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Question about calorie consumption?

Hi all :) I'm a newbie and I have a big question...I'm 18, female, 5'7.5" and about 120 lbs. (I have a small frame...very small) I eat between 1000-1250 calories a day. I know it's lower than my BMR, but the thing is, I'm not starving myself at all. I eat very healthy foods only and space out my meals well throughout the day. I try to stay active (we bought an elliptical recently). I try to do about 10-15 minutes of excersize on the elliptical 7 days a week (I really can't do more - I'm hella outta shape :P).

Basically my question is, should I force myself to eat more calories? I'm not really trying to lose weight, although if I could be 118, I'd be very happy. I'm just not hungry since I chose filling foods throughout the day. Am I still putting myself in danger? I do take basic vitamin suppliments (i.e. multi vitamin, etc).

At being 5'7 almost 5'8" your BMI is almost clinically UNDERWEIGHT. you should never ever eat under 1200 calories a day especially if your doing 15 min of INTENSE exercise..im sure more people than just me will tell you this

First and foremost: CC's tools are not designed for youngin'z under 21. Anyone under 21 should not be eating less then 1500 calories because that's the bare minimum.. IE, the amount your body needs to function properly.

For your height range, a healthy weight would be between 121 and 166. Which means.. your focus right now really shouldn't be losing any weight. If you still feel like your not exactly "fit" or "lean" I think it's time to start doing some strength training, as that'll tighten you up and make you look fit and lean.

For your age and height, to maintain you need:

• 1750 on days you're completely sedentary, ie not getting off your booty at all that day.
• 2100 for low activity (under 30 minutes)
• 2420 for moderate activity (about 60 minutes)
• 2950 for very active (over 60 minutes) 

This is all according to the kids BMI chart which can be found here: http://www.kidsnutrition.org/bodycomp/bmiz2.h tml

If you dislike having more quantity of food in your diet to reach your calories in a day, I recommend choosing quality, high-cal foods. Avocados, full fat milk, peanut butter are good examples Check the high-cal food list in the weight gainers forum for more ideas: http://caloriecount.about.com/official-high-c al-foods-list-ft85039 ;

Otherwise, yup, you need to eat more. Your body IS starving, even if you don't feel like it is. You might not know it, but the more you eat, the more energy you'll have even if you think you have plenty right now. Maybe if you start eating more, you'll have more energy to do more exercise! :D

But yes. Please eat maintenance. You don't need to lose anymore weight for your current height. When you first start eating more, don't weigh yourself for a full week and a half or so. Most of the "weight gain" you'll see on the scale is water weight from the increased sodium intake and such.

G'luck! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. :3

(Oh and welcome to CC.)

wow. I'm 29, the same height, and when in top shape, thin but with weight training and working out, I stay between 125 and 128. The only time I got down to 120 was when I was very sick and I looked awfully sick and skinny. Remember, your brain is made up of mostly fat and when you start getting too thin, you're affecting your nervous system. I don't want to sound critical, but maybe you think you're out of shape but really are lacking in enough calories to support any sort of exercise. You need carbs and  protein for energy in order to work out. There are so many health benefits to regular excercise, I think it should be incorporated in everyone's routine regardless of weight.

I don't think you have to "force" yourself to eat more calories. If you're eating a well-rounded diet with healhy fats and proteins, I would think you would already be consuming more calories.

Whether or not you say you're not starving the fact of the matter is that you are. There is no way that on so few calories you are fuelling your body with what it needs. The minimum intake for a sedentary female under 21 is 1500 per day. And believe it or not, that’s only the sedentary minimum. Unless you are very, very short and small, and/or if you are working out it is very likely you will need even more calories than those minimum guidelines.

As you are underweight, you need to gain weight. To do so you need to be eating at least 2500 calories sedentary to gain steadily and keep the weight on. If you begin to work out you will need to eat more. For more info on this read here: The Aim is to Gain: Advice on Weight Gain, Whatever Your Reason

Eating too low a calorie intake, or having a deficit from your BMR greater than 1000 results in something called "survival mode", where your body holds every last thing it can get in expectance of a famine. Water, food, calories. Explained:

• Dieting & Metabolism - This article explains starvation mode and why undereating is counter productive.
• The Body Neglected - This is what happens when you undereat for an extended period of time. 
• "Obesity on 700 Calories" - A tale of starvation mode's devistating effects, and proof you don't have to be underweight to be starving.
• From Ask Mary, the segment provided by our CC nutritionist Mary Hartley: On the dangers of undereating and what it does to your body.

Your BMI of 18 makes you underweight. The physical dangers that come with undereating and being underweight are numerous. You put yourself at risk of osteoporosis, of loss of fertility if you lose your period, hair loss, electrolyte problems, a weakening of the immune system, low blood pressure, blood disorders such as anemia, heart problems, and even death. The mental woes that come alongside can be just as devestating. Depression is common in undereaters, as well as distorted perceptions and problems like Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

You are describing a disordered eating pattern as you are aware of, and whilst relapse is a part of recovery you need to talk to your doctor about even if just to hear a professional opinion on top of CC.

If you want some online support try http://www.something-fishy.org, and take a look through CC's Eating Disorders Health, Resources and Info Thread. But your most immediate concern is your health - and for that that means you need to talk to your doctor. But know this: Calorie Count's mission is to promote healthy and sustainable weight management and if you are not seeking to manage your weight healthily we cannot and will not help you.

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