Is 900 Calorie A Day Too Low,?

[cleoval]

Hi I have 10 stone to lose and I am weighing my food.I was on 1,200 cals a day for a few months and didn't seem to be losing.I am on 1,000 a day and nothing seems to be happening.I do not exercise or go out because of the virus.I have an Exercise bike that I have not used yet.Do you think it it is good to go on it 3 times a week to speed up weight loss? And for how long.? I am 63 years old.is 900 cals a day too low? I think I can manage it.Thanks.

[brainiac]

I think you need to get out and walk: build up the distance every day, and make it interesting by exploring round where you live, places you haven't been before. The chances of you catching the virus when out walking on your own are vanishingly small, in fact I would say they are nil. Staying indoors is probably having a negative effect on your mental health, I know it would mine. Forget the exercise bike and get walking!

If you intend to lose that much weight, have you thought about possible ensuing problems you might have with loose skin?

[pastafreak]

It's too low. You need to eat to lose weight. Not starve yourself. It's more about what you eat than how many calories.
If you are quite sedentary, you're better off cutting carbs of the starchy kind. You don't need those. Good quality protein such as poultry, fish and seafood, some red meat, eggs, dairy, along with green leafy veg, some nuts or seeds, and some fat will keep you full for longer, and give you the energy you need. Eat enough to feel satiated, not stuffed. Don't snack.
In spite of the fears about the virus, you really should get out walking...every day. It will do far more good than harm. Start with short walks and gradually build up time and speed.

[Sqad]

Dieting hasn't worked and going to less than 1000 calls a day AND exercise isn't going to work either.
Your only hope is to opt for gastric surgery or remain a fat 63 year old.

[MartinMillar]

For once I agree with sqad.
If you have stuck to low calories in the past and not lost weight then going lower will not help!
Consider WLS.

[pastafreak]

Well...positive as ever Sqad ;)
While 10st is a lot to lose, it's not impossible. And 10st overweight may not be enough for surgery.
Try diet...done properly it can work. But don't expect miracles if you eat rubbish food.

[Sqad]

pasta.......realistic is the word, I have not been very good at proposing unrealistic expectations and I don't intend to start now.
Still luv yer though.

[pastafreak]

I luv ya too sqad x

[MartinMillar]

WLS goes on BMI and I am sure that 10 stone overweight will give you a BMI over 35

[rowanwitch]

I am in the same boat , I am waiting for a referral for surgery, assuming the OP isnt over 6 ft tall they will definitely fall within the BMI range, but they will have to prove weight loss on a low fat, low Sugar diet for at least three months. this is for two reasons, to reduce fat around the liver, and to show they will be able to cope with the very severe restriction on intake afterwards. Good luck and use that bike as well as walking, every day not three times a week. Finding a hobby as a distraction is good too, helps stop snacking.

[barry1010]

I lost a lot of weight by diet alone and have kept it off for more than three years - that is harder than losing it in the first place.

Are you mindful of what you drink as well as eat? Some coffees and soft drinks can have a frightening number of calories and/or fat. Most alcohol is a no no, too. Beer, wine and liqueurs will pile on the pounds.

We are too close to Christmas for you to start a proper diet, you won't be able to stick to it over the holiday period and will become discouraged.

You might find Weight Watchers or Slimmers' World helpful - lots of people do reach their target weight on those plans so do some research in to that.

I eat a low calorie, low fat diet but always have three meals a day and I never eat junk. Lots of fresh veg with good quality protein and some fibre every day helped me lose weight and keep it off. It's not easy but then again you wouldn't be able to eat and drink what you wanted if you had gastric surgery.

My breakfast is always porridge with semi skimmed milk. I use the sachets of porridge but it is quick and easy in the microwave but more importantly it is portion controlled.
Lunch is a huge salad (in the old fashioned sense of raw vegetables, not pasta and other fattening foods that come in 'modern' salads) with a spoon of low cal, low fat dressing and a good portion of protein such as chicken breast, salmon fillet, boiled eggs, boiled bacon, left over beef. I do have cheese occasionally - I use the strongest cheddar I can find and grate a small piece - that gives me the flavour and cuts down the calories.
I have the same dinner as everybody else with smaller portions of potatoes, pasta or rice. If the family is having an especially high calorie meal I will have poached eggs on toast, tuna sandwich, soup or something like that.

That is my diet each and every day. No alcohol. No sweets. No snacks. No puddings. No cakes. I limit by bread intake to two slices a week (it works out at two slices every 10 days) and if I have bread for one meal I have no carbs for the other.

I don't eat any 'special diet' food with the exception of my low fat, low calories salad dressing.

I eat everything I want to on two days a year - my birthday in the summer and Christmas day. I also relax my diet when I am on holiday but am still mindful of everything I eat.

I still put on weight very easily and weigh myself a few times a week. Over the years I have probably lost over 30 stone (not in one go!) and am determined to keep the weight off this time because I developed Type 2 diabetes before I lost this weight and have other health complications - and I am getting older, too.

So I reassure you that you can lose weight - if you are determined enough. I wish you well.

[tiggerblue10]

What food are you actually eating? Are you eating fruit and veg as well?

[cleoval]

I eat lots of fruit & veg.Thanks everyone for advice.

[barry1010]

Watch your fruit, no avocadoes or bananas for me, too high in calories. I eat most other fruits though

[alavahalf]

Two places I have never been in my life .. a car wash and a gym. Regularly clocking up 10-15 miles a day walking at work, I dont really need to lose weight, or excersice. But only four months ago I found I had to remove yeast from my diet, since then I have lost half a stone without thinking!
No bread unless it's homemade, no cakes, no biscuits, no snacks, no pastries and no dairy.
It may sound drastic and I never set out to lose weight. But just by adjusting my diet slightly, I found the pounds fell off. Must admit I do have an incentive, either yeast or dairy will make me quite ill.

.. before anyone asks, no I don't have a filthy car !

[tiggerblue10]

Go back to 1200 cals pd and gradually introduce the cycling in. Start off with 5 minutes every couple of hours and increase to 10 the week after and so on.

[Atheist]

I thought perhaps gastric surgery was meant to reduce your intake; you seem to have reduced your intake already without success. Am I wrong, Sqad?

[MartinMillar]

Gastric surgery does reduce your intake I rarely go over a 1000 calories a day but I eat almost everything except bread pasta and rice, I concentrate on protein then veg

[Sqad]

Atheist.........correct and Martin will come on and give you personal experience .
It is all about intake and compliance with length of time thrown in.
This is a very personal situation with a personal solution and one must read the OP carefully.
The point of gastric surgery is to limit quite drastically the amount of food that you can take in and it is for all intents and purposes.....permanent.

[pastafreak]

I keep the weight off by eating the type of food I suggested in my post. I also have cream in my morning coffee, eat avocados several times a week, and regularly indulge in any type of cheese I like. When I have fruit, it's always low sugar such as berries...though I adore figs and will have them when they are in season.
While low calorie/low fat works for some people, I found it just left me hungry and more obsessed with food.
Whatever you do, you need to find a way that works not just for now, but forever. It mustn't feel like punishment.

[MartinMillar]

Low calorie food generally has increased sugar that leaves you craving sugar and sweet stuff