need advise please

Dorothea · #1 05/19/11, 01:25 PM

i have been working out for 2 months at snap fitness,4 days a week for about an hour each time,,i have lost nothing,,,so i talked to the doctor ,,he wants me to take in 2000-2500 hundered calories,,,i might take in a 1000 now..how the heck do i do that? i don't drink soda,,i drink water or ice tea with lemon,,i try to eat healthy,,it seems impossible to eat any more then i do,,my only real down fall is rye toast with butter...
sorry for the misspelled words,,,and thanks for any advise,,

campfiregirl · #2 05/19/11, 01:30 PM

Eat protein - lean meats - and nuts. Have you had your blood sugar tested? Insulin resistance will cause you to not be able to lose weight. You may need help with that until you lose some weight, then it goes away. Also, are you under a lot of stress? Your body work against you on weight loss if you are stressed. I've been there, and all of the above applied! Another thing that I went through was that I was nursing at the time, and I was one of the small minority whose bodies retain everything while nursing because it thinks you are "starving" because of the calorie loss of producing milk.

painterswife · #3 05/19/11, 01:32 PM

Are you actually documenting your calories. Weighing and measuring. Sometimes you think you have it right but you are off.

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #4 05/19/11, 01:32 PM

if you dont take in more calories, your body will continue in starvation mode, toss a little olive oil on your veggies. have an extra slice of toast. eat some avocado or salmon. have a small piece of chocolate. even the most sedentary adult uses about 1200 calories a day just living.. you have to feed your body or it will work to preserve itself, and you wont lose anything.

Betho · #5 05/19/11, 02:03 PM

Your body uses 1200 just for basic functions like brain, liver, heart, etc. So what do you eat? No offense but I have a hard time with the idea that you eat 1000 calories a day and think it's impossible to eat more. I'd have a hard time just eating 1000 and getting all the required food group servings in.

Having said that I will tell you this - your doctor is absolutely right about your calorie intake. I know that when I was counting calories, I was trying to eat like 1600, but I was not losing anything and I had no energy for anything. When I did a calorie burn calculation with my body and activity level it showed that my calorie burn was closer to 2700. I increased my calorie intake to 2100 and guess what! My weight started dropping like a rock. My calorie intake was so low that my body went into starvation mode and tried to hold onto everything it could. Your body seems to be doing the same. If you are even an average woman, working out 4 days a week, you need to be eating 2000 calories minimum.

Something that really helped me understand that, when I was counting calories I bought a GoWear Fit armband. It is the same thing as the Bodybugg that's used on Biggest Loser - it actually gives you an accurate number of your calorie burn. It requires a subscription service (lame) so I only used it for a few months, but when I was wearing that and saw calorie burns of 2300 on sedentary days and closer to 2700 on my workout days, I truly at that point believed it and I tried to keep my calorie intake about 500 calories below the burn on my previous day.

There's tons of stuff you can eat that's healthy that isn't so low calorie. Have a slice of cheese with your rye toast. Avocados, nuts, greek yogurt, cottage cheese with fruit, peanut butter, all of these things will add healthy calories. Don't be afraid of fat, either. Fat is good for you, though some are better than others. Peanut butter and avocados are high in fat, but it's healthy fat. Olive oil is GREAT for you, and so is fatty fish.

suzyhomemaker09 · #6 05/19/11, 02:35 PM

Wow..I'm in agreement her...thinking that you only eat 1k calories a day and can't possibly consume more? I'm having trouble trying to work on calorie counting for Dh who needs to be around 1800 to 2000 per day to loose weight.

A pertinent question may be exactly what is it that you're trying to do?
If you are trying to lose weight I'd hazard a guess that you total intake is not what you think it is if you think you are only having 1k a day and are working out and not losing weight.

olsonla · #7 05/19/11, 02:41 PM

After my baby i thought it would be no problem losing the 50+ lbs i gained, but after 6 months i was struggling. I looked into a Raw food diet and i started loosing about 2-3 lbs a week, and i felt great. No measuring, no counting calories, just no cooked food ( which is great since i hate to cook!)

So i lived on raw veggies and fruit and nuts. It was SOOOO Hard at first, as i am a Carb Lover but i have never been a big beef eater. i did really started craving salt, so i would sprinkle some salt on my veggies. Just make sure you purge your house of all pakaged/ processed food then Stock up on nuts,veggies and fruit. Make sure you eat Alot though, its raw!

After a couple of weeks i did add some hard boild eggs, but that was it. after about 3 months i lost the 50 lbs. I know some will say "you can't live like that" but drastic times call for drastic measures- I really did start to feel really refreshed and had more energy- plus being inthe Army Res. i had to get ready for my PT test, and i did suprisingly very well esp on my push ups (since i just had my baby) so NO, you will not become weak from lack of protein, or anything else like that. Now that my son is 2 and all he will eat is Chicken nuggets and Pizza- it would be really hard to try it now- but those lbs are starting to creep, so time to up the Raw veggies again! good Luck!
Lori

bluesky · #8 05/19/11, 02:52 PM

Age greatly affects calories needs. At my age and activity level I burn about 1800 calories a day and maintain my weight, so to lose weight I need to eat about 1200 calories a day but no less or I don't lose. So far I've lost 30 pounds and feel healthy and energetic. I keep track at http://caloriecount.about.com/, which is a free site with tons of information and a way to track each day what you actually eat and how much you exercise.

7thswan · #9 05/19/11, 03:39 PM

The reason you are not loosing weight is because you are gaining muscle at the same time as loosing fat. It's the tape measure that counts. Have you measured yourself? Measurements are the best way to calculate changes. Get a tiny sprial notebook and write down everything you eat and drink.Write down you measurements. Stay away from fats and simple carbs. Eat low- fat meats.

Betho · #10 05/19/11, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7thswan

The reason you are not loosing weight is because you are gaining muscle at the same time as loosing fat. It's the tape measure that counts. Have you measured yourself? Measurements are the best way to calculate changes. Get a tiny sprial notebook and write down everything you eat and drink.Write down you measurements. Stay away from fats and simple carbs. Eat low- fat meats.

It's impossible to gain muscle, or any significant amount at least, on 1000 calories a day.

It takes 1200 MINIMUM just to maintain bodily functions for someone who is in a coma to keep their body healthy and not malnourished. Where would the calories for muscle building come?

Also, fats are not the enemy! They are just like anything else, a protein or a carb. Some fats are healthy, some are not. Some are nutritious, others are empty. Just like you can't say that the carbs contained in broccoli are just the same as carbs contained in sugar, you can't really compare something like olive oil to margarine.

foxtrapper · #11 05/19/11, 03:55 PM

You're eating only a 1000 calories a day, working out, and can't lose weight.

And you can't figure out how you could possibly eat more.

That don't add up.

At 1000 calories a day, you'd be passing out in the gym. I've seen it, I've done it. You can't starve yourself and work out well.

Perhaps, if you rigorously documented your food intake that 1,000 would become 10,000?

Oggie · #12 05/19/11, 04:21 PM

I used to eat food with 1,000 calories less each day and still was gaining weight.

Then, my doctor told me that I had to count the beer calories, too.

Dorothea · #13 05/19/11, 05:04 PM

i am guessing on the calorie intake..yesterday i ate
1 very berry bagel with butter
2 small pieces of rye tst
2 hard shell taco's with about 2 tablespoon of meat about a tablespoon of cheese lettuse and tom.
4 large strawberrys for snack
or i will have a yorgurt and tst or a bagel,,then dinner baked chix breast with no bone or skin,,baked taters with butter no sour cream..and brocilli...for a snack i will have fruit or fresh veggies,,,
and there are times i forget to eat,,,
i am not big on chips ..ice cream..
there are also times i don't eat until noon then i eat dinner with the kids,,i guess what i am looking for is a good heathly meal with snacks...
Oggie i hate beer,,,LOL
i am also not really looking to be judged i am looking for idea's on better ways to eat...

motdaugrnds · #14 05/19/11, 05:06 PM

ROFL leave it to Oggie to inject some wonderful humor!

Ardie/WI · #15 05/19/11, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betho

It's impossible to gain muscle, or any significant amount at least, on 1000 calories a day.

It takes 1200 MINIMUM just to maintain bodily functions for someone who is in a coma to keep their body healthy and not malnourished. Where would the calories for muscle building come?

Also, fats are not the enemy! They are just like anything else, a protein or a carb. Some fats are healthy, some are not. Some are nutritious, others are empty. Just like you can't say that the carbs contained in broccoli are just the same as carbs contained in sugar, you can't really compare something like olive oil to margarine.

Exactly!

To the OP-you are starving your body and it's holding on to whatever it can!
for goodness sakes---eat and eat healthy!

whiskeylivewire · #16 05/19/11, 05:16 PM

IMO-you need more fat and healthier choices. I am in no way an expert, but I've done about every diet there is(I just stink when it comes to willpower!)

Eat a taco with a whole wheat tortilla, load up with veggies on it.

Eat nuts. they're a quick and handy snack. For the cheapest way buy in bulk and then measure out servings into individual bags.
Studies show that eating full fat cheese is better for you and keeps you fuller longer than low fat cheese.

Up your calcium intake as well, studies show that it can help you lose belly fat.

Up your protein for sure, especially if you're working out that much. If you don't feel like eating all the time make a smoothie in the morning using a good whey protein powder. Add a scoop, 8 oz of milk or yogurt, a banana-or whatever kind of fruit, some ice and give it a whirl. To sweeten use stevia or honey.

The best breakfast in the world is oatmeal with milk, cinnamon and honey mixed in and add a few walnuts. It'll keep you full forever, gives you tons of vitamins and nutrients and it tastes good

I hope this helps you somewhat!

whiskeylivewire · #17 05/19/11, 05:40 PM

Thought of something else....why are you working out 4 days a week for an hour and what kind of workout?

There is no reason to work out that much...invest $10 in a Jillian Michaels 30 day shred dvd....it'll kill you worse than anything else!

If you are at a gym see if you can get a free consultation with a trainer or a reduced amount. They can tell you what burns the most calories and such.

7thswan · #18 05/19/11, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betho

It's impossible to gain muscle, or any significant amount at least, on 1000 calories a day.

It takes 1200 MINIMUM just to maintain bodily functions for someone who is in a coma to keep their body healthy and not malnourished. Where would the calories for muscle building come?

Also, fats are not the enemy! They are just like anything else, a protein or a carb. Some fats are healthy, some are not. Some are nutritious, others are empty. Just like you can't say that the carbs contained in broccoli are just the same as carbs contained in sugar, you can't really compare something like olive oil to margarine.

That's funny because when I won my state title 2 years in row, took 4th in the USA and 7th in the Nationals,3rd in the Nationals mixed Pairs ect.. I dieted down to my competition weight on 1000 calories, burning fat the whole time, course I worked out 6 days a week.

Betho · #19 05/19/11, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7thswan

That's funny because when I won my state title 2 years in row, took 4th in the USA and 7th in the Nationals,3rd in the Nationals mixed Pairs ect.. I dieted down to my competition weight on 1000 calories, burning fat the whole time, course I worked out 6 days a week.

State title for what?

Dieting down to a competition weight is not building muscle. If you are a competitive bodybuilder or figure athlete (which is the impression I'm getting from your post) I'm very surprised you would say that it is possible to gain any muscle on 1000 calories per day. If you are using 1000 calories per day to lose weight, and if you are losing weight successfully, that's a starvation diet, period. You are losing a fair amount of lean muscle mass along with fat. If you can even lose weight on that, that is, since most people's bodies go into starvation mode.

Building muscle should certainly be the goal, imo, and not enough people (women especially) realize that if they want to improve their figure, weight training and interval training is the best way to do so, as opposed to hours on a treadmill. Having said that, I'm no expert anything, just someone who is interested in fitness and has read quite a bit about it.

Melissa · #20 05/20/11, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothea

i am guessing on the calorie intake..yesterday i ate
1 very berry bagel with butter
2 small pieces of rye tst
2 hard shell taco's with about 2 tablespoon of meat about a tablespoon of cheese lettuse and tom.
4 large strawberrys for snack
or i will have a yorgurt and tst or a bagel,,then dinner baked chix breast with no bone or skin,,baked taters with butter no sour cream..and brocilli...for a snack i will have fruit or fresh veggies,,,
and there are times i forget to eat,,,
i am not big on chips ..ice cream..
there are also times i don't eat until noon then i eat dinner with the kids,,i guess what i am looking for is a good heathly meal with snacks...
Oggie i hate beer,,,LOL
i am also not really looking to be judged i am looking for idea's on better ways to eat...

You are probably eating more calories than you think. A plain bagel can be 300 calories. A tablespoon of butter (a real measured level tb~) is about 100 calories. A potato is about 100 calories. One ounce of cheese (about a 1 inch cube) is 100 calories. A taco shell is over 100 calories before you add any fillings.