Really Want To Lose Weight But Im Not Havin Enough Calories, Im Just Not Hungry!?

I started this abouta week ago and aiming for about 1200 calories a day but i only normally get to about 800 and im not hungry anymore, does this mean i wont lose weight ?

I have even thought about not eating because a lot of people said you lose quite a few pounds, but what are the side effects.

help

Hi,

Can I ask your age, weight, height and activity level/what exercise you do? I presume from your username you are female.

An adult female needs 1200 calories minimum, a teenage girl or an adult man need 1500 calories bare minimum, and a teenage boy 1800 calories minimum when sedentary. That said, in recovering from undereating, calculators will not apply to you. Your metabolism can become shot from undereating and result in your body holding to every calorie it gets . This is what is referred to as "starvation mode".

The physical dangers that come with undereating 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 may not feel hungry but it is crucial to eat at least 1500 even if you just sit on your bum all day. More if you are of a suitably greater height, or of certain age or weight. I can help you with specific requirements with the stats I asked for previously - height, age, weight, activity level.

If you are struggling to get your calories in try eating low density, high calorie foods. :] These're small quantities of food that kick up the calories. Nuts, nut butters, dried fruits, dense fruit like bananas and avocado, healthy cooking oils like olive oil, wholewheat or wholegrain pasta and noodles, full fat dairy products (and cheese in general, really), honey...

A PB and banana sandwich can rack you up 550 calories pronto. One large banana is about 110 calories. Four teaspoons of PB are about 60 calories each. Two slices of wholemeal bread will rack you about 90-100 calories per slice. Banana, plus bread? 310. Plus the four teaspoons of PB? 550. Very nice grilled or with a drizzle of honey added in if you're up for it.

You could try making a smoothie with some milk and/or yoghurt, honey, nuts and a banana, and other fruits of your choosing. Or an ice cream sundae in the same sort of manner. Oatmeal is also a good base for denser foods - you can easily stir in nut butters, nuts, and dried fruit into oatmeal and make it with milk and it's still easy on the stomach.

Stir fry is easily done. Just do it up in oil and throw in some cashews or peanuts or similar to help bring up calorie content. Peanut sauce works in the same manner, but there are all sorts of nut butters, not just peanuts! Macadamia and cashew are delicious. Pasta bakes can be made calorific. You could also make a grilled cheese sandwich or two!

Aim for wholegrains/complex carbohydrate, protein, healthy fats, some dairy or a dairy alternative and a serving of fruit or veg at every main meal as well as snacks between that also contain these essential things.

Calculator and calorie information for Teens 

Nutrition, Exercise & Weight Management for Teens

More Nutrition & Health for Teens

I hope this helps you a bit and if you have more questions or post your stats I can help you further.

- Ellie.

Hi!

I actually (weirdly) find it really easy to just eat like 600-800 cals a day; I feel that when you eat this little for a day or two your body just kind of shuts off to hunger and you just dont feel the need (or dont even want) to eat more.  but i think we all know this isnt healthy and ISNT how to lose weight!  I find that if im not hungry but i know i should be eating a little more and i start to make myself eat the 1200-1500 (whatever's good for you) a day, i start feeling way more hungry way more often. 

my opinion is that when my body isnt getting hungry at all and im not really eating, this is when its sort of in that bloody 'starvation mode' everyones always blabbing on about, and i know my body isnt functioning properly so im not losing weight.  when people who are on diets boast about barely eating anything in a day i always think once you start eating nothing its easy to continue - this isnt what's tricky! what's tricky is finding the balance between eating enough to let your body actually FUNCTION and burn fat etc, and going over the top and eating a bit too much. 

so... my advice is to try and eat a loittle bit more even if youre not hungry, OR try to add some high calorie-low density foods. so if youre having a salad, add an avocado, or maybe try making a smoothie with a whole banana in the morning etc etc!