Really slow weight loss despite cutting calories drastically
kls1986520
Posts: 9 Member
I am having a bit of trouble with my weight lrecently. I have been “dieting” for lack of a better term for about a month, yet I have only managed to lose 7.2 lbs. my goal is the lose 132lbs, and I have starting paying really close attention to what I consume. For the past month, I have been eating about 800-900 calories a day. But the weight loss has been so slow. On days when I go over 900 calories, I end up gaining .5lbs or more. I can try to cut more calories but I am already starting to get dizzy between lunch and dinner. I don’t have time to work out more than one time per week, as I have an extremely demanding job. As it is, I am free about 10 hours a day and I reserve that for sleepy by and commuting. I know adding in more exercise would help as well but again, I am getting quite dizzy when I work out. I drink approximately 90oz of water a day and I don’t drink anyone other than water. I’m just feeling stuck. I have a lot of food allergies too so the things I can eat are limited. No nuts and I have a sensitivity to vitamin c. Any advise would be appreciated
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Replies
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That's almost 2 pounds a week, which seems like a completely safe and reasonable rate of weight loss. 800-900 calories is not enough food. You're probably in starvation mode. You need to see a nutritionist.36
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Losing 7 pounds in a month isn't an "only". It shows you're being more self aware and paying attention to what you're eating. I would suggest that you reevaluate how you're calculating and inputting your calories. Ideally, you should weigh almost everything you eat for the most accurate results. Track and log everything. You're probably eating more than the 900 calories you're logging.
Missed the part about being dizzy between meals. Take it slow and make sure you're eating enough throughout the day~4 -
Stop. Please stop. You are malnourishing yourself and if you are get dizzy during one of your commutes it could be your life and/or someone else's.
What you are doing is NOT healthy. Your body is telling you that. It is screaming it at you.
The scale will not register a loss each day. Your body will fluctuate on the scale because of water retention. It can go up as much as 4 lbs regardless of what you ate the day before.
Put your info into MFP and eat the calorie goal it sets for you but only after you eat normally for at least 4 days.
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midlomel1971 wrote: »That's almost 2 pounds a week, which seems like a completely safe and reasonable rate of weight loss. 800-900 calories is not enough food. You're probably in starvation mode. You need to see a nutritionist.
Nope, "starvation mode" is a myth: https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/
It is quite possible, however, that OP is not getting adequate nutrition on 800-900 calories per day. It is also not at all surprising that she's feeling dizzy when trying to work out. Stuff like that happens when you're not providing adequate fuel to your body. Continuing on that path will inevitably result in an epic crash and burn.15 -
midlomel1971 wrote: »That's almost 2 pounds a week, which seems like a completely safe and reasonable rate of weight loss. 800-900 calories is not enough food. You're probably in starvation mode. You need to see a nutritionist.
I agree that 800-900 isn't enough but she isn't in "starvation mode" as it doesn't exist in the way you are using it.9 -
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midlomel1971 wrote: »That's almost 2 pounds a week, which seems like a completely safe and reasonable rate of weight loss. 800-900 calories is not enough food. You're probably in starvation mode. You need to see a nutritionist.
Nope, that's not it. "Starvation mode" is a myth: https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/
It is quite possible, however, that OP is not getting adequate nutrition on 800-900 calories per day. It is also not at all surprising that she's feeling dizzy when trying to work out. Stuff like that happens when you're not providing adequate fuel to your body. Continuing on that path will inevitably result in an epic crash and burn.
Starving = not providing adequate fuel for your body. Six and one have dozen.
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midlomel1971 wrote: »That's almost 2 pounds a week, which seems like a completely safe and reasonable rate of weight loss. 800-900 calories is not enough food. You're probably in starvation mode. You need to see a nutritionist.
Starvation mode isn't a thing.
OP, you're losing at a fairly quick rate and seriously undereating. That's likely why you're getting dizzy when you work out. Aim for at least 1200 net calories (after exercise) a day, if not the goal MFP gave to you.13 -
I'm not a medical person but could there be a medical issue? I'd get a routine physical and start there. 900 calories a day is super restrictive. I've been losing about 6 pounds a month eating 1500-1800 calories a day, going to the gym 5 days a week and walking about 45-60 minutes a day. I'm about 32 pounds from my goal weight and figure it will take the rest of this year.3
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kls1986520 wrote: »I am having a bit of trouble with my weight lrecently. I have been “dieting” for lack of a better term for about a month, yet I have only managed to lose 7.2 lbs. my goal is the lose 132lbs, and I have starting paying really close attention to what I consume. For the past month, I have been eating about 800-900 calories a day. But the weight loss has been so slow. On days when I go over 900 calories, I end up gaining .5lbs or more. I can try to cut more calories but I am already starting to get dizzy between lunch and dinner. I don’t have time to work out more than one time per week, as I have an extremely demanding job. As it is, I am free about 10 hours a day and I reserve that for sleepy by and commuting. I know adding in more exercise would help as well but again, I am getting quite dizzy when I work out. I drink approximately 90oz of water a day and I don’t drink anyone other than water. I’m just feeling stuck. I have a lot of food allergies too so the things I can eat are limited. No nuts and I have a sensitivity to vitamin c. Any advise would be appreciated
OP you need to re-evaluate your calorie goals as you are eating way below where you should be for losing weight.
You are suffering side effects from not eating enough and if you continue to eat like this your side effects will get worse not better. Prolonged under eating could develop longer term health problems.
MFP has a default minimum of 1200 calories for women. If your stats do put you at this min you you should eat the 1200 calorie minimum plus the exercise calories you burn when you exercise.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10569458/why-eating-too-little-calories-is-a-bad-idea/p1
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kls1986520 wrote: »I am having a bit of trouble with my weight lrecently. I have been “dieting” for lack of a better term for about a month, yet I have only managed to lose 7.2 lbs. my goal is the lose 132lbs, and I have starting paying really close attention to what I consume. For the past month, I have been eating about 800-900 calories a day. But the weight loss has been so slow. On days when I go over 900 calories, I end up gaining .5lbs or more. I can try to cut more calories but I am already starting to get dizzy between lunch and dinner. I don’t have time to work out more than one time per week, as I have an extremely demanding job. As it is, I am free about 10 hours a day and I reserve that for sleepy by and commuting. I know adding in more exercise would help as well but again, I am getting quite dizzy when I work out. I drink approximately 90oz of water a day and I don’t drink anyone other than water. I’m just feeling stuck. I have a lot of food allergies too so the things I can eat are limited. No nuts and I have a sensitivity to vitamin c. Any advise would be appreciated
OP you need to re-evaluate your calorie goals as you are eating way below where you should be for losing weight.
You are suffering side effects from not eating enough and if you continue to eat like this your side effects will get worse not better. Prolonged under eating could develop longer term health problems.
MFP has a default minimum of 1200 calories for women. If your stats do put you at this min you you should eat the 1200 calorie minimum plus the exercise calories you burn when you exercise.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10569458/why-eating-too-little-calories-is-a-bad-idea/p1
1200 wont be near enough for someone with 132 pounds to lose7 -
JaydedMiss wrote: »kls1986520 wrote: »I am having a bit of trouble with my weight lrecently. I have been “dieting” for lack of a better term for about a month, yet I have only managed to lose 7.2 lbs. my goal is the lose 132lbs, and I have starting paying really close attention to what I consume. For the past month, I have been eating about 800-900 calories a day. But the weight loss has been so slow. On days when I go over 900 calories, I end up gaining .5lbs or more. I can try to cut more calories but I am already starting to get dizzy between lunch and dinner. I don’t have time to work out more than one time per week, as I have an extremely demanding job. As it is, I am free about 10 hours a day and I reserve that for sleepy by and commuting. I know adding in more exercise would help as well but again, I am getting quite dizzy when I work out. I drink approximately 90oz of water a day and I don’t drink anyone other than water. I’m just feeling stuck. I have a lot of food allergies too so the things I can eat are limited. No nuts and I have a sensitivity to vitamin c. Any advise would be appreciated
OP you need to re-evaluate your calorie goals as you are eating way below where you should be for losing weight.
You are suffering side effects from not eating enough and if you continue to eat like this your side effects will get worse not better. Prolonged under eating could develop longer term health problems.
MFP has a default minimum of 1200 calories for women. If your stats do put you at this min you you should eat the 1200 calorie minimum plus the exercise calories you burn when you exercise.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10569458/why-eating-too-little-calories-is-a-bad-idea/p1
1200 wont be near enough for someone with 132 pounds to lose
I said IF. It was more to show generalization that it be 'MFP calorie goal' when stats are entered and she should be eating back exercise calories.1 -
JaydedMiss wrote: »kls1986520 wrote: »I am having a bit of trouble with my weight lrecently. I have been “dieting” for lack of a better term for about a month, yet I have only managed to lose 7.2 lbs. my goal is the lose 132lbs, and I have starting paying really close attention to what I consume. For the past month, I have been eating about 800-900 calories a day. But the weight loss has been so slow. On days when I go over 900 calories, I end up gaining .5lbs or more. I can try to cut more calories but I am already starting to get dizzy between lunch and dinner. I don’t have time to work out more than one time per week, as I have an extremely demanding job. As it is, I am free about 10 hours a day and I reserve that for sleepy by and commuting. I know adding in more exercise would help as well but again, I am getting quite dizzy when I work out. I drink approximately 90oz of water a day and I don’t drink anyone other than water. I’m just feeling stuck. I have a lot of food allergies too so the things I can eat are limited. No nuts and I have a sensitivity to vitamin c. Any advise would be appreciated
OP you need to re-evaluate your calorie goals as you are eating way below where you should be for losing weight.
You are suffering side effects from not eating enough and if you continue to eat like this your side effects will get worse not better. Prolonged under eating could develop longer term health problems.
MFP has a default minimum of 1200 calories for women. If your stats do put you at this min you you should eat the 1200 calorie minimum plus the exercise calories you burn when you exercise.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10569458/why-eating-too-little-calories-is-a-bad-idea/p1
1200 wont be near enough for someone with 132 pounds to lose
I said IF. It was more to show generalization that it should 'MFP calorie goal' when stats entered and should be eating exercise calories.
I know you know, Just making sure the OP hears it. So many people fall for the 1200 thing (myself included lol)1 -
You're dizzy because you are undereating. What you are doing is unhealthy and dangerous. Put your goals into MFP and eat the number of calories it tells you to eat. If you exercise, eat half the calories the MFP database gives you for that activity.
You gain weight on days when you eat more because there is more food (and food waste) in your body.
90 ounces of water is over 11 cups. Unless you're doing some serious sweating or enjoy peeing a lot, you likely don't need this much water. If you're so thirsty that you need that much water to feel satisfied, you need to see your doctor. And, if you're sweating so much that you need to drink that much water, then you should probably be replacing electrolytes rather than having plain water.
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I am not really sure how to eat more calories without feeling sick or eating garbage. I weigh 90% of what I eat, but I get full after every meal, to the point where it’s uncomfortable. I’m not sure where to supplement more calories. An average day for me is as follows:
Breakfast: 5/6 cup full fat greek yogurt/blueberry mix and 1/6 cup organic granola
Lunch: 1/2 chicken breast and 1/2 cup of veggies or 2 cups salad with lean meat
Dinner: 4oz lean steak or half chicken breast and 1/2 cup veggies
After I eat these meals I feel full. Sometimes stuffed. When I started dieting I would get hunger pangs/grumbly stomach between meals, but I don’t get that feeling anymore. My app recommends 1200 calories a day, but that’s almost like wasting another full meal without being hungry. I am trying not to eat when I am not hungry, but I don’t know how to add more calories without doing that or eating food that is “bad for you”. I have been extremely overweight my entire life and have never had a good relationship with food. I don’t know much about nutrition or weight loss other than eat less calories than your body uses11 -
kls1986520 wrote: »I am not really sure how to eat more calories without feeling sick or eating garbage. I weigh 90% of what I eat, but I get full after every meal, to the point where it’s uncomfortable. I’m not sure where to supplement more calories. An average day for me is as follows:
Breakfast: 5/6 cup full fat greek yogurt/blueberry mix and 1/6 cup organic granola
Lunch: 1/2 chicken breast and 1/2 cup of veggies or 2 cups salad with lean meat
Dinner: 4oz lean steak or half chicken breast and 1/2 cup veggies
After I eat these meals I feel full. Sometimes stuffed. When I started dieting I would get hunger pangs/grumbly stomach between meals, but I don’t get that feeling anymore. My app recommends 1200 calories a day, but that’s almost like wasting another full meal without being hungry. I am trying not to eat when I am not hungry, but I don’t know how to add more calories without doing that or eating food that is “bad for you”. I have been extremely overweight my entire life and have never had a good relationship with food. I don’t know much about nutrition or weight loss other than eat less calories than your body uses
you didnt get to the point you have 132 pounds to lose by undereating So we know you can eat more. Add some calories you know you can i know you can just do it or your risking severe self harm. And youve been told that a few times now. Really up to you to do it or not. Eat food. Stop demonizing everything as bad food and just eat food. Theres always room for a snack20 -
There is no such thing as "garbage" or "bad for you" if it gets you the calories you need to conduct your day. You don't have to eat when you aren't hungry but you absolutely have to eat more calorie dense foods.
You don't need to know that much about nutrition to know that if you are getting dizzy you aren't getting enough calories.10 -
I drink 90 oz because I live in the desert and that was recommended by my doctor. I wish I could drink less lol4
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midlomel1971 wrote: »midlomel1971 wrote: »That's almost 2 pounds a week, which seems like a completely safe and reasonable rate of weight loss. 800-900 calories is not enough food. You're probably in starvation mode. You need to see a nutritionist.
Nope, that's not it. "Starvation mode" is a myth: https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/
It is quite possible, however, that OP is not getting adequate nutrition on 800-900 calories per day. It is also not at all surprising that she's feeling dizzy when trying to work out. Stuff like that happens when you're not providing adequate fuel to your body. Continuing on that path will inevitably result in an epic crash and burn.
Starving = not providing adequate fuel for your body. Six and one have dozen.
Just so you know for future reference the saying is "six of one half dozen of the other". It means 2 different ways of saying the same thing, which you're not doing. "Starvation mode" is a commonly used term that absolutely does not mean "not providing adequate fuel for your body."17 -
kls1986520 wrote: »I am not really sure how to eat more calories without feeling sick or eating garbage. I weigh 90% of what I eat, but I get full after every meal, to the point where it’s uncomfortable. I’m not sure where to supplement more calories. An average day for me is as follows:
Breakfast: 5/6 cup full fat greek yogurt/blueberry mix and 1/6 cup organic granola
Lunch: 1/2 chicken breast and 1/2 cup of veggies or 2 cups salad with lean meat
Dinner: 4oz lean steak or half chicken breast and 1/2 cup veggies
After I eat these meals I feel full. Sometimes stuffed. When I started dieting I would get hunger pangs/grumbly stomach between meals, but I don’t get that feeling anymore. My app recommends 1200 calories a day, but that’s almost like wasting another full meal without being hungry. I am trying not to eat when I am not hungry, but I don’t know how to add more calories without doing that or eating food that is “bad for you”. I have been extremely overweight my entire life and have never had a good relationship with food. I don’t know much about nutrition or weight loss other than eat less calories than your body uses
Go back and read the responses to your OP again, and think about what people are telling you.3 -
kls1986520 wrote: »I am not really sure how to eat more calories without feeling sick or eating garbage. I weigh 90% of what I eat, but I get full after every meal, to the point where it’s uncomfortable. I’m not sure where to supplement more calories. An average day for me is as follows:
Breakfast: 5/6 cup full fat greek yogurt/blueberry mix and 1/6 cup organic granola
Lunch: 1/2 chicken breast and 1/2 cup of veggies or 2 cups salad with lean meat
Dinner: 4oz lean steak or half chicken breast and 1/2 cup veggies
After I eat these meals I feel full. Sometimes stuffed. When I started dieting I would get hunger pangs/grumbly stomach between meals, but I don’t get that feeling anymore. My app recommends 1200 calories a day, but that’s almost like wasting another full meal without being hungry. I am trying not to eat when I am not hungry, but I don’t know how to add more calories without doing that or eating food that is “bad for you”. I have been extremely overweight my entire life and have never had a good relationship with food. I don’t know much about nutrition or weight loss other than eat less calories than your body uses
honestly - i would be surprised if this is even 800cal....
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You can add calories by using oils to prepare your meals and adding dressings to your salads.
Trying to eat both low fat and very low carb is a sure way to crash.5 -
Sorry I am trying to keep up with all the replies. I guess i will just try to eat different foods with more calories and stay off the scale for a few days at a time. I always read things telling you to eat chicken breast and veggies to lose weight, but I guess that isn’t really right since it has so few calories.... I grew up I’m a house where everyone filled the plate to the brim with pasta and meatloaf and went back for seconds. It was followed up with a big bowl of ice cream every night. Nobody I know is less than morbidly obese. I am trying to learn how to eat but there so much information and misinformation out there that’s it’s a bit confusing. Thank you all for the advice5
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you can eat whatever you want as long as it fits your calories (no that isn't a response to say eat only twinkies!) - you need to figure out what makes your body feel satiated and gives you energy
i.e. I preplan a bowl of cereal into my calories each night because I know it helps me to sleep, as well as gives me fuel for workout in the am because I don't eat prior5 -
So with 132lbs to lose, and a little less than 2lb per week rate of loss...we are still believing that OP is eating 800-900 calories per day? Something seems off.8
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So with 132lbs to lose, and a little less than 2lb per week rate of loss...we are still believing that OP is eating 800-900 calories per day? Something seems off.
Meh. I didn't lose anything my first month dieting, then suddenly lost 5 lbs. and have been losing regularly since. Bodies are weird and weight loss is not linear.5 -
concordancia wrote: »So with 132lbs to lose, and a little less than 2lb per week rate of loss...we are still believing that OP is eating 800-900 calories per day? Something seems off.
Meh. I didn't lose anything my first month dieting, then suddenly lost 5 lbs. and have been losing regularly since. Bodies are weird and weight loss is not linear.
True true. Did you have as much weight to lose though? Just curious. I lose very slowly as well.0 -
concordancia wrote: »So with 132lbs to lose, and a little less than 2lb per week rate of loss...we are still believing that OP is eating 800-900 calories per day? Something seems off.
Meh. I didn't lose anything my first month dieting, then suddenly lost 5 lbs. and have been losing regularly since. Bodies are weird and weight loss is not linear.
True true. Did you have as much weight to lose though? Just curious. I lose very slowly as well.
I had about 80lbs to lose at the start, so a bit less, but still a lot. In the past, I have given up for the same reason. It has been like this for 5-7 years. I don't plan on putting myself in a position to test it, but it felt like I could go on a hunger strike and not lose in that first month. Luckily, I pushed through anyway this time
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concordancia wrote: »concordancia wrote: »So with 132lbs to lose, and a little less than 2lb per week rate of loss...we are still believing that OP is eating 800-900 calories per day? Something seems off.
Meh. I didn't lose anything my first month dieting, then suddenly lost 5 lbs. and have been losing regularly since. Bodies are weird and weight loss is not linear.
True true. Did you have as much weight to lose though? Just curious. I lose very slowly as well.
I had about 80lbs to lose at the start, so a bit less, but still a lot. In the past, I have given up for the same reason. It has been like this for 5-7 years. I don't plan on putting myself in a position to test it, but it felt like I could go on a hunger strike and not lose in that first month. Luckily, I pushed through anyway this time
Yeah it's the same for me. I drop some water but then I'm pretty stagnant for weeks and weeks at a time until one day I step on the scale, look in the mirror, and I'm lean again lol.1 -
kls1986520 wrote: »Sorry I am trying to keep up with all the replies. I guess i will just try to eat different foods with more calories and stay off the scale for a few days at a time. I always read things telling you to eat chicken breast and veggies to lose weight, but I guess that isn’t really right since it has so few calories.... I grew up I’m a house where everyone filled the plate to the brim with pasta and meatloaf and went back for seconds. It was followed up with a big bowl of ice cream every night. Nobody I know is less than morbidly obese. I am trying to learn how to eat but there so much information and misinformation out there that’s it’s a bit confusing. Thank you all for the advice
There is nothing wrong with eating a lean protein like chicken breast and a vegetable when you need to save calories. I do it. Probably just about everyone that likes chicken does it on occasion.
It stops being good for you when it is your dinner, you can't eat anymore, and it doesn't give you the rest of the calories you need for the day.4
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