1100 calories how is that possible????

[winsomehill]

So I got this Leaness lifestyle book, after hearing people on the forum give it good reviews. I did his formula for how many calories to eat, and it came out at 1100 and something. I tried a diet years ago where I went down to 1000 and I KNOW my body was cannabilizing it's muscles. I didn't have the energy to walk up the stairs much less do a vigorous workout. It makes me question this whole regime. I would love to hear other people's experiences on LL. 1100 calories how is that possible? I'm really puzzled here.
Heather

 

[tina72382]

Heather, yes I say that it is too low for anyone. I think the reccommeded lowest for anyone to go is 1200. Are you factoring in your activity? I am not familar with leanness lifestyle, but it should factor in your activity into caloric intake. Good luck! - Christina

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I think 1100 is a bad idea for ANYONE!!! I know 1200 is the absolute lowest you should go, but still, even 1200 is way too low for most.

 

[shelia]

I was wondering about this also.I read a forum that several members do LL and there calories are 1000 and maybe a tad more I have seen less also-they are for sure losing wt.but will they be able to keep it off or do you stay at that cal. range forever.They also do alot of exercise-I couldn't exercise on that amount of calories at all I have to have at least 2000 if not more to feel satisfied but they seem to do fine.I guess maybe it is the quality of the calories.If someone is or has done it before I would love to hear all about it and how you are maintaining.If the wt came back if you added more calories?Do you maintain the same exercise level and increase the cal to level out?

 

[kathryn]

I would question it as well. Unless your goal weight is around 100 pounds, and you don't exercise!

Some people probably wouldn't know that they are not losing only fat, but muscle and fluids as well, so they would find the diet to be "succesful" (at least in the short run).

 

[ukcharlatans]

Hi everyone!

I've been doing LL since January. I lost my last 35-40 lbs on LL. Mostly I've eaten in the 1150-1250 range. When I first started (for the first month or so) was in the 1300 range. My body fat % is about 18 right now and I have more definition in my upper body then I ever dreamed possible (now if only my lower body would catch up LOL). I have had some weeks where I ate between 1000 and 1130 calories (two low days of around 1000 and 4 of 1130ish and then one high calorie day of 1500-1600 calories). However, for most cases, I don't believe coach recommends doing this for more then a couple weeks to break a long standing plateau (more then 3 weeks or so with all other possibilities exhausted). I normally workout about 420 minutes a week but have done as little as 330 and a few weeks at around 520-- I did ONE week of 600 minutes during my winter break when Hardcore came out (hee hee-- a little excited about the new workouts and a week off!)

I can't speak for everyone but it worked wonders for me and my last bit of weight (I have been losing the 125+ that I've lost in total for about 5 years now with some swinging between 140 and 180 a couple of times).

Here is the biggest kicker and the best ways I can tell you about how LL works... 1) I was once 135 lbs and still a 10/12 size. Now at about 7lbs less, I'm a size 2/4... that is just a source of amazement for me because 7lbs shouldn't make me more then half the size I was... that is all about body fat %. 2) On the emotional side, LL has done more for me then WW, OA and numerous psychiatrists. Participating in coach's bootcamps and other activities through the book and the site has taught me so much about not just the mechanical but the emotional side of living healthy. It is so much more then calories in, calories out I'm by no means home free and have been struggling with some consistency since the last bootcamp ended on Oct 26 but I know I have the tools to overcome it.

If you have any questions feel free to email me at [email protected]

Hope this helped!

Susan

 

[shelia]

Great results Susan.do you feel the wt will stay off when you add more cal -what kind of cal range does he recommend for after you have lost all the wt?Do you feel full with the amount of cal. allowed or are you hungry alot?

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

Wow, Susan, That is quite a story! Congratulations!

Also, I am so glad that you pointed out the super low # of calories is NOT something to be done long term and is to be done if everything else has been exhausted. THANKS!!

Nice hearing from you...it's been a while!;-)

 

[ukcharlatans]

Hello

It has been a while, hasn't it?? It is good to have time to breathe and post LOL!

Here is the funny thing about eating super low calories-- you learn really quick what to eat alot of and what not to waste calories on. For instance, in a typical 1000 calorie day it would be something like 6 egg whites for breakfast, 6 ozs of baked fish, 2 cups of a veggie for lunch, a snack of .5 cup fat free yogart with 1 cup fresh berries and then 6-8 (depending on the protein)ozs of a lean protein, 2 cups of veggies and 1/2 cup of a starch (potatos or rice) for dinner. You learn how to eat to make it more filling. When I have a couple more hundred calories to play with, I can add oatmeal, vitamuffins, a whole egg or a whole grain english muffin etc... I also have started making huge salads for lunch like 3 cups of salad, 2 ozs of marinated mushrooms, an ounce of sun dried tomatos (not in oil), 1/2 cup grilled pepper relish (think italian rosted peppers), regular tomato and a full pack (about 5 ozs) of one of the tuna sensations that are out now (i think they are pretty new).

As for maintnance I haven't nailed it yet-- I've put on 3 or so lbs and I've lost more then I planned. It is really hard to strike that balance. I haven't quite figured it out-- this is why coach talks about going about 3 lbs below your actual goal so that you have room to play with. Then you start not only adjusting your calories, but your workout regime. You may change your goals-- now that you have lost all the weight to lose, maybe you want to decrease your cardio and increase your resistance so that you can work on building muscle. So instead of a 70/30 split (70% cardio, 30% weights), you may go to a 60/40 or even 50/50 split depedning on your goals and then of course, you have to play with your calories until you get it right and I coudln't even begin to tell you what is right because I haven't figured it out yet!!! This is the first time I've actually been able to think about needing maintnance LOL!!!!

There is another girl on LL (Kathy) who was on the Cathe roadtrip. I'm not sure if she posts here but she is a wonder and one of the greatest things she told me was that in 3 years of maintnance she gained 10 lbs and she knew it was pure muscle gains because A) it took 3 freaking years LOL and B) because she never changed clothing sizes with the 10lb gain! That is what maintnance is about, I think. You are still having to work at it, but in different ways and with different goals.


Susan

PS I hope this helps-- but feel free to keep asking away!