Help Please!

OK...here's my question,

I'm supposed to be eating 1200 calories a day, on a typical day I only consume around 1000. Is it doing me more harm to eat less calories? I have always thought the less calories the better, am I incorrect in this thinking?

Thanks in advance for your help!

it does you more harm in the long run because VLCD (very low calorie diets) lower your metabolism and setup for easier weight gain

The trick is to find the right amount of calories NOT to gain weight and the right amount NOT to go into starvation mode and finding the right amount of calories to permanently lose 1-2 pounds a week  is all baased on a slew of factors like age, race, ativity level, and more

 

 

 

How do I know for sure what amount of calories I should be consuming?

I just asked the same question Cat in a post. I might be slowing us down to eat less than 1200 cal a day!

Catgirl, use the tools on this site to easily calculate your daily calorie needs, expediture, etc.

Oh NO! I've been at it for 2 weeks straight and I have been so proud of myself. I guess I've been doing more harm than good?

I've had 1200 calories so far today and it's not even midday so it's not all that hard to eat more.

i am also wondering. i mean, 200cal isn't that much of a difference in terms of like.. the metabolism rate as compared to losing more right?

Well you are doing great, but I just learned if you dont eat atleast 1200 cal your body shuts down kind of....Me as a guy has to eat 1500 a day when I been at 1000. Keep working hard and you will get there

I'm so glad I asked. I had it all wrong. I guess in some way this is good news, I do like to eat.  Maybe I'll add more nuts, there high in calories and easy to snack on. Thanks everyone for the helpful info!

And just as a reminder this 1200 calorie a day number is how many calories your organs and lungs use just to sustain life.  That means just laying in one position all day long.

1000 calories is a bit low and like others have said 1200 is the minimum that is adviced. If you dont eat then your body will start to store anything that you do eat as fat as it puts itself into starvation mode.

Im eating between 1200 and 1300 and have found that i dont feel too full or too hungry. You got to find the happy balance for you though.

Also, if your eating 1000 calories of food that is nutritious and healthy then that is better than 1000 calories of junk food which wouldnt be good for you.

Gd luck with it all hun!

Oooh thats interesting

I had no idea you HAD to eat a certain amount of calories a day :S

I find it hard to eat more than about 700,  I get full up really easily and I feel guilty if I eat high-calorie foods.

Does this mean Im going to put on weight if I ever eat anything fatty? :S

God why is it all so confusing haha!

x

and good luck with it all catgirl73
=)