Screwed up metabolism?!

I think i pretty i have pretty much ruined my metabolism by eating only 1200-1400 calories when i was trying to lose weight before. Now that i am happy with how i look and feel, I don't feel hungry anymore. I have to force myself to eat just to reach 1800 calories. Before, like every three hours, my stomach would growl...now-nothing =( I also think that i have gained a few pounds by upping my calories. What should i do to recover? Oh and i don't know if this matters...but i'm 14.

1. Since your are only 14, you probably shouldn't be messing around with only eating 1200-1400 calories.  I don't know your weight, height, body built, activitiy level, etc.  However, I do know that a typical teen should be eating more than that.
2. If you did indeed screw up your metabolism, then unscrew it up.  Eat a really healthy breakfast with a good amount of protein. 
3. Do you exercise at all?  Do you ride a bike to school?  Do you walk?  Are you out for sports?  Intramurals?  Do you take a PE class?  If not, find some sort of fun but healthy exercise to do.
4. To make yourself feel hungry again, eat a really good meal to start the day.  Lay off of sugar things like soda pop and candy bars; lay off of things with artificial sweeteners.  Eat healthy fruits, nuts in moderation, vegetables, and whole grains. 
5. If you have the time, record accurately what you eat and when you eat.  Try eating a big breakfast and  4 or 5 smaller meals during the day.

I think if you can get in a bit of exercise and if you eat some good protein early in the day, you will kick that metaoblism in the rear and be all revved up.

And don't go losing any weight, unless you really need to.  And ask someone at your school who knows about weight loss if you are doing the right thing.

Good luck!  Read a bunch of the posts in these Calorie Count threads.  There is a lot of information about dieting and exercising for teens.

ok thnks much!

At 14 it's a racing certainty that you're going to gain weight.... Simply because your body still has another 7 years of growing and development left to complete.  If your parents are taller than 5'2" you are destined to be taller as well.  Deprive your body of nourishment and energy at this stage and you can set up all kinds of problems.

As the above message rightly says.... eat the right amount for your age, size and level of activity (http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/bodycomp/bmiz2.html will help you determine this), be active every day and eat good foods in regular meals.

2000-2300 cals a day should be your aim...  If you gain weight on 1800 then all it means is that your current weight is simply too low.  If you struggle with self-confidence or you feel self-conscious about your body, talk to people about the way you feel rather than trying to find the answer in bathroom scales.  If you're experiencing any problems such as loss of periods (very common when young girls diet drastically) then make an appointment to see your doctor.

yea...hmm thanks...i guess i will increase my cals to atleast 2000, even though i really don't want to because i'm afraid i'll gain weight. Yea, actually I've lost my period for about 7 months and went to my doc. but she said not to worry about it since i'm still young. I've worked hard to get to 98lbs (i'm 5'2)...but i guess my well-being is more important than my weight.

And remember that you can be a very thin weight, but you will not be happy at that weight if you cannot eat as much as other people, and if you are unhealthy.


It would suck to have to only eat 1200 - 1400 calories your whole life, it would not be worth maintaining a weight that is too low for your body.

The good news is - not only can you have your health - you can also learn to find ways to feel good about yourself, too.

You may be scared of gaining weight now - but ALL 14 year olds need to mature and gain some weight in the process.  Every teen goes through it - you are no different!

just work on learning to accept the weight gain!


The good news is - you can  find the perfect weight for your body by simply  eating enough calories, and listening to your body and eating more if you are hungry.

Seriously - if you just do the right thing, and eat enough calories, than your body will NATURALL reach a weight that is perfect for you!

So - do the right thing and eat enough, and let your body dictate your weight!

It will all be okay -  you just have to face some hard times, when you will struggle to accept your developing body.  But in the end, remember you CAN feel okay about it!