Low on energy? Am I doing everything right?

day17
day17 Posts: 47 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
I eat at 1700 calories or a little under each day. This is what mfp gave me to lose 2 pounds a week. But I'm usually tired and low on energy. I'm not hungry though.
My food choices are usually healthy with a few higher calorie foods here and there. Are my food choices good in regards to weight loss?(my diary is public).
I'm 5'9" female at 250 pounds. I have a long journey ahead of me.

Replies

  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    edited August 2017
    Your food choices don't matter with respect to weight loss, just your number of calories, except for how full you feel and that really varies person to person. That said, there's no reason to start with the 2 lbs a week goal. At 250 lbs, this is probably a pretty substantial drop, and that can be a shock to the system. I'm actually losing close to 2 lbs a week right now, but I started off by eating at maintenance, then reducing my average daily intake by about 100 calories a month. If you're feeling bleh, that might be a way to go. On the other hand, did you only start on Friday (that's all I'm seeing in your diary)? It might just be early days and you need to figure out what foods and meal scheduling works for you. There are so many options, and lots of people feel very strongly about them, but I would encourage you to remember that the best diet is always the one that YOU can stick to.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    How long have you been eating at this calorie level, and how long have you been feeling tired?

    How much sleep do you get? Have you changed your exercise routine? Are you eating back exercise calories? Are you actually losing 2 lbs per week?
  • day17
    day17 Posts: 47 Member
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Your food choices don't matter with respect to weight loss, just your number of calories, except for how full you feel and that really varies person to person. That said, there's no reason to start with the 2 lbs a week goal. At 250 lbs, this is probably a pretty substantial drop, and that can be a shock to the system. I'm actually losing close to 2 lbs a week right now, but I started off by eating at maintenance, then reducing my average daily intake by about 100 calories a month. If you're feeling bleh, that might be a way to go. On the other hand, did you only start on Friday (that's all I'm seeing in your diary)? It might just be early days and you need to figure out what foods and meal scheduling works for you. There are so many options, and lots of people feel very strongly about them, but I would encourage you to remember that the best diet is always the one that YOU can stick to.

    Yes, I did just start on Friday. Before then I was eating under 1000 calories a day, losing 15 a month, then gaining it back and then some. Not the way to go.
    kimny72 wrote: »
    How long have you been eating at this calorie level, and how long have you been feeling tired?

    How much sleep do you get? Have you changed your exercise routine? Are you eating back exercise calories? Are you actually losing 2 lbs per week?

    I'm getting about 8 hours of sleep but I do have a two year old and an 8 month old so that's not always the case lol. I don't exercise all that much, just running around them, housework, etc. and I actually just started a few days ago so I haven't checked my weight. Planning on doing that at the beginning of the month.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    edited August 2017
    day17 wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Your food choices don't matter with respect to weight loss, just your number of calories, except for how full you feel and that really varies person to person. That said, there's no reason to start with the 2 lbs a week goal. At 250 lbs, this is probably a pretty substantial drop, and that can be a shock to the system. I'm actually losing close to 2 lbs a week right now, but I started off by eating at maintenance, then reducing my average daily intake by about 100 calories a month. If you're feeling bleh, that might be a way to go. On the other hand, did you only start on Friday (that's all I'm seeing in your diary)? It might just be early days and you need to figure out what foods and meal scheduling works for you. There are so many options, and lots of people feel very strongly about them, but I would encourage you to remember that the best diet is always the one that YOU can stick to.

    Yes, I did just start on Friday. Before then I was eating under 1000 calories a day, losing 15 a month, then gaining it back and then some. Not the way to go.
    kimny72 wrote: »
    How long have you been eating at this calorie level, and how long have you been feeling tired?

    How much sleep do you get? Have you changed your exercise routine? Are you eating back exercise calories? Are you actually losing 2 lbs per week?

    I'm getting about 8 hours of sleep but I do have a two year old and an 8 month old so that's not always the case lol. I don't exercise all that much, just running around them, housework, etc. and I actually just started a few days ago so I haven't checked my weight. Planning on doing that at the beginning of the month.

    So I would say give it a little time, and maybe temporarily change your goal to lose 1 lb per week and eat a little more until your body adjusts. Nothing specific jumps out in your diary, and lots of things can make you feel low energy (like the weather, stress or worry, etc). If you find you are losing weight faster than 1-2 lbs per week, eat a little bit more (because in that case undereating might be contributing). Good luck :drinker:

    ETA: You didn't ask, but I would strongly suggest using a kitchen scale to measure your portions and to avoid choosing generic or recipe-style entries in the database. Look for raw or USDA entries, or the specific brand of something, and log each individual ingredient or use the recipe builder. You have wiggle room right now, but as you lose weight, accuracy will be key.
  • day17
    day17 Posts: 47 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    day17 wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Your food choices don't matter with respect to weight loss, just your number of calories, except for how full you feel and that really varies person to person. That said, there's no reason to start with the 2 lbs a week goal. At 250 lbs, this is probably a pretty substantial drop, and that can be a shock to the system. I'm actually losing close to 2 lbs a week right now, but I started off by eating at maintenance, then reducing my average daily intake by about 100 calories a month. If you're feeling bleh, that might be a way to go. On the other hand, did you only start on Friday (that's all I'm seeing in your diary)? It might just be early days and you need to figure out what foods and meal scheduling works for you. There are so many options, and lots of people feel very strongly about them, but I would encourage you to remember that the best diet is always the one that YOU can stick to.

    Yes, I did just start on Friday. Before then I was eating under 1000 calories a day, losing 15 a month, then gaining it back and then some. Not the way to go.
    kimny72 wrote: »
    How long have you been eating at this calorie level, and how long have you been feeling tired?

    How much sleep do you get? Have you changed your exercise routine? Are you eating back exercise calories? Are you actually losing 2 lbs per week?

    I'm getting about 8 hours of sleep but I do have a two year old and an 8 month old so that's not always the case lol. I don't exercise all that much, just running around them, housework, etc. and I actually just started a few days ago so I haven't checked my weight. Planning on doing that at the beginning of the month.

    So I would say give it a little time, and maybe temporarily change your goal to lose 1 lb per week and eat a little more until your body adjusts. Nothing specific jumps out in your diary, and lots of things can make you feel low energy (like the weather, stress or worry, etc). If you find you are losing weight faster than 1-2 lbs per week, eat a little bit more (because in that case undereating might be contributing). Good luck :drinker:

    ETA: You didn't ask, but I would strongly suggest using a kitchen scale to measure your portions and to avoid choosing generic or recipe-style entries in the database. Look for raw or USDA entries, or the specific brand of something, and log each individual ingredient or use the recipe builder. You have wiggle room right now, but as you lose weight, accuracy will be key.

    Thank you! And I do use a kitchen scale but I appreciate your input!
  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    day17 wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Your food choices don't matter with respect to weight loss, just your number of calories, except for how full you feel and that really varies person to person. That said, there's no reason to start with the 2 lbs a week goal. At 250 lbs, this is probably a pretty substantial drop, and that can be a shock to the system. I'm actually losing close to 2 lbs a week right now, but I started off by eating at maintenance, then reducing my average daily intake by about 100 calories a month. If you're feeling bleh, that might be a way to go. On the other hand, did you only start on Friday (that's all I'm seeing in your diary)? It might just be early days and you need to figure out what foods and meal scheduling works for you. There are so many options, and lots of people feel very strongly about them, but I would encourage you to remember that the best diet is always the one that YOU can stick to.

    Yes, I did just start on Friday. Before then I was eating under 1000 calories a day, losing 15 a month, then gaining it back and then some. Not the way to go.

    Oof, that sounds rough! I suppose you're eating more than 1000 a day at least, but I am still a big advocate for the slow ramp up. I was always scared to go on a diet because I thought it meant eating a bunch of stuff I didn't like and being hungry all day. Losing gradually has sometimes made me impatient, but I genuinely feel kind of guilty about how easy it's been to maintain so far, and it's been pretty exciting watching my rate of loss ramp up.
  • day17
    day17 Posts: 47 Member
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    day17 wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Your food choices don't matter with respect to weight loss, just your number of calories, except for how full you feel and that really varies person to person. That said, there's no reason to start with the 2 lbs a week goal. At 250 lbs, this is probably a pretty substantial drop, and that can be a shock to the system. I'm actually losing close to 2 lbs a week right now, but I started off by eating at maintenance, then reducing my average daily intake by about 100 calories a month. If you're feeling bleh, that might be a way to go. On the other hand, did you only start on Friday (that's all I'm seeing in your diary)? It might just be early days and you need to figure out what foods and meal scheduling works for you. There are so many options, and lots of people feel very strongly about them, but I would encourage you to remember that the best diet is always the one that YOU can stick to.

    Yes, I did just start on Friday. Before then I was eating under 1000 calories a day, losing 15 a month, then gaining it back and then some. Not the way to go.

    Oof, that sounds rough! I suppose you're eating more than 1000 a day at least, but I am still a big advocate for the slow ramp up. I was always scared to go on a diet because I thought it meant eating a bunch of stuff I didn't like and being hungry all day. Losing gradually has sometimes made me impatient, but I genuinely feel kind of guilty about how easy it's been to maintain so far, and it's been pretty exciting watching my rate of loss ramp up.

    It was pretty rough. Like I said I'm eating around 1700 but energy levels aren't too good. Are you still losing weight or done? How many calories do you eat?
  • DebLaBounty
    DebLaBounty Posts: 1,169 Member
    Are you logging your water? Your diary shows only 1 cup a day. I find that when I am dehydrated I feel low on energy and generally tired. So I've upped my water intake to 8 cups a day, and drink zero calorie fizzy drinks when I get bored with water. See if that helps.
  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    day17 wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    day17 wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Your food choices don't matter with respect to weight loss, just your number of calories, except for how full you feel and that really varies person to person. That said, there's no reason to start with the 2 lbs a week goal. At 250 lbs, this is probably a pretty substantial drop, and that can be a shock to the system. I'm actually losing close to 2 lbs a week right now, but I started off by eating at maintenance, then reducing my average daily intake by about 100 calories a month. If you're feeling bleh, that might be a way to go. On the other hand, did you only start on Friday (that's all I'm seeing in your diary)? It might just be early days and you need to figure out what foods and meal scheduling works for you. There are so many options, and lots of people feel very strongly about them, but I would encourage you to remember that the best diet is always the one that YOU can stick to.

    Yes, I did just start on Friday. Before then I was eating under 1000 calories a day, losing 15 a month, then gaining it back and then some. Not the way to go.

    Oof, that sounds rough! I suppose you're eating more than 1000 a day at least, but I am still a big advocate for the slow ramp up. I was always scared to go on a diet because I thought it meant eating a bunch of stuff I didn't like and being hungry all day. Losing gradually has sometimes made me impatient, but I genuinely feel kind of guilty about how easy it's been to maintain so far, and it's been pretty exciting watching my rate of loss ramp up.

    It was pretty rough. Like I said I'm eating around 1700 but energy levels aren't too good. Are you still losing weight or done? How many calories do you eat?

    I'm roughly a third of the way to where I want to be, so I have a while to go still. Probably a year to a year and a half, as I understand those last 10-20 lbs can be a bear. Right now I'm eating around 1800 on average, losing about 1-2 lbs a week with maybe a half hour brisk walking a day. When I started in January I was eating more like 2200-2300 with less exercise, and like I said, I've just slowly been pulling that back. My goal for now is to get to 1700, which would be my maintenance calories at my goal weight, and just hang out there for a while.
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