Calories???

okay so I'm wondering if I'm eating too little of calories?? Here this week I've only got in about 800-1000 a day but I'm not starving myself of anything its just I eat really well now and I don't eat things with a packed amount of calories? Should I try and eat more? I don't want to be starving myself? Input pweeze!

Stacy Ann

Well, I think it really depends on a few factors.  It's hard to tell without seeing a menu.  From what I remember, even eating a vegan diet will get you at LEAST a 1 000 calories, if not more.  I personally would NOT stay at 800 calories, that is just way too low.  Yanno, maybe if you eat that much once in a blue moon, but don't make it a habit.  I would try to stick to your 1200 as much as possible with the notion you'll go up or down a little every day.  I've been listening to some podcasts and that is what they actually recommend also.  Not 1200 specifically, but the averaging amount because your daily food take will not be the same everyday, and shouldn't be.  That's actually what I'm doing.

Maybe add a piece of lean protein in there some where, or nuts?,   Or an extra shake or two in the day.  Just ideas.  

Shank ya!! I'm thinking about buying some almonds today because those are yummy and pretty stinkin good for ya

There ya go! :)  That will add a couple hundred calories to your day.  Your doing so well Stacy.  Hows the little one doing?  I miss being around lil' guys.  My son brought over a friend a few weeks ago and he brought his little guy with him.  He's three months old and omg he's so cute!  I couldn't get enough of him.  Their so precious.

Here's my two cents.     You need to be eating more calories.  When your caloric intake goes too low, your body will get it's fuel by eating the protein from your muscle mass.  Your body will also become VERY VERY efficient at maintaining your weight on eight hundred calories and then if you ever eat more than eight hundred calories, you will gain weight.  Imagine gaining weight later on twelve hundred calories cuz your basal metabolism is set so low!   

And I agree with Holly, if you are going to add calories, add protein.  Remember on Biggest Loser when Brady didn't lose much one week and Bob was so upset.  Well, the reason he didn't lose was because he wasn't getting in enough calories.  The metabolism is a furnace and food is what fuels it.  That's why it's best to eat a little sumpn' sumpn' every few hours.

Hey, are you going to keep my money?

Mary 

well said, Mary.  Saves me having to type the same thing.  I'll add though that when your body canabolizes it's muscle, you will decrease your lean body mass which means you'll decrease your metabolism!

google calorie counters to determine exact needs.  i have some on my blog.  also http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict -equation/ and caloriesperhour.com are a good place to start.

Now start eating the calories your body needs, OP!

I was always told anything under a 1000 cals is a starvation diet!   I myself have been trying to get  in 1,200 but i think it depends on the person, maybe ask your Dr.    Delilah

Stacy....are you nursing?  I think you're definitely eating too few, but if you're nursing you need to be put over my knee!   You need EXTRA calories (and fat) when nursing.  I'll assume for the moment that you aren't, but still think  you're eating too few.  I have found that I actually lose better when I eat 1500-1600.  I'm doing a little test myself here for a while and keeping track of WW points as well as calories and see how I do (plus trying to eat healthy with it all).  You need several small meals with some protein at each (IMHO).  I think eating too low really screws up your metabolism big time.

Anxious to hear if you're nursing.  For example, WW allows a nursing mother 10 extra points/day and I think that equals about 500 calories.

Thank you guys so much! I'm trying this whole small meal thing about every 3 hours thats what a personal trainer told me to do. Sherrie the answer to your question is no I'm not nursing kind of a sore spot for me b/c my son was in NICU for so long her wouldn't take it...but I accepted it

Stac

That's a disappointment when you had looked forward to it....but you can bond with your little one just as well without it.  Nursing does help you lose weight quicker though!  Sounds like you've got a plan...