Food=Energy. How To Exercise On So Few Calories.

[radarluv 59]

Question about food. How do you have the energy to really exercise when taking in such few calories. I know I will be drinking a lot of Protein Drinks, probably for a very. very long time for 2 meals, but the book I am reading states that less than 2 meals is perfectly fine. If you are not hungry then just eat one. Never eat when not hungry.

Problem is, is that food=energy. I used to be quite athletic and would like to get back to that kind of lifestyle, but where does the fuel come from? When I was young, I could consume the necessary carbs to privde me with the energy I needed to get out and plays sports that required a lot of endurance. My friend that had the surgery says that even after 7 years she most likely takes in 500 calories a day, but that she feels active and energetic. Seems impossible.

What say you.

[cbreeden28 23]

I don't buy into the "having energy and being happy on less than 1000 cals a day" theory. Myself, when I eat less than 1000 calories, I'm grumpy, hungry, miserable, and irritable. I refuse to live life that way. For me, I'm comfortable with 1200 a day, I'm still loosing, and I'm not strict on what foods I eat, I just watch portion size. I do workout, but nothing vigorous. Usually, just a 30 minute walk is what I do. However, if you do plan on being very active and doing a lot of endurance exercise, I would say you probably should add a few low cal, high Protein Snacks to your diet in order to have energy and maintain muscle.

If you are eating under 1000 calories (I couldn't imagine eating only 500 a day!!) and exercising heavily, your body will begin burning muscle for fuel. You don't want that. So, make sure you eat enough Protein and cals for your exercise needs. I still go by MFP numbers and I'm loosing about 6-7 pounds a month. The band is just a tool to help me with portion size. That's all I needed it to do. I refuse to live my life constantly analyzing my food and worrying about what I'm eating. For me, that's no different than pre-band when I thought about food all the time and ate everything in site.

My theory is, eat what you want, just watch portions (which the band helps with) and you will lose. But, make sure you are taking in enough calories to nurish and maintain your muscle. I would say absolutely no less than 1000 cals a day.

[Bamabander 111]

I think fat=energy to be burned? Isn't that why our bodies store fat for "future use"? I have a lot of energy to burn, LOL!

Seriously, I feel great. Had surgery 1 month ago today and do vigorous (elliptical and Water jogging) 30-40 minutes each day and am super active all day long and have been eating 800-1000 calories a day and have no problems.

[cbreeden28 23]

I agree with you Bama that fat does equal energy. However, our bodies aren't going to automatically burn that fat to use as energy when it isn't getting enough from food. It will target our muscles because it's easier to burn than the fat. Plus, it will slow your metabolism down to a crawl.

If our bodies would burn the fat when we don't eat enough to maintain our bodily functions, than starvation diets would work. If we wouldn't eat anything, our bodies would just burn the fat for energy, but it doesn't. That is why I'm a huge advocate for maintaining at least a 1200 cal/day diet. That should be enough to keep your muscles maintained and your metabolism up so that it can burn the fat for the extra energy you may need.

[SageTracey 608]

I had a 2,000 calorie day today to fuel a big workout day - 100 mins on my bike plus 45 mins non-stop lap swimming.

You are right. Our bodies need fuel to exercise. I still burnt more than I took in but definitely needed the fuel for my burn.

[kbliss78 123]

You may eat a snack like almonds or cheese before a workout to have energy to do so. My Dr office advised that sometimes with heavy workouts you may need a snack. If you what Extreme Makeover Weightloss Edition, they work out 4 hours a day and eat only 1200 calories. So they end up burning all that they eat. The goal is to turn our reserved fat into the energy our body is burning. I like to think of my fat as a huge savings account that I have to spend now. I dont want to use much of my checking account or I wont spend the savings account. That might not make sense but it does to me.

You can also do 2 or so days of weight training to reduce muscle loss. It increases metabolism as well. I can eat 800 - 1000 calories a day and do hour zumba class which burns 300 - 800 calories.

Someone on the site said exersize with the band is light gasoline to a fire. It ramps it up faster!

If you are very hungery still you may be in the yellow zone. Best of luck! I think living with the band must be taking one day at a time.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Some people do just fine on less than 1000 calories a day. I am lucky to get 800-900 calories a days since my last fill (I was aiming for 1100-1200 before that) and I feel great. It all boils down to the type of food you're consuming as calories. Lean Protein, fresh veggies, some fruit, and making good carb choices when you do eat them. I use an app called Lose It to track my calories, Protein, carb, and fat intake so I know the food choices I'm making are healthy ones. Plus, I also take Vitamins daily and drink lots of Water and green tea.

Everyone is different, some absolutely have to have more than a 1000 function. I used to be one of them- or at least I thought I was. But I have found that with healthy food choices I am very happy, healthy, and energetic on just 800-900 calories a day.