Does it matter that I am eating little?

Prince_of_Mind
Prince_of_Mind Posts: 21 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi so I'm a 5ft 5, 167lbs, 21 year old guy.
I would say that on an average day I eat around 900 calories but there are days where it is closer to 1200.
I know that people say that this is not enough calories but I honestly feel great. I am a lot more energised than I ever have been and have no problem with finding motivation to exercise, nor do I spend all day hungry.
I am losing weight at a rate of around 2lbs a week which is a healthy amount.
So I'm just checking that all is okay. Because I feel great but know people think its unhealthy.
«1

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    2 pounds a week is a healthy amount for someone who has 75+ pounds to lose. You're only about 15 pounds from the top of a healthy BMI, so that rate is too aggressive.

    Just because you feel great doesn't mean you aren't damaging your body. At that low of an intake you're risking a lot of muscle loss, as well as a host of other health issues. Eat a MINIMUM of 1500 calories, if not the goal MFP gives you for .5-1 pound a week.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    2lbs a week is not healthy given your stats.

    Do you have a reason for eating so little? Why not just eat larger portions of what you're eating to hit your calorie goal?

    If you carry on like that you will make yourself seriously ill.
  • avskk
    avskk Posts: 1,787 Member
    No, it's not okay, and I think you know it -- otherwise you wouldn't be preemptively trying to justify it with all the stuff about exercise and energy levels and how you "feel great." Your body needs an appropriate amount of fuel, even if you don't feel the bad effects of eating too little immediately.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Healthy (moderate paced) weight loss helps you lower your body fat %.....not just your weight.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I don't believe that an active guy of your size maintains on 1900-2200 calories or that you could consistently feel great and energized and able to exercise only eating 900-1200 calories for more than 3 days. Your calorie counting is off.
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    I don't believe that an active guy of your size maintains on 1900-2200 calories or that you could consistently feel great and energized and able to exercise only eating 900-1200 calories for more than 3 days. Your calorie counting is off.

    I hope you're right.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    This guy felt great at first too:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10478099/no-libido-thinning-hair/p1

    You need to decide if the risks are worth what you are trying to achieve. Along with the outcomes of that thread, other problems of under-eating include: forgetfulness, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle weakness, muscle wastage, brittle hair and nails, and many other things. You may feel fine, until one day you don't. Who knows how long it could take to undo the damage.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    I don't believe that an active guy of your size maintains on 1900-2200 calories or that you could consistently feel great and energized and able to exercise only eating 900-1200 calories for more than 3 days. Your calorie counting is off.

    Yeah, no friggin' way...
  • Prince_of_Mind
    Prince_of_Mind Posts: 21 Member
    2lbs a week is not healthy given your stats.

    Do you have a reason for eating so little? Why not just eat larger portions of what you're eating to hit your calorie goal?

    If you carry on like that you will make yourself seriously ill.

    I eat that much as its all I need to stop feeling hungry. I find myself a bit peckish before bed but thats 5 hours after dinner so its not much of a surprise.
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Healthy (moderate paced) weight loss helps you lower your body fat %.....not just your weight.

    I can now fit into clothes I haven't been able to wear since last year, and to be honest, if I did lose a bit of muscle off my thighs I wouldn't mind, in fact I would be quite happy. I have way too much muscle there haha.


    jemhh wrote: »
    I don't believe that an active guy of your size maintains on 1900-2200 calories or that you could consistently feel great and energized and able to exercise only eating 900-1200 calories for more than 3 days. Your calorie counting is off.

    I don't think my counting is off.
    For breakfast I have 1/3rd of a tin of grapefruit (150ish calories in a tin) and a hard boiled egg.
    For lunch I have 3 ryvita with a bit of ham on top, and a yogurt.
    For dinner I have a weight watchers ready meal, the highest calorie one I think was 350 something calories.

    I don't snack and I only drink water so I know there are no hidden calories im missing.
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
    Hi so I'm a 5ft 5, 167lbs, 21 year old guy.
    I would say that on an average day I eat around 900 calories but there are days where it is closer to 1200.
    I know that people say that this is not enough calories but I honestly feel great. I am a lot more energised than I ever have been and have no problem with finding motivation to exercise, nor do I spend all day hungry.
    I am losing weight at a rate of around 2lbs a week which is a healthy amount.
    So I'm just checking that all is okay. Because I feel great but know people think its unhealthy.

    Ask your doctor not the internet.
  • Prince_of_Mind
    Prince_of_Mind Posts: 21 Member
    Hi so I'm a 5ft 5, 167lbs, 21 year old guy.
    I would say that on an average day I eat around 900 calories but there are days where it is closer to 1200.
    I know that people say that this is not enough calories but I honestly feel great. I am a lot more energised than I ever have been and have no problem with finding motivation to exercise, nor do I spend all day hungry.
    I am losing weight at a rate of around 2lbs a week which is a healthy amount.
    So I'm just checking that all is okay. Because I feel great but know people think its unhealthy.

    Ask your doctor not the internet.

    True
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    2lbs a week is not healthy given your stats.

    Do you have a reason for eating so little? Why not just eat larger portions of what you're eating to hit your calorie goal?

    If you carry on like that you will make yourself seriously ill.

    I eat that much as its all I need to stop feeling hungry. I find myself a bit peckish before bed but thats 5 hours after dinner so its not much of a surprise.
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Healthy (moderate paced) weight loss helps you lower your body fat %.....not just your weight.

    I can now fit into clothes I haven't been able to wear since last year, and to be honest, if I did lose a bit of muscle off my thighs I wouldn't mind, in fact I would be quite happy. I have way too much muscle there haha.


    jemhh wrote: »
    I don't believe that an active guy of your size maintains on 1900-2200 calories or that you could consistently feel great and energized and able to exercise only eating 900-1200 calories for more than 3 days. Your calorie counting is off.

    I don't think my counting is off.
    For breakfast I have 1/3rd of a tin of grapefruit (150ish calories in a tin) and a hard boiled egg.
    For lunch I have 3 ryvita with a bit of ham on top, and a yogurt.
    For dinner I have a weight watchers ready meal, the highest calorie one I think was 350 something calories.

    I don't snack and I only drink water so I know there are no hidden calories im missing.

    You're happy to lose thigh muscle? We don't think alike at all.

  • Prince_of_Mind
    Prince_of_Mind Posts: 21 Member
    2lbs a week is not healthy given your stats.

    Do you have a reason for eating so little? Why not just eat larger portions of what you're eating to hit your calorie goal?

    If you carry on like that you will make yourself seriously ill.

    I eat that much as its all I need to stop feeling hungry. I find myself a bit peckish before bed but thats 5 hours after dinner so its not much of a surprise.
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Healthy (moderate paced) weight loss helps you lower your body fat %.....not just your weight.

    I can now fit into clothes I haven't been able to wear since last year, and to be honest, if I did lose a bit of muscle off my thighs I wouldn't mind, in fact I would be quite happy. I have way too much muscle there haha.


    jemhh wrote: »
    I don't believe that an active guy of your size maintains on 1900-2200 calories or that you could consistently feel great and energized and able to exercise only eating 900-1200 calories for more than 3 days. Your calorie counting is off.

    I don't think my counting is off.
    For breakfast I have 1/3rd of a tin of grapefruit (150ish calories in a tin) and a hard boiled egg.
    For lunch I have 3 ryvita with a bit of ham on top, and a yogurt.
    For dinner I have a weight watchers ready meal, the highest calorie one I think was 350 somehing calories.

    I don't snack and I only drink water so I know there are no hidden calories im missing.

    You're happy to lose thigh muscle? We don't think alike at all.

    I've been overweight all my life. I think I gained a lot of muscle on my thighs from having to lug my heavy *kitten* around everywhere I go. When I had managed to lose the weight a couple of years ago my legs were disproportionately huge to the rest of my body because of it. And as someone that finds guys with slim built bodies attractive... I hate it. :P
  • Prince_of_Mind
    Prince_of_Mind Posts: 21 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    This guy felt great at first too:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10478099/no-libido-thinning-hair/p1

    You need to decide if the risks are worth what you are trying to achieve. Along with the outcomes of that thread, other problems of under-eating include: forgetfulness, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle weakness, muscle wastage, brittle hair and nails, and many other things. You may feel fine, until one day you don't. Who knows how long it could take to undo the damage.

    Btw I am reading your link now. Just wanted to let you know incase you thought I ignored your reply :)
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    Are you asking this question as deep down you know something isn't right
    as another poster says you will end up ill
    I wont give you my ok
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    This guy felt great at first too:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10478099/no-libido-thinning-hair/p1

    You need to decide if the risks are worth what you are trying to achieve. Along with the outcomes of that thread, other problems of under-eating include: forgetfulness, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle weakness, muscle wastage, brittle hair and nails, and many other things. You may feel fine, until one day you don't. Who knows how long it could take to undo the damage.

    Btw I am reading your link now. Just wanted to let you know incase you thought I ignored your reply :)

    No worries. We can't really stop you. I'm just wanting you to be aware of the risks of the choices you are making.
  • CafeRacer808
    CafeRacer808 Posts: 2,396 Member
    sounds like ur doing goood. wish ihad that discipline

    Consuming an excessively low amount of calories is not considered "doing goood". It's unhealthy and potentially quite dangerous, as explained upthread.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    sounds like ur doing goood. wish ihad that discipline

    no hes not doing good. hes undereating severely. he is in dangerous territory with his health. since he didnt state he was under the care of a dr or not, 900 is not enough calories a day for most active CHILDREN.
  • Prince_of_Mind
    Prince_of_Mind Posts: 21 Member
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o

    Tbf I would much rather look like this http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Christopher+Mintz+Plasse+Kick+*kitten*+European+KsADCcsb_Lul.jpg
    Than this
    http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Photo-of-muscle-man.jpg

    Plus, 5 weeks ago I couldn't even do 5 push ups and now I can do 50 so I'm actually getting stronger which is nice :D
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o

    Tbf I would much rather look like this http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Christopher+Mintz+Plasse+Kick+*kitten*+European+KsADCcsb_Lul.jpg
    Than this
    http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Photo-of-muscle-man.jpg

    Plus, 5 weeks ago I couldn't even do 5 push ups and now I can do 50 so I'm actually getting stronger which is nice :D

    They both look great, but neither of them are you.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    edited January 2017
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o

    Tbf I would much rather look like this http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Christopher+Mintz+Plasse+Kick+*kitten*+European+KsADCcsb_Lul.jpg
    Than this
    http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Photo-of-muscle-man.jpg

    Plus, 5 weeks ago I couldn't even do 5 push ups and now I can do 50 so I'm actually getting stronger which is nice :D

    Having lean muscle mass doesn't mean you look like a body builder. Muscles help give our body a pleasing "toned" look. Virtually nobody wants to increase the amount of fat they have relative to muscle but that is what will happen if you try to lose weight too quickly -- your body will burn more muscle relative to fat. Many people wind up seriously unhappy with their smaller body when their percentage of body fat is higher. It's a lot harder to rebuild muscle than it is to take simple steps to preserve the muscle you have. Why not do that?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    sounds like ur doing goood. wish ihad that discipline

    A male eating 900 calories isn't "doing good"...that is severely under eating for an adult male. Part of proper nutrition is getting in enough calories, not just nutrition. Calories (energy) is kind of important.

    Have fun OP...you may feel fine now...you won't soon enough if in fact you are undereating that severely...which I also kind of doubt.
  • Prince_of_Mind
    Prince_of_Mind Posts: 21 Member
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o

    Tbf I would much rather look like this http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Christopher+Mintz+Plasse+Kick+*kitten*+European+KsADCcsb_Lul.jpg
    Than this
    http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Photo-of-muscle-man.jpg

    Plus, 5 weeks ago I couldn't even do 5 push ups and now I can do 50 so I'm actually getting stronger which is nice :D

    They both look great, but neither of them are you.

    I wish I was that lucky haha
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o

    Tbf I would much rather look like this http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Christopher+Mintz+Plasse+Kick+*kitten*+European+KsADCcsb_Lul.jpg
    Than this
    http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Photo-of-muscle-man.jpg

    Plus, 5 weeks ago I couldn't even do 5 push ups and now I can do 50 so I'm actually getting stronger which is nice :D

    They both look great, but neither of them are you.

    I wish I was that lucky haha

    don't be like that, you should work on being the best you can be
    don't worry about the people in movies, tv etc
    I wish you all the best, don't harm yourself
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited January 2017
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o

    Tbf I would much rather look like this http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Christopher+Mintz+Plasse+Kick+*kitten*+European+KsADCcsb_Lul.jpg
    Than this
    http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Photo-of-muscle-man.jpg

    Plus, 5 weeks ago I couldn't even do 5 push ups and now I can do 50 so I'm actually getting stronger which is nice :D

    Don't worry, because you'll never "accidentally" end up looking like the second pic. Getting to that level requires years of structured, focused training (and having the genetics to look like that in the first place).

    What you're doing is going to result in being skinny, saggy, lethargic and sick instead.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    edited January 2017
    OP, you need to eat more for the sake of your lean mass, health and life.
    sounds like ur doing goood. wish ihad that discipline

    You can't be serious...a man eating 800 calories is good now? Toddlers eat more. You need to stop.

    jenilla1 wrote: »
    There goes your lean muscle mass... :o

    Tbf I would much rather look like this http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Christopher+Mintz+Plasse+Kick+*kitten*+European+KsADCcsb_Lul.jpg
    Than this
    http://photo.elsoar.com/wp-content/images/Photo-of-muscle-man.jpg

    Plus, 5 weeks ago I couldn't even do 5 push ups and now I can do 50 so I'm actually getting stronger which is nice :D

    And Christopher Mintz plays soccer and basketball...he's also a drummer. He's not inactive or unfit, he has quite a lean muscular build...and no doubt eats more than you for that body. Just sayin'....plus McLovin'. No one can be McLovin. ;)
  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    malibu927 wrote: »
    2 pounds a week is a healthy amount for someone who has 75+ pounds to lose. You're only about 15 pounds from the top of a healthy BMI, so that rate is too aggressive.

    Just because you feel great doesn't mean you aren't damaging your body. At that low of an intake you're risking a lot of muscle loss, as well as a host of other health issues. Eat a MINIMUM of 1500 calories, if not the goal MFP gives you for .5-1 pound a week.

    THIS You may disrupt your body by eating on 900 calories per day. It's definitely not maintainable or healthy weight loss.
This discussion has been closed.