How much dieting is too much dieting?

Ummm - too much

by cardifflass - 2021-08-23 12:16:31

You're starving yourself if you're sticking to 1000 calories or less, even 1200 is probably too low.

All that will happen is your body will assume the next meal won't arrive and hang on to everything.

I can't give specific advice as I don't know what you like to eat or if you have any specific requirements, but I can tell you what I do, and I hope others will chip in with ideas.

For background, I lost a lot of weight  (100lbs) 20 years ago with a group called Slimming World here in the UK, won an award and everything.  The target was unsustainable for my broad frame and gradually things slipped.  In 2019 when my knees started giving out I took myself in hand.  Turns out that all the fruit I was eating wasn't doing me or my blood sugars any favours.  Stopped doing the same old thing and expecting different results and gradually changed to low carb healthy fat.  

Yes, I know, I probably die.

I gave up white carbs such as bread, cake, pasta, potatoes and rice.  I eat a moderate amount of protein and cream and cheese.  A big breakfast, no lunch and early dinner.

I lost 60lbs and have kept it off for nearly a year.

Not hard core Keto and easy to do.  Just what I do, as an idea.

take care

dieting

by justjoe - 2021-08-23 16:22:00

Starving yourself is not a productive form of dieting -- you'll lose muscle mass, meaning your body needs even fewer calories, and will be in a bad cycle. 

What worked for me was:

*Low/carb high protein. I no longer eat pizza, bagles, etc. I will have a sandwich but use sandwhich thins.

*Tracking -- when I stop tracking, I cheat.

*Intermittent fasting - no food from dinner until, say lunch -- not eating for a 12-16 hours window. 

*Resistance training -- burn calories and gain muscle. And, recent studies show you don't need to lift heavy weight seven days a week. Short, intense routines have the same impact. 

My 2 cents. As someone else said, not related to pacemaker, but as I am adjusting to mine I find questions about diet and exercise have become very important. 

you need to eat to keep going

by new to pace.... - 2021-08-23 16:57:19

You are going to make your self sick.  If you keep eating this way.

Make sure you drink plenty of water and start walking.   Do not sit long.  That will help you keep your weight down. 

No processed foods, chips, watch your salt intake.   Eat your veggies plan no butter or cream sauces.  Use herbs and spices to season instead of salt.

new to pace

Dieting

by AgentX86 - 2021-08-24 00:29:04

As others have said, that's no way to run a ship. The body wants to stabilize its weight, both directions.  When you diet, you lose weight for a while until your body notices, then will shift gears in an attempt to keep up.  Starving yourself will make this happen much sooner and you'll eat, pretty much whether you want to or not.  The cravings will increase until your body is happy, then you'll likely overshoot, gaining weight.  A better plan is a slow weight loss to keep the body from going into starvation mode.

BTW, that never worked for me.  What did was exercise.  It's often said that one can't lose weitght with exercise, alone.  I did it, about 80lbs worth.  It takes a *lot* of exercise and most aren't up for it.  When I started, I wasn't losing any weight, just as the common wisdom says.  To fuel the exercise, one eats.  My strategy was to use so much energy that I couldn't possibly eat that much.  It worked.

The only other thing that's worked for me is working on my house.  The few times after I was laid off, I worked on my house.  Constantly.  It wasn't that I was using that many calories, just that I didn't stop working to eat.

In the end, it's all about calories in and calories out.  The body will try to balance the two, within some margin.

Sort of pacemaker (heart) related....

by TLee - 2021-08-24 11:30:25

I guess what I was wondering is more, do people with heart issues diet & how does it affect them. Don't want to end up with more trouble than I already have! 

I have said in other posts about other topics that BALANCE is the thing to look for, and (surprise!) this is no different. To be as healthy as possible & still accomplish what we desire. So, I modified my plans a bit, using the great suggestions offered here & I'm feeling pretty positive again. Thanks!

Weight loss

by Julros - 2021-08-26 02:13:04

I follow guidelines from the CDC from a program for preventing diabetes. I have lost 50 pounds and kept it off. At the time I got my pacer, I read the nurse practioner's evaluation on me and he described me as obese. That stung. My primary care provider had been advising weight loss and gave this weird, unpalatable diet plan. I wasn't able to enroll in the formal CDC program, but I use several of their tips. I completely gave up diet soda, and drink a lot of water. I do track what I eat. I avoid concentrated carbs and most white carbs. I try to eat at least 2 pieces of fresh fruit a day, and some yogurt for gut health. I eat 3 small meals a day and 2 snacks. And I don't eat after dinner/supper. I limit alcohol to a glass of wine 2 times a week. I jog about 14 miles a week and bicycle 1-2 times a week. I average about 1200 cal a day. 

dieting and the heart

by Tracey_E - 2021-08-29 09:07:21

Ketosis is not good for the heart. If you are obese the benefits outweigh the risks but talk to your doctor if you want to go very low carb. Also, keto diets tend to be high in fat which is also a good way to get a lecture from your cardiologist.

In general, extremes are not healthy- diets with very limited foods, very low caloric intake, or very low carb intake.