Calorie Question...

I was concerned about how many calories I'm eating when someone here suggested I go to fitday.com to track what I'm eating. I have to admit, it makes it easier to figure out where I'm at. Well, I'm not eating too much. Actually, I'm only eating about 700 to 750 calories a day.

My question is...is that enough? I feel fine, I'm not hungry (aside from the voices in my head saying eat, eat, eat, LOL!!) I haven't lost any weight in a week and I've already had my first fill. I'm scheduling my second since I'm stalled. Could my calorie intake have anything to due with my stalled weight loss?

Ideas? Suggestions???

I supposed everyone is different. I think, in order to get enough nutrition, that you need to get at least 1,000 calories per day. That is what my reg. doctor has said, in order to keep out of "starvation mode" that you need at least 1,000. Especially, if you are exercising. You will have stalls or plateaus along your weight loss road. Sometimes, a change (adding more calories, exercise, etc) can shake up your system. It's good that you are feeling well. I would try adding some more calories (fruit, veggie, etc).

Shawn

....'a calorie is NOT just a calorie'.....there are many aspects of nutrition very complex requiring a LOT of book work to understand....

I'm too busy to type much right now...there was a great discussion a few months back regarding this very subject...should be able to access Archives for the thread...titled something like 'when is a calorie not a calorie'....

Yes Jack is right - all calories are not created equal - For example, it is not in your best interest to eat a 200 calorie hershey bar just to add 200 calories in your diet - nutritionally you aren't gaining much and the sugar and empty calories can play havoc on you body (to some people, sugar makes them crave more sugar, more food, etc.) Also, some people tend to pack on pounds if they eat too many refined carbohydrates like breads, pasta, cereals, white rice...

But you may find that your body has grown accoustumed to your lower calorie intake and you may need to shake things up and this can even mean eating a bit more - 2 pieces of fruit can add 200 good calories (a whole food) or a cheese stick or low fat yogurt is good for calcium and a little dairy if you eat diary....or even a lite 100 calorie bag of popcorn for a treat or a sugar free pudding...i'm sure we can all figure out an easy way to get in a few hundred more calories without junk.

I agree to try a few days of adding in some healthy snacks of fruits and vegetables to see what happens. Also, you didn't mention exercise and a few days of week of doing something that makes you sweat/breath a little harder (20-30 minutes) usually gets the metabolism moving.

Personally I tend to stall in weight loss if I stay that low, if I eat higher good calories I tend to drop steadily.

I'm in the same boat as you, I'm never really hungry and I have yet to have a fill.

I usually start my day out with an Optifast shake and a chewable multivitamin. With added fiber and protein that's ~250ish calories right there.

Over the day I'll eat lunch meat and cheese sticks, probably 3 or 4 times.

For dinner I might have a smartone weightwatchers dinner, but I just started doing this recently and only on the days where I exercise heavily.

My caloric intake is somewhere between 750 and 900 calories a day, the weight is melting off.Alot of people will tell you that it isn't enough, but I think it's all based on how YOU feel and how your body reacts to the amount of food you are getting.

I try to avoid all carbs if I can, and max out around 30 a day(due to optifast shakes having 20).

From what I've been told, you want roughly 3 parts protein 1 part vegi (according to my dietian). I've been having problems with the vegi part which is why I've been buying the frozen meals.

As for not losing weight for a week, it happens :D I'll plateau for a week and then suddenly drop 4-5 pounds. You just have to keep with it.

Hope this answered some of your questions :)

Wow! Thanks for all the advice everyone. I think I'm overwhelmed. So much to learn.

I think my calories have been healthy ones. I've been eating chicken (usually grilled, fish, lowfat cottage cheese, cheese sticks, eggs and the like for my proteins. And only fresh vegetables. I've been trying to cut down on carbs (not easy coming from a carb addict) One good thing I suppose is that I can't eat any bread, as it gets stuck. If I have pasta, it's less than a quarter cup's worth.

I started using the treadmill 3 times a week for 30 minutes at 2.5 mph and will start increading the speed gradually.

I'll go search for that thread in the archives, sounds like a good read. Thanks again everyone!

I think it might be different for each person. While you're searching the archives, there have been a couple of recent threads on "Starvation Mode" that you might find interesting as well. I don't believe I have a starvation mode because I lose best at about 500-600 cals/day (though I allow myself as much as 1100 if I want it and I can only get in enough protein and fiber in 500 cals if I make literally PERFECT choices, so I usually eat a little more). I can only speak for my body, of course, and I acknowledge others might be different. Experiment, if you can. See what range YOU lose best at. It's kind of fun to do, actually.

I think healthy fats are important too, like avacodos, almonds, olive oils, the omegas in foods like salmon etc. They actually lower your cholesterol, and your body goes.. hey my owner is giving me healthy fats.. time to let go of some of the old stale stored fat cells!!

Bad fats are animal fats (butter and red meat fat), and hydroginated oils like in margerine and refined foods.

my doc suggested to consume 750-1000 calories and 1000 being a top.But for me if I consume only 700 its not enough and I get dizzy and very very tired. So everyday Im close to 900-1000cals.
Also I had a problem, when I wasnt eating enough 700 cals or less my weight loss stopped and I guess my body was saving everything I ate.