I have been on IP for 2 weeks but only lost 6lbs which was disappointing since most people on this forum reported massive weight loss their first 2 weeks. I thought it was because of the products I selected that may be too high in carbs or calories so I picked up only drinks and shakes this time and decided to track everything in MYFITNESSPAL. Well...today was my first day tracking and according to the app I only consumed 537 cal / 80g prot / 37g carbs / 13g fiber / 5g sugar / 6g Fat! I had not yet taken my 1 tsp of EVOO for the day but even if I had it would have only added 40 calories and 5g of fat for a total of 577 calories. I panicked at the low number and immediately shoved 1/4 cup of salted mixed nuts to add 200 calories (it also added 17g of fat and 6 carbs). Hope I didn't ruin my diet with that move, I know nuts are not allowed. but can someone tell me if it is normal or even safe to be on a less than 600 calories/day? is this how everyone has been losing

Please help

I think I added up the cals on IP P1 one time and it was around 800. Personally I think 537 cals is too low. I would try to get your calorie total up to 800 at least. If you need an extra IP food (4 packs a day) or some extra vegetables or an extra protein serving (extra chicken breast), I would do that. If your calories are too low, there is a danger of going into starvation mode where your calorie burn (metabolism) starts to shut down.

In order to help, we need to understand what you ate to yield that few calories. Something seems to be wrong in following the protocol because lowest calories when following protocol is 745 or so. You should not have needed to eat off plan to get sufficient macros so list what you had to account for 577 and then we can help.

Ella if you havent done so yet, check out this thread: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...2015-a-31.html
to get an idea what others eat during the day. My caloric intake ranges from 750 to 1000 (low once a week and the higher every 10 days or so). I find letting my intake vary keeps my body "guessing" so it doesn't stall out or go into starvation mode.

1. 6 pounds in the first two weeks is a good loss. Some people lose more, some lose less. Don't compare your journey to someone else's.
2. Yes, if you use only drinks and shakes for your 3 protein packets, your caloric intake is going to be super-low. Remember that you're not only trying to lose weight, you're re-learning how to live on a healthy diet. Drinking only shakes is not a realistic, healthy diet. You need to incorporate at least one protein packet that's closer to real food.
3. Instead of going off protocol, if you MUST eat more, eat another protein packet.
4. What veggies are you eating?

I'm an idiot...as I was typing you my food log I realized I had forgotten to log-in my lunch protein. All is good, I was in the 700s (before the 200 cal nuts LOL). I think i need to relax a bit and just trust the program

You make a good point HereIStand, I cannot live on a liquid diet.

My veggies are 4 cups daily of a mix of bean sprouts, cucumber, endives, echalotte and pickles. I also use cauliflower and lettuce from time to time. I am planning on diversifying my veggies for next week.

I may have read it wrong but you need 2tsp of your healthy oil, not 1tsp.

I is good to mix things up often. Just remember that lettuce is unlimited but does NOT count towards your 4 cups daily req'd veggie.

Thanks everyone. So if I have a question about food " e.g. The plan says beef tenderloin, is that the same as filet mignon?" I Can post on on the what are you eating today thread? Cuz I don't want to spam the forum by creating a new thread every time.

There used to be a daily thread chat where this would go, but that thread seems to have ceased. There was some drama over that thread vs breakout threads for the groups people started in like the 2014 starters. So, it seems the Newbie thread is the best place for that type of question given the existing threads that are currently receiving new posts. But, if you post it in a different thread, no one will complain

Thanks Ro

I don't know if the two cuts are the same, but I pretty much eat any beef I like. If I suspect it's a fatty cut of meat, I just eat 6 oz. instead of 8.

Ella, you are welcome wherever you like to post.

This is the daily chat link:
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...2015-a-17.html

And also you can post in the 2015 starters. And definitely in the What are you eating today.

Those are the most active threads and you will get your questions answered there.
Starting new threads is fine but the majority of people don't check or respond to the random threads - they mostly just daily check the active threads that are their "community" so to speak.

We don't have a bunch of rules here, everyone is welcome and we don't even have many "moderators" (if any) we just kind of talk together as a community and when a new thread is needed because we go over 500 entries, someone just starts the next one.

Thank you Grateful