[Nyther]

Weight Loss Question

So, I've been losing weight seriously for about three months. I'm down 25lbs due to a combination of diet and exercise. My diet is sub 1,000 calorie paleo (meat, vegetables and fruit), no carbs or sugar (as much as I can help it). I usually don't eat a lot of fruit due to the sugars, but it's not something I actively avoid like carbs and processed sugar. I exercise about once a day. Usually strength related, but under one hour moderate difficulty. I usually get in close to 50g of protein a day, but not more. I read 100g of protein is what I should aim for with a low calorie diet.

My question: how can I tell if I'm putting too much strain on my body or not giving it enough protein? My hair isn't falling out and I can see muscle growth. I just want to know if there are any warning signs to look out for that I'm losing too much too fast, depriving my body of something it really needs or losing weight because of muscle loss. I hear gallstones can be an issue with weight loss. Basically, anything I should be aware of.

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

If you are truly eating less than 1000 kilo calories per day, you are putting too much strain on your body. It's not safe to restrict that much without direct medical supervision.

What you're seeing as muscle "growth" is likely just better visibility of your muscle tissue due to a reduction in adipose tissue covering it. When you lose fat your muscle definition is likely to improve, even if your overall muscle mass is also shrinking.

Hair loss is not an early warning sign! It can be caused by many things, some severe, some less so. But when it's caused by nutritional deficiencies it will likely lag at least a couple of months behind the onset of the deficiency that is causing it.

 

[Nitrous828]

@Nyther

Hello, may I ask what your goals are? I get that your trying to lose fat, but are you also trying to build muscle or just preserve it?

also knowing what your current weight will help determining the amount of protein and calories that you need to consume everyday

for more details about that have a look at this article on Darebee: Protein sources and amounts for muscle building

in nearly all cases 1000 Cal/50 g protein a day is extreme, and might actually harm you instead of you benefiting from it, specially if you workout

your body actually benefits more when you are closer to your recommended daily calorie target, you can go under it by 300-500 calories to burn more fat, but exceeding it not recommended.

 

[Nyther]

@Laura Rainbow Dragon I've been measuring my biceps to see if I'm losing muscle. They are getting (slightly) bigger. So, I don't think I'm losing much muscle weight.

@Nitrous828 My goal is mainly to get toned. Mainly by losing belly fat (cliche' I know). I am currently at 149lbs, 5ft8in. I'm also not starving myself, I eat when I feel hungry, I'm just eating mostly meat and vegetables. My workouts are pretty low intensity. I break a sweat, but I usually feel good after a workout, not exhausted. Other than working out, most my life is pretty sedentary (including my job). So, I don't think I burn that many calories just in my normal daily routines.