Weight-Loss 1500 Cal, 45min cardio, but gaining weight?

[mb_norcal]

Hi everyone, new guy here, I need some help! I’m 28, 5’7”, 181.lbs, trying to get down to about 160.lbs. I got back into the gym a few weeks ago, lost 7.lbs in the first week, but now I’m gaining instead of loosing. Here’s some details.

Cardio (elliptical, level 15-moderate/intense), 6 times per week, 40-50 min each day.

I use the iPhone app, “LoseIt” to track calories, 1,500 per day limit but usually only consume about 800. This program however subtracts your workout calories you burn from your total, so my daily intake ends up being only 600-700 calories per day.

I eat fruit and fresh veggies throughout the day, a bunch of small meals, low calories, low sodium, and I try to keep it low fat. No sodas or coffee, just 8-10 bottles of water per day. I’m starting to think I’m not eating enough? Any thoughts? I feel like I’m working hard at this but not seeing results when I’m gaining.

 

[Steve]

I use the iPhone app, “LoseIt” to track calories, 1,500 per day limit but usually only consume about 800.

I don't follow.

How many calories are you putting in your mouth per day?

How are you measuring said calories?

 

[amagheti]

800 cals a day is standard for someone with an anorexic disorder. your body is probably in starvation mode

 

[mb_norcal]

reply to Steve

Hey Steve, to answer your question, my total calorie intake is around 800 calories, maybe a little more, it varies. I use a program on my IPhone where I enter that data of all food I eat, it tracks the calories daily. Then I work out, burning 300-500 cal, therefore reducing my total calorie intake. From what I have been reading today, looks like I'm starving myself. I guess I need to jump it up to around 1800-2000 cal per day, then after working out it will reduce my net calories to around 1500. Now I just have to find the right foods to eat while on the go for work!

 

[Guest]

Ugh! Please don't eat so little! 800 calories is completely inappropriate for any human being - period. Talk to your trainer at the gym, your doctor, a nutritionist - they will all be telling you the same thing 800 is NOT even nearly adequate for a teenager - let alone a full grown man. Your body has entered starvation mode and is hugging onto it's resources due to the extremely low calories. This is far far too low!

 

[surya_iceangel]

hey!!

okay i have to put in my two cents i was doing the same as you for a week now, taking in 500-800 calories, and getting extremely bugged if i took in about 1000, even though im a 20yr old female. apart from this, ive been exercising twice a day. i was having no problems with cravings and all, but suddenly one day two people posted on my weight loss diary and told me to stop doing such things.

its true, if the body goes into starvation mode, its going to get impossible to lose weight, and even if weight loss continues(like it does for anorexics), it'll be loss of muscle, and not fat, so that you end up looking like jiggly, skinny little thing.

so its best to take in a decent number of calories and then exercise, so that the body's metabolism isnt affected adversely.

hope i could help... all the best!!