SOS

Quinnstarry · July 2017

Hi guys, let me share about my journey on MFP. So initially I began a year back when I was trying to lose weight, and it worked, but I got overzealous- I went highly restrictive and ate less than 1200 calories a day, and even stopped eating carbs for a period of time.

However, when exams came (I'm a student), I forgot about tracking and threw my weight loss goals out of the window and began eating normally (snacking too). My weight has been soaring since then and now I'm back cos it's an all time high.

I know crash diets are bad, but I also know I should limit my intake, but it's hard. Right now I try to exercise everyday (2 hours of cardio class nearly) for a week now and I don't dare to eat beyond 1200 calories (because I work so hard in the gym, I don't feel like eating). Can someone scold some sense into me because clearly what I'm doing isn't working (the scale ain't shifting)? Even better, if anyone has their food diary public to share, it would be great cos I can learn from you guys. I know my lifestyle ain't healthy cos my weight has been going yo-yo and my metabolism is trash because i can be constipated for weeks and my period has stopped coming this month. But if I put on any more weight, my BMI will tip over into overweight so I am really scared right now.

malibu927 · July 2017

It's only been a week and you just drastically increased your exercise. Be patient.

That said, if you aren't overweight then you'll be better off eating more. Set your goal to .5-1 pound per week and eat the amount it gives you plus a portion of your exercise calories. You need to fuel your body, especially with the amount of exercise you're doing.

Quinnstarry · July 2017

Hey, thanks for the reply! Let's say if I don't eat more calories like what you suggested, will I lose more weight?

momofamadhouse · July 2017

The first thing I'd personally suggest is to pull up some Yoga on youtube because you sound extremely stressed out. Slow down! You're ok. Your metabolism isn't trashed, it's fine! If your energy levels are low it's more likely your diet is the culprit for that. Set your goals to .5-1 as previously suggested and work on your "better choices" becoming your "new normal". Anytime you 'go back' to eating the way you did before actively trying to lose weight you WILL gain weight back. Make sure you get enough protein and be patient. It takes time, and it's a learning experience. It isn't necessary to kill yourself with cardio. It's all about learning balance.

malibu927 · July 2017

Quinnstarry wrote: »

Hey, thanks for the reply! Let's say if I don't eat more calories like what you suggested, will I lose more weight?

Yes, but you run the risk of losing more muscle and doing more damage to your body. Slower and more sustainable is better in the long run.

jemhh · July 2017

Quinnstarry wrote: »

Hey, thanks for the reply! Let's say if I don't eat more calories like what you suggested, will I lose more weight?

Maybe maybe not. There's a very high chance that you will crash due to exhaustion and underfueling your activity level. Your non-exercise activity level will sink and you will stop losing weight. Then you will get frustrated and eat even less and become more sloth-like outside of exercise. At some point you will break and binge and then give up for a period time during which you will add several pounds of fat. In six months you will make a New Year's resolution to lose weight and will decided to "kickstart" it with some sort of crash diet or detox. And thus the cycle will repeat itself.

Or at least that's what I see in my crystal ball.

SOS

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