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Real Life Nutrition Questions Answered
printReal Life Fitness Questions Answered
Emma Brown
Nutritionist
Janet Aylott
Nutritionist
Kelly Marshall
Fitness Consultant
Q.
Should I lower my cal intake to 1200?
I am just coming to the end of my third week. I have not lost ANY weight. I have decided to lower my cal intake to 1200. I do have an under-active thyroid and I can get my levels checked, but this has been a fairly long term condition and I sort of know by how I'm feeling that my meds are probably ok. I am being honest with logging food intake. I work out regularly.
I am starting to feel a bit demotivated. What do you think about lowering my cal intake?
Thanks [cry]
A.
Our expert says...
I do understand how demotivating it can be when you don't lose any weight, particularly in the beginning when you really want to see some results to keep going. However, with some people, it does seem to take some time before the body starts to respond and I would encourage you to stick with it.
An under active thyroid can slow your metabolism and weight loss, as you know, but you seem fairly sure that your medication is ok and that this is not the problem.
On your current calorie target of 1400 you would expect to lose up to a pound a week with no exercise, but you do say that you are exercising regularly, so, in theory, you are doing everything right. I wonder if you have you been doing the same exercise routine for while and maybe it would help to vary the type of exercise you are doing?
I don't see a problem with dropping your calories to 1200 for a couple of weeks to see if this kick-starts your weight loss, but I wouldn't advise doing this for too long. I would also recommend keeping your diet as varied as possible and spreading your calories fairly evenly over the day. This provides steady energy for your metabolism and keeps your blood sugar levels up. Some people find that not eating carbohydrates with their evening meal for a week or so helps too. You might want to give it a try. Fill up on protein and lots of vegetables instead.
If, after trying these things, your weight still remains the same, I would suggest visiting your GP to check your thyroid medication. Good luck, keep at it and I'm sure you will get there in the end!
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