Losing weight on 960 calories a day?

[Anonymous]

I am 60, have a very slow metabolism, and need to drop about 20 pounds. I have a good eating plan set up - healthful and full of fiber and protein - that comes to 960 a day. A friend just told me that that is far too low. I am not hungry on this plan and it feels right to me.

I walk about 3 to 4 miles everyday but do no other exercise.

Is this a sound caloric plan for me? Will I lose weight?

TIA

[Anonymous]

960 isn't enough, especially when walking 3 - 4 miles per day. Bare minimum to meet intake needs is generally 1200.

Have you consulted your doctor, or a nutritionist? That is likely the best way to make sure you're getting everything you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:960 isn't enough, especially when walking 3 - 4 miles per day. Bare minimum to meet intake needs is generally 1200.

Have you consulted your doctor, or a nutritionist? That is likely the best way to make sure you're getting everything you need.

I have a very slow metabolism and I gain weight on 1200 a day.

OP, you will do fine on 960 a day and you will not go into starvation mode.

[Anonymous]

"Starvation mode" happens when your body starts to eat it's own muscle to compensate for the lack of calories - which can happen when your caloric intake is too low.

I wish that there was some sort of exact way to measure precisely how many calories our own individual bodies need because I think that 1200 calorie rule is bogus. At best a very general guideline. When trying to lose weight it's better to talk in specifics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:960 isn't enough, especially when walking 3 - 4 miles per day. Bare minimum to meet intake needs is generally 1200.

Have you consulted your doctor, or a nutritionist? That is likely the best way to make sure you're getting everything you need.

I have a very slow metabolism and I gain weight on 1200 a day.

OP, you will do fine on 960 a day and you will not go into starvation mode.

+1

My Fitness Pal freaks out when I go below 1000, but with exercise, my actual net calories are usually around the mid 900s. I've averaged a 3 lb a week loss.

[Anonymous]

Give it a try, and see how you feel. I'm another who gains weight on 1200 calories. Some of us are very sluglike.

[Anonymous]

How tall are you? Short people need fewer calories, especially women. I am about 5'2" and only lose weight when eating fewer than around 1200 cal.

[Anonymous]

Starvation mode isn't a real thing for most dieters. Given your age and size that sounds right to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Starvation mode" happens when your body starts to eat it's own muscle to compensate for the lack of calories - which can happen when your caloric intake is too low.

I wish that there was some sort of exact way to measure precisely how many calories our own individual bodies need because I think that 1200 calorie rule is bogus. At best a very general guideline. When trying to lose weight it's better to talk in specifics.

Keto strips will tell a dieter that they've gone into starvation mode and are burning calories. OP get some at a grocery store and test your urine. If you are in ketosis you need to eat more.