1,000 Calories Per Day Diet

karrenbennett
karrenbennett Posts: 89
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
I have a quick question about the number of calories I was told to consume.

I have a nutritionist I work with. For the past eight months or so I’ve been on a 1,200 calories a day diet (give or take a few). So far, I’ve lost about 35 pounds (not bad but not great). Today I visited the nutritionist again. We reviewed my diary of calories in versus calories out and the nutritional content of foods consumed. Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the most health conscience person when it comes to nutrition but I do try to stay within the specified calorie count and many times I eat my exercise calories. Today, he tells me that I’m not loosing enough weight and cuts me back to 1,000 calories per day (at which point I give him the deer-in-the-headlights look). Now I’m a runner. I run between 15-20 miles a week. (In November I’m running a half marathon) So I just don’t see how 1,000 calories a day will provide me the fuel my body needs to run every day. I’ve pretty much decided that since I’m second guessing him that it is time to find another nutritionist (and one that is a runner too). I’m just wondering what you think about 1,000 calories a day for a runner. He also told me to start eating more protein and less carbs (basic Atkins diet).

Also note that since I’m 4’10” tall, my BMR is only about 1115 and I run a slow pace of 3.5-4.0 depending on the distance.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Replies

  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    So you've lost about 1 pound a week for 8 months?
    Sounds good to me.

    If you weren't running, I guess he might have a point but as a runner - you are burning so many calories (I think I've read you can estimate 100 cals/mile regardless of speed, might be a bit less as you aren't a big person but even so.....)

    Great idea to find a new nutritionist! Or stick with this one but make it 1000 net calories (ie eat your cals back from running) and see how that works out for you.
  • Lisa_222
    Lisa_222 Posts: 301 Member
    Sounds ridiculous to me. It's tough enough to get all the nutrients on 1200, plus are you putting back your exercise calories? If not, you might not be losing because you are eating too little. I know you're short, so am I but there is a limit. I say the only thing you need to lose is that nutritionist.
  • austepants
    austepants Posts: 356 Member
    I would go with your gut! 1000 Calories is too little for anyone to eat in a day let alone someone who is active like you. I say getting a new nutritionist would be a great idea and if they say the same thing then I guess ask them to explain it to you better. But I don't think they will. Good luck :)
  • randommomo
    randommomo Posts: 8
    crikey! i don't think i could get out of bed on 1,000 calories nevermind put on my joggers and go for a run. i'd defo get a second opinion, they don't even go that low on biggest loser!!!!
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    there are a lot of articles in Runners World about fueling the body for running. Do a quick Google search and you will find some. I spent the first half of summer at 1,200 calories per day and running and I started to feel sick and literally insane, so I upped my calories to 1360 and feel a lot better. I looked at your ticker, it's not like you have another 100 pounds to go, if you are still losing whether it is slowly or still at 1 pound per week, I would just stick with what you are doing!
  • KrzyRiver
    KrzyRiver Posts: 29 Member
    Anything less than 1200 calories a day is unhealthy, *especially* if you exercise regularly. I think they consider less than that crash dieting. SUPER unhealthy. You're body could go into starvation mode and you'll quit losing weight.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Rate of loss is somewhat proportional to amount needed to lose. If you're 200 lbs overweight, then of course 1/week is probably not going to be seen as sufficient in the nutritionists eyes.

    That being said, I would leave it to you to determine, based on how much you think you have left to lose, whether or not 1/week is reasonable pace.

    I say this assuming that you are roughly at 1/week loss.
  • aa1440
    aa1440 Posts: 956 Member
    He's an idiot. Find another one. One that is compatable with you.
  • starwhisperer
    starwhisperer Posts: 367
    While that sounds crazy to me, I would have to take into account that you are dealing with a pro... and coming on here to feed the trolls. If you want a professional opinion based on education and experience go to a pro. If you want hours of entertainment reading opinions from people who may or may not know what they are talking about come online. I would go with the pro.

    Also nothing is set in stone. Try what they have told you to try and if it doesn't work... well stop doing it.
  • cornerofgreystreet
    cornerofgreystreet Posts: 180 Member
    I would definitely get a second opinion. And I think that finding a nutritionist that is a runner is a great idea. I run about 20-25 miles a week and that would not be enough for me. I think you should trust your intuition and find somebody else.
  • Sarah0866
    Sarah0866 Posts: 291 Member
    Sounds like the best way to slow your metabolism down if you ask me...I wouldn't do it.

    I'd look for another nutritionist ASAP
  • Musicgrl4life
    Musicgrl4life Posts: 132
    dont have 1000 cals a day! I've basically had around a little over a thousand - 1200- a little more some days, and my body has gone into starvation mode i guess. yours will do the same if you have so few cals. have at least 1200 a day.
  • rnroadrunner
    rnroadrunner Posts: 402 Member
    ONE POUND A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!! That is Awesome. why fix something that isn't broke.:grumble: :noway:
  • karrenbennett
    karrenbennett Posts: 89
    Rate of loss is somewhat proportional to amount needed to lose. If you're 200 lbs overweight, then of course 1/week is probably not going to be seen as sufficient in the nutritionists eyes.

    That being said, I would leave it to you to determine, based on how much you think you have left to lose, whether or not 1/week is reasonable pace.

    I say this assuming that you are roughly at 1/week loss.

    Thanks. I'm currently at 135 and that is about 20 pounds from my goal weight of 115.
  • Cathy92
    Cathy92 Posts: 312 Member
    trust yourself. you know your body best. Also, I'm a little scinical sometimes with anyone in the health care profession,,,even a nutritionist might say what they think you want or expect them to say...you are short, so he might think you expect him to tell you to lower your calories. Trust yourself.
  • a_stronger_steph
    a_stronger_steph Posts: 434 Member
    In many countries, the title of "nutritionist" is unregulated and not protected by law, meaning lots of Joe Schmoes who took half a course in nutrition can call themselves nutritionists. The title of dietician, however, is usually regulated - meaning that person has to be accredited. Maybe ditch the nutritionist and see a dietician instead, if you're really worried about it?
  • drog2323
    drog2323 Posts: 1,343 Member
    i've heard absolute nonsense from medical doctors regarding cancer...that are "professionals" just because they look like a duck, and walk like a duck, doesn't make them a duck.

    I would go with your gut, and look for a second opinion.

    1 lb a week is pretty good in my books.

    Im definitely not an expert and I would seek a second and maybe third opinion.
  • karrenbennett
    karrenbennett Posts: 89
    While that sounds crazy to me, I would have to take into account that you are dealing with a pro... and coming on here to feed the trolls. If you want a professional opinion based on education and experience go to a pro. If you want hours of entertainment reading opinions from people who may or may not know what they are talking about come online. I would go with the pro.

    Also nothing is set in stone. Try what they have told you to try and if it doesn't work... well stop doing it.

    I completely agree with your response. Part of my mind was saying "He's trained for this" but the other part is saying "WHOA THERE! How many calories?" But... at the same time, I know some doctors can misdiagnose runners if they are not a runner themselves. AND most advice medical professionals provide is based on subjective data and a diagnosis is a process of elimination. I think that once I started to question his wisdom it's time to get a second opinion. The second one may be the same but then at least I'll know.
  • karrenbennett
    karrenbennett Posts: 89
    In many countries, the title of "nutritionist" is unregulated and not protected by law, meaning lots of Joe Schmoes who took half a course in nutrition can call themselves nutritionists. The title of dietician, however, is usually regulated - meaning that person has to be accredited. Maybe ditch the nutritionist and see a dietician instead, if you're really worried about it?

    Good point! I've never thought about the differences. I will definitely check into that. Thanks!
  • karrenbennett
    karrenbennett Posts: 89
    i've heard absolute nonsense from medical doctors regarding cancer...that are "professionals" just because they look like a duck, and walk like a duck, doesn't make them a duck.

    I would go with your gut, and look for a second opinion.

    1 lb a week is pretty good in my books.

    Im definitely not an expert and I would seek a second and maybe third opinion.

    Thank you. The more I think about this the more I feel like I need a second opinion. I think the biggest thing that bothered me was the remark about 'not loosing enough'. I told him my weight loss journey is not a race to see who can lose the most each week. Slow and steady is my motto.
  • karrenbennett
    karrenbennett Posts: 89
    I would definitely get a second opinion. And I think that finding a nutritionist that is a runner is a great idea. I run about 20-25 miles a week and that would not be enough for me. I think you should trust your intuition and find somebody else.

    Thanks. The more I think about this the more amenable I am to the idea of getting a second opinion.
  • starwhisperer
    starwhisperer Posts: 367
    If you are already a runner, and you are only 135 pounds why is he concerned with your weight loss anyway? I get that you are short, so that is not as small a weight number as it sounds to 5'9 me...
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    I think you're already making great progress. A pound a week on average is a good loss rate.

    Since you are short, you don't need as many calories as the "average" person (whoever that is). But if you feel like 1000 is too low, I would go with your gut. You need to make sure to fuel your body.

    Now, I would possibly say it might be ok to set your NET goal to 1000, and eat back the calories you burn with running. But if you're feeling good right now, and if you're happy with your rate of loss (I would be), then I'd maybe just keep doing what you're doing. But his advice about eating more protein is good. You do need carbs to fuel you for running, so I wouldn't go low-carb, but depending on how much protein you're getting right now you might want to increase your protein percentage and lower the carb percentage a bit. The rule of thumb is 1 g of protein for every pound of lean muscle mass in your body. Has he done a body composition test on you?
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