Weight loss? Topic

Kapp’n 02/18/23
Hi! Just noticed something interesting. I had a stellar time at the gym today, and was able to burn around 950 calories today! Way more than my usual 400-600 calories! And although I was pretty excited about it, when I went over to the app to check how on track I was, it estimated a 5.9 lbs a week of weight loss. This didn’t shock me too much, as I only eat around 500-800 calories a day, and am often used to seeing a number around 3-4 lbs of weight loss a week, but it was a bit jarring. Not to mention unrealistic. I doubt I’ll even lose that much in a week, but if I could I fear that it could be dangerous for someone my age. For reference I’m 5 foot 4.5, about 156 lbs and am 16. Is this kind of weight loss something I should come to expect, or that can even happen??? Not to mention how burning more calories than I’m consuming to this degree is healthy.

To get an idea of how I eat, I’m on a diet of whole fruits, raw/cooked starchy/non-starchy veggies, whole grains, and lean meat, as requested by my doctor. I eat around 2-3 meals a day (minimal snacking in between, but the occasional fruit/nuts are consumed), though I often skip either lunch or dinner out of habit, hence the 2. I drink 4-10 cups of water daily. The app seems to not have a problem with me doing this, but often scolds me on not eating enough.

Although once when I was putting in my meals ahead of time, it totaled to about 900 calories (A new high at the time) and it told me that my weight loss would be slowed, so I promptly ate less that day (coming around to 600 calories)

Any input/ideas appreciated!

Dietician 02/19/23 replied to Kapp’n
Hi Kapp'n-

Are your parents or guardians aware you are eating between 500-800 calories a day? Are they aware you are tracking on MyNetDiary and posting on this forum? Do they go with you to the doctor's apps you refer to in your post?

At age 16 your nutrient needs are elevated to support growth and health. I would not suggest losing weight at this time.

Instead, I would encourage you to meet with a Dietitian to come up with an individual plan to promote health.

We at MyNetDiary take health very seriously and do not allow anyone under 18 to use the app without the direct supervision of their parents or active caregivers. Here are the terms and conditions of use you agreed to when you signed up for the app: https://www.mynetdiary.com/terms.html

In addition, as I have said before (in response to a post you wrote about undereating) while tracking food & exercise can be valuable for users wanting to improve their health, it can reinforce unhealthy behaviors for those with or at risk for eating disorders. Underfueling is a sign of an eating disorder.

We at MyNetDiary do not support individuals tracking with the app if they have an active eating disorder. Please stop tracking on this site or any other and get help. Here are some resources for finding help:
https://www.mynetdiary.com/do-no-harm-mynetdiary-supports-healthful-eating.html

You deserve to be happy and feel good about yourself regardless of your weight. Please let me know if you received this~ Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Kapp’n 02/20/23
Why exactly do you not think that I shouldn’t lose weight at this time? As someone who is overweight, I doubt it would hurt to lose a few pounds.

Dietician 02/20/23 replied to Kapp’n
Hi Kapp'n,
This is Kathy and I'd like to add to Joanna's response above. When you weighed yourself after that great workout, the weight drop is most likely due to water weight change. Instead, weigh yourself in the morning after getting up, after going to the bathroom to have some consistency and less variation in weight due to time of day/exercise/food/beverages, etc.

Next issue is how low your calories intake is given that you are a teen trying to lose weight. At 16, you are still growing, including your bone density. A very low calories intake also means a low nutrient intake, and for a teen, that means increased nutrition risk. A weight loss of perhaps 1/2 lb per week over time would be a much safer goal to strive for. That would require creating a calories deficit only 250 calories per day. Given that you are so physically active, you could likely lose weight by creating the calories deficit simply by exercise, if you are consistent with your exercise routine. But a combo of slightly reduced calories from say, junk food, with consistent calories burned from exercise would easily help you meet your weight goal with less risk. Does that make sense?

You can learn more about calories setting in this article: https://www.mynetdiary.com/calorie-planning.html

For adults, especially with a lot of excess weight who are being followed medically, an 800 calories plan with adequate nutrient supplmentation, is not necessarily putting them at risk. But even for those folks, it can be a challenge to get enough nutrients.

Please let me know you got this reply. We are required to review and flag members who are at risk given their age and intake. We do this for your safety and well being, not to be punitive.

Best,
Kathy (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Kapp’n 02/21/23
I have seen your post. This is VERY valuable information, thank you!

Kapp’n 02/21/23
But as someone who’s trying to lose about 20lbs (enough to get me down to 140) would slightly increasing the rate of weight loss be risky?

My goal is to lose around that much by at least mid June, but I’d like to lose it as fast as I can. Losing around 2lbs a week has been my goal, but I haven’t had much luck, only losing about 2lbs since I started (Early Jan) I have hypothesized that it may be due to the lack of calories/nutrients I’m consuming, as I doubt my diet could be causing much problems, as it’s balanced as far as I (and this app) can tell.

Dietician 02/22/23 replied to Kapp’n
Hello again Kapp'n-

Not sure you saw my other responses to your posts so I am retyping....
I am sorry to hear you are struggling! At age 16, you need to eat more than 500, 800, or even 1,00 calories a day. You are risking short and long-term health issues by restricting your calories to lose weight.

In order to use the app and post on forum you MUST have the approval and oversight of your parents or guardians. Do they know you are posting on this forum and restricting your food to lose weight?

Here are the terms you agreed to when you signed up: https://www.mynetdiary.com/terms.html

Please stop tracking and get help from a professional counselor. It sounds like you are struggling with disordered eating. These resources can help:https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline, https://www.betterhelp.com/

In addition, you have a lot of questions about nutrition. I would suggest meeting individually with a Registered Dietitian who specializes in working with teens and individuals struggling with disordered eating. This resource can help: https://www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert

Please know this advice comes from a place of concern. While tracking can be helpful for some people, for others it can trigger an eating disorder. Eating disorders are very serious. We at MyNetDiary do not allow individuals with eating disorders to use the app, as stated in our Terms and Conditions.

For additional information on disordered eating, see this article:
https://www.mynetdiary.com/eating-disorders-food-tracking.html

Please let me know you received this message. Best, Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

U1194597815 02/25/23
At 16, your body and brain are still developing. Underfueling can be just as bad or worse as overeating junk food. Please take the advice of the dieticians above.
Talk with your parents and perhaps your doctor.

Hæe 02/26/23
workout buddies? im around ur age, and could need some tips as well!!!

Dietician 02/27/23 replied to Hæe
Hi again Haee-
Since you are already at a healthy body weight, my advice to you is to work on maintaining your weight and maintaining optimal health. Here are some tips:

1. Eat 3 meals/day. Even if you are busy or don't feel like eating, it is important to eat regularly to maintain your energy and fuel your body. This article reviews what healthy eating looks like and includes a template to help guide your food choices: https://www.mynetdiary.com/foods-for-good-nutrition.html
2. Continue to be active, engaging in sports and hobbies that you enjoy. This helps you to feel good about your body and improves mental health.
3. If you feel your tracking has gone too far- get professional help. While tracking can be beneficial to some folks, to others it can trigger disordered eating, making things worse. This article provides more information: https://www.mynetdiary.com/eating-disorders-food-tracking.html

You deserve to be happy and healthy on the inside and outside! Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Weight loss?