Valerie

It'll be better if you did this emergency weight loss plan here
Adrian | 09.08.09 - 4:14 pm | #

I am going to be in a bikini next week and want to lower my calories and eat clean (raw fruit & veggies). Can I do this for 5 days? I will then eat a normal amount of all the good foods on this site? How many lbs can I lose doing this?
Valerie | 09.07.09 - 10:55 pm | #

kris

that's something you'll have to test out on yourself but instead of sticking to a single number...

I would do a basic range of 1200-1500 calories
Adrian Bryant | 09.02.09 - 7:38 pm | #

okay, I'm 5'4 and weigh 216 pounds. In May I changed my eating habits to have oatmeal in the morning and the rest of my diet consists primarily of white meat and green vegetables. I was 248 then. My fellow athlete /trainer told me I should get at least 1600 calories a day in. As the foods were healthier, I found this difficult. I lowered my intake to about 1400 calories. I ride a dirtbike hard for about 3 hours in the morning and sometimes work out later that day. Otherwise, though I'm very lazy. I plan on taking up some interval training this month, but I'm wondering, how low can I go for calories? Averaging 1420 a day in August, I lost 12 pounds. Thank you for your time and knowledge.
kris | 09.01.09 - 3:38 pm | #

Brian

It's no signs really but everybody's weight loss slows down after a while no matter what weight loss method they choose
Adrian Bryant | 08.21.09 - 6:27 pm | #

Steven

1700 calories is fine - usually...

You don't want to go no more than 750-to-1000 under maintaince
Adrian Bryant | 08.21.09 - 6:25 pm | #

I am 6 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds, For the past week and a half I have lost 20 pounds. I work 8 hours a day walking around and standing, and when I get home I exercize for about 2 hours walking/running 4 miles and doing ab workouts. I also take in about 1000 calories a day drinking a protean shake and a small dinner. What im asking is are there any warning signs that im going into starvation mode. At the moment I dont have much of an apetite but I want to avoid losing my strong start.
Brian | 08.21.09 - 1:48 pm | #

Had some success but cheated a little more than I wanted.

Few questions:

1. How many calories should I feel safe at so I dont need to worry about this Starvation Mode.

2. My BMR says it is 2240. Thats just my maintenance without any exercise included.

I eat 1700 calories. I want to exercise but if it increases my BMR, i have to eat more and I really dont want to.
Steven | 08.20.09 - 12:43 pm | #

Holly

what about exercise?

see NowLoss.com/15
Adrian Bryant | 07.28.09 - 9:15 pm | #

Hello I am 5'8.5 and I want to be 117 pounds. I went on a low cal diet eating:
Celery and peanut butter (breakfast)
Protein shake (snack)
1/2 an egg salad sandwich (lunch)
Fruit (snack)
Fish and celery (dinner)
And I just stepped on the scale this morning to be mortified that i am now 128. I started the diet on 125...
I work at a sports camp from 8 to 5.
I want to be 117 without starving myself, can you please help me?
Holly | 07.26.09 - 5:03 pm | #

Im 6'1 and weight 215 pounds. I want to lose 45 pounds. I want to lose weight but gain muscle.

I want to lose as much weight as I can by August 24th but in the healthiest way.

I am taking action.
Steven | 06.23.09 - 8:00 pm | #

Steven

tell me again your exact weight and height and how much weight you want to lose and by the way...

are you taking action or are spending more time worrying about all the possbile things that can go wrong?
Adrian Bryant | 06.23.09 - 7:32 pm | #

Im a little concerned about my health as it pertains to this diet.

My doctor asked me if I am eating enough because he said I have Ketones in my urine.

This was when I was eating like one meal the whole day.

Should I still be concerned even know that Im eating 1250 calories?
Steven | 06.23.09 - 10:46 am | #

Steven

#1 - have you taken any action yet?

#2 - you're over analzing every single thing

#3 - I would feel much better helping you as you TAKE ACTION so what have you done so far and as for your questions...

#4 - the intervals and football will be fine with the calories you are eating but if you need more energy to get thru your workouts - you may have to increase calories or increase complex carbs

#5 - Don't worry about how much fat you eat and since you are on a low calorie diet -it would be best that you try to avoid fat so you can actually eat more food before you reach your daily total
Adrian Bryant | 06.21.09 - 6:28 pm | #

Ok.

So if I did Intervals and a littlee bit of football one day and some Weight lifting the other days, that is fine with the calories Im eating?
Steven | 06.20.09 - 3:45 pm | #

Steven

No the exercise will not affect the 1250 calories you are eating
Adrian Bryant | 06.20.09 - 1:52 pm | #

Would exercise affect the 1250 calories im eating?

Hopefully not.
Steven | 06.20.09 - 12:52 pm | #

Steven

Yes - the 1250 is fine but what about exercise?
Adrian Bryant | 06.19.09 - 8:17 pm | #

What is the difference between a VLCD and a LCD?

What if I eat 1250 Calories a day but need 2000? Will I be fine if I do that?
Steven | 06.19.09 - 11:51 am | #

Steven

"You just want to LOOK GOOD"

why didn't you say that in the first place!

Just go to NowLoss.com/w
Adrian Bryant | 06.19.09 - 10:26 am | #

Reading that article kind of depresses me because I want to look good before I go back to College in late august but I need to lose 45 pounds.

Im 6'1 215 pounds.

Is there a Healthy way I can get in good enough shape before I go back to college?

Please Help.
Steven | 06.18.09 - 7:56 pm | #

Steven

You can workout with weights to try to maintain some muscle and yes...

as long as you dont overeat and stay active - you should maintain your weight but...

Look at this here also about VLCD
Adrian Bryant | 06.18.09 - 3:54 pm | #

So is there anything I can do while on a low calorie diet to look decent and have some muscle?

Also, when I go back to normal eating again, as long as I eat enough to maintain my weight or anything below that, i shouldnt gain any weight back right?

Sorry If I ask alot of questions, I just want to make sure I can do this right.
Steven | 06.16.09 - 10:40 pm | #

Steven

Not really

If you are not getting enough carbs - your body will utilize protein and maybe your own muscle while on VLCD for enregy
Adrian Bryant | 06.16.09 - 8:12 pm | #

I want to work out while Im on a low calorie diet. If I consume decent amount of protein, is it possible to build muscle working out on a low calorie diet?
Steven | 06.16.09 - 8:03 pm | #

Marci,

Sorry it took so long to answer - I don't know how i missed your question but...

your diet is fine - look at 1-thru-5 here for how to exercise to lose weight faster
Adrian Bryant | 04.23.09 - 4:59 pm | #

Hi,
I was recently on a 500 calorie a day diet and then went up to 800. I lost about 5 pounds but then stopped losing so I increased my calories to 1275 and I exercise for 1 hour and a half. I have stayed at the same weight for a week now so I dont know if I am still in starvation mode or if my body is just adjusting to start losing weight again. the problem is that I was overexercising too and going over the amount of calories I can cut a day. I was cutting about 850 calories and then with exercise I was cutting about 1550 calories so I must have been storing fat instead of burning it. So I was wondering if the best thing to do is to continue my 1275 calorie a day diet but decrease my exercise to only 20 minutes of cardio so that I wont go over the amount of calories to cut. Will I still be able to lose weight after I went over for several weeks. I weigh 150 pounds and am 5 foot 5.
Marci | 04.20.09 - 11:45 pm | #

Kerri,

#1 - you are at your ideal weight already so it's going to take longer for you to lose weight no matter what weight loss method you use - Go here to see why

#2 - 1350 calories is fine but for you to keep losing weight - you really need to go to NowLoss.com/15 and...

#3 - at you weight - you need to worry more about exercise intensity and/or increase overall activity for weight management
ADRIAN BRYANT | 03.21.09 - 2:38 pm | #

I am so glad I found your site. I lost 47 lbs from April 07- Oct. 08 following a program where I ate only about 800 cal, but drank 4 protein supplements per day to supplement my intake. For the first year I was able to totally maintain by allowing myself a 3 lb. buffer. My goal is to stay within the 135-138 lb. range. Once I hit the 138 lbs. I would go back to the lower calorie diet to get it back in line. Now suddenly, that is not working. I am weighing in at 140 lbs. and I am 5'5 1/2" tall, female, and 44 years of age. I have been trying to use the lower calorie method and increase my exercise and I have not been able to get back to 135 lb. In fact, I keep creeping up .2 of a pound at a time. I found your information about starvation mode and I am pretty sure that is what is happening. I have not been indulgent in my eating, probably the opposite because I am so afraid of putting the weight back on, but I am scared to death of adding more calories to my diet, too. I am going to try your method of eating every 3 hours and still incorporate my whey protein (17 g protein and only 30 calories) into the calorie count. I am exercising 30-40 minutes per day three to five times per week and although I work in an office, I am constantly up and down from my desk to the filing cabinet, so I would not say I am sedentary. Do you think 1350 calories is an OK amount to shoot for? My diet plan is as follows:

6:30 am
1/2 cup skim milk
1 slice 45 cal wheat bread
2 oz hard cheese OR 1 egg & 1 oz cheese
Whey Protein drink (30 cal 17 g Protein)
fiber powder


9:30 am
Protein Bar 180 cal - 17 g Protein
small apple

12:30 pm
grilled chicken breast
salad
spritz dressing
5 wheat crackers
edemame beans

3:30 pm
Protein drink
small orange
cup of yogurt


6:30 pm

grilled chicken
salad w/ spritz dressing
cooked veggie
1 slice 45 cal wheat bread
walnuts
multivitamin & calcium supplement
fiber powder

Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I feel like a failure and I am scared to try adding more calories to my diet!!!
Kerri | 03.21.09 - 9:52 am | #

Steven,

Yes - exercise will help and the more active you are = the less you have to rely on a VLCD
ADRIAN BRYANT | 03.18.09 - 9:45 am | #

If I do exercise during the diet, that would ok too right?
Steven | 03.18.09 - 9:19 am | #

Steven,

If you didn't exercise to lose weight then exercising or staying active will keep the weight off and going here will give you an idea of how much you need to eat to maintain your weight but...

If you start gaining - you can either get more active, cut back on how much you eat or do both
ADRIAN BRYANT | 03.17.09 - 11:02 pm | #

What can I do to ensure I don't gain the weight back after I lose it with the VLCD diet?

Surely, there must be a way.
Steven | 03.17.09 - 8:36 pm | #

Andrea,

You're not doing anything wrong...

It's just that you're eating VLCD plus intense exercise + working 40 hours a week = fatigue. - Simple as that! and you need to realize...

The biggest loser TV show people don't have to work 40 hours a week and they probably have the luxury of taking an extra nap and also...

You only been doing this for a week and after 3 weeks - you'll get used to it
ADRIAN BRYANT | 03.04.09 - 9:16 am | #

Monica,

YEs - the contraceptive pill can be a reason but consult with a doctor to be sure about that and...

Since you're only about 10 pounds overweight - Go to NowLoss.com/15
ADRIAN BRYANT | 03.04.09 - 9:08 am | #

Hi there,

I wonder if you can help. I am five foot 4" and weight 144 pounds. I am 35 years old and in the last year I have put on 17lbs. I am now eating between 1200-1500 calories a day (I used to eat around 2000-2300) and I am exercising every day (running/walking more/static rowing & skipping) I have been doing this since 1 January, I lost 2lbs in one month only and I am not lossing anything now at all! Could my contraceptive pill have anything to do with this? i believe since I started taking it I put on the weight. Can you help me lose 17lbs Please??/
Monica | 03.04.09 - 5:54 am | #

Hi, im 21 yo, 5'3 tall and weigh 246lbs. I have been on VLCD for a week now, i do 20 min interval cardio and weight training 5 times a day. this should be my 2nd week now but i started feeling tired all the time and feeling sleepy at work. am i doing anything wrong? I do sleep 7-8 hours a day.
Andrea | 03.03.09 - 10:50 pm | #

Marla W.,

I don't know too much about the Optifast diet (i'd have to look into it) but as far as exercise goes...

ANy of the exercises or workout plans here are good
Adrian Bryant | 01.11.09 - 9:17 pm | #

Hi Adrian,

I am currently on the Optifast program. I currently weigh 219 and would like to get down to 130-135. I am 5'4". I have been following the program for about 7 days now. I've heard a lot of bad things as far as people regaining the weight after the program, but it seemed that this was my last resort as I have tried everything under the sun to lose this weight. What would you recommend as far as excercising while on the Optifast program and how to boost my metabolism when the program ends?

Thank you,
Marla W.
Marla W. | 01.11.09 - 8:47 pm | #

As always, you are awesome. Thanks for the quick response. I will keep up what I am doing then. I have told a lot of people about your site; it is great.
Becky | 01.06.09 - 11:20 am | #

Becky,

You have nothing to worry about.

1200-to-1500 calories is a safe range for you and unless you're eating 800-to-1200 calories is when you need to worry about starvation mode.

The 1800 calories is about what you need to eat to maintain your current weight and you want to eat less than that and/or exercise to lose weight and you're doing that
Adrian Bryant | 01.04.09 - 9:38 pm | #

I love your site. I have a question about "starvation mode". I am 5'4, 157lbs. I want to lose around 30 lbs. So, I have been eating around 1200 - 1500 calories a day/plus I exercise for about 800 calories a day. My body, according to other sites requires 1800 calories a day to maintain (BMR). So, how do I know what the actual right amount of calories I need a day is, am I okay with the 1200 - 1500, or should I net this with the 800 that I exercise each day? I am concerned that my body thinks I am only getting 400 - 700 a day, because of the exercise and I am going into starvation mode?
Becky | 01.04.09 - 9:29 pm | #

Moni,

being in a wheelchair doesn't mean you still can't be active and being more active increase your metabolism and after you lose weight...

Go here to see how many calories you need to maintain your weight and keep eating weight loss foods and you should either maintain your weight or not gain too much weight as a result of ding that and...

here's more ways to increase metabolism
Adrian Bryant | 12.09.08 - 7:25 pm | #

Ok, but what about after the diet? I'm VERY overweight (11yrs, 190lbs, 5'2") And I'm going on a VLCD. But after the diet and I'm at a good weight, what should I do to increase my metabolism and not gain the weight back?

(P.S. Im also in a wheelchair so excersize is outa the question.)
Moni | 12.09.08 - 7:11 pm | #

Alvy,

YES!! - exercising more or better yet in your case... exercising more intensely for 15-to-30 minutes will do you much better than eating less than 1200 calories and better yet...

You'd be better off with this weight loss plan here eating a range of 1041-to-1264 calories a day
Adrian Bryant | 11.24.08 - 6:31 pm | #

Hello, I'm 5'3" and 119lbs.

Hovering from 114lbs to 119lb, I'm really confused about counting calories. According to your site, it states one should eat at least 1200kcal right? However, most sites tell me if I wish to continue losing weight, I'd have to eat AT MOST 1000kcal! (Using statistics that I lead a sedentary lifestyle, 119lbs, and 5' 3")

Just need to confirm really, it's not a good idea to eat below 1200kcal right?
That means, rather than reducing calories, exercising more would be the better way to keep the weight off?

Thanks! :D
Alvy | 11.24.08 - 12:06 am | #

jurgen makus,

If you're a bodybuilder who is trying to lose your last 10 pounds of belly fat so your abs can show then You may want to give "how To lose your last 10 pounds in 40 days or less" a try
Adrian bryant | 07.10.08 - 10:45 am | #

hi..i'm about 5'-4" and 194 pounds..i am some what of a body builder ..chest up...thighs down...my mid section is terrible...i'm still lost...i do excercise about 3days aweek...i do lots of walking at work..in a 8 hour day...i probably walk about 5 to 6 hours of it.. i came to the point to were i eat mostly cubcumbers and lettuce...occationally apiece of chicken sandwich or so.. please help..

you can reach me at e mail...
dv73@aol.com

thank..
jurgen makus | 07.09.08 - 8:48 pm | #

Lisa,

What's your height and weight? This info will help me figure out your problem
Adrian Bryant | 04.14.08 - 10:31 pm | #

Hi, i am so frustrated, i am eating clean, weight training 3 times per week, running 4-7 miles 5 times a week, and teach step classes the other days. I do take a day of rest. However, i have not dropped one pound! i know i am only taking in about 1000 calories and burning at least 500 a day, but i am afraid to increase my calories because i don't want to gain. I am so depressed right now, any words of advice or encouragement would help. thanks.
lisa | 04.14.08 - 7:52 pm | #