Quit My Job So I Can Make Working Out My Priority - Need Some Help Please

Hello,

Yes, it's true, I quit my job last week so I can make working out my priority over the spring and summer.  My plan is to become a yoga teacher, personal trainer and addictions counselor and work with obese clients.  I have a very large amount of muscle, so I think I'll be ready to take the certifications when I'm between 200-230 lbs - I don't need to be slim, just fit. (at 295 I'm already a size 18/20)  My goal is to lose 65-75 lbs by the end of August.

I'm going through a fairly high anxiety period with all these changes and I have a hard time eating when I'm anxious.  I'm lucky if I get 700 calories in.  They're all quality calories and high protein, however this is new for me.  I had been averaging about 1200-1500 calories until 2 weeks ago.

My question is...how many calories should I eat if I want to work out 1.5 hours every day?  It will be a combination of eliptical, aquafit, weight training and yoga.  I may even start jogging soon. 

I don't want my body to go into starvation mode and I certainly don't want my metabolism to suffer, however I've gotten used to eating very low calorie and I actually like it!  I do feel dizzy sometimes, but I need to up my water intake.

Is there anyone out there who did intense workouts while eating under 1000 calories?  If so, how did you feel?

Thank you for your help!!
Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,
My dietician where i had my RNY surgery says between 800-1000 calories/day with moderate exercise.  I was referred to an endocrinologist that say absolutely not!!  On the days you are not exercising eat 1200.  On the days when you are doing a significant amount (or very high intensity) 1400 - 1500.  You need to fuel those workouts.  I did notice that when I GRADUALLY increased my calorie intake, I did feel better doing those workouts and I wasn't so ravenous afterwords.  I would suggest not eating 700 today and 1400 tomorrow tho. 
good luck in your future.  Anything you put your heart and soul into, you will accomplish!!
Penny

Yeah, you need fuel.  I can't eat large meals, but I eat often....especially on the days when I do intense workouts.  I "snack" on chunks of chicken breast dipped in buffalo sauce and bits of fruit, cheese, nuts....basically I'm eating small amounts all day long.  Still can't do big meals, and especially before a workout.

I wish you the best!  Go for your dreams.

Until right before Thanksgiving I was going on maybe 600-800 calories a day.  My workouts weren't close to what they are now, avg was 60 minutes cardio.  I found the last 15-20 minutes to be very difficult and my weightloss suffered.  I went to a NUT who upped my calories and also changed what I was eating.  After a couple weeks my energy levels increased to where I was able to finish my 60 minutes with no loss of energy. 

My workouts have increased as well as adding weights so my loss hasn't sped up a great deal but the changes while may not show on the scale are still noticable to me.

For me food has become fuel and I eat mainly to provide fuel for my workouts.  If I haven't had enough calories I will eat something so I hit my point.

I don't eat large meals but eat probably 6 small meals.

Here's what I ate (calories, protein, carbs, etc.) and how much exercise I did for the first year.

http://fattyfightsback.blogspot.com/2010/07/calories-protein-carbs-exercise-weight.html

If you have 70 lb. to lose, you have a lot of stored energy and you don't really need to eat as much as some experts say. For example, I was training for triathlons and eating 900 calories a day and losing just fine. When I started to go for the longer distances, I got up to 1200. But I didn't get up to 1600-ish until I was pretty close to goal.

But, if you aren't eating a lot, you do have to time your eating around your workouts and be sure to eat the proper sort of recovery food after (3:1 carb to protein ratio, Branch Chain Amino Acids, etc.). And get enough sleep!

 I do agree with everyones posts - but please keep this  in mind.

If you don't eat at least 1100 calories your body will begin to retain and not lose (e.g. starvation mode). Once you hit that and it won't take long, your metabolism will react by dropping to the point where it won't require as many calories to sustain itself.  This is the dreaded plateau - remember way back when you starved yourself and did endless hours of cardio and got no where.  Well this is where you're headed.  Be smart - eat smart - lots of protein - healthy whole grain and green carbs - heathly fats.  I eat every 3 hrs about 1800 calories.  Why? Because I have built up my muscle mass (which equals metabolism) to require 1800 cals to sustain itself.  If I go below 1800 for very long I will lose my muscle (= metabolism) I don't want to do that.  When I want to burn a little fat, I do 20 min interval training 2-3x week MAX!.  Thats ALL the cardio i do AT ALL!  When I am getting ready to compete - I have to do more to lean down - but muscle also comes off during that time as well - that sucks.  I now weight train 5x week for about 75 mins and do cardio 2-3x week (for 20 mins).. I will throw in a yoga or kickboxing class for fun, but if I'm doing Kickboxing, I ensure I have extra carbs during the day.

Also - someone mentioned Branched Chain Amino Acids - YES YES YES! I drink 2 scoops in my water during the day and 2 scoops during /after workouts along with 5mg creatine.

Thank you!  What you wrote is along the lines of what I was thinking.