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steppenwolf
New Member
| Joined: | 16 Mar 2009 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
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Posted: 16 Mar 2009 11:20 am |
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Hi, I'm looking for a bit of information, as I cannot seem to encounter this anywhere on the net!
Hypothetically: If I were to eat only 800-1,000 calories a day, would I lose weight regardless of the type of food calories I'm eating? Basically, would I still lose weight as effectively if my daily intake consisted of 800 calories of chocolate versus a daily intake of 800 calories of fruits, veggies, and whole grains?
I understand that 800 calories a day--especially if it's solely candy--isn't healthy. Could I possibily even gain weight with a reduced-calorie candy diet?
Thanks for your help!
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 16 Mar 2009 11:59 am |
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1)
your body doesn't just require calories, it requires nutrition:
protein
essential fatty acids
vitamins
minerals
phytochemicals
fibre
It would be very difficult to satisfy your nutritional requirements with 800 calories of the healthiest of food
and I can guarantee that 800 calories of junk food won't satisfy those nutritional requirements (indeed you could eat 8000 calories of junk food and still not satisfy them)
2)
800 calories is probably not enough. Sure, I haven't crunched your numbers but that is mainly because you forgot to mention your stats (sex, age, height, weight) but I cannot conceive a person for whom this is the right number.
(the only exception seems to be some super-obese people who are following a medically-supervised protein-sparing modified fast, usually liquid shakes. If that is you, you should be talking to the doctor about it)
otherwise, you need a moderate deficit. Read What It Takes to Lose It All
3)
a calorie deficit, not the quality of the food, is what matters for fat loss.
however, eat too little and your body will refuse to lose, and that seems to be where you are heading.
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steppenwolf
New Member
| Joined: | 16 Mar 2009 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
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Posted: 16 Mar 2009 12:44 pm |
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Thanks for the quick response. I'm sorry if what I'm about to write is annoying/frustrating.
I'm a 24-year-old female; 5'4" and 130 pounds. I exercise about 5-6 days a week, which usually consists of distance running and low resistance weight training. I am muscular and have a medium build.
I realize that a candy diet isn't healthy, but I have a sweet tooth and some days I don't really feel like eating anything else but sugar. I know muscle weighs more than fat, but you'd think I'd be a few pounds lighter, considering I've been restricting my intake. I'm sick of oatmeal, raw veggies, and fruit.
So, ultimately, if I eat 800-1,000 calories a day (after exercise), I'll lose weight no matter what I'm eating? I know it's not healthy, and I couldn't do the candy thing every day, but it seems to me that you're saying I wouldn't gain weight?
I'm aiming to be 110 pounds, which I think is still a healthy weight for my height, no?Last edited on 16 Mar 2009 12:46 pm by steppenwolf
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 16 Mar 2009 12:59 pm |
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At your current weight your BMI is 22.3 (in the healthy range but no reason you shouldn't become leaner). At your proposed 110lb your BMI is 18.9 (fine but I wouldn't go lower).
Your unadjusted RMR is 1234. That's the number you shouldn't be eating under. Your maintenance calories are probably 1697-1913. You should be losing weight at a respectable rate at 1234. Why eat lower and screw your metabolism?
As above, eating candy won't interfere with your weight loss, but eating less than 1234 _will_ do.
It is a shame you and vegetables, fruit and oats don't get on.
Try beans. Try different vegetables and fruit. If you don't like vegetables raw, try them cooked (e.g. steamed, microwaved, grilled etc.) - because your health matters too.
Ironically people got no-where giving the health message to the 24-year-old me, so I don't know why I'm expecting other 24 year olds to get it. I only started eating healthy past my 30th birthday.
Summary: my main message is don't under-eat. my secondary one is that healthy eating is important (for your health - you need nutrients; and secondarily for compliance with a diet)
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steppenwolf
New Member
| Joined: | 16 Mar 2009 |
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| Posts: | 14 |
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Posted: 16 Mar 2009 01:33 pm |
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help!
Generally, when someone tells me to do something, I have a penchant for doing the opposite. Maybe I'll grow up soon. Thanks again!
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VegaObscura
New Member
| Joined: | 22 Sep 2008 |
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| Posts: | 339 |
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Posted: 19 Mar 2009 01:03 am |
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steppenwolf wrote: Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help!
Generally, when someone tells me to do something, I have a penchant for doing the opposite. Maybe I'll grow up soon. Thanks again!
Eat sweets. Avoid vegetables. Don't exercise.
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steppenwolf
New Member
| Joined: | 16 Mar 2009 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 14 |
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Posted: 20 Mar 2009 11:15 am |
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Ha, thanks Vega.
Actually, for the past couple of days, I've been adhering to Nir's advice and I feel much better!
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