Is anyone doing calorie restriction?

[DemFromMem]

I'm not talking about just cutting back on calories. I'm talking about the major calorie consumption scaleback advocated by groups like the Calorie Restriction Society (http://www.calorierestriction.org/).

I read about the studies on mice, monkeys and humans in the NY Times over the last few years and decided to give it a try last April. These are the studies that have shown dramatic lifespan increases when calories were substantially cut. I've now dropped from 200 lbs to 167. I've been a little concerned that the weight is coming off a little too fast (about 3 or 4 pounds a week now). My goal weight is 155 (I'm a 5 foot 7, 39 year old man).

The idea is pretty simple - cut calorie consumption back substantially (I've cut mine to about 1500 calories a day) and eat food with lots of nutrients. I basically have been fasting during the day and having a healthy dinner. At first, I felt hungry, but I've actually gotten used to eating this way.

I also do about 30 minutes of stairs or swimming at the gym each day or walk four miles if the heat isn't too bad.

I like the simplicity of this. No weird foods. No real discipline when it comes to counting calories - basically a plate full of healthy foods at dinner. Maybe a low cal dessert afterwards. I thought this would be really hard, but it's not so bad. I have found that unlike before when I used to think about food all the time, I now only think about it once a day. If I feel a little hungry during the day, I just ignore it and after a few minutes, the hunger is gone.

I also thought my energy would be really low, but I seem to be functioning just fine.

[Longhorn]

1. How's your new plan going?

I'm about to embark on something similar. Just wondering how you're feeling and if you're getting the results you want. :hi:

[Broken_Hero]

2. I don't count calories persay

but I do have a ball park figure of how many I do consume a day, and I'm around 1100 calories a day. I don't count every single calorie(like if i chew some sugarless gum, I don't count that)....but I try to keep it 1500, or less....

[dorktv]

3. I am not sure how much I should cut back...after doing the math,

I figured out that I literally could have 500-600 calories a day with veggies (1/2 cup of brocoli, cauliflower, and green beans fills me up at 90 Cs a pop), some fruit (a cup of OJ and some of the lower calorie fruits) and a bit of meat every so often during the week but how do you know if you are really eating healthily?