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Old 07-29-2008, 09:00 PM   #2 (permalink)
champen
DD Beginner
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1
Hey there, new to this forum but eager to help!

800-1,000 calories is way too little. Recommended dietary allowances in the US and UK are based around 2,000 calorie diets; everyone's different but for an ordinary maintenance diet 2000 cals/day is a good starting point.

The problem with cutting your calories dramatically is that your body goes into conservation mode--it "believes" that you are in the middle of a famine and your metabolism slows down. Thus when you eat fewer calories, you also burn fewer calories, which results in lower energy levels, and less weight loss!

A healthier approach is to lower your calories to only slightly below the recommendation (perhaps a 1,700-1,800 calorie diet, but it will depend on your body type), and increase how many calories you burn. Try doing 40 minutes of cardio two or three times a week for starters. The result will be a higher energy level and healthier body as well as weight loss.

If you have any other Q's feel free to ask, good luck!
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