Increased calories by 600-700 and impressive weight loss as a result

[Jenny12 361]

I'm 7 months out and was doing fairly well at 1000 calories a day. Well for the last two weeks I have been SO hungry and my days have ended at around 1600-1700 calories. I am 5'2, 143 pounds. I wouldn't think I would lose weight at this calorie range (I am not exercising right now). The first week I lost 2 pounds and this week looks like I will lose the same (my official weigh in day is tomorrow). Am I just being lucky or what??? Does anyone know why I would be losing weight at this calorie range? I am NOT complaining, just thinking it is too good to be true and temporary.

[Lia M 46]

I don't track mine really, but I do know sometimes when I eat more it seems to make something happen. I think it's just changing up things. Our bodies get used to things, but I would imagine if you do that consistently, it will probably start to go the opposite way..Just a guess though

[Poolguard 55]

Sometimes our bodies get into "ruts" when we are consistent with our daily life and every once in a while we need to change things up.

[teacher 36]

My dr. told me that if you hit a stall to go back to liquids for a couple of days and the weight loss will be kick started again. Maybe eating more works the same way. I sure would rather eat more than go back to liquids. LOL

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

because once you go below a certain number of calories, your body goes into starvation mode and hangs on to every single pound. adding in more calories makes your starvation mode switch off.

[Nursebarbie 392]

yep. Darn starvation mode.

[becogolfer 68]

I have noticed something similar but am only at week 12. I have had no weeks where I didn't lose weight but I had a few where I only lost 1 lb. I ate a little more and walked/exercised more and my weight loss bumped back up. I may try the liquid only thing with Protein Shakes if this happens again just to compare the two methods. (but I did enjoy having more chicken and greek yogurt)

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Raising your caloric load by 700 in the short term may actually work as a shock to your body, in a good way, but if you raise the daily caloric load too fast your body might store in the longer term instead of converting the calories to energy because your caloric payload will be far higher than your current BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). You want to increase the daily caloric load *slowly* over 1-2 months. You may see your weight fluctuate up a bit while the body is adjusting. once your BMR stabilizes at a higher number, your weight will begin to drop again. 1700 calories is usually 100-300 below an average equilibrium point for calories consumed versus calories burned (TDEE). Most find their TDEE between 1900 and 2100 but the best way to know precisely what your TDEE is to enter information about your weight, height and activity levels into an online calculator. Eating at TDEE is a really good place for your daily caloric load to be and the net effect will a decrease in hunger and an increase of your BMR out of the pits of starvation mode, if done slowly. Good luck on this process.

Regardless, congratulations on your success over the last two weeks and may you be blessed with more weeks and months like those.

[Nursebarbie 392]

Very interesting. I will definately keep that in mind.