
I didn't answer the question about the scale because at that point I ceased to be interested in others' opinions. But for the record, I am very careful with serving sizes.
Thank you for your concern
***bolded
This is not weighing!
Like i said before serving sizes can be very inaccurate
i just ate a tortilla from flatout flatbread
53 gram per serving/tortilla it says on the label 90 calories
i do weigh and it was 61 gram so 104 calories and not 90.
Not much isnt it? But take all these inaccurate serving sizes over a week and you have hunderds of NOT calculated calories...which for me means ( i have a small deficit) that i have NO deficit at all.
but again gl OP i dont want to discus or debat, only you can do it and make it happen. Members here can only tell you what worked or not worked.
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MissMollyPacendova wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »SingRunTing wrote: »Lots of people on here have lost 100+lbs (check out the success stories).
The most common & successful approach is:
1. Eating the calorie goal MFP gave them (net calories)
2. Logging everything they consume using a digital food scale
It's really that simple. Don't over-complicate it.
Well everyone seems to insist that since I'm eating half of what MFP recommends I should be losing more
Basically what people are saying, also, is that you aren't losing more because you aren't actually eating half of what MFP recommends. If you aren't weighing your food, your calorie counting is inaccurate and you are eating more calories than you think you are. This is why you need the food scale, and to log everything you weigh and eat.
Excuse me... How do you know that I'm not eating half? How do you know that I'm not weighing my food, etc? Don't judge me
We are responding based on the similar posts we see on this board every year. Dozens a week, hundreds a year. Believe me, it's not personal. You're not the only, the first, or the last person to post a thread like this.0 -
So you're losing 1.5 pounds per week? In that case your TDEE is the amount you eat + 750.
If that's not how much you think you should be losing it can only be because of one of the following two reasons:
You're either eating more than you're thinking (which you're saying you're not) or
You're burning less than you're thinking (either from exercise, normal activity or just normal metabolism).
Maybe your daily activity level is lower than you put in, maybe your exercising burns less than you're eating back.
That's the most likely scenarios.
Less likely is that you have a lower metabolism because of a medical condition or something else.0 -
Go to the doctor
Get your thyroid and hormone levels checked
Refocus on your calorie logging
Double check every entry, never use other people's recipes, build your own foods
Weigh your food and log it
Eat back 50% of exercise calories on top of MFP basic
Get an activity tracker like a fitbit and move more
Come back in 6 weeks and post your average loss
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OP, there is an "Eat More to Weigh Less" group here. You should check that out.
For what it's worth, I believe that our bodies to change to meet whatever is thrown at them. It's because of that that I think it's a good idea to eat as much as you can while losing, take breaks when you plateau, shake things up with exercise.
Lots of different ideas, that's mine.0 -
VykkDraygoVPR wrote: »MissMollyPacendova wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »OP - I know you've made up your mind, but there's a distinct difference between an opinion and a fact. You are not hindering your weight loss by eating a low calorie total. That's a fact.
I think you're actually eating more than you believe. That's an opinion (unless it were to be verified by looking at your diary, in which case it would become a) a fact, or b) wrong.).
Yes, I understand that eating a low calorie diet is necessary to losing weight.
I know exactly what I'm eating, I weigh my food and measure portions. My original question pertained to the fact that MFP recommended a certain amount of calories and looking through my diaries I have found that I am consistently under eating at least 500 calories per day, sometimes up to 1000. However I don't believe that someone consistently eating that much less will lose more than someone eating "enough". I was hoping to hear from someone that has experienced 100 lbs+ weight loss. But at this point, I'd rather speak to a professional.
Thanks for your input
I've lost over 100 pounds. The less I ate, the more I lost. My biggest losses were when I was depressed, and didn't eat for a few days. And on a week long beach vacation, where I didn't eat as much as usual (mostly just canned ravioli, and apples), and was a lot more active.
Eating more will not make you lose faster. I don't understand why this myth is so prevalent.
Usually people think they are eating, say 1200 calories. Then they tighten up their logging and eat 1500 calories. They lose weight faster on 1500 calories, but their supposed 1200 calories was inaccurate.0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKPIcI51lU
This discussion has been closed.
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