Please, women only.?

Question

I'm a 15 year old girl, and I weigh around 157. I don't look extremely fat because I am tall for my age. Anyway, I want to drop about 15 pounds before summer. Any idea how many calories I should consume a day? One site said 800, is that good? I don't want to do anything dangerous.
Thanks.
-Raven

Answer 1

Anything less than 1000 calories a day is ridiculously restricting for a growing teenage girl. The best way to drop weight is the old fashioned way of exercising till you sweat and watching what you eat. Any diet which requires you to weigh, measure or count food/calories really sucks and is too obsessive and hard to maintain for most people.

Cut out all soda, sugary drinks, in fact drink nothing that has calories. Why waste calories on beverages? Cut out all sugar, no sweets. Then cut out white flour entirely and cut down on the carbs such as bread, rice, potatoes, pasta. Eat only a little fruit, just to add some sweetness to your diet.

Park far away and walk. Take the stairs whenever you can. Try to work out everyday, if you can't bring yourself to work out, just take a walk. Promise yourself you'll just start by walking around the block and increase it from there, get some exercise even if it's just walking every day. Workout doing something aerobic for a half an hour three times a week, you must workout until you sweat. That's it - I promise you'll start tightening up and losing weight.

Answer 2

Raven,

I applaud you for not wanting to do anything dangerous and trying to be healthy and smart about your dieting.

I truly hope that you speak to your parents about this and set up a diet and excersize plan with your doctor. Because of your age and the fact that your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes and your final growth spurt, I really think it is wise to go see your doctor.

I think 800 calories is awfully low for a girl your age, with everything your body is going through.

If for any reason you can't go to your doctor, or if your doctor is an uncaring jerk (unfortunately, that is common) I wouldn't bother counting calories. Instead drink PLENTY of water. If you would like to drink juice in addition to water, make sure it is 100% fruit juice such as orange juice, grape juice or apple juice. Try to eat as much fruit and veggies as you can and try to stay away from the unhealthy type of carbs (potatoes and pastry type items, such as cake or cookies) When you eat dinner, try to fill up on your veggies by eating them first, then eat your meat, then if you are still hungry, eat your starch food. Don't starve yourself. Do, however give up junk food altogether, if possible, or allow yourself one sweet snack a week or so. Pick a fun excercise that you enjoy so that it is FUN and not something you hate. If you like softball, try to join a team. It may sound corny at your age, but even if you and a bunch of friends want to play tag, that is a great way to burn calories. Go to the park, take a hike, swim...as long as you are having fun and drinking plenty of water, you will lose those 15 pounds and keep them off too.

One last piece of advice: if you change your diet drastically, your body will crave the sugars and carbs you are used to and you will fall right back into an unhealthy pattern.

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

NO! 800 calories is way too small of a portion of a food to eat. Go to http://www.caloriesperhour.com/ and find your BMI, how many calories you need to eat to stay at the same weight, and then from there, try to cut out fatty and sugary foods out of your diet. Just for reference, one pound is about 3500 calories. A good calorie portion for you would be no less than 1500 calories, otherwise your body would think that you were starving and your metabolism would slow down. Take it slow so the weight will stay off. Just eat healthy, exercise at least 3 times a week, and dont try to lose more than 2 pounds a week a the most. Good luck.

Answer 4

NOT 800 that's no enough you will not be able to lose weight if you don't eat to keep your metabolism up. depending on how active you are you should eat 1500 to 1700 calories a day. 2000 if you play a sport or lift weights for over an hour a day. Make sure to work out everyday and try to eat 5-6 small meals a day if you can. If you can't, have snacks inbetween meals...healthy snacks of course.

Cut out all soda from your diet try to only drink water.

Answer 5

hi, I am 5'11 almost 6 feet...Anyway when was you age I weighed about the same, and I found the best way to look my best was to be active...If you can going running or walking everyday, get a friend to go with you, it's better for the motivation factor as well it's safe...Don't worry about your calorie intake...what you need to do is eat heallthy, eat four to five small meals a day, like a half a grapefruit or a bowl of special k for breakfast, have some non-fat yogurt for a snack, light turkey sandwhich or soup or salad for lunch, fruit, for a snack, a well balanced meal for dinner...Don't eat after seven and allow your self one treat a week, that way you are not tempted to cheat...800 calories is not enough, you need more nutrients...Green tea is good when you are working out or trying to loose weight...Anyway...you prolly look great...and have fun with it....bye

Answer 6

800 cal. is starvation! As a female, you should not take in any less than 1,200 cal's per day. Take height the standard is: 5'-100 lbs. For every inch over, add 5 lbs. Take height, =the weight you should be at your height, times 15=the number of calories your body needs per day. Also, is your bone structure, sm., med., or large? Take care.

Answer 7

800 calories a day is extremely dangerous. do not listen to that advice! you are still in the process of maturing and need many more calories than that, around 1800-2200 per day. i would suggest more protein such as chicken and turkey, whole grain breads instead of white, salads, fresh vegetables and fruits. cut the carbs (chips, cookies, white rice, white bread) and you'll begin to see a difference. you should also do at least 3 cardio activities a week (jogging, walking, aerobics, swimming) for at least 30 minutes per session.....from a fitness expert/fitness instructor/personal trainer.

Answer 8

The best diet is the one you loose weight slowly. You can loose by cutting your portions of food down, eat a small healthy snack in the mid morn and mid afternoon and then after dinner (very lite) Increase your water intake and decrease the junk food. You can have a cheat nite as long as you have followed diet during the week. Eat smart and you will love the results.

Answer 9

You shouldn't be dieting until your body reaches full grown. That means no diets until you turn 18-19. Anything before then can be dangerous. If you are looking for a healthy way to tone up and lose weight, excercise alot. Nothing unhealthy about that, but dieting is wrong for a growing girl.

Answer 10

Actually 1000 would be better since you are still growing...you aren't looking to lose that much weight. If you really want to do it the easy way, just cut out soda and snacks and read up on portion sizes. If you do that you really shouldn't have to count calories.