I have been on a VERY consistant 900-1200 cal intake since June 1st. I have kept my cal burn at above 3200-4500 a day. I started at 201lbs, and its taken me these last 23 days to loose 4lbs. Now at 197, Ive been here for almost 2 weeks. I feel like Im running in place and wonder if maybe anyone else has had the same problem. Prior to June 1st, I had a 3200-3800 cal diet, research shows I should be loosing more wieght. I wonder if maybe I should see a dr? Any insight would very helpful.
I think this is TOO low for you, especially if you're burning that many calories. You definitely should be eating at least 1,200 (at the minimum). I'd try more around 1,400 - 1,500 per day. I think you will see better results.
I honestly think youre eating too little, your body is holding on to everything it gets. I started out at the same calories you did with absolutely no loss for 2 weeks, increased up to about 1400-1600 a day and the pounds have come off quite nicely. Try increasing your calories for 14 days up to about 1400 and see what happens.
You're eating Way too little! I know it sounds weird. I stalled at 1200 quite quickly and have lost consistently at an Average of +/- 2.5lbs a week, and although 2lbs doesn't sound a lot, believe me, over 21 weeks it's a good average.
Your calories are way too low. It is counter-intuitive to eat more, lose more but it's true nonetheless. I'd say try for a range of 1,400-1,700. The 1,700 would be on your heavier workout days.
Simply put - your body has gone into starvation mode. Because you're not giving it enough to eat it immediately reverts to our prehistoric survival mode and thinks "who knows if we're ever going to eat again, so let's hold on to these measly calories for energy." It's a really difficult concept to grasp but eat more. Just last night I tallied up my calories and ended up with 960 by 8pm and I wasn't hungry! I made myself eat a banana and an ounce of peanuts just so that I'd make it to 1200. Today I'm shooting for 1700.
I've only been here for a week but this is by far the most frequently asked question it seems.
I had the same problem. I was told by our very smart fellow poster's that I needed to increase my calories. I was eating 11-1200 calories and exercising 5x a week on the eliptical for 30-40 min and was not losing. In fact I had gained 2 pounds. So I incrased my calories to 1400-1500 and right away lost the 2 pounds I gained.
wow, its nice to see this question on the forum as i too, was wondering the same. im 5'1, eat an average of 1200-1400 calories, and went to the gym doing cardio for an hour everyday for a week. now i gained weight. im like WTF??? so now, im increasing my calories and bumping it up to 1600. in the mornings, i do an hour of cardio, and after work, i do the p90x workout.
900 calories a day isn't going to do you any favors, but if you stick more toward 1200 and are eating only healthy food for those calories, (no processed junk, just healthy stuff) you should be taking off weight.
How are you tracking your calories? Do you weigh/measure your food, or just eye-ball it and guesstimate? Do you count everything including sweeteners and fruit? Also, when did you begin your strenuous exercise? Your body naturally builds up water retention in your muscles to help repair it after heavy duty work outs. It takes women months to build up muscles enough to show up on the scale. Do you drink sports drinks or diet soda...they contain loads of sodium.
I seriously do not believe you have put your body into starvation mode, because you are still in the obese weight range. I do believe 900 calories is too low, but you have been only at this for 23 days, so out of those 23 days how many were actually that low? Real starvation mode happens over a long period of time, when you have run out of excess fat storage and have begun to burn muscle.
Check out this link...or search "starvation mode myth" for the real facts
Really low Cal intake..little wight loss.
