Dramatically Cutting Calories Will Cost You

Teresita · March 13, 2006

Although it may be tempting to drastically cut your calorie intake when you want to lose weight, experts say this method simply sets you up to fail. Why? Because your body is programmed to defend your normal weight, so when you slash calories to less than 800 to 1,000 a day, your metabolic rate adjusts (that is, slows down) to conserve the few calories you do consume. So if you cut too many calories, you may not lose any weight at all. It's also unlikely that you'll be able to stick to your highly restrictive diet for very long. Eventually your body will think you're starving, causing a complex system of chemical reactions to cue your body to demand food. Thus, you'll be hard-pressed not to give in to your cravings, which will cause you to overeat and, inevitably, to gain weight. Nutrition experts say the best way to lose weight is the tried-and-true formula of adhering to a low-fat diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, keeping sweets to a minimum and exercising regularly.

Ballys Tips

keekahari · March 13, 2006

Thanks for the tip T!:clap2:

Jill_S · March 13, 2006

*nodnod* It's true, even though some folks don't believe it.

If I'm under 800 calories for more than a day - weight loss stops - and stays stopped for a few days of eating normally (900-1100 a day). This is another reason I watch my calories. I don't like causing myself to stall out.

900-1100 is the range that I lose the best at right now. It took me 8 weeks to find that range through trial and error, but since I set myself there, I've lost consistently every day.