[JustB1027]

Ok so I have been doing WW online for three days now and I have also been tracking in MFP (I am justb27 if you wanna follow me on there) here is my question. All 3 days I have come in under my points/calories. That is good right? Well it is WAY under! Sunday I had 10 points left, Monday 15 and Today 17! I am worried that not eating enough will hinder me losing weight! Thoughts, Comments, tips......

[amandie]

Do you know why you are going so low? Do you get all if not most of your GHGs (good health guidelines) daily? It is generally recommended that you hit your daily points, I'm not sure of the exact number- I think it isn't more than 5 under a day is okay but 10? That isn't good. Why isn't it good? To be honest, I'm not sure exactly but I guess because it may cause you to stall and miss some nutrients that you need to get if you're eating so low.

Do you eat a lot of fat-free/low fat kind of stuff? If you do, maybe go with the full-fat versions from time to time for one meal and/or a snack. Natural nut butters and nuts are great. Like salads? Put a bit of olive oil or whatever oil you like on top of it (or toss the veggies around, etc) or mix it in with a homemade dressing/vinaigrette then add to whatever you like.

That's all I can think of right now (at 3am) and if I think of something else, I'll come back and add.

[freelancemomma]

Eating significantly under your allotment may cause your metabolism to slow down a little bit, but it won't prevent you from losing weight. People have lost weight consistently on 1,500 cals per day (or WW equivalent), on 1,200 cals per day, and on 800 cals per day. A deficit is a deficit.

In fact, the quote below comes from the WW website:

<<The idea that "not eating enough" causes the body to stop losing weight because it goes into "starvation mode" is a popular myth among dieters... Restricting calories during weight loss lowers metabolism because the body becomes more efficient, requiring fewer calories to perform the necessary daily functions for survival. Consequently, this can slow (but not stop) the anticipated rate of weight loss. >>

F.

[mandypandy2246]

You will still lose weight - but here is a question - why are you eating so much less? If it is because you feel satiated and don't feel hungry? I think that is fine reason. However, if you are pushing to eat that much less, I personally don't think its worth it. You most likely will lose weight eating the amount they allow and you want to make sure you are on an eating plan you can stick with and maintain.

From personal past experience on WW, I did find that althoguh I lost eating under the points range, I personally lost the most eating mid to high points range. More than that - this wast the range where I felt the best. I think if you just keep tracking, you will see what the scale does nad how your body feels and can experiment and adjust accordingly.

[forkeeps]

I lose more each week the more I dip into my weekly points, and I lose less if I don't hit my daily points and don't touch the weekly points. I have heard a lot of others in meetings say the same thing about themselves. I don't know how you aren't ravenous if you are going under your daily allotment by 10 points or more.

[JustB1027]

I am not sure. I don't feel hungry. I am eating thr fruits and veggies like I should. I guess I am afraid of eating and losing control.

[greengirl536]

"I guess I am afraid of eating and losing control."

That's a very reasonable concern. But I guess the question is will you be able to eat that little forever? If not will you just gain it all right back as soon as you try to maintain?

Only you know you and your metabolism and the specifics of what you're eating.

I often wind up well under points and I never use my weekly points. BUT I eat a ton of fruit and vegetables. A ton, way more than the 3-5 servings that WW recommends (a serving is often so tiny in comparison to the huge bowl of broccoli I'm chomping). So my actual calorie count (if I tracked) would be pretty close to what others are eating at the same number of points. Does that make sense? I only eat meat in order to get the protein, it's not all that interesting to me, I never eat wheat or gluten and I'm allergic to aspartame. So if I didn't eat F&V I don't really know what I'd eat! Eggs and sashimi I guess, I love them. I'd probably grow gills and a shell.

Anyway, the idea I think is for you to find a lifetime way to eat that works for you.

[Koshka]

I think part of depends upon how many points per day you get. I get 26 points per day. Coincidentally as I write this I have eaten exactly 26 points today so far and I track in MFP as well. I've eaten 990 calories. If I was eating 10 or 17 points less than that then that would be a problem since that would put me well under healthy nutrition.

On the other hand if you get 60 points a day then eating 10 points or 17 points below your daily points may be less of an issue.

Things to think about:

Are you meeting the good health guidelines each day?

Are you overly restricting calories even though you would really like to eat more (and could eat more)

Are you overly trying to eat low calorie foods and overly avoiding eating foods that might be higher calorie but more nutritious?

For example, I eat nuts as a regular snack. Nuts are very high calorie but are also healthy to eat.

I would suggest that you eat more points but make it good quality real food and not junk.