Weight Loss

Before anyone shoots me down for undereating, I eat 1600cals a day on average. And I'm short, and burn less than 1700 when sedentary. But my appetite varies a lot from day to day. Sometimes I'll have eaten a lot one day, and then not really be hungry the next day. My question is this: do I follow my appetite, even if it has me eating less than 1200 every now and then? Or do I stick strictly to the 1200 minimum?

Keep with a steady 1500 average.    If you're not especially hungry, bump up the high-cal, low-bulk foods.  If you're hungry, bump up the low-cal, high-bulk foods.   If you're active most of the time, even on days when you're technically 'sedentary' you'll still be burning more than you think.

Strictly speaking, going under 1200 every once in a while will not be a problem.  If this has you going under 1200 regularly, though, you'll have a problem.  You want to stick to the minimum 1200 so that your body doesn't go into conservation mode because it's getting so little so regularly.

If it happens once every month or so, that's fine; even I've had some days that I have a hard time getting enough calories (granted, it's usually after a day of lots of drinking and I have a hangover or something =S) but you really don't want to make a habit of going lower than 1200.  Just make sure you have something high-calorie and low-volume to eat in case you need to increase your intake in a short period.  So if you're at 1000-1100 get something that will give you that 100-200 calorie boost without adding much to your stomach so you won't feel bloated or sick.

Hi gi-jane. I have seen your posts for a long time and I'm an admirer, I just need a clarification because I've wondered this too. I'm not solid on what your advice is here. Essentially, is your answer yes or no to going under 1200 sometimes with an average well over that? The OP says her average is actually 1600, so when you say she should keep a "steady average" of 1500, I gather you're saying, stop overeating some days and don't go under 1200 on those other days even if you aren't hungry?

This is a situation I find myself in sometimes so I'm interested to what you think is healthy.

(You're very kind :-) )  That's basically what I'm saying.  1500-1700 on a steady basis rather than swinging from sub 1200 to - must be over 2000 if the average is 1600?   My reasoning is this.   Part of losing weight is developing better, more regular eating habits.  Overeating and undereating are both bad habits in their own way....   If you not only reduce the calories but get into a more consistent routine (food, exercise, everything) I think that sets you up better for when the time comes to maintain your new weight.    

Having said that I do favour a 'more food than normal' day every 2 or 3 weeks .... But that kind of fits traditional eating patterns. i.e.  You have your regular meals weekdays, a little different at the weekends perhaps and - once in a while - you might go out for dinner or there's some special occasion to take into account. 

From what I have gathered over my "research" is that it's better to stay in the range of roughly 100-200 calories per day, keep in mind that you should really never go under 1200 per day. Just like gi-jane stated. If you are under 1200 it is pretty easy to eat something that will bump-up your calories without "filling" you up. Candy works great! it may be high in sugar but there's not fat! anywho  just try to get into a routine - that is what has helped me that most. And the odd day you go over, well work out for an extra 30mins or something. It can be way easier to burn off extra calories .....

I follow a zig-zag pattern that is "dictated" to me lol.  It is just guidance to the amounts I should eat each day and it has some days that are lower than what is recommended for me to go under, in my case 1400.  I just bring that day up to the 1400 because 100-200 calorie difference over the course of a week isn't worth any health problems.   I would lower a higher caloric day to even out the added calories for the low days, if you are concerned about the additional calories. 

i was actually curious about the same thing. a couple of weekends ago, i slept in till 1:30pm and only ate 900 calories that whole day. i did wonder what that would do to me.

Thanks guys! This is very helpful. (on the 1600 average: basically, I'm just very bad at being hungry - I get grouchy if I don't eat even for 2 hours, specially if I have an essay due:p But I guess I ought to up my exercise a bit, then)

rnjt... one day where you don't eat much won't kill you.  But try not to sleep all day.... life's not a rehearsal. :-)

Original Post by gi-jane:

rnjt... one day where you don't eat much won't kill you. But try not to sleep all day.... life's not a rehearsal. :-)

i know i know but i had a tough workout the day before on that rffl plan melkor suggested. its kicking my behind, altho i cheated this week. but do i love my sleep.