Is it true I might not be eating enough?

[Gymbunny]

Hi everyone, I am trying to lose half a stone for summer.
I am sticking to around 1250 cals a day but I do loads of exercise- usually a step class every day follwed by around 40 mins on an exercise bike (on a level 5 setting).
I am not losing any weight at all, and have been told I might not be eating enough!
Is this true? I was put on a strict diet by my mum when I was in my teens and anythin over around 1200 cals makes me feel like a pig!
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Fiona

[mattie]

Are you gaining muscle/losing inches.

Muscle weighs more than fat so you could be getting toned up/losing the inches, but not losing weight.

[DONNNAKEBAB]

Hi Hun. I had a Gastric Band operation and have lost a substantial amount of weight. However, it has made me quite ill. I have recently seen a dietician who placed some ideas of a Gastric Band Friendly diet that consists of 1500 calories a day. She tells me that this is the normal amount to eat if you are wishing to lose about half a stone a month.

I now have 2 more stones to lose but since starting on the 1500 calories a day that she advised I have lost a stone in a month.

Good Luck. If you like, when I get home, I will post you the diet she gave to me which includes a balance of carbs, fruit, protein, vegetables and fats.

Katie. x

[DONNNAKEBAB]

Hi Fiona.

The Sample Menu I mentioned in my last post is as follows :-

This has been provided to me by a FULLY QUALIFIED NHS DIETICIAN.

Aims. 1514 KCAL, 80G PROTEIN, MINIMUM 2800 Mls fluid. sip Fluid in 250mil sittings at least 8 times daily. This is in addition to the milk outlined below. Refer to eatwell plate for further examples of food in each food group.

BREAKFAST. One protein portion, one carb, one fruit.
2 - 6 tbsp cooked porridge with chopped fruit.
or 2 - 6 tbsp cereal with chopped fruit.
with 150 ml fruit juice.

MID MORNING. One protein/dairy

1 yoghurt (not diet) or 2oz cheese / babybel.

LUNCH (one protein, one carb, one veg)
2 - 6 tbsp mashed pots or sweet pot.
2 - 6 tbsp carrots or other veg - chew well
2 - 6 tbsp mince or fish or other protein.

MID PM. One protein or dairy.
1/3 pin milk or as mid morning.

EVENING MEAL - one protein, one carb, one veg.
As lunch.

SUPPER - one fruit and one protein.
1 - 4 tbs of tinned fruit.
1/3 pint of milk or as mid morning.

BEFORE BED. (one protein or carb)
1/3 pin of milk or as mid morning.
1 slice of toast or 2 crackers - lightly buttered.

Hope this helps hun.

Katie. x

[Gymbunny]

Thanks Katie- I will give it a try! I hope your weight loss goes well too!!

[Velvetee]

Yes true, you need to have days when you eat more. Your body has gone into starvation mode and it will adapt to anything you put it through. If you continue to have 1250 calories, you will lose weight, but it will be muscle, the fat will be left behind and your body will look flabby and untoned.

Cut down on the cardio and do some high repetition weights. This will help to speed your metabolism up and will use fat for fuel.

[Mr k]

When you say your eating 1250 Cals a day what types of food are you eating ie: carbs/protein..
To lose weight cut down on your carbs train before a meal and don't eat for 30 mins after your work out.
As for eating enough food i always say everybody is different. You say you haven't lost weight ok you might be building muscle so your fat is being replaced. The best way to check if your losing weight as its hard to tell with the scales while your training is your clothes. Are your jeans and tops slacker ?

[Mr k]

Also everything you put in your mouth you have to count even drinks a glass of pure orange juice can have 100 cals in..
Try and eat foods that use more cals to digest them so you will lose weight while eating...

http://www.superfoodsthatburnfat.com/

[Gymbunny]

Hi Mr k, thanks so much for your advice. I do tend to eat a lot of carbs, I am quite a fussy eater and dont eat much meat, hate fish and am allergic to eggs so maybe I need to vary my diet more with some new foods!
Thanks for the link- its very useful :-)!

[Mr k]

I would cut down on the carbs bunny if your trying to lose weight..
How about tuna?

[Gymbunny]

No I can't eat that either!! I am obviously a very fussy bunny!!
I know the last half stone is the most difficult though and I am impatient!! At least i exercise a lot but I guess the carbs thing could be holding me back.

[Mr k]

I think you will find your eating way to many carbs plus and im worse than you you do need to rest your body.
Also as your a female if your taking the pill it can i believe but a couple of pounds on unless you very active there too. And that's not a question for you to answer :o)

[Gymbunny]

Thanks for all your advice- I will cut down on the carbs- as from now!! :0)!

[bigmamma]

Hi mr k sweetie , how are you love , ? xxxx
Gymbunny , wonder where katies posts have gone , she took time to post a whole diet plan and now she must have got into the dungeon eh ?

[Mr k]

Hi Mamma love im sound i hope you are too..x
I rang ummm last night she is doing fine and will be popping back on soon......

[bigmamma]

Glad you are ok mr k love , I am ok too . I thought I saw ummmm briefly on here the other night .xxxxx

[pastafreak]

Hi,Gymbunny....I have to admit that I would disagree with Mr k, as current healty eating guidelines will suggest limiting red meat and eating 1/3 of your food in the form of carbs......these include wholegrains,pasta and rice,and potatoes,along with another 1/3 in fruit and veg.....Take a look at the Tesco website.....there is a section called the "Healthy Living Tracker"...there is LOADS of info on nutrition,and you can develope a daily log or diary to moniter your eating,along with suggestions as to daily food allowances for your body type/age/activity level....good luck!!

[Gymbunny]

ok thanks pastafreak I will have a look at that too!!
Might have a rest from thinking about it tonight though- have gone into information overload!!

[Mr k]

Hi pastafreak
I do understand what your saying i have tried eating the way current healthy eating guidelines say..
And never lost much weight Ive recently lost fat healthy eating lots of protein and not many carbs..
My weight has only gone down by 7lb but my jean size are now 3 times smaller and my stomach is getting flat.
My over all fat is 10% less than 6 months ago so this seem to be working for me.
So this might or might not work but like most I've tried all other ways to lose weight..
Good luck bunny anyway