Lowest possible intake?

[taxi]

I've already lost 30 pounds, but I'm still trying to lose as much weight as possible as fast I can, but I want to stay healthy while i'm doing so. I'm wondering what's the least amount of calories I can healthily consume a day? If it makes a difference i'm 18/m 218 pounds 6'1-6'4 depending on who's measuring me and trying to get down to 190 ish.

thanks for the help.

[abrannan]

For you, I probably wouldn't recommend going under about 1300 calories per day.

If you want to increase your calorie deficit after that, up your physical activity level. High intesity, short duration activities like jumping rope, sprints, etc. will not only burn a lot of calories in a short period of time, but it also gives a lingering boost to your metabolism, so you can continue to burn more calories throughout the day.

[taxi]

Is there any harm I can cause by going lower? I just

[abrannan]

Absolutely. But health issues aside, going lower can actually sabotage your weight loss. You see, your body is a system built for survival. In order to survive, your body needs fuel. If there is a lack of fuel (say, by decreasing your caloric intake to insufficient levels for more than a day or so), then your body starts doing things to ensure that what emergency stores of fuel you have (i.e. your body fat) is conserved to last long enough to get you across the great desert (metaphorically speaking). To do this, it does a few things: One, it slows down your metabolism so you burn fewer calories. Two, it starts sacrificing muscle tissue to further decrease your metabolism and avoid digging into fat stores. Three, it sets your body up to begin replenishing those fat stores as soon as ready energy is available.


Will you still lose weight? Yes. Will it be any more than a slightly higher calorie level? Nope. Will it cause a bigger rebound in weight? Yep.

Remember that the best thing to do is not to go on a "diet". The best thing to do is to change your eating and exercise habits long term. You body will go to the weight that is dictated by your lifestyle. Change your lifestyle and the weight follows naturally.

[taxi]

oh i was just wondering because i've been sticking to 1300 since hte beginning of july and i dont find it that hard to maintain, so i thought going lower would just be harder.

well thanks anyway