Eating 1200 calories is making me gain weight not lose
annonm
Posts: 13 Member
so it seems like if i eat 1200 calories i start slowly gaining weight. if i eat 800 or 900 calories i lose a little weight, but i dont understand why am i gaining weight eating 1200 calories?
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Replies
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Are you weighing your food? Age/height/weight/gender?
Do you have any known medical issues? Are you taking any medications?0 -
If you are not eating enough, your body is telling you basically that, fine, if you're not giving me enough fuel, I'll go into starvation mode and store everything you give me as fat. Also, you should NEVER eat less than 1200 calories!0
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What is your current BMI? Your post reads like that of someone who has hit a normal body weight and is trying to lose more weight to become extra thin. Your body will be resistant to shed those pounds because some fat is necessary for optimal function.
I'd pick up a cheap food scale & start weighing your food if you're not doing that already. It's difficult to accurately estimate calories without weighing the food.
I have a good friend who told me she was on a diet eating only 1000 calories per day. I was getting pretty concerned about her because she had some psych issues and I was worried they'd spiraled into anorexia. Well, we went out to a Chinese restaurant for dinner & she ate a large bowl of steak, broccoli, and rice. It was a healthy dish, but wayyy more than 1000 calories & she'd already eaten several other small meals that day! Turns out, she was just really bad at estimating calories, haha. She did lose weight, but it was in a much healthier manner than I thought when she mentioned the 1000 calories goal.0 -
You're eating way too little. You should at least get in 1500 cals for your body to function properly. You won't lose any fat on 1200 calories because your metabolism will slow down and your body will burn calories as slowly as possible to conserve its energy stores. Eat some more and you'll probably lose more weight:)0
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Calculate your BMR, and go from there. Most people on these forums are going to give you a calculation of what worked for them...but it doesn't nessesarily mean the number is going to work for you. Google it. I wouldn't take any one random persons word for it.0
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If you are 100% sure you are eating 1200 (measuring, weighing, tracking every last bite) then I suggest going to your doctor and talking to them. You really shouldn't be on that low of a diet unless you are under doctor supervision, for some reason or another. Medication can also big role, if you are on anything. Another thing is making sure you have a balance diet, I know I might get crap for this but for me if I eat too many carbs and not enough protein I WONT lose weight even when I'm hitting my calorie goal. I suggest looking at your portions and figuring out what the best range for those are. I use to not pay mind to my macros and just eat within my calorie range. Big mistake, my body wasn't happy about it and my carb intake was way too high and protein was way too low. Every body reacts differently so you have to figure out what works for you, just don't do extremely low calories.. it's not healthy.0
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I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose weight based on my height, activity level, age and weight.
I have found this calculator to be fairly accurate in determining how many calories I need to eat to lose and maintain.
http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html?ctype=standard&cage=20&csex=f&cheightfeet=5&cheightinch=6&cpound=0&cheightmeter=180&ckg=60&cactivity=1.2&printit=0&x=61&y=4
1200 is a guideline, not an absolute0 -
what are your stats? Height, current weight? Are you using a food scale?0
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Skylarfit181 wrote: »If you are not eating enough, your body is telling you basically that, fine, if you're not giving me enough fuel, I'll go into starvation mode and store everything you give me as fat. Also, you should NEVER eat less than 1200 calories!
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Could be sodium or a period coming that is causing water retention. Have you popped in the last few days? If you haven't, that can account for some, too.
If you aren't weighing and measuring, you may be eating more than you think.
Don't forget about whooshes, either. Some people lose nothing, then nothing and nothing and then lose like four pounds in a week. The Nothing's suck, but the whooshes are great!
You could also have a medical issue. If you haven't had your weight loss journey overseen by a doctor, make an appointment. For the longest time, nobody believed me about what I was eating - not even my lazy doctor or the dopey dietician. Then I got diagnosed, treated and started losing weight...and everyone believed me.
If you KNOW you're doing everything right, keep trying new doctors until you find one who believes you and treats you.
Good luck!0 -
renovagirl wrote: »I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose weight based on my height, activity level, age and weight.
I have found this calculator to be fairly accurate in determining how many calories I need to eat to lose and maintain.
http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html?ctype=standard&cage=20&csex=f&cheightfeet=5&cheightinch=6&cpound=0&cheightmeter=180&ckg=60&cactivity=1.2&printit=0&x=61&y=4
1200 is a guideline, not an absolute
You have your weight entered as 0 pounds, and that's why it's telling you that. How much do you weigh?0 -
First, open your diary, second starvation mode doesn't exist. Are you weighing and measuring everything you eat?0
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »renovagirl wrote: »I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose weight based on my height, activity level, age and weight.
I have found this calculator to be fairly accurate in determining how many calories I need to eat to lose and maintain.
http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html?ctype=standard&cage=20&csex=f&cheightfeet=5&cheightinch=6&cpound=0&cheightmeter=180&ckg=60&cactivity=1.2&printit=0&x=61&y=4
1200 is a guideline, not an absolute
You have your weight entered as 0 pounds, and that's why it's telling you that. How much do you weigh?
Bad calculator with no option for thinner people to take it slower than a pound per week. I am 5'3, 130lbs. Had me at 1080.Skylarfit181 wrote: »If you are not eating enough, your body is telling you basically that, fine, if you're not giving me enough fuel, I'll go into starvation mode and store everything you give me as fat. Also, you should NEVER eat less than 1200 calories!
Are extremely underweight people just bags of bones and fat?0 -
ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »renovagirl wrote: »I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose weight based on my height, activity level, age and weight.
I have found this calculator to be fairly accurate in determining how many calories I need to eat to lose and maintain.
http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html?ctype=standard&cage=20&csex=f&cheightfeet=5&cheightinch=6&cpound=0&cheightmeter=180&ckg=60&cactivity=1.2&printit=0&x=61&y=4
1200 is a guideline, not an absolute
You have your weight entered as 0 pounds, and that's why it's telling you that. How much do you weigh?
Those are not my specific stats. I copied the link as an example
Each person needs to enter THEIR OWN INFORMATION
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »renovagirl wrote: »I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose weight based on my height, activity level, age and weight.
I have found this calculator to be fairly accurate in determining how many calories I need to eat to lose and maintain.
http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html?ctype=standard&cage=20&csex=f&cheightfeet=5&cheightinch=6&cpound=0&cheightmeter=180&ckg=60&cactivity=1.2&printit=0&x=61&y=4
1200 is a guideline, not an absolute
You have your weight entered as 0 pounds, and that's why it's telling you that. How much do you weigh?
Bad calculator with no option for thinner people to take it slower than a pound per week. I am 5'3, 130lbs. Had me at 1080.Skylarfit181 wrote: »If you are not eating enough, your body is telling you basically that, fine, if you're not giving me enough fuel, I'll go into starvation mode and store everything you give me as fat. Also, you should NEVER eat less than 1200 calories!
Are extremely underweight people just bags of bones and fat?
Whatever. Now I remember why I stay away from this site.
I know what my stats are and I know how accurate it is for me.
Good luck to you
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This content has been removed.
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Skylarfit181 wrote: »If you are not eating enough, your body is telling you basically that, fine, if you're not giving me enough fuel, I'll go into starvation mode and store everything you give me as fat. Also, you should NEVER eat less than 1200 calories!
No. This is a myth, except I agree that 1200 calories is too low for most people in order to properly fuel your body.
Ammonium, if you were truly eating 1200 calories you would be losing weight, unless you have some medical issue that needs attention. Chances are you are underestimating calories in and, if you exercise and eat your calories back, overestimating calories burned. The MFP data base is notoriously inaccurate as to both.0 -
xmarliessss wrote: »You're eating way too little. You should at least get in 1500 cals for your body to function properly. You won't lose any fat on 1200 calories because your metabolism will slow down and your body will burn calories as slowly as possible to conserve its energy stores. Eat some more and you'll probably lose more weight:)
No. Just no.
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renovagirl wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »renovagirl wrote: »I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose weight based on my height, activity level, age and weight.
I have found this calculator to be fairly accurate in determining how many calories I need to eat to lose and maintain.
http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html?ctype=standard&cage=20&csex=f&cheightfeet=5&cheightinch=6&cpound=0&cheightmeter=180&ckg=60&cactivity=1.2&printit=0&x=61&y=4
1200 is a guideline, not an absolute
You have your weight entered as 0 pounds, and that's why it's telling you that. How much do you weigh?
Those are not my specific stats. I copied the link as an example
Each person needs to enter THEIR OWN INFORMATION
Hi OP. I'm 3lbs lighter than you and 1 inch taller than you. Not sure your age, but I'm 24. I would recommend using the Scooby calculator, as this one looks like it doesn't factor in eating back exercise calories..or healthy intake at all.
Mine told me to eat 800 calories a day to lose 2lbs a week. That will happen...via water weight and losing lean muscle weight over time.
The Scooby calculator is much more accurate and also factors in your exercise so you can have a safe and accurate number to go by.0 -
Could be sodium or a period coming that is causing water retention. Have you popped in the last few days? If you haven't, that can account for some, too.
If you aren't weighing and measuring, you may be eating more than you think.
Don't forget about whooshes, either. Some people lose nothing, then nothing and nothing and then lose like four pounds in a week. The Nothing's suck, but the whooshes are great!
You could also have a medical issue. If you haven't had your weight loss journey overseen by a doctor, make an appointment. For the longest time, nobody believed me about what I was eating - not even my lazy doctor or the dopey dietician. Then I got diagnosed, treated and started losing weight...and everyone believed me.
If you KNOW you're doing everything right, keep trying new doctors until you find one who believes you and treats you.
Good luck!
^^^^^^^ this
And for me, I also gained weight at 1200 calories but after a time period I would have a big drop and then go through the same thing again, and again and again. If you look at my profile pic you will see the pattern. Maybe you are the same. I try to stay away from a lot of salt and all pop and I try to drink at least 6 cups of water a day (I used to drink none, so I'm getting much better). Take care
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renovagirl wrote: »ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »renovagirl wrote: »I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose weight based on my height, activity level, age and weight.
I have found this calculator to be fairly accurate in determining how many calories I need to eat to lose and maintain.
http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html?ctype=standard&cage=20&csex=f&cheightfeet=5&cheightinch=6&cpound=0&cheightmeter=180&ckg=60&cactivity=1.2&printit=0&x=61&y=4
1200 is a guideline, not an absolute
You have your weight entered as 0 pounds, and that's why it's telling you that. How much do you weigh?
Those are not my specific stats. I copied the link as an example
Each person needs to enter THEIR OWN INFORMATION
Well, it seems pretty inaccurate for my stats. And no, you're not going to find support here for telling people to eat so low. It's against the Community Guidelines to do so.
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OP- see if you can find a place to get your BMR tested. I recently did and found that mine is only 995 cals. (which is much lower than even the "low end" of the BMR chart). It is possible that you don't need as much as 1.200 depending on you lifestyle, body, and exercise plan. However the only way to determine that is to go and see a professional.
Good luck.0 -
Yes let's all go doctor shopping until we find one that diagnoses us with the disease we want.
I got slow thyroids0 -
Skylarfit181 wrote: »If you are not eating enough, your body is telling you basically that, fine, if you're not giving me enough fuel, I'll go into starvation mode and store everything you give me as fat. Also, you should NEVER eat less than 1200 calories!
No.
Your body cannot create mass out of that high of a deficit. Just no
Science ftw
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xmarliessss wrote: »You're eating way too little. You should at least get in 1500 cals for your body to function properly. You won't lose any fat on 1200 calories because your metabolism will slow down and your body will burn calories as slowly as possible to conserve its energy stores. Eat some more and you'll probably lose more weight:)
No. Just no.
Yes I know, you'll lose weight anyway when contuining eating 1200 cals. But that will take unnecessary time and it's not healthy for your body at all. Think about hair loss, feeling cold all the time etc.. But that's just my opinion!
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