Enough calories?

[acudoc]

I am a slow loser - hypothyroid, history of yo-yo, candida - I have all the strikes. However, I do exercise at least 5 days a week. I'm wondering how I can tell if I'm getting enough calories to prevent my body from going into starvation mode. Since I lose so slowly I'm a little paranoid about the fine line between too many calories since I gain weight easily and not enough calories to prevent starvation mode - with which my body is very framiliar. Any help?

[ErinB]

As a fellow hypoT, I can identify somewhat. While I see others losing 100-200 pounds in a year, I've been working at this since June 15, 2008 for my 74 lb. loss.

One thing to check is whether your med level is right for you. When was your last lab done? Are you tested at least once a year? Is the TSH between .3 and 1, where most women tend to feel their best? Mine was .3 at last check and I'm due again soon. I'm still a slow loser, but that is the best the doc can do for me with the thyroid meds and I do feel great.

I have finally started entering what I eat in fitday.com, trying to learn how different foods, calorie levels and balances between fat, carbs, protein affect my weight loss. Just lately I increased net carbs to 30 and started consciously trying to keep the protein around 100-110g. This increased my average daily calories from 1500 to 1600 or so, which made me a little nervous. However, I have dropped a few pounds, after a long time with no loss, in the last few days. Of course, I don't know if that was just due to happen anyway or if the menu changes contributed.

My intent is to keep the calories above the BMR, at least what I think the BMR is. Who really knows? My hope is that, by doing that, and working out as much as I can, I will be giving my body the nutrition it needs instead of starving it, and burning off the weight through my workouts. The hope is that my metabolic rate will be better this way than if I starve the pounds off.

I do exercise, a lot I think for someone my age. Six days a week. Monday-Thursday I do a one-hour upper body strength training with weights and a one-hour cardio interval session on the big Precor monster elliptical at the gym. Tuesday-Friday I do the same thing except it is a lower body workout and the cardio. Wednesday and Saturday I do the cardio, except it is a more intense fat burner program.

[acudoc]

I also use Fitday. I love it. I'm concerned because I'm eating 1700-1900 calories per day! That seems like alot. I had my BMR tested by some fancy university research team and found that my BMR is 1447. If I eat 1500-1600 calories I am HUNGRY! I am losing - just slower than some folks. But, I don't have alot to lose, relatively speaking, so I expected to go slower. I just feel on some days that I can easily eat at least 2500 claories. I guess it is a delicate balancing act and I will just keep doing what I'm doing. I was just curious if there were any signs of not eating enough.

Thanks for your post.

[liv]

Are you eating enough carbs? I think if you are hypo (Like me) and you restrict calories you have to make sure you get enough carbs for your body.
I don't restrict calories. I am working on eating to needs.
If you've lost 35 pounds out of a totla of 36 since 22 of July you are doing fine

[ErinB]

Originally Posted by acudoc

... But, I don't have alot to lose, relatively speaking, so I expected to go slower.


... I was just curious if there were any signs of not eating enough.

Like liv said, you're actually doing quite well with losing and, you're right, the less you have to lose the slower the process.

As for signs of not eating enough, it sounds like you are listening to your hunger and, from what I have read here, that is the best way to determine when it is time to eat some more. I'm trying to learn to do that, but I have trouble trusting those hunger pangs. Before Atkins, they lied to me.