Weight-Loss Am I Starving Myself?

Weight-Loss
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Hi, this is my first post :) And I know you guys know the answer.

I started eating right and exercising about 2 weeks ago and for those two weeks I felt pretty good about what I was doing,

Then today I decide to see if there are forums on weight loss, of course there are, I just wanted to find them. I happen to read this post about lower than 1200 calories is technically starving yourself, or turns on starvation mode in your body. Which has me a little worried that what I was doing is pointless because...

I'm 21 years old, 290 lbs. 290 lbs seems like a lot but I'm a big guy. I'm 6'4'', broad shoulders, and size 16 feet to give you an idea, think football player. Anywho I don't know how many calories I need because the tools for determining those are so off in my case, being they don't take into account I'm built like a truck.

So, for the past two weeks I have been taking in maybe 1200 calories a day. I would take in more but I'm just plain not hungry, not trying to starve myself or anything. I don't know a lot about losing weight but if I'm not hungry I can't be starving myself, can I?

You guys probably know a ton, so I'm just wondering, how many calories do you think I should be taking in a day?

I know, kind of a long story to ask a simple question like that but :) thanks for reading.
 
WOW size 16 feet...WOW...is it true what they say about foot size and uuummm other things...anywoo, on that note...I say definately dont eat any less than 1,200...Geeesh, I am 5'2 215 lbs and I eat on average 1,300 calories, 1,200 isnt usually enough for me...I would suggest going ot sparks people... ... It was one of the best things I did to start my weight loss journey...coming here and going to Sparks People...anyway check it out...You develope your own plan by entering all your info into it...alot of us here use it and it is great...Good luck and stick around here, the people here rock and I think you will definately get far with their help :):):)
 
twolilangels said:
WOW size 16 feet...WOW...is it true what they say about foot size and uuummm other things...
Click to expand...

LOL - Oh my god, you didnt just ask that!! ;):D

I was going to recomend Spark as well, they have a lot a great information to help you get started.

Also, this:
Will give you the minimum amount of calories you should have just to keep breathing & sit on your couch. To lose weight, you drop that by about 500 calories. If you do any exercise, cardio or weights, you should add more calories.

I agree with 2LA - you should stick around. :D:D:D
Good Luck!!
 
I used the calculator on the site you recommended, and it gave me 2690.something.

That seems way too huge of a number to be right, but I mean if it is correct I must be starving myself taking in less than half the calories I need.

I don't think I'd feel right eating that much after committing myself to being healthier :eek: So what if I went with like 2000 calories per day, would my body still be angry with me?

And I so get the comment about big feet meaning big other "things" every time someone finds out how big they are, guess I asked for it though :p

Thanks for the replies!
 
Good too see you have a sense of humor. ;)

Heres a little secret, calories are different for everyone. All those calorie calculators are just guides for the average person.

What matters most is this:

a.) How you feel? Are you tired? Hungry?
If so, then you should probably try to get more calories in. If you feel ok just having 2000, then by all means stick with it. 1200 is probably very very low for your height & build though. I'm 26, 5' 6" & exercise 5 to 6 days a week and I should have 1600 calories minimum. Men tend to need more calories than women.

b.) How do the scales respond?
Your still in the very beginning stages, so you are going to be shedding water weight as well. (Or you should be if you're drinking enough ;)) You may want to tweak your calories a bit if you stop losing weight, or begin to lose it too fast.

You shouldn't drop more than 1% of you weight each week, otherwise you risk putting it back on very quickly & the fat will bring friends too.
 
Have more calories and try to exercise a little more. Too few calories and your body will go into starvation mode.
 
I've heard that the bare min. for men was 1400 and 1200 for women. I would try to stick with around 2000 and maybe once your body gets used to that(once you stop losing) then you could drop it a little bit.

Then again, half the time i'm just as lost as you on this stuff...lol.

Good luck!
 
there are no fixed rules and it depends on your activities in the day.

if you are basically resting or lying around, no harm with the 1200 calories intake but if you are undergoing strenuous exercises or heavy physical activities, you should have at least 1800 calories to sustain yourself without starving.
 
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