Really confused on eating and weight loss

[briar3456]

Ok, I have lost almost 30lbs since earlier this year and am working on the last ten. I noticed 5pds ago that I was losing alot slower and had read that upping your calories helps. I tried it at 1460cals(not including exercise) and lost almost 5lbs in 1 week!! I have been experimenting with this and have found that the only way I continue to lose is if I eat MOST of those calories a day. If my net is only 1200, or not even, I gain almost a pd overnight! But if I pig out on junk, like the Red Baron deep dish cheese pizzas(2), and meet my calories, I lose a half pd or more overnight! I'm really confused, I love being able to eat this junk, but I know it will not help me in the long run, and I know they aren't good for my body.

I exercise at least 3x a week jogging for 30mins and I have just started incorporating the 100 pushups and 200 situps program into my schedule.

Please let me know what is going on!!!!

[Barb135]

Your body needs a certain number of calories just to survive. This is called "Basic Metabolic Rate" (BMR).  If you drop below that number, your body will hold onto existing fat stores in an effort to keep from starving.  

While the Red Baron pizzas taste good and might be okay occasionally (special treat),  they are not good for you because of the high fat and simple carbohydrate content.  They also have very little nourishment, with the potential to raise blood sugar levels higher than they should be.

As Caryopteris said, stick with healthy foods, not empty calories.

[Caryopteris]

If you have ever watched Biggest Loser, the trainers talk about plateaus and things like that.  If increasing calories works for you, just make sure you are getting healthy foods and only healthy fats.  You could add foods like avocados and more nuts, for instance, or more fatty fish.  Remember the importance of fiber.  Read up on how healthy kale and brussel sprouts are.  Do what works for you, but keep the food healthy, not wasted calories.