Is 1000 calories/day too little?

Question

I'm trying to lose about 100lbs within the year. I'm working out about every other day, and eating a lot less calories. I'm a vegetarian sorta.. i eat chicken... that's it for meat. I'm maintaing no more then 1000 calories a day. Is that to little? Can I lose weight like this?? Or should I go higher?

Answer 1

If you are going to go as low as 1000 calories in a day, you should be monitored by a registered dietitian. You shouldn't put yourself on a calorie intake that low without being monitored by a registered dietitian. Since I am one ;), I can tell you that for my morbidly obese patients, I have never gone lower than 1200 kcals a day. Additionally, 100 lbs within one year is a stiff goal. I applaud you for your efforts, and working out every other day is fantastic! The only issue is you will put yourself at risk with such a low calorie level, and could develop deficiencies, which can permanently damage your vital organs.
If you can, make an appointment with an RD in your area. She can develop a diet plan for you based on your daily needs, and she will make sure you are doing it in a safe way, that ensures you stay healthy throughout your weight loss process, and will be able to keep off the weight once you reach your goal.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Neat, I only eat chicken too. We're like Chicken-lovin-vegetarians.

1000 calories is too little. You need at least 1200. Seriously. Your metabolism will shut down after a while and go in starvation mode with only 1000 calories, and hoard everything. I know from experience. Plus, if you weigh more than average, which I'm guessing you do seeing as you want to lose 100 pounds, you actually need more calories than 1200 to even have the energy to walk. Try this website www.fitday.com
I thought it was really helpful by telling me by my age, weight, and activity level how many cal's I was buring a day. I tried to cut it so I was cutting 7000 off a week, which is 2 lbs.
Good LucK!

Answer 3

When dieting to lose weight, you first have to figure out what your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is. Here's the formula:

Men: Add a zero to the end of your present bodyweight, then add double your bodyweight. If you weigh 200lbs, then you'd do the following: 2000+200+200 (double your bodyweight)=2,400.

Women: Add a zero to the end of your bodyweight, then add your bodyweight. If you weigh 150lbs, then your figures would look like this: 1500+150=1,650.

The result is the number of calories that you burn simply maintaining your existing bodyweight. These figures do not take into account any voluntary activities (running, weight lifting, swimming, racketball, ect.). Staying below this figure will result in weight loss, while rising above allows you to gain weight. Please note that these figures are ment to give you a "rule of thumb," giving you a guideline to follow.

I still firmly beleive that one should lose weight slowly, as to develop a better lifestyle that will enable them to keep the weight off. What's the point in losing 100lbs if you're just going to gain it all back again in a few months? Either that, or you're going to live in a deprived state, constantly craving what you've taught yourself you don't dare have. Why not try adding a moderate workout regimine (no more than three times per week) while changing one thing about your regular diet: If you drink soda, switch to diet soda or tea. Regular milk gives way to either 2% or skim milk. Portion sizes get reduced. You get the idea! But only change ONE thing. Once you've stopped noticing weight loss, change another thing. This way, by the time you reach your goals, your lifestyle's already changed to allow you to keep the weight off.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Cue the Robot from Lost in Space flailing his arms and saying "Danger, Will Robinson -- DANGER!!! THAT'S TOO LITTLE!!! You should NEVER eat less than 1,500 calories per day. If you do, your body goes into starvation mode. When that happens, it actually slows your metabolism down and your body greedily hangs on to every last bit of fat you have, so you end up burning muscle instead. Not what you want to do, right? Keep up with your diet and do SOME type of exercise every day, even if it's just walking (walking is great because it burns fat almost exclusively).

Answer 6

1000 calories is fine, especially if you're picking good quality nutritious food.

Look at this sample low carb menu recently posted on the Kimkins Diet website which is only 600 calories:

Breakfast: Egg scramble with ham, peppers & onion
Lunch: Roast chicken, mixed greens salad w/ low cal dressing
Dinner: Broiled steak, zucchini fries, baby spinach salad

Extremely nutritious, low in calories, excellent for weight loss. With Kimkins you would lose 100 lbs much sooner than 1 year.

Answer 7

Well I eat about that a day! I use to way alot my self. I have lost over a100 pounds not eating that much either. Just continue to excersise that is most important. I have been working out for 7 years now and have kept every pound off. Suggestion: If you are doing only that many calories i would say to go get your self some whey protien and drink one in tham and one in the pm. It will help you to build lean muscle mass and burn more calories. also eat alot of fiber or take a fiber supplement. Most important. If you ahev any other questions let me know! I'm a pro at this.

Answer 8

I lost 100 pounds in 8 months eating 1200-1500 calories per day. I ate every 3 hours. I ate low fat, low carb, high protein. I exercised regularly. If I dropped my caloric intake below 1200 I lost weight slower because my metabolism slowed down.
I have kept the weight off for a year and a half.

It is not safe to eat less than 1200 cals per day without close medical supervision. You risk electrolyte embalance, loss of muscle tissue, and heart damage.

Answer 9

i think1000 calories is too little the avarege is 2000 per day but if you want to you can work your way down to 1000 calories but don't do it all of asudden cuz you could hurt your health

Answer 10

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