[Katbot24]

Ok, so my terribly low 2 lbs weight loss this month is getting me down and I'm DESPERATE to see a change...sooo...I'm going to increase *gasp* my calories from 1200-1400 a day to 1500-1700 a day. Technically this will put me at 500 below maintenance, which is where I wanna be, right?

For all my humour I'm actually mentally freaking out about this. I'm concerned about gaining or about how much more food this will mean! It seems the general consensus is that this will be good for me to do but it's actually more difficult than depriving myself.

Ok, I'm off to eat a banana...

[VibrantThang]

Sometimes an increase in calories can actually get you over or through a plateau. This is true especially if you have upped your physical activity. Are you excersing more than you were earlier in the month?

Another option is to also switch out your workout routine. Maybe doing a Zumba class or swim aerobics to get you jump started.

Wishing you the best...you can do it! You've come to far to turn back now!

Vibrant

[Lulu Jones]

Hi Kabot24, What has help me to lose weight and get fit is not focusing on calories alone but instead on eating whole, natural foods like lean organic meat, fish, veggies and fruits. No processed, or packaged foods at all. No wheat or grains either. Eating natural foods has made the biggest difference for me. Also doing a variety of types of exercise. Like interval work and strength training. Also...it's important that we actually enjoy eating and nourishing our body instead of feeling guilty when you eat or like you must deprive yourself. Anyway....I hope this helps.

Good Luck,
Lulu

[lm3898]

I totally hear you - I started seeing a nutritionist and she upped my cals to 1800-2000 and SWEARS I will continue to lose weight and gain muscle. I was previously trying to stay around 1400 to max of 1500.

I am working out at a pretty high level right now though so that's a big part of the increase in calories she wanted. I'm also tossing all low fat for all natural [i.e. simply jif instead of low fat pb].

That was two weeks ago. I haven't re-weighed myself yet but I gotta say I think it's going really well. I love the changes I'm seeing in my body & I think the increase in calories is def. responsible so good luck!

[Domlacha]

KatBot24, a lot of it will depend on your activity level. You might notice a bit of an increase at first in your weight but give it a while. Your body may be trying to hold on to everything it has if it is not getting enough nutrients to sustain everyday life not to mention exercise. I'm 5'6 (on my tall days) and usually try to get between 1500-1900 calories a day. I usually settle in around 1700. I have been losing weight (well not recently because I've been drinking too much ). I workout 5 days a week; running, biking, taking toning classes at the gym, walking,weight lifting, and yoga. Don't feel bad about the extra calories, pick lots of veggies and fruits. You'll do fine, remember its a life long journey to change. You can do it!

[Sonia Banana]

Increasing your calories might be a good idea. I'm eating 1200 calories/day and only losing 0.5-1 pound a week. It's so frustrating, and my mom keeps telling me that I need to eat less to lose more weight, but I'm thinking the problem might be that I'm not eating enough.

But eating more is a scary idea when you're trying to lose weight.

[delyn]

yeah, i recently upped my calories too because i definitely was not eating enough! i would work out 5-6x/week, but only eating around 1300. i upped my calories to around 1500-1700 depending on the day & intensity of my exercise. don't get discouraged if you a gain a little in the beginning! it will eventually level off & go back down.

[Daki]

I'm in the same boat. I just switched to calorie counting from a low carb, eat as much as you want diet because I found out I was only eating 1200 calories on a high day. And since I'm in my 5th week of weight lifting, I absolutely can't be eating that little. So I put myself at 2000 calories because that's 500 below maintenance for me since I exercise 6 days a week.

It's terrifying lol. I haven't gained anything yet but I'm really scared that I'm going to. Even though logically I know that any gain either won't last or I know I need to cut back to 1800 or so. Weight loss is a lot of trial and error, but it's still scary to change it up!

[Katbot24]

What's ironic is the day i decided to do this, I get a stomach bug...so now I have to eat dry crackers and tea until it passes!

[skinnypie]

hope you feel better hun. If it makes you feel better my head feels like its going to explode today because I keep questioning everything im doing.

[JohnP]

Originally Posted by skinnypie

hope you feel better hun. If it makes you feel better my head feels like its going to explode today because I keep questioning everything im doing.

I've been where you're at. The best advice I can give you is to just chill out and try to relax.

The fundamentals make up over 80% of your results. I get that everyone is looking for the BEST way but if you just eat at a deficit, get enough sleep, exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes and have a diet primarily comprised of whole foods you're going to get to your goal.