800 calories a day?

People suggesting various appliances for her to cook with - you have to realize that different dorms have different regulations for what types of appliances they are allowed to possess and use in the building. They are worried about fire hazards. So OP be sure you check with your dorm's regulations before deciding if you're going to buy any of those appliances. Some of them might be really helpful to you, just make sure they are allowed first.

If you can't use a crock pot or Foreman grill, another option is to visit family or friends on weekends, and do a marathon cooking session. Store individual meals in tupperware in your mini-fridge and microwave them the rest of the week.

Ok there's a lot of good info in this thread, and there's some not so good. Some people say yeah go for it, others say eat more and exercise. I know which side of the fence I sit, however...

Bottom line is that you're not losing weight on 1200 calories and you want to drop to 800 calories.

My 2c? Go and see your doctor! Seriously!

With so many opinions, how do you know who is right or wrong? Go and see a medical professional and explain to them that you want to lose weight and drop your calorie intake. Be honest with them and tell them exactly what you are eating and why. Have you had medical confirmation that your metabolism is slow, or have you done an online test, or read symptoms online and thought "yep, that sounds like me"?

I'm not saying that you are doing this, but some people put a post on a forum so that they can get the feedback that they want and disregard the rest, whether right or wrong. Get the best information from the right source, perhaps you need professional assistance in setting a diet.

I'd hate to give nutritional advice here, then find out later that you had a medical condition that was worsened by my advice.

^^This...or the oncampus med center at least.
I saw a program yesterday about an anorexic. At first she started restricting her calories to around what you are. But when she had lost the weight, she was absolutely unable to eat and could not get to 1200 or above. Any kind of long term restriction can actually leave you unable to go back to regular eating when you want too do it. At that point you're in trouble, and you may not have even meant to get there. I worry about you, I truly do. Also, long term does not have to mean years, it can mean months.

At the number of calories you are currently eating, along with the fact that really you are small, it can turn dangerous. At the very least, if you are able to resume normal caloric intake you most likely will gain.

I can't give you any better advice than to go see a medical professional.

Good luck to you.

coupons and sales will help. libraries have newspaper to see whats on sale and coupons on line. will help make all these suggestions (except the unhelpful one) work

Everyone is acting like I want to do this forever...Honestly it will only be for a bout two weeks if I can even last that long. I love food and I don't want to quit eating I will happily be overweight before I become anorexic.. That being said I just want to go on a low cal diet for a few weeks to combat the fact that for basically a month I sat around on my butt and did nothing... (yea I know not the greatest idea in the world but I was sick a lot of it.) I am hoping that by sticking to my 800 cals for two weeks I will be back down to 126. When I reach this number I will then go back up to 1200.

My stats 20yr
128
little to no exercise
5'1

alot of people are telling me I should calculate my BMR and then times by 20% subtract and then eat that many cals
1292 BMR (through the myfitnesspal one) * .2 =258 = 1034...this thing is saying I only burn 1200 cals a day

I'm not sure what people are telling you, but it's generally 20% off your total daily expenditure, what it would take to maintain your weight including your normal daily activity, not your BMR. BMR is what your body would burn if you were completely bedridden, like in a coma. The second you get out of bed, you burn more than that.

My BMR is supposed to be around 1200, too, but even without exercise, my calories are around 1700 to maintain my current weight. I typically eat between 1800-2000+ once exercise is factored in. I'd go bonkers on 1200 calories, and my weight loss would be ridiculously slow. On 800, it grinds to a halt.

If "everyone" is saying don't do it, it's because we speak from experience. We've tried it, found it didn't work, and learned from our mistakes. We'd like others to benefit from our mistakes, too.

Everyone is acting like I want to do this forever...Honestly it will only be for a bout two weeks if I can even last that long. I love food and I don't want to quit eating I will happily be overweight before I become anorexic.. That being said I just want to go on a low cal diet for a few weeks to combat the fact that for basically a month I sat around on my butt and did nothing... (yea I know not the greatest idea in the world but I was sick a lot of it.) I am hoping that by sticking to my 800 cals for two weeks I will be back down to 126. When I reach this number I will then go back up to 1200.

My stats 20yr
128
little to no exercise
5'1

alot of people are telling me I should calculate my BMR and then times by 20% subtract and then eat that many cals
1292 BMR (through the myfitnesspal one) * .2 =258 = 1034...this thing is saying I only burn 1200 cals a day

So you're changing your diet to drop 2 lbs? You could go low-carb and drop 5 lbs in water weight in a few days right there without any fat loss.

I've learned that any temporary diets are just that, temporary. If you lose a few pounds at 800 cal/day, then your body will get used to that, and once you increase your calorie intake again, you will gain weight until your body adjusts to that change.

You should really find a permanent lifestyle and diet that will allow you to be thin, and stick to it.

Here are some ideas for quick and easy meals that are filling and not too many calories.

Add a can of tuna and some frozen peas to your mac-n-cheese. It will add protein and vitamins and you'll have twice as much so you'll only have to reheat the next day.

Canned beans and instant brown rice.

Try Kashi frozen meals. They are more nutritious and filling than a lot of other frozen meals and cost about the same.

Use low carb wraps/tortillas along with premade hummus or a can of tuna and a bag of premade salad to make delicious, nutritious and filling low-cal sandwiches.
Or with canned refried beans, salsa, and reduced fat cheese to make bean burrritoes

Mix a drained can of black beans and a jar of salsa w a little water and microwave for a quick and tasty black bean soup.

Campbell's Healthy Request soups are very tasty and many are < 350 calories.

OK HEADLINER! DO NOT BE RUDE OR YELL AT ME..

Ok so here is the deal I am not losing weight on 1200 calories a day. I know my body and I have a very slow metabolism. So therefore I am going to be starting a diet of 800 calories. I am a broke college student with only a microwave to cook in. I try to eat as healthy as I can but usually I get crap like mac and cheese or cup o noodles....Now my question if I am limiting to myself to 800 and everyone thinks I should eat at least 1200 why? I mean all I am going to do is eat more of the junky stuff. and do I really need to eat more of that?

With that being said if anyone has any HELPFUL suggestions on how to get all the nutrients I need to keep my body healthy (vitamins or something) I would appreciate being told. Thanks and be polite folks

Try to limit your sodium and exercise

If you have a freezer, try getting microwavable frozen veggies, and try eating some nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to bring up your calories.

I'd also suggest taking some vitamins if you can afford them.

Well done for even trying though, I know it's so hard when you're a student living away from home. I didn't try and look where I am now!!

Typing all in upper case = yelling.

SHE SAID SORRY!! Yes I am yelling bc she already said sorry and you said something about it again. move on. Thank you

This thread is six pages long. We have all moved on. Thank you. :flowerforyou:

I know this may sound crazy but how about eating some food and exercising?

I agree with most of the posts....eating only 800 cals a day is only going to slow your matabolism. I'd buy a bag of celery and peanut butter for snacks...100% whole grain bread, tuna, low sodium deli meat, plain-low fat greek yogurt etc. and then boost your Cardio and weight training....or if you're not into exercise try taking the stairs between classes etc. I know food is expensive...but a bag of celery is comparable to a box of mac and cheese and will last all week instead of just one meal Good luck, I wish the best for you!!

Honestly you are consuming quite a bit of sodium. Milk does have calories also and that could be putting you well over what it takes to lose weight. See if you can switch to almond milk the unsweetened. It does have calcium added.

I am on a 800 calorie a day diet BUT...I am following doctor's orders. I see him once a week for monitoring. I also will eat 1200 and that 400 additional is from lean protein or extra veggies.

I eat no pasta at all.
No bread
No deli meat - that is full of sodium.

Do you have friends that have a george foreman grill? Cook up a bunch of chicken for the week and eat that.

How do you keep food cold in your dorm room? Do you have a mini fridge? Cut up loads of veggies and have it already bagged.

Hardboil eggs a friends house also.

The processed foods are what is causing your body to hold onto weight. I drink diet soda and that is what is holding me back. I need to drink more water and I know it.

I'M NOT YELLING I ALWAYS TALK THIS WAY!!!!!

Hi, I'm Sue and I can be slightly obnoxious but since you asked

First you might have heard that lowering your intake to 800 calories a day is risky, it's not... it's just desperation and self punshment and man have I been there... and so have all these other nay sayers..... when you're facing the impossible sometimes you're willing to take those chances.... do I support it no... because I really know what they think they know.... I've faced the demon and I know it's tricks .... but you have to do what you have to do for you and I will try and give you some healthy choices

first cereal.... have a cup of a good cereal in the mornings...even if the thought of breakfast makes you puke... do it.... and throw a banana on there too... don't care if you like them or not... they are high in potassium and filling and the calories in the morning will get you going for your day... breakfast is going to be your best opportunity to add calories to your day....watch what fruits you get... some are way higher in calories than others..... choose a fruit with lower calories so you can have more of them....cheese,yogurt and cottage cheese or boiled eggs are all things that are quick and easy to premake and keep in your fridge at home.....you can buy an egg boiler for your microwave.....egg salad is another cheap meal... use real mayo instead of miracle whip.... you get used to it fast...it made me gag at first and now I can't stand miracle whip.....TEA is a great way to start your day.... it's a warm feeling in your tummy as you leave the house, the caffeine kick gets you going and it's a natural diuretic to help flush excess water out of your system. Stay away from Juices, sweetened drinks of any kind and regular sugar..... I don't care what anyone says... diet coke has been a savior to me when I was hungry, craving or just needing something to put in my mouth.... water is obviously the BEST choice.... there I said it... but whatever works to keep YOU hydrated and pushing fluids through works for me

Tuna or salmon on a wrap for lunch if you like that, or lettice and cheese with cucumber, that's easy to store pack and wrap. buy chicken breasts and cut them into chunks and make chicken salad wraps, low calories, a couple of chicken breasts with celery and peppers chopped into them can be used for all kinds of meals or salads. Cheap and transportable. Make a list of vegetables that you WILL eat, not necessarily ones that you LOVE.... be real about this....if you want to lose weight you are going to have to explore new food options... the old ones aren't working for you.... you can't just cut down the amount you are eating of the same foods. Believe me, I ENJOY foods now that I wouldn't have even tried before..... and sometimes it took me a dozen tries before I really enjoyed them, but I do and it's been worth it. Try and stay away from breads, pasta's and processed rice..... if you are going to have carbs...... have natural ones....real potatoes in the can can be heated up in the microwave.... one cup is only 105 calories....have that with some a chicken breast seasoned and cooked in a microwave steamer bag and some veggies and you've got a great meal with a low calorie count.....Also you can get whole cooked chickens at zehrs.... buy one enjoy it for dinner and then cut up the leftovers into pieces for salads, and wraps.

I know you're a broke student and a lot of times you guys turn to the pot noodles or kraft dinner, instant stuff and that's the worst stuff out there for you. It's quick easy and cheap and fattening as hell. The best advice I can give you is to keep it as simple as possible. Make simple meals with out garnishments and concentrate on natural ingredients. Anything prepared is from this day forward taboo.... Buy some tupperware and make it yourself.... think of it this way.... you're eating healthier and while you're standing there making it you're burning calories......Carbs really are the devil

Please reconsider lowering your calories to 800 a day. From repeated personal experience I found that I would starve myself and be determined for a couple of months and I WOULD lose some weight... at first a lot then it would slow down dramatically.... I would be angry and frustrated and blame myself for not being able to do this.... and finally give in and have to start eating again.... when I did my body rebounded and DEMANDED to be fed until it was back to it's previous comfort zone and beyond....

I just don't want to see you delay your weightloss by doing something that's just not going to work in the long term....

Good luck

I'M NOT YELLING I ALWAYS TALK THIS WAY!!!!!

Hi, I'm Sue and I can be slightly obnoxious but since you asked

First you might have heard that lowering your intake to 800 calories a day is risky, it's not... it's just desperation and self punshment and man have I been there... and so have all these other nay sayers..... when you're facing the impossible sometimes you're willing to take those chances.... do I support it no... because I really know what they think they know.... I've faced the demon and I know it's tricks .... but you have to do what you have to do for you and I will try and give you some healthy choices

first cereal.... have a cup of a good cereal in the mornings...even if the thought of breakfast makes you puke... do it.... and throw a banana on there too... don't care if you like them or not... they are high in potassium and filling and the calories in the morning will get you going for your day... breakfast is going to be your best opportunity to add calories to your day....watch what fruits you get... some are way higher in calories than others..... choose a fruit with lower calories so you can have more of them....cheese,yogurt and cottage cheese or boiled eggs are all things that are quick and easy to premake and keep in your fridge at home.....you can buy an egg boiler for your microwave.....egg salad is another cheap meal... use real mayo instead of miracle whip.... you get used to it fast...it made me gag at first and now I can't stand miracle whip.....TEA is a great way to start your day.... it's a warm feeling in your tummy as you leave the house, the caffeine kick gets you going and it's a natural diuretic to help flush excess water out of your system. Stay away from Juices, sweetened drinks of any kind and regular sugar..... I don't care what anyone says... diet coke has been a savior to me when I was hungry, craving or just needing something to put in my mouth.... water is obviously the BEST choice.... there I said it... but whatever works to keep YOU hydrated and pushing fluids through works for me

Tuna or salmon on a wrap for lunch if you like that, or lettice and cheese with cucumber, that's easy to store pack and wrap. buy chicken breasts and cut them into chunks and make chicken salad wraps, low calories, a couple of chicken breasts with celery and peppers chopped into them can be used for all kinds of meals or salads. Cheap and transportable. Make a list of vegetables that you WILL eat, not necessarily ones that you LOVE.... be real about this....if you want to lose weight you are going to have to explore new food options... the old ones aren't working for you.... you can't just cut down the amount you are eating of the same foods. Believe me, I ENJOY foods now that I wouldn't have even tried before..... and sometimes it took me a dozen tries before I really enjoyed them, but I do and it's been worth it. Try and stay away from breads, pasta's and processed rice..... if you are going to have carbs...... have natural ones....real potatoes in the can can be heated up in the microwave.... one cup is only 105 calories....have that with some a chicken breast seasoned and cooked in a microwave steamer bag and some veggies and you've got a great meal with a low calorie count.....Also you can get whole cooked chickens at zehrs.... buy one enjoy it for dinner and then cut up the leftovers into pieces for salads, and wraps.

I know you're a broke student and a lot of times you guys turn to the pot noodles or kraft dinner, instant stuff and that's the worst stuff out there for you. It's quick easy and cheap and fattening as hell. The best advice I can give you is to keep it as simple as possible. Make simple meals with out garnishments and concentrate on natural ingredients. Anything prepared is from this day forward taboo.... Buy some tupperware and make it yourself.... think of it this way.... you're eating healthier and while you're standing there making it you're burning calories......Carbs really are the devil

Please reconsider lowering your calories to 800 a day. From repeated personal experience I found that I would starve myself and be determined for a couple of months and I WOULD lose some weight... at first a lot then it would slow down dramatically.... I would be angry and frustrated and blame myself for not being able to do this.... and finally give in and have to start eating again.... when I did my body rebounded and DEMANDED to be fed until it was back to it's previous comfort zone and beyond....

I just don't want to see you delay your weightloss by doing something that's just not going to work in the long term....

Good luck

Is this the longest troll post ever on this forum? Wow...:noway: