Health Forums

Posted: 17 March 2008 at 10:23pm | IP Logged

For a while I have been on the low GI eating plan. It seems to work very well with my lifestyle and didn't require much changing. I have also learnt a lot about how to cook, and portion food on the plate. I have enjoyed the diet, really enjoyed it, and dont feel like Im actually dieting. I eat off plan foods, and I noticed it but on the whole its been very good. However, I havent managed to loose any weight!

My GP recommended that I count calories. He said the laws of physics means if I eat less than 2000 calories a day then I have to loose weight (assuming I do the exercise). I havent just eaten my normal food today, nothing special. The only thing I have done different is make my food, then weigh it so I can count the calories. I didnt even weigh it onto my plate, I took the portion I wanted! I am at the end of the day, I wouldnt normally have anything else to eat from now on. I started the day with 1900 calories, and I have still got 841.0. This means that in a typical day I only eat 1100 ish calories. Although I do know that some meals have a higher calorie count than others, but typically Ive had nothing different.

Lately I have had no 'oumph' and have been really sluggish. Not a new thing, just something I got used to. I partially put it down to all the different medication I am taking, extra hours at work etc Tonight I was just wondering if I wasnt eating enough food? Or at least enough calories. Is it good to have such a low intake daily? Today I had chips at work (which is a huge rarity but they had no new potatoes so I just had a couple and made them weigh them lol), some days I can imagine my intake to be lower. Ive not had any bananas today, which are higher in calories, but I have had my full 5 a day with other fruit and veg, just happens that they are slightly lower in value.

Should I been planning my meals (please say no lol) so that I have at least 1500-1600 calories a day? Is eating 900-1200 calories enough? Im also combining the low GI plan with the calorie counting so my foods are realitively healthy, and I try to keep the fat content below 5/6g per 100g.

Could this be the cause of my tiredness or could it just be the extra hours etc?

Posted: 18 March 2008 at 3:23pm | IP Logged

I find i feel like that during my AF as i get anemic so I eat lots of iron to keep the levels up and that helps. Red meat, spinach etc is good for that!

I think u should look at uping your food intake though, as you really are not getting enough calories.

Posted: 19 March 2008 at 4:35pm | IP Logged

I dont eat breakfast (wrong I know) but I never have lol Then I usually have a light lunch, and a good evening meal. Snacks tend to be fruit, usually grapes as I find they cure my sweet tooth! I have almost completely cut cheese out of my diet, and I eat low fat yoghurt instead, or natural yoghurt. I have also cut out syrup drinks (Oasis etc) and I have diet Coke, water or if Im at home I make smoothies. I went through my food sheets with my consultant today and I am adding it up correctly, he agrees that my calorie intake isn't very high. I dont eat very much meat, but he's told me to include another small meal in the day, or try to have breakfast (but I cant do that as I feel sick). My blood pressure was quite low, although he didn't make much comment just said, 'hmmm your blood pressure is considerably low' I said is that bad, he said 'well its quite low but I'll just keep an eye on it for now.'- I dont know if that has anything to do with food or PCOS problems or just the fact I have a stinker of a cold right now lol

On the plus side, I have managed to loose 4lb's since getting home from my holidays last week woohooo!!