I'm trying to lose weight....?

Question

I have started eating less calories in order to lose weight and work out to burn the calories that I do eat. How many calories should I be eating everyday? I have only allowed myself less than 900 each day. Also, does it really help to lose weight by eating several times a day instead of skipping meals?? Any information would be great!!

Answer 1

You should be eating at least 1200 calories per day to prevent starvation mode. Add some more fruit and vegetables (and a glass of milk), to what you are eating, and make sure that you are getting enough fiber.

Remember, you burn calories by breathing, thinking, pumping blood, keeping your body temperature consistant, etc. so you are not looking for the number of calories burned on the treadmill to equal the number of calories you just ate. Moderate exercise is fine, and with a diet between 1200 and 1500 calories, you will be fine. Just remember that as you work out more, you need to eat more, because the point in which you enter starvation mode also increases.

Be sensible. Don't skip meals, don't undereat. Have a well-balanced meal. Drink water. Exercise consistantly. Be nice to your body - nothing to drastic.

Answer 2

First of all, good for you, and good luck. I think you are cutting the calories too much. Instead of watching the calories so much, you should be be eating around 5-6 small meals a day. For breakfast you should be having 2 oz. of protein, 1/2 c. fruit, and if you are going to be working out in the morning, 1/2 c of a complex carb. (like oatmeal) About 2 1/2 hrs. later, eat 2 oz. of protein and 1/2 c. fruit. 3 hrs. later (lunch) eat 2 oz of protein, 1/2 c.of carbs, and 1 c of veggies. Mid afternoon snack should be 2 oz. of protein and 1 c. of veggies, and for dinner eat 2 oz. of protein, 1/2 c. carbs and 1 c. of veggies. If you are hungry in the evening eat a piece of fruit. Drink lots of water through out the day. At least 3-5 quarts. You need to keep your metabolism going, and it doesn't sound like you are eating enough to keep it going. For your proteins stick with egg whites, chicken breast and fish & seafood if you can. If you start feeling tired add some beef a couple of times a week. Taking a vitamin supplement and some Coral Calcium is also a good idea. Stay away from milk, milk products, sugar, oils and salt. Breads are also a no no. It's not a complex carb. Brown rice, sweet potatoes, red potatoes are your best bet there. Walking is a great excercise. Try to get in an hours worth 5 x a week. Weight resistant excercies should be spaced out through out the week. Don't work on the same muscles everyday. When you excercise them everyday, you make little tiny tears in them. (You're suppose too) You have to let them heal, so they can build up. I know if you follow this, you will lose weight. Again, good luck.

Answer 3

If you are only eating 900 calories a day, you are setting yourself up for failure. Your body will go into starvation mode and you will begin to lose muscle not fat. Soon you will binge and then you will give up. You do not need to follow any fad type of diet, take pills or exercise excesively. If you eat 100% whole grains, drink a the recommended daily allowance of water, cut out sugar and limit salt and eat about 1200-1500 calories a day followed with moderate exercise 3-4 times a week you will begin to see changes. By eating oatmeal, beans and whole grains you will feel fuller and be less hungry throughout the day. Don't be drawn in by all the advertised fad diets, you are wasting money and time because these do not work for the long term. When you eat consider chicken, vegetables and limit salad dressings to reduced fat (not fat free because these are loaded with sugar). Also, when using oil use only olive oil but inl imited quantities.

Answer 4

If you are eating only 'less than 900 calories' each day, you are not eating enough to be able to 'lose weight' ... you must eat at least 1000 calories a day, and usually up to 1500 calories a day. You also need to do 'proper exercise' ... some 'aerobic' and some 'cardio' as well as 'working out' ... and you should only 'burn' about 200 calories more than you 'take in' only any one day. And eating 'several small meals' a day is very IMPORTANT to keep your body 'nourished' properly ... 'skipping meals' means skipping nutrients your body needs if you want to 'lose weight' and keep it off ...

Answer 5

You're asking very specific questions but you don't give any details. If I was to give you useful (specific) information I would need to know your height, weight, apprx. bodyfat %, history with exercise, daily routine and blood type.

Without any of that information, the best advice I can give you is 900 calories sounds very low unless you aren't doing anything but sitting around all day watching t.v., you probably need more. Yes, several smaller meals are better than the old 3 meal a day concept. It helps keep your metabolism elevated. If you can, wake up in the middle of the night and eat something very light halfway through your sleep, this will go even further into speeding your metabolism.

Wish I could give you more info, but you haven't given us much to go on.

Answer 6

Heres my answers
1. I think you should eat more than 900 calories. 900 is a kinda small amount. Though calories do matter, whats more important is eating balanced meals. Make sure your getting the right amount of fruits and vegetables along with dairy and grain.
and 2. Yes, eating a meal does, in fact, make a difference with weight. Energy is needed to burn off those calories, and by not eating a [balanced] meal, your not providing you body with good energy.

So overall, eat right and dont not eat

Answer 7

Hi, you should calculate the calories you need by multiplying your weight in Kg * 22 * 1,2. To loose weight subtract from this result 400 calories; that is how much you should eat. Diets with less than 800 calories are dangerous because it is to difficult to include all the nutrients you need, plus they are hard to sustain in the long run. You should consult with a dietitian to make sure you are eating right. The exercise is fantastic, remember weight training build up muscle, which increases your metabolism and helps you burn more calories.

Answer 8

I'm on a diet plan and I've lost 18lb so far, it was very hard for me to stick to a diet in the past because I didn't have any support, I created a support group for people who want to lose weight the healthy way.. you're more than welcome to join or to just to check out the different diets & recipes we are working on. You can find as well the discussions that arise about certain diets.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/fro...

Thanks!!

P.S. I'm not trying to sell anything, I'm just looking around for more people to share my diet and experiences with. Also, it's always nice to have some support and hear what has worked for others.

Answer 9

I think so. That is all I have heard since I have been trying to diet. I am doing the less calorie thing too. Also, I am doing less of everything. Fat, carbs, sodium, calories etc...

Just eating healthy and exercising works best.

Answer 10

Note: Lisa M. is a spammer.

It is generally not a good idea to skip meals for the purpose of weight loss because it might slow down your metabolism.