Originally Posted by nacl4y
I'd really appreciate some input on this... I have asked my doctor who tells me not to worry about this, that she's monitoring me, and all is well. But. I do NOT want to screw up my metabolism or some such thing. So any input at all is appreciated.
I am following a doctor-monitored low carb, low fat program. Right now I am limited basically to proteins, green veggies. No dairy, no tomatoes/carrots, etc. Foods will be added in slowly - so my calories will be able to be increased, just slowly...
My typical meal plan includes 6 meals spread evenly throughout the day. I eat 3-4oz protein with each meal, and then a giant salad, or 2 cups of spinach cooked, etc. My calorie range is fairly low, but I can usually - playing with the type of protein (i.e. salmon or beef with high calories due to their higher fat) I can bump it to 1200 calories.
If my reading is correct, 1200 calories is the minimum I should be eating.
The problem ? I need to exercise. Not just for weight loss. I NEED to exercise. It's the only way I can cope with a somewhat stressful life right now. When I don't exercise, my depression acts up, I don't sleep as well, my attitude on life goes down, my energy decreases, etc. My doctor says to walk 30 minutes a day 3 times a week. Nice ... but that's not what my body needs.
Right now my workout program is like this:
Monday - Morning - 45 min upper body strength, 30 min cardio (treadmill). Evening - 1 hr cardio (bike)
Tuesday - Morning - 45 min lower body strength, 30 min cardio (treadmill). Evening - 1hr cardio (bike)
Wednesday - Morning - 1 hr cardio (bike) - Evening - kickboxing class
Thursday - Morning - 45 min upper body strength, 30 min cardio (treadmill). Evening - 1 hr cardio (bike)
Friday, Saturday, Sundays - I do a minimum of 1 hour of cardio each day, aiming for 2. I'd say I do 2 hrs per day on 2 days out of the 3.
Seems like alot, apparently. But as I said - the mental, physical, emotional difference it makes in me makes it so important. The weight loss that hopefully comes with it is a side benefit.
While I am only eating 1200 calories - admittedly some less than that - for whatever reason I am not tired out by this. In otherwords I have more energy than ever before. And yes, this has been going on for well over 2 months, maybe 3 or 4. I did go off LC'ing earlier this year for ~3-4 months due to an overwhelming stress level (stupidly), and thus the slow down in weight loss. But the exercising continued.
If I can make myself eat more to up the calories, I will - but if I stay with my current food selection for another month, it will be incredibly difficult. So, will staying at 1200 calories or thereabouts end up screwing up my metabolism more ? Or am I doing okay because I am faithfully feeding my body every 3 hours without fail ?
TIA !
Shan
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