Losing weight too fast. Lost 45 pounds in 3 1/2 months.. Cause for concern?

[toatsies]

Hello,
I am a 17 year old male and I started on a diet in September 2008.
I started as 225 and as of today I am 180 pounds.
I generally lose about 1.5 - 3 pounds each weak, and 4 on the rare ocassion.
My diet constists of 5-6 meals per day.
I work out 40 minutes a day.

Should I be concerned? Because I seem to be losing weight too fast. I heard that anything over 2lbs/wk is dangerous to your health. Should I visit a doctor?

This has been my eating plan although sometimes I eat less and sometimes I eat more.

Breakfast: Oatmeal w/ Glass of Milk
Snack: Toast and Apple Juice
Lunch: Canned Beans /w Glass of Milk
Snack: Tofu and Vegetables Stirfry
Dinner: Pasta and Tomatoes

[wonko]

Hi,

Using your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and the Harris Benedict Equation for moderately active (which I think is an underestimate, since you exercise every day), you need almost 3000 calories a day by my calculation, and that's for your goal weight of 160 lbs.

[toatsies]

Btw, how many calories should I aim for per day?

[toatsies]

Thanks for the helpful replies.
Sorry, I forgot to mention my height. I'm 6 feet 2. I don't think I'm going to grow any taller. My goal is 160 lbs.
Yes, I'm a vegetarian but I hate eggs.

I'm still losing weight at approx. the same pace as I was when I first started, that's why I'm a bit worried.
I never thought that I could eating too little because I never feel hungry. But I'll try to increasing my portions now. Eating more fruit is a good idea, I don't eat much fruit...

Thanks again, if you have anymore advice let me know! :)

[Barb135]

What did you want to end up weighing?  You don't say how tall you are, so it's impossible to know how much you should weigh.  I've heard it said that as a general rule men lose weight easier than women and if your meal plan shows everything you ate, it's not very much for a 17 yr old boy, who's bones and muscles may still be growing.  Judging from your meal plan, I'd also have to question whether you are getting all of the nutrients you need, so I hope you are taking a good multi-vitamin.

I would suggest that you continue with the exercise, but maybe the intensity is too great.  Also make sure that you get all of the different food groups daily (I don't see any fruit listed except the apple juice).  You can do a web search for the food pyramid, which will tell you how much of each type of food you need to eat.  

At 17, if you are getting good healthy food (watch portion sizes) and enough exercise, you should not have to "diet".  

[wonko]

I've never had the metabolism of a 17 year old male.  That being said, you are losing quickly indeed.  Do you think you are done growing?  My brothers are tall and continuned to gain height after high school.  I'm no expert, but if you even think you might still be growing, you may want to add more calories to your diet plan.  

It looks like you are vegetarian.  That's fine, but make sure to get as much variety as you can by switching up the veggies.  You're still eating dairy, what about eggs?  Egg white omlettes are good, if you'd rather not eat the yolks.

If you like your current plan, you should try incrasing your portions and see if that slows things down.  

It takes a 3,500 calorie deficit to lose one pound.  So to lose 1-2 lbs/week, one needs to eat 500-1000 calories per day LESS than they burn.  For most of us, if we try to eat less than that, the body starts to think that it is starving and it can really mess you up, to use the technical term.  (Your body temp and BP can drop, you'll feel tired and even depressed, and if you are still supposed to grow, you'll stop, to name a few.)

Did you lose weight faster in Sept. than you are now, or has it been steady?  I know for me, I lost weight faster at first.  As my body started to equilibrate, my rate of weight loss slowed down.   If you're losing weight now as quickly as you were back in Sept, that's a huge sign that you need more calories.  If you can, try and track your weight to keep an eye on this.

I'm no expert, but I hope this helps a bit.  Let us know how you are doing!