<p>Some individuals do have difficulty stopping eating with certain kinds of food (body craves it). That doesn’t make someone a bad person, at least not in my book. The question is what to do in that case. From previous discussions, it sounds like some people find it easier to avoid certain foods altogether than to try to eat them in moderation.</p>
<p>Don’t trust calorie estimators on equipment. They’re only useful for judging your relative effort. As in, 700 calories in a hour is over 11 calories a minute, which is lot. It may be you actually burn closer to 8 or some other number. </p>
<p>And don’t forget to subtract what you would have burnt anyway in an hour. If your resting metabolic rate is 1500, which is a reasonable number, then you’re burning 62.5 calories an hour or a calorie a minute just by existing. Add in basic activity and you’re likely burning say 4 or 5 calories more a minute for the hours you’re up and and moving about. This is why it gets so complicated: if the exercise actually substitutes for sleep or lying on the couch, that’s one level of activity but if it’s when you’re moving around, working, cooking, etc. then you may only be increasing the calories burned by a small amount. I see people regularly work out for an hour, eat up maybe 150 net calories - meaning what they did versus what they would have done - and then eat something that has twice as many calories in it. They would have been better off weight-wise not working out and not eating that thing.</p>
<p>Bottom line, as my trainer says: you lose weight through diet, not exercise.</p>
<p>PBS had a nice show about this a few years back in which they took substantially overweight people and trained them to run the Boston Marathon. They found people increased their fitness by a lot but lost little weight. They found these relatively sedentary people could build up to run the Marathon - and hit the time goal, which was not a high bar - without losing material weight. </p>
<p>So if the goal is to lose weight, concentrate on diet with enough exercise that you feel good about yourself and you get fitter.</p>
<p>This is all very well and good, Lergnom, and I understand what you are saying and in fact don’t put much credence in exercise calories, since I know they are only a very rough estimate. That is why, despite the fact that MFP says I have “earned” more calories I don’t eat them. I am eating between 900 and 1200 calories per day–and I count RELIGIOUSLY, no estimates–so even if I were to lie on the couch all day I should be losing weight, albeit slowly. But I’ve been stalled around this figure for 2 weeks.</p>
<p>I must have the world’s most efficient metabolism. :(</p>
<p>I need to add in strength training again: maybe that will increase my muscle mass enough to get my system off the dime.</p>
<p>Consolation, as you know, I don’t know jack about exactly how many calories various foods are, but 900 sounds so low. Man, I think I might be tempted to eat the punching bag.</p>
<p>Agreed - 900 is SO low! Depending on your current weight ( and other factors) your body may be in starvation mode!!! </p>
<p>How are your nutrients Consolation ? Are you high enough on protein? Not too high on carbs? You say you have been stuck for two weeks - sorry I can’t remember, but have you been losing weight before this ? Might you be at a temporary plateau??</p>
<p>Consolation, I know how you feel. Initially I was very successful with weight loss but have recently stalled out with about 5 more pounds hanging on that I would like to lose. Livestrong tells me I can lose 2 pounds a week if I eat around 880 calories a day. So, I have been. And I have been gaining weight. I have a food scale. I only eat food that I can get a calorie count on (this past week being a notable exception). I exercise regularly. I drink lots of water. I think my body may be going into starvation mode. Ultimately, I may be at the weight that I can maintain. I do want to have some ice cream and a beer from time to time (not at the same time, mind you). </p>
<p>I’m going to try eating 1200 to 1400 calories a day and continuing my exercise routine, which I actually enjoy. If I don’t lose those last five pounds, I think I can handle it. I think as we get older our bodies want to hang on to those calories more than ever. I weigh myself everyday, but it’s more to keep 5 pounds from creeping back than to track every tenth of a pound fluctuation. You can do it.</p>
<p>Aww, BB, there you go with that science stuff again. </p>
<p>Consolation, do I recall correctly that you have a family history of diabetes? Or am I thinking of someone else? That’s been my impetus for diet/exercise. And when I think about it, my dad’s struggle with weight loss mirrors my current one.</p>
<p>BB–the article seems to imply that one might actually go on a diet of 800 calories. Or 500. That’s nuts.</p>
<p>And it also states that the “starvation” periods may be alternating with periods of overeating and THAT’S why the person doesn’t lose weight. They’re actually cheating? I think that has been disproven. People really want to know why they are not losing weight on a severely restricted diet and it seems to be because the body fights back with an altered metabolism.</p>
<p>I have a hard time recording everything religiously. How do you do that without estimating? Or weighing your food?</p>
<p>I find that recording my intake is very helpful but I do have a hard time hitting the target calorie count on the head. I either go under or over. Sometimes way under, which isn’t good.</p>
<p>Thank you abasket for posting that list of healthy snacks for 150 calories. That looks so much more fulfilling than sugar. I am picking up some avocados and turkey to make into snacks. Yum.</p>
<p>I agree with several that 800 - 900 calories a day is not healthy. Not only are you probably starving, you likely are not getting enough nutrients to prevent osteoporosis and maintain healthy skin and organs. Put the scale away for 2 weeks while you re-adjust your body to 1000 calories or more. Healthy is what we want, not sickly.</p>
<p>The more you replace what you eat with pure food (unprocessed, no sugar) the more quickly you will see results. Resist the temptation to eat pre-made lunches and bars except when in an extreme pinch. They contain chemicals and preservatives that confuse your natural hormones from taking control of your metabolism.</p>
<p>And for those of you logging accurately and exercising but not seeing the weight drop, don’t give up. Double check that you are drinking enough water … it will flush out stuff that shouldn’t hang around in your kidneys and livers. Your focus will pay off, and you should congratulate yourself for what you are doing. Feel good for yourself!</p>
<p>One of my favorite treats was suggested by work’nprogress way back at the beginning of this thread. I slice a banana into bite size pieces, dip them in melted chocolate and freeze them. When I feel like a frozen treat I grab one or two. Delicious!</p>
<p>I could never ever eat only 800 calories. Maybe for a day, but I need 1200-1500 to feel good. EPTR, you don’t need to hit those calorie counts exactly. In fact after reading the latest Scientific American I’ve come to realize how fictional they are. It turns out that the calories you will take up varies quite a bit. It makes a big difference for example if food is cooked or raw, because we digest cooked food much more efficiently. Those numbers are just estimates. I have weighed my food, but don’t do it as often now because I know exactly how much 1 oz. of cheese (tiny), or 4 oz of meat (deck of cards), or 6 oz of salad (lots) looks like. In Livestrong you can create your typical salad, name it, mathmom’s salad and then you never have to look it up again. You can also save whole meals - so I have my three standard breakfasts saved.</p>
<p>Peanut butter on banana or apple slices. :)</p>
<p>The other problem with an extremely low calorie diet is, you won’t have any energy for exercise or healthy physical activity. So instead of being active and building muscle, you’ll be lying around, getting more out of shape. :eek:</p>
<p>800 calories is reasonable for a limited period of time. I looked back at my food diary and for most of the spring I was eating around 800 to 900 calories. Each person is going to be different; some have success with a high carb diet, others with a high fat diet. Give me 800 calories of high quality protein and greens any day of the week. I really saw weight loss once I restricted carbs. That doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. </p>
<p>I definitely had energy for exercise on a lower calorie diet. It’s all about the quality of the food you are eating. Yesterday I had 1257 calories and ran over 9 miles. </p>
<p>Like mathmom, I have saved meals and recipes in Livestrong - a huge timesaver. Some foods I just can’t have around because I will be eating them constantly. Those bananas in chocolate would be gone in an hour!</p>
<p>Consolation - I am amazed that you burned almost 700 calories on the treadmill and while barely eating anything! You are WonderWoman (assuming you are female :-)!!!</p>
<p>I get tired/bored after 30 minutes (160 calories). I could do better outside, but my dog sobs if I don’t take him and if I DO take him he slows me down. ALso it is still in the very high 90’s here. Hopefully in October I can switch to outside.</p>
<p>LOL, Deb, thanks for giving me a good laugh! (And thanks for the punching bag!)</p>
<p>Honestly, I’m not particularly hungry. If I am hungry, I eat something.</p>
<p>I am not eating 800-900 calories a day, I’m eating more like 1100 give or take, although there have been a few days when I dipped under 1000. I’m trying not to do that because I don’t want my metabolism to slow down, if possible. I don’t eat ANY premade lunches or bars or anything like that. I make everything I eat from scratch, with VERY rare exceptions. I also do not drink soda, either diet or sugary.</p>
<p>I have T2 diabetes, and I maintain excellent control of my blood glucose be eating a low carb diet. (I have no known family history: I just drew the unlucky genetic card.) I rarely eat as much as 15 gms of carb at a meal, and my typical intake is well under 50 gms per day. I get plenty of protein. When in weight loss mode I cut back on fats for calorie reasons, but I do use small amounts of olive oil and the like. I eat mostly chicken breast with no skin (trimmed of fat), ground turkey, some very lean pork tenderloin, eggs, and fish. I eat a LOT of green vegetables, tomatoes, red peppers, cauliflower, eggplant, the occasional apple. I do not eat starchy vegetables such as corn or beets, and only tiny amounts of carrot. I do not eat potatoes at all, almost no pasta (2 oz dry max, and that rarely), occasionally 1/4 cup of cooked brown rice, only occasional slices of very low carb bread. I eat low carb pitas. I eat nuts and cheese. (Rationed when losing weight.) I eat very little fruit, because it is too high carb. Although I love beans and legumes and used to eat a lot of them, I’ve had to cut WAY back to maintain my BG levels.</p>
<p>Today, for breakfast I had one medium zucchini, diced and sauteed in a nonstick pan and sprinkled with homemade bottle masala, then scrambled with two eggs. I use a total of 2-3 oz of half and half in my coffee. (I drink a lot of half decaf coffee.)</p>
<p>For lunch I had a can of tuna mixed with 2 oz of diced red pepper, a sliced scallion, and half a small apple diced, plus 2 Tbs of TJ’s Champagne vinaigrette (45 calories in the dressing). A short while later I was still hungry so I had a low carb pita with 1 oz of cheddar (weighed). </p>
<p>A little while ago I had 28 gms of plain roasted almonds, and I’m about to cook dinner, which will be Indian-spiced turkey meatballs in an Indian tomato sauce and roast cauliflower and green salad.</p>
<p>I also take a daily multivitamin and 2400mgs of Omega 3 fish oil. </p>
<p>I think my nutrients are pretty good, actually, although I’m concerned that my calcium might be a little low.</p>
<p>I definitely don’t drink enough plain water, though. I should make a point of increasing that.</p>
<p>When I’m on the treadmill I watch Netflix. Right now I’m binge-watching Nip/Tuck and starting to think about plastic surgery! :D</p>
<p>And yet, I spent several hours this afternoon making 7 batches of truffle ganache. ;)</p>
<p>Today I had to go to our U’s kinesiology lab for a study I’m in and while I was there I ran on the track. It has been a long time and I forgot how much I enjoy it. I can be sure of my footing (which I can’t do outside) and really lengthen my stride and do speedwork (which is hard for me on a treadmill). </p>
<p>My new frozen treat is Trader Joe’s Frozen Mixed Berries. I let them sit out just long enough to soften a little and sprinkle with stevia. I also used to like frozen grapes; I’m going to have to “make” some. :)</p>
<p>Consolation, if I ate like that I would wear a bikini everywhere because 5-10 pounds would fall off easily, so I don’t envy the genetic lottery you hit. You are so disciplined … your food and diet sound so delicious and healthy. </p>
<p>My downfall is wine, chips, sometimes candy, ice cream … All of which I know I shouldn’t eat, but if it is around I eat it. I do try to eat almost as good as consolation when I am in control and life is not too stressful.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, I am behind on my water and still haven’t taken my vitamin, as well as my 2400 of fish oil and Vitamin D. Oprah or Dr. Phil told me to do that and I know when I do it forces me to be more alert and in control of my choices. Off I go.</p>
<p>Wine and chips are my downfall, too. Although I would never consider eating chips now. On the other hand, in Indian grocers you can get these unbelievably delicious smashed spicy unskinned chickpeas … not sure whether they are fried or baked, but man, are they good!</p>
</p>
(And thanks for the punching bag!)</p>
Although I would never consider eating chips now. On the other hand, in Indian grocers you can get these unbelievably delicious smashed spicy unskinned chickpeas … not sure whether they are fried or baked, but man, are they good!</p>