Stuffed BEFORE hitting 1200

It's not the starving at 1200 calories dilemma, it's the stuffed and bloated out of my mind at 1200 calories.

I started recently eating more, realizing that I wasn't getting enough calories and that I might be putting my body in to starvation mode. I've been counting and trying to hit 1200 everyday, but since I've started doing this this past two weeks I've gained two lbs and feel bloated and way too full every day.

I'm a vegetarian and eat a lot of low-calorie, basic foods such as fruits and veggies. I drink a lot of water every day. I'm 5'0" and 117 lbs.

I want to go back to not trying to stuff in all 1200 calories a day. I know everyone will say it's not a good idea to get less, so any suggestions?

Wallflower,

First nice baby, I would do nothing for know because your body is changing from the low calorie you was giving it to the 1200 calories today. Question did you check your BMI Calculator to see if your a healthy weight?

The BMI calculator tells me I'm slightly at the high end of the healthy range. I could lose 10 lbs and still be in the healthy range (which is what I'm going for).

Sounds great, don't loose hope, I am an e-mail away if you like to talk.

You also might want to verify with a doctor what is the best weight for you. Sometimes, BMI calculators and tables do not take into consideration your body type, your body frame, your heritage (example hispanics tend to be really curvy regardless of weight and the way you retain fat is proportion to that), your age among others. As a person that has been anorexic 3 times I know that eating less than 1200 calories for a female is not good specially worse if you are in the reproductive period (prior menopause). The minimum that your body can handle on a daily basis is 1200 because even if you have a sendentary life your body can burn around 900 calories in a day without doing nothing. So please be careful and at least keep the 1200 mark. You probably feel bloated and gained weight because you had your body into starvation and it was already holding on calories to continue and the change put it on shock. You don't want to lose all your muscle, lose hair, have belly problems, dull skin among others by putting your body into starvation. I think you are on the right path and the importance after all is that you work towards becoming healthy. =) You can always email me for more support =)

I know exactly what you mean, I'm 5'0, a veggie and currently 109lbs. I have lost 12lbs eating around 1000 calories a day. I initially thought that I could eat at this level then work my way up to 1200, but every time I do I feel full and lethargic. When I was eating around a 1000 I would do 30mins on the treadmill 3x a week and do a session at the gym every fortnight. Now that I have started eating around 1200 I feel like I don't have the energy or motivation to exercise, as it feels like I'm overeating.

I've decided today to aim for 1100 and force myself into some exercise, I now think the only way to increase my appetite is to burn more calories this way.

So don't worry you're not the only one in this situation. I think you have to take recommendations with a pinch of salt, we are all individuals after all.

hi!

my suggestion would be to try and hit your calorie goal just by eating a few more high cal foods without adding too much bulk. for example, a handful of nuts (approx 100 cals). or add a slice of cheese to a sandwich you would already eat, or some feta/blue cheese/whatever you like to a salad. there are ways to add calories without realizing you're eating more. good luck!

Thanks for that tip, kbiattiato, I think that will work!

Natural nut butters (peanut, almond, etc) will help you bring up your calories too.  Or whole grain bread.