too few calories???

Question
Hi Todd,
You seem to have gotten rave reviews so I'm hoping you can help me. My lifestye: I am extremely active - I workout in the morning, walk to work (about a mile) with a backpack and after work I either go for a run, play soccer, do something active after being in an office all day. I lift weights three times a week (am on a pretty good program designed by a trainer at my gym). I should also mention that I'm training for a marathon so my runs are pretty far (about 30 or so miles a week).  However, my body does not reflect my lifestyle. I am not overweight, but would like to lose about 10 pounds. I weight 136 and am 5'6. food's a struggle for me - I don't think I eat enough. I have this complex that the more I eat, the more I'll weight (especially because that's true for most folks). But I think I may be eating too few calories and I'd like to know, from an expert, how my body reacts to that. Is ts storing everything because it thinks I'm starving it, and is it dipping into my lean muscle when it needs more calories to keep up with my activities? I'm eating about 1200 calories a day. Can you help? It's so frustrating because I feel like my discipline to not eat a lot is working against me. Oh yeah, I eat lots of whole grains, tofu, and vegetables - yes, sounds boring, but I don't find myself craving other foods - I like the routine of it. Thanks, Todd.  

Answer
Anne,

It is generally agreed that a (non-active) person needs to eat 1200 calories a day to get the minimum amount of nutrients (calories, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, etc.).  If you are doing all this exercise on so few calories, who knows what your body is doing to compensate.  The body should use up most of the stored fat before it starts to significantly use up muscle and other vital tissues (as energy).

To make a long story short; I think you are 'doing it wrong'.

I am not an expert on eating disorders, but I would guess that you may be in that category.  I highly suggest that you get in to see your doctor for an evaluation and then you may also want to see a Dietician.

This is not something that can be dealt with over the internet.

Best of luck.

Todd

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