Quote:
Originally Posted by alsace  I am an athletic 6'0 male who has gone from 280 to 215 in three months (20 pounds the first two months each, then 25 this past month). My method has been to eat very little food (500 [five hundred] calories per day) and exercise a lot. |
Continuing along these lines is going to be detrimental to your health for sure. Most doctors will tell you that the most FAT you can loose in a day is 1/2 a pound. Anything more is water weight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alsace Typically I'll eat breakfast and dinner each day, choosing between skinless chicken breast, rice, lentil chili, and a couple chicken-based Indian dishes that are basically a bunch of fresh veggies (i.e. nothing pre-made or from a can). I drink 8-10 glasses of water spread out through the day. Sometimes I'll have a banana, orange, or a few hard-boiled egg whites for a snack. I do ~40 minutes cardio five times a week and lift weights about three times a week. |
Sounds like the types of foods and exercise is ok, you just need to take in more calories. small meals spread out will keep you from feeling hungry and keep your energy up. By only taking in 500 calories a day,your body will go into what is called "starvation mode". And yes, the more you starve yourself of nutrition, the more your body will try and absorb every little thing it can. It is an ugly circle you need to break.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alsace But lately I've been reading that eating too few calories can hurt you by making your body think it needs to hold on to every last bit that it can. That makes sense, but how is it that I've managed to keep up my pace by eating so little? Am I suddenly going to hit a brick wall and just stop losing weight? |
the starvation mode I mentioned....
Quote:
Originally Posted by alsace If I do need to increase my caloric intake, is it still possible to continue losing 20 pounds a month? |
Not in a healthy way, no.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alsace My goal is to reach 160-180 (I'll decide when I get there, not sure what a 'normal' weight for my frame would be) and I'm almost there so I'd hate to change my routine which has worked very well so far.
Also, is it a viable strategy to have a cheat day once a week to keep my metabolism from slowing? For example, going hog wild every Saturday and eating what I used to eat before I dieted. |
Loosing weight and keeping it off, is a matter of changing your habits and as you have probably read or heard before people call it a "lifestyle" change. You shouldn't have to have "cheating days" to get by. Finding the foods that are good for you and eating
"those treats" in moderation is the best way to keep a balanced and healthy body.
I"m new here, but I am not new to diet and exercise. I'm 5'7" 130lbs. I gained 10 lbs recently because I had surgery and have not been able to workout like I usually do. I have finally been cleared to workout and will be able to drop it off pretty quick. However, I have had to work to keep my self slim. I'm also 42 yrs old, a mother of 2, and was 185 lbs some years ago.
You have started on teh right path, good foods and exercise. Now be smart about how you use these new found tools and do it in a way that is healthy. For someone 6'0 tall you can afford to take in more than 500 calories.
Since you do have great concern about taking in too much calories, why don't you slowly increase you caloric intake while you are working towards your goal? a little at a time and you can break the "starvation mode" you are probably in.
I don't mean to sound preachy, and if I do I apologize, but I speak from experience, I have been there and done that and it doesn't work.......
Good luck!
Diane
Weight Loss Forum