Could someone help me?

I am trying to lose weight. Im a 20 yr old female. Currently weigh about 145, trying to get down to 120. Im eatting about 1200 calories a day, with a food grade between B and A. Salads, Fish, Fruits and veggies, water, eggs, etc. But im wondering if im eating the right amount of calories to get down to my goal weight. I go for walks everyday, the distance depends. I live in queens so i walk where ever i have to go that day. Lately ive been doing a lot of yard work. So my activity level is the lowest one i guess. But i feel like im doing something wrong. Should i be exercising more?? I have been doing this for about a week and a half and don't see any changes yet. Any information would be amazing. thanks guys!

no less than 1500 calories for those under 21. you're not eating enough and this plan could backfire. try not to be too restrictive and strict because it could lead to binging and you might put the weight back on.  eat a balanced diet, incorporate weight training, and do cardio for slow and stead loss that will LAST!! how tall are you?

I'm 5'4. Im not being strict. I allow myself snack foods when im craving them but still stay in the calorie limit. It just so happens to be that I have been eating a lot of salad lately (its all that was in the fridge til today). I feel like if i consume 1500 calories im not going to be able to burn all of that off and i will just gain.

if you GAINED on 1500 then it's more important for you to restore your metabolism and not worry about weight loss at the moment. 1500 is lower than maintenance for someone of your height and weight. 

at 5'4, 145, and moderately active you burn nearly 2200 (4-5x a week),

a little more active 2038 (2-3x a week of exercise)

lightly active: 1938 calories (1-2x per week)

get some free weights and train at home when you can. strength training helps you burn calories after you've exercised :) Everyone else is right too - so important to make sure you eat enough (i've made the mistake before of eating to little - doesn't work!)

As a general rule, women should not consume less then about 1375 calories every day. Your body will begin to think you are out in the desert starving or something and WILL begin to store fat in larger quantities. It will also eat any extra muscle you have, and your bones may become brittle.

I agree with Chrissy, you're waaaay under what you need to eat & probably slowing your metabolism and possibly losing muscle mass. Walking around a lot & doing yardwork isn't sedentary - I'd say it's moderately active, and at age 20 & 145 lbs, you're probably burning more like 2000 - 2500 calories per day, which means you should be eating more like 1500 - 2000 a day. My nutritionist thinks I maintain (at 120ish or a little below) at about 2000/day, when I'm walking a bit but not exercising at all. Maybe you could try 1800 a day for 2 weeks? Do you know how much you were eating before?

Also - how tall are you? 120 might be too low of a goal weight, unless you're 5'3" or under (I'm a little underweight).

If you get too full on 1200 a day of fruit and salad, you should incorporate more calorie-dense foods like nuts, PB, olive oil, etc. Healthy fats are essential for your hair, skin, brain, and actually assist in weight loss.  Protein is also important - think lean meat, fish, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs (which you're eating, I know), tofu, etc.

Also - don't expect to see any change on the scale in less than a week! It takes time. 1-2lbs a week is a sustainable rate at first, and it'll be more like .5-1 when you get closer to your goal weight.  And, it might take 2-3 week for anything to show up at all, because weight, especially for women, fluctuates a lot, depending on sodium intake, fiber intake, water intake (dehydration actually makes you retain water), and your cycle.

Biggest mistake made is not consuming enough calories to run your body.  As crazy as it may sound, you have to increase them to change your metabolism and burn fat.  Going to agree with chrissy1988.  The trick is eating the right calories.

Just to add to what everyone else has said... you need to eat more.  I tried it the way you're doing it and I got so frustrated because I couldn't lose an ounce on 1200 calories a day.  After I went up to 1600 (lower because I'm older than you), the weight started coming off.  It really is true, crazy as it sounds.

I definitely understand what everyone is saying about calories. But i feel like i can't eat any more calories! When i 'binge' i can't even consume 1700 calories! And i don't want to eat chocolate and junk to get to that amount of calories... So what is healthy but will fill me up and give me those extra few hundred calories? I have fish about once a week. Had some steak last night (with green and red bell peppers and onions, delicious!) Should i be making bigger portions of what im eating?

Original Post by appletwo:

I agree with Chrissy, you're waaaay under what you need to eat & probably slowing your metabolism and possibly losing muscle mass. Walking around a lot & doing yardwork isn't sedentary - I'd say it's moderately active, and at age 20 & 145 lbs, you're probably burning more like 2000 - 2500 calories per day, which means you should be eating more like 1500 - 2000 a day. My nutritionist thinks I maintain (at 120ish or a little below) at about 2000/day, when I'm walking a bit but not exercising at all. Maybe you could try 1800 a day for 2 weeks? Do you know how much you were eating before?

Also - how tall are you? 120 might be too low of a goal weight, unless you're 5'3" or under (I'm a little underweight).

If you get too full on 1200 a day of fruit and salad, you should incorporate more calorie-dense foods like nuts, PB, olive oil, etc. Healthy fats are essential for your hair, skin, brain, and actually assist in weight loss.  Protein is also important - think lean meat, fish, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs (which you're eating, I know), tofu, etc.

Also - don't expect to see any change on the scale in less than a week! It takes time. 1-2lbs a week is a sustainable rate at first, and it'll be more like .5-1 when you get closer to your goal weight.  And, it might take 2-3 week for anything to show up at all, because weight, especially for women, fluctuates a lot, depending on sodium intake, fiber intake, water intake (dehydration actually makes you retain water), and your cycle.

This is excellent advice!  Peanut butter, nuts, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs.  

where are your carbs. you said steak with onions and bell peppers. how about a baked potato with low fat cheese with that. a cup of rice or even some egg noodles with promise butter spread. ww toast maybe. anything!! you need balanced!

We had mashed potatos with the steak last night. And for a snack i had some pretzels. This was the scale evaluation for yesterday's food.

Fat - 36% (45 grams)
Protein - 27.2% (76 grams)
Carbohydrates - 36.8% (103 grams)

that is extremely low for your carbs. protein should be 10-20%, carbs 50-60%, and fat 20-30%. Everyone is different but if you're having difficulty eating the appropriate amount of calories then definitely up your carbs.