Should I try less than 1200 calories a day?

tentaclegirl
tentaclegirl Posts: 5 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been at 180 pounds for four weeks now, I haven't lost a pound, everytime I do by the end of the week its back on again. Really I have been at 180 for two years now. I eat 1200-1400 cals a day, I exercise 45min minimum 5 days a week. I have lax days on the weekend, but since I have followed a vegetarian diet for 10 years now, that still includes fruits, veggies, beans and things like tofu. I usually only eat 1400-1500 cals a day, on a normal day. But I have read that in order to lose weight you should cut out 500 cals a day, but that would put me at or below 1000 cals which most people say not to do. I'm confused, what am I doing wrong? What if my body needs to be at 1000 cals a day because its so used to being at 1400? Is that still considered unhealthy? I would appreciate any help. Thank you!
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Replies

  • Aviva92
    Aviva92 Posts: 2,333 Member
    edited December 2014
    no, 1000 is too low. don't know why you're not losing on 1200-1400 calories though. if you really usually only eat 1400-1500 calories a day, you really shouldn't be 180 pounds to begin with.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    Look at source/ratio of carbs, fats and proteins.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited December 2014
    Are you weighing solid foods and measuring liquids?
    Have you been tested for hypothyroidism or PCOS?


    And to your original question, No. The further you get below 1200 the more you risk not getting adequate nutrition. Not getting enough nutrients in can wreck your insides.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Do you weigh your food? If not, you're eating more than you think. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, it comes down to eating less than you burn.
  • Blueseraphchaos
    Blueseraphchaos Posts: 843 Member
    Go to the getting started boards and check out the sexy pants forum. Also, check your logging. Most people who aren't losing weight are not logging accurately. Get a food scale and weigh your food...i think there's a thread on logging accurately in the getting started boards as well.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    No, you should not.

    You can be vegetarian and still be eating more than you think. Weigh and log your food everyday, as accurately as possible.
  • Aviva92
    Aviva92 Posts: 2,333 Member
    edited December 2014
    if anything, i think it's easier to overeat as a vegetarian. bread and pasta has tons of empty calories.
  • tentaclegirl
    tentaclegirl Posts: 5 Member
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?
  • tentaclegirl
    tentaclegirl Posts: 5 Member
    Aviva92 wrote: »
    no, 1000 is too low. don't know why you're not losing on 1200-1400 calories though. if you really usually only eat 1400-1500 calories a day, you really shouldn't be 180 pounds to begin with.

    tell that to my fat belly :expressionless:
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Oh and don't use "homemade - " entries in the database, chances are the calorie counts are extremely off. If you make a homemade dish, use the recipe builder to get the correct calories for how you made it.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    It's surprisingly different. Invest in a food scale... it is SO worth it.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    edited December 2014
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    This is why you aren't losing weight. Measuring food with cups and spoons is not accurate. You NEED to weigh your food in order to know how many calories you are consuming.

    ETA: < 1000 calorie diets should only be followed when under supervision of a medical doctor.
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    Measuring cups are for liquids. If you are using them to weigh solids (like cheese, grains, ect), you could easily be overeating and not realizing it. It's also difficult to know a proper serving of pasta without a scale as well.

    Food scales are less than $30, and it will greatly help your ability to track your intake better.

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    huge difference.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGcdyfDM3oQ
  • Unknown
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  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    Look at source/ratio of carbs, fats and proteins.

    Has nothing to do with weight loss.

    OP....more then likely you are eating more then you think.

    Get digital food scale and weigh all solid foods and use measuring cups for liquids only!!

    Good luck.
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Are you weighing solid foods and measuring liquids?
    Have you been tested for hypothyroidism or PCOS?


    And to your original question, No. The further you get below 1200 the more you risk not getting adequate nutrition. Not getting enough nutrients in can wreck your insides.
    mfp needs a like button :smile:
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    Yep. Your cup may not be the same as the manufacturer's cup. Going by weight is always the best bet.
  • tentaclegirl
    tentaclegirl Posts: 5 Member
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    Measuring cups are for liquids. If you are using them to weigh solids (like cheese, grains, ect), you could easily be overeating and not realizing it. It's also difficult to know a proper serving of pasta without a scale as well.

    Food scales are less than $30, and it will greatly help your ability to track your intake better.

    i disagree with some of you on this, there are 2 types of measuring cups, one that comes with little lines down the side of it and thats for liquids and the other that usually comes stacked one in the other and thats for solids like flour, sugar ect... I will think about the food scale but after the gym membership, the portable water bottles, the gym clothes and shoes, the pedometer, the dumbells, the resistance bands, the fitness apps... all things that people told me I NEEDED, I'm a little out of cash on things that people keep telling me I NEED. No one has ever lost wieght without a food scale?
  • blossomingbutterfly
    blossomingbutterfly Posts: 743 Member
    From reading this thread - invest in a food scale. That was one of my best purchases this year. It's the only way I can accurately log anything.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Eat exactly 1200 and stop cheating on the weekends; weigh/measure and log absolutely everything. That way you should start losing the weight. I know it's a lot of effort but that's the only way to make it work IMHO.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    Measuring cups are for liquids. If you are using them to weigh solids (like cheese, grains, ect), you could easily be overeating and not realizing it. It's also difficult to know a proper serving of pasta without a scale as well.

    Food scales are less than $30, and it will greatly help your ability to track your intake better.

    i disagree with some of you on this, there are 2 types of measuring cups, one that comes with little lines down the side of it and thats for liquids and the other that usually comes stacked one in the other and thats for solids like flour, sugar ect... I will think about the food scale but after the gym membership, the portable water bottles, the gym clothes and shoes, the pedometer, the dumbells, the resistance bands, the fitness apps... all things that people told me I NEEDED, I'm a little out of cash on things that people keep telling me I NEED. No one has ever lost wieght without a food scale?

    Food scale should come first... you should be weighing solids even in baking.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    The food scale is cheap on Amazon. You can probably get a used one even cheaper. :)
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    Measuring cups are for liquids. If you are using them to weigh solids (like cheese, grains, ect), you could easily be overeating and not realizing it. It's also difficult to know a proper serving of pasta without a scale as well.

    Food scales are less than $30, and it will greatly help your ability to track your intake better.

    i disagree with some of you on this, there are 2 types of measuring cups, one that comes with little lines down the side of it and thats for liquids and the other that usually comes stacked one in the other and thats for solids like flour, sugar ect... I will think about the food scale but after the gym membership, the portable water bottles, the gym clothes and shoes, the pedometer, the dumbells, the resistance bands, the fitness apps... all things that people told me I NEEDED, I'm a little out of cash on things that people keep telling me I NEED. No one has ever lost wieght without a food scale?

    Of course people have lost weight without using food scales... but when you aren't losing weight, isn't it natural to try and fix the reason why you're not losing? The first place (and most obvious) to look is at your calorie consumption. Since measuring is not accurate, the suggestion would be to get as accurate as possible so you know exactly what's going in.
  • Travellatorvictim
    Travellatorvictim Posts: 1
    Can you borrow a scale from a friend for a week or so. It would be a worthwhile exercise to compare what you would normally consider the right amount to what a scale says and see if you are right. You could mark your cups with the accurate amount if the budget really doesnt allow, or hit the garage/car boot sales for a cheap second hand one IF you found your readings really arent as accurate as you would like. Ultimately, something is not working for you, and something has to change. Do what you have always done, you get what you always got.
  • hedgiie
    hedgiie Posts: 1,226 Member
    i don't see anything wrong with it as you do it rarely. but this can be harmful in a regular basis
  • obscuremusicreference
    obscuremusicreference Posts: 1,320 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    Measuring cups are for liquids. If you are using them to weigh solids (like cheese, grains, ect), you could easily be overeating and not realizing it. It's also difficult to know a proper serving of pasta without a scale as well.

    Food scales are less than $30, and it will greatly help your ability to track your intake better.

    i disagree with some of you on this, there are 2 types of measuring cups, one that comes with little lines down the side of it and thats for liquids and the other that usually comes stacked one in the other and thats for solids like flour, sugar ect... I will think about the food scale but after the gym membership, the portable water bottles, the gym clothes and shoes, the pedometer, the dumbells, the resistance bands, the fitness apps... all things that people told me I NEEDED, I'm a little out of cash on things that people keep telling me I NEED. No one has ever lost wieght without a food scale?

    I've lost 26 pounds eating what I think is 1200 calories a day without a food scale. I've asked for one for Christmas because I'm going to need to tighten up on my logging to get rid of the rest.

    That said, I was 180 28 days ago and I'm currently 174. I've only had two days when I went off the rails (Thanksgiving + day after). Maybe getting rid of the idea of the cheat day would help you?
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    tentaclegirl wrote: »
    I measure my food, like by cups in measuring cups and I don't know how different that is from weighing it? is there a major difference so much that I have to go out and buy a food scale?

    Measuring cups are for liquids. If you are using them to weigh solids (like cheese, grains, ect), you could easily be overeating and not realizing it. It's also difficult to know a proper serving of pasta without a scale as well.

    Food scales are less than $30, and it will greatly help your ability to track your intake better.

    i disagree with some of you on this, there are 2 types of measuring cups, one that comes with little lines down the side of it and thats for liquids and the other that usually comes stacked one in the other and thats for solids like flour, sugar ect... I will think about the food scale but after the gym membership, the portable water bottles, the gym clothes and shoes, the pedometer, the dumbells, the resistance bands, the fitness apps... all things that people told me I NEEDED, I'm a little out of cash on things that people keep telling me I NEED. No one has ever lost wieght without a food scale?

    I just weighed 1 cup of oats with a "solid" food measuring cup. 1 cup should weigh 80 g....it weighed 93g. That comes out to about an additional 48 calories that doesn't get logged in a single meal.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLQO2YGo9mA
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    I agree with others on getting a food scale, but the first thing that popped out to me is that you say you're "lax" on the weekends. Depending on how your goals are set and how small your deficit is, it's entirely possible that you're undoing your deficit with two cheat days a week. I would start logging those, even if you go over, just to see what they're doing to your weekly calories.
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    Simple tools of measuring will go a long way on this journey ..food scale #1
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