Is 1043 calories a day too few?
Rachel1534
Posts: 7 Member
I am 29 years old. Female. 5'1". Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Two anxiety medications. A two year old child. I'm 158.5 right now. I'm wanting to get to 132 by September 27th. Quick I know, but I want to slim down some before my beach vacation. I've lost 15 pounds all together. I was doing it really slowly, but I got some motivation by planning this last minute vacation. I'm not having any trouble eating that amount of calories and I'm still able to ride my stationary bike for 30 minutes a day. I just keep reading things about "starvation mode" and the body hanging onto fat. I personally don't think 1043 calories are too few for me, but what is y'all's opinion?
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Replies
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It's probably too low...but depending on how you're calculating it, it's entirely possible you're eating more than that (most people terribly underestimate how many calories they're actually eating).
That said, "starvation mode" - as you are using it - isn't a thing.0 -
Yes, it is. Minimum recommended intake to ensure you're getting adequate nutrition is 1200 calories. And 26 pounds in under nine weeks is too aggressive of a goal.0
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What's your plan for getting your required nutrients at that extremely (and probably dangerously) low calorie level? For instance iron, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, Omega 6, etc.?0
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as mentioned depending on how you are calculating them...
That being said...yes it's too few.0 -
It depends on your context. If you're not running low on energy, and you're not dropping weight too fast, you may be fine.
I would suggest, however, opening up your diary so you can double-check whether that is what you're actually eating.
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Rachel1534 wrote: »I am 29 years old. Female. 5'1". Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Two anxiety medications. A two year old child. I'm 158.5 right now. I'm wanting to get to 132 by September 27th. Quick I know, but I want to slim down some before my beach vacation. I've lost 15 pounds all together. I was doing it really slowly, but I got some motivation by planning this last minute vacation. I'm not having any trouble eating that amount of calories and I'm still able to ride my stationary bike for 30 minutes a day. I just keep reading things about "starvation mode" and the body hanging onto fat. I personally don't think 1043 calories are too few for me, but what is y'all's opinion?
I think your goal is a little aggressive. You have about nine weeks left to your goal, so you can probably lose about 9 to at most 18 pounds. Although, slow and steady wins the race in my opinion. So you should probably be aiming to lose 1/2 lbs a week though.
As far as the amount of calories you are eating, I think the recommended minimum for females is 1200 so you can get properly nourished.0 -
General recommendation is no lower than 1200 a day for women. Make sure you're weighing EVERYTHING when logging, and if you do so and are still that low, I would suggest adding more just to at least hit that 1200 mark. If you're nervous about it, ask your doctor where they think you should be at. Given that they'll have your medical history, they're probably in the best spot to advise you.0
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I'm taking a multivitamin with iron. I eat raw spinach in my egg white omelets in the morning. I'm eating lots of fresh, raw vegetables.What's your plan for getting your required nutrients at that extremely (and probably dangerously) low calorie level? For instance iron, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, Omega 6, etc.?
I'm not going to keep up the 1043. It is just for this very short period of time. I went to the USDA.gov website and it and MyFitnessPal both tell me that 1000-1200 is recommended for me to get all of my nutrients, so I figure it can't be too unsafe.Yes, it is. Minimum recommended intake to ensure you're getting adequate nutrition is 1200 calories. And 26 pounds in under nine weeks is too aggressive of a goal.ceoverturf wrote: »It's probably too low...but depending on how you're calculating it, it's entirely possible you're eating more than that (most people terribly underestimate how many calories they're actually eating).
That said, "starvation mode" - as you are using it - isn't a thing.
I just still don't understand all of the "starvation mode" talk. I've read about it on these message boards. It made worry that I am going to be having the opposite effect of what I was wanting to achieve.0 -
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Rachel1534 wrote: »I just still don't understand all of the "starvation mode" talk. I've read about it on these message boards. It made worry that I am going to be having the opposite effect of what I was wanting to achieve.
There is no "starvation mode" in the sense you're thinking of. Just ignore it.0 -
Rachel1534 wrote: »
Measuring cups/package serving sizes such as 1 slice etc vs weighing food on a scale
for example:
loaf of bread
2 slices (41 g) = 70 calories
I rarely (almost never) get 2 slices that weigh 41 g. Typically it's more like 46-50 g. That means my 2 slices is more than 70 calories. However, if I wasn't using a food scale I would just log 2 slices and be underestimating my intake by doing so.0 -
Rachel1534 wrote: »
She means are you weighing your food.0 -
Is there anything anyone could say here that would make you go, "Hmm, yeah, 1043 isn't enough"? Other than "1043 isn't enough for a 4'10" old woman in a coma"?0
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Rachel1534 wrote: »I just still don't understand all of the "starvation mode" talk. I've read about it on these message boards. It made worry that I am going to be having the opposite effect of what I was wanting to achieve.
A very good article on 'starvation mode'
http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/0 -
In 9wks time, a more reasonable goal would be to lose 5-15lbs IMO
Dont stress about body size for a vaca- theyre supposed to be fun and a treat! Not to mention they usually involve yummy foods & drinks when you get there0 -
The more aggressive weekly weight loss goals are the harder it is for your body to support existing lean muscle mass. If you want the number on the scale quickly.....without regard to future body fat percentage.....carry on.
Unfortunately all weight loss isn't just fat loss (I wish).0 -
Rachel1534 wrote: »I just still don't understand all of the "starvation mode" talk. I've read about it on these message boards. It made worry that I am going to be having the opposite effect of what I was wanting to achieve.
A very good article on 'starvation mode'
http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/
Thanks for the article...so much easier to share than explaining over and over.0 -
The general consensus is, that yes, it is too few. I figured that much, but why do both MyFitnessPal and USDA.gov both say that for a woman of my age, height and weight that eating between 1000-1200 is safe and recommended for weight loss? I'm not trying to be argumentative because I know people can't know someone's tone on a message board. I just don't understand why it is being recommended if it is dangerous.0
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Where does MFP say less than 1200 is safe or recommended? I thought there was a hard floor at 1200. Given than I am a gigantic man, I've never actually tried to put in numbers that a smallish woman would, but that's the way I understand it, anyway.Rachel1534 wrote: »The general consensus is, that yes, it is too few. I figured that much, but why do both MyFitnessPal and USDA.gov both say that for a woman of my age, height and weight that eating between 1000-1200 is safe and recommended for weight loss? I'm not trying to be argumentative because I know people can't know someone's tone on a message board. I just don't understand why it is being recommended if it is dangerous.
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Yes it's too low. MFP doesn't recommend ever go below 1200, so I don't know where you see that. Additionally, they put your BASE at 1200 and you are earning more through exercise.Rachel1534 wrote: »The general consensus is, that yes, it is too few. I figured that much, but why do both MyFitnessPal and USDA.gov both say that for a woman of my age, height and weight that eating between 1000-1200 is safe and recommended for weight loss? I'm not trying to be argumentative because I know people can't know someone's tone on a message board. I just don't understand why it is being recommended if it is dangerous.
My question to you is, what's the rush? Wouldn't you rather learn sustainability and do it in a healthy way? You definitely want to stay healthy for that little one.0 -
Rachel1534 wrote: »The general consensus is, that yes, it is too few. I figured that much, but why do both MyFitnessPal and USDA.gov both say that for a woman of my age, height and weight that eating between 1000-1200 is safe and recommended for weight loss? I'm not trying to be argumentative because I know people can't know someone's tone on a message board. I just don't understand why it is being recommended if it is dangerous.
Where did you read that? I have never seen anything by MFP that recommends less than 1200 calories.
https://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/1375583-a-message-about-myfitnesspal-s-updated-nutrition-goalsThe National Institutes of Health indicates that eating plans of 1,500 calories for men, and 1,200 calories for women, are safe and effective in achieving weight loss.0 -
That's too few. I'm gonna eat a snack on your behalf right now! You are going to be HANGRY!0
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@DeguelloTex I think she may be referring to online calorie calculators. I have used several different ones and I have had many tell me to eat below 1,000 calories.
Is it safe? Probably not...
But as a short girl, if you type in that you want to lose 1-2lbs a week... less than 1200 does get recommended by calorie calculators.
Also, an FYI - you can manually set your MFP calorie goal...
1200 is the least it recommends but you can technically put in any number you want.
This is all just for informational purposes ^^
Oops...my bad... I just noticed she said MFP says this...
disregard my comment then0 -
Rachel1534 wrote: »The general consensus is, that yes, it is too few. I figured that much, but why do both MyFitnessPal and USDA.gov both say that for a woman of my age, height and weight that eating between 1000-1200 is safe and recommended for weight loss?
All your nutrient needs can be met in a lot fewer calories than 1200. These numbers are just guidelines - the 1200 "limit" doesn't mean "don't go below this", it means "the further you go below this, the more critical all your food choices become".
Now, whether your should/shouldn't go as low as safe to do so depends on your goals, contexts, discipline, etc. There is no way anybody here can answer that for you - you have to find the right path for yourself.0 -
DeguelloTex wrote: »Is there anything anyone could say here that would make you go, "Hmm, yeah, 1043 isn't enough"? Other than "1043 isn't enough for a 4'10" old woman in a coma"?
Come on, surely you can see that it's a bit ridiculous to make that logic jump... 1043 isn't enough for a 4'10" old woman in a coma, but add 157 more calories, and there's no problem? One cookie, and it's the difference between barely sustaining life and healthy adult?0 -
This is what pops up when I've thought I was over 1000, but I wasn't at the end of the day and then I'll eat some more.
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This is from today. I'm not done eating yet so don't everyone freak out thinking I only had 593 calories today0
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I know that MFP asks s to eat no fewer than 1200 calories for sound nutritional reason. I don't see a problem with eating 10 % less than that for a few weeks.. It probably won't really improve weight loss by a significant amount. Perhaps a pound over the course of 4 to 6 weeks.0
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Rachel1534 wrote: »This is what pops up when I've thought I was over 1000, but I wasn't at the end of the day and then I'll eat some more.
Ah. I see they have changed the message. It used to be something about not eating enough would put you into starvation mode or some such thing.
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