Diets & Weight Maintenance Support Group

Here is a link to a daily caloric needs calculator:

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/ca...

It is one of many, and they seem to be pretty consistent. The "rule of thumb" is that you need 10 calories per every pound you weight to maintain your weight. More if you exercise a lot, less if you don't.

On the flip side of this, studies suggest that if you lower your calorie input too much your body goes into starvation mode and that is not good.

I'd suggest seeing a doctor and a nutritionist to help you come up with a basic plan to combine exercise and nutrition to help with weight loss.

Do you have a target weight loss you are looking at?

I love this site. I think it will help me when I get my foot back in use!

Whoa...600 calories is way to low. You should never go under 1200 and most people should eat more than that. Your body thinks you are starving so it is hoarding the fat energy it has stored for survival. Also any weight you do lose will more than likely be muscle and not fat stores.
Check the links pepperman put up and see what you should be eating. I think you find when you eat more you will start to see more weight loss.

I know it sounds strange that you have to eat more to lose more but it is true.

I agree, 600 calories is way too low - your body will go into starvation mode. Shoot for 1200.

Also, for what amount of time are we talking about? (i.e., how long did it take you to lose that pound?)

All good advice here and I agree too - you need to feed your body what it needs to function for sure. Also, making these changes is about embracing the life changes you need in order to really enjoy living in decent health.

One thing I find is that some people expect so much of themselves. Being handed a new dieting and exercise regime can be totally overwhelming. I don't know of anyone who does it all at once, and does it well. Try making one change at a time and giving yourself a chance to get used to it, to see that it works or doesn't work and then try another.

Don't overwhelm yourself. Take one step at a time. :)

What exactly are you eating?

Have you tested yourself for food intolerance?

I agree with the starvation mode too. 1200 is supposed to be good.

Good luck. I hope things go better for you.

600 is dangerously low! Please don't do that to yourself. Most healthcare professionals caution against going under 1,200 unless you are closely supervised by your doctor. Focus on getting good protein at each meal, with a healthy between-meal, small snack. Keep us posted! God bless.

Please increase your calories. 600 is way to low . You are in starvation mode. The most important thing is you can be doing damage to your body.

It may seem strange but you need more calories to have your body function correctly and then be able to lose weight.

It may not make sense to you but it's the truth. You are like a car and if the car doesn't have gas it won't run.. the same is true with our bodies... if we don't have enough nutrients it won't work properly.