1200 calorie diet & Gym?

Question

Went down to a 1200 calorie diet (that is fat free yogurt and a banana at 8:15 am, 2 honey graham crackers at 10:45, lean cuisine or tuna on rye for lunch at 12:45, reduced fat crackers at 2:45, boneless skinless grilled chicken with brocolli or cauliflower at 5:15 and grapes or a banana at 7- I'm doing a food log on Ballynutrition.com that keeps all my intake in check), working out AT LEAST 4 days a week (25 min cardio on elipitcal and weight training-3 sets of 10 each for tris, bis, chest, back, quads, calves, inner thighs, outer legs, shoulders thats about 45 minutes) and haven't LOST A POUND. This is my 3rd sunday of this weight loss plan and I am so frustrated.

Boyfriend thinks he can see me slimming down, I don't feel a difference and I am getting SO DISCOURAGED. I miss eating pizza/fries/chinese and with the major difference with what I'm eating now, the sacrifice just doesn't seem to be worth it!

Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to work out more? Eat less?

I am 22 year old female, I weigh 146 and I am 5'2".
As a matter of fact, I can weigh myself at 7 in the morning and it will say 146.6 and when I get home from work, the same scale will say 149.7-what gives?

Answer 1

You are not eating enough.

This is a huge mistake that many people make. They think that if they eat less calories and exercise more, they will lose weight. But it's not true!

When you don't eat enough calories, your body goes into starvation mode. It thinks you're starving. So your metabolism slooooows doooown. You burn fewer calories. Then, when you go do all that exercise, your body needs fuel. So it burns muscle instead of fat, because it can get more energy quicker from the muscle tissue.

The result is that you don't slim down much. Your body is working really hard to keep that weight on, because it thinks you're starving.

What you have to do is consume more calories. You should be aiming for at least 1500 calories per day. But don't count calories at all.Follow these instructions:

1. Eat a large, filling breakfast every day (yogurt and banana do not suffice!). Never skip a meal.

2. Eat some lean protein with every single meal, especially breakfast. Examples: salmon, skinless chicken breast, eggs, nuts, beans.

3. Don't eat processed foods (although from your list, it sounds like that's not a problem).

4. Eat tons of fiber - fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, etc. Fiber is absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly.

5. Exercise to build muscle, not to burn fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat, even when you are resting. So if you build muscle, then even when you're watching TV, you're burning calories.

6. Find ways to really relax - not just watching TV or vegging out. When you are stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone which tells the body to create fat deposits. You need to set aside time each day for meditation, sauna, bath, massage - whatever truly relaxes you.

Answer 2

If I remember correctly a 1200 per day caloric intake is the absolute bare minimum recommended and even then experts advise averaging 1400-1500 calories per day at the least. I believe this is for women, a mans intake is higher. You should really do some research, there are tons of sites on the internet that have info on health and diet. Do some searches on women and dieting or losing weight for women. It wouldn't hurt to learn about proper nutrition you can search that out on the net, you can also possibly go see a nutritionalist. You say you're exercising, is that at a gym? If so speak with someone there, they should be able to help out. Remember muscle weighs more than fat so you may be loosing fat and replacing it with lean muscle. Do not go by a scale, they should be your worst enemy. Measuring is the best way, somethimes the fitness center you go to can do all of that. If you are not intaking enough calories your body will store instead of burn because it thinks it's starving. Don't get discouraged 3 weeks is not enough to see anything. If you do this correctly slow lose over time is the key. It will probably take a good 6 months to see good results. Definitely see someone who is educated in this field. If you do not do this correctly you will only hurt yourself, by gaining more fat. Dont "diet" change the way you eat for life, that doesn't mean you can never have pizza and fries ever again, you just have to be careful. There is a lot more to learn then even the little bit I just wrote and what works for one doesn't work for another if you're talking "diets". Just do proper nutrition and exercise.
M

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Are you getting more muscular or leaner? You may be converting fat to muscle which means you are skinnier but your weight stays the same due to the added muscle.

Your routine may be too extreme- add 200- 300 to your calorie intake if you are feeling real hungry. You also may be working out too much and are overstressing your body. Back it down a notch-say workout every other day up to 1 hour in total.

Your routine is excellent with the minimeals and the complete body workout. I would just lower the exercise a bit and add a few more calories. Also for your sanity, eat some pizza- a slice only though.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Trust me on this one...just because the scales are not showing a difference there ususually is. I went through a few weeks of a kinda what you're doing and I stayed the same weight but I could tell that my body was changing...things toned up and my tummy went flatter.
I would also recommend that you cut back on the weight training as any muscle gain will result in you gainig weight. You need to do more cardio vascular exercises, like using the treadmill and the cross-trainer is a fantatic way to burn excess fat and tone up your legs, bum and arms all at the same time.

Answer 7

Stop weighing yourself for a while. I was on 800 cal diet for 3 mos. Hair fell out and had my period for 6 wks! You'll be more discouraged of you quit, then you'll get guilt weight. Just stick with it, it will come off. I didn't do any weight training, just cardio, about 2 hours a day.

Answer 8

your using weight as measure of fat loss, weight is very bad measure. You could be putting on muscle, you could have more water in your system. try measuring your tummy and thighs.
Keep to the programme despite what the scales say you will lose weight on that diet , in fact you calorie intake is so low it is a worry unless your tiny.
Do not eat less you may go into starvation reflex and you will keep your fat and burn muscle. Depending on your size you may have to slightly increase you calories in order to lose weight.

Answer 9

You're male. You need at the minimum 1500 daily total calories. *Can't just limit calories and think it will work magic. Have to put back in enough good calories. Really important to get good Carbs for energy,then quality lean Protein for repair and building muscle. Lean Protein ; -Chicken -Turkey -Fish -Eggs -Beans -Leafy Greens ; Spinach,Asparagus,Broccoli,Collard Greens,Turnip Greens etc Colorful Fruits & Vegetables - The wider the color variety,the better. Complex Carbohydrates ; Whole Wheat Bread,Rice,Cereals,Pasta etc

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Answer 10

drink 3 cups of green tea in 24 hours researchers say it can increase energy expenditure by 106 calories