1,200 Calorie Diet
Pebblemonster21
Posts: 17 Member
Hi Everyone!
So I started my current weight loss journey last Monday. I stuck to the 1,200 calorie diet pretty faithfully and worked out 4 times, each between 250-300 calories burned. Yet, when I weighed myself, it seems like I actually gained weight.
So I started my current weight loss journey last Monday. I stuck to the 1,200 calorie diet pretty faithfully and worked out 4 times, each between 250-300 calories burned. Yet, when I weighed myself, it seems like I actually gained weight.
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Replies
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How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?0
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Does anyone have an idea of why that could be? It really has me tempted to go down to 1,000 calories per day, but I've read that it's dangerous to do that. However, my body seems totally unaffected at 1,200.0
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It may be water retention from your new workout program or bad logging. Also one week isn't log enough to decide if something is working or not.0
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IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.0 -
Your weight is not a static number. It's constantly in flux due to things like muscle inflammation after a workout, water retention caused by lots of things (sodium, carbs, stress, hormones, etc), where you are in your monthly cycle, when you last pooped, etc. It's why so many people tell you that weight loss is not linear. You won't see a drop on the scale every single week, even when you're just starting out. Give your body some time to catch up with your new routine before you panic.0
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Ready2Rock206 wrote: »It may be water retention from your new workout program or bad logging. Also one week isn't log enough to decide if something is working or not.
That's true, I guess I need to be patient. It just kind of freaked me out because I was working so hard and to see that was kind of disappointing.0 -
A week? So you net under 1000? Patience is a virtue. Have some and eat more.0
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Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..0 -
Ready2Rock206 wrote: »It may be water retention from your new workout program or bad logging. Also one week isn't log enough to decide if something is working or not.
What do you mean by bad logging by the way?0 -
If you're not weighting your food you should start, you might think you're eating on a deficit but you're actually overeating because you are underestimating what you're actually eating.0
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Pebblemonster21 wrote: »Ready2Rock206 wrote: »It may be water retention from your new workout program or bad logging. Also one week isn't log enough to decide if something is working or not.
What do you mean by bad logging by the way?
Using entries in the database that aren't correct (a lot of them are off), using someone else's homemade or generic entries that don't accurately reflect what you ate, guessing or eyeballing serving sizes, etc.
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diannethegeek wrote: »Your weight is not a static number. It's constantly in flux due to things like muscle inflammation after a workout, water retention caused by lots of things (sodium, carbs, stress, hormones, etc), where you are in your monthly cycle, when you last pooped, etc. It's why so many people tell you that weight loss is not linear. You won't see a drop on the scale every single week, even when you're just starting out. Give your body some time to catch up with your new routine before you panic.
Thanks, this helped. I'm pretty desperate to lose some weight that I gained recently so I freaked out when it seemed like it wasn't working. I'll just keep at it.0 -
IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?0 -
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Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Your weight is not a static number. It's constantly in flux due to things like muscle inflammation after a workout, water retention caused by lots of things (sodium, carbs, stress, hormones, etc), where you are in your monthly cycle, when you last pooped, etc. It's why so many people tell you that weight loss is not linear. You won't see a drop on the scale every single week, even when you're just starting out. Give your body some time to catch up with your new routine before you panic.
Thanks, this helped. I'm pretty desperate to lose some weight that I gained recently so I freaked out when it seemed like it wasn't working. I'll just keep at it.
Have you had a chance to go through the "must read" posts stickied to the top of each section? This one in particular might be helpful: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear
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I have a food scale to avoid the eyeballing/guessing thing. But how can I avoid the incorrect database-thing?diannethegeek wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »Ready2Rock206 wrote: »It may be water retention from your new workout program or bad logging. Also one week isn't log enough to decide if something is working or not.
What do you mean by bad logging by the way?
Using entries in the database that aren't correct (a lot of them are off), using someone else's homemade or generic entries that don't accurately reflect what you ate, guessing or eyeballing serving sizes, etc.0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Your weight is not a static number. It's constantly in flux due to things like muscle inflammation after a workout, water retention caused by lots of things (sodium, carbs, stress, hormones, etc), where you are in your monthly cycle, when you last pooped, etc. It's why so many people tell you that weight loss is not linear. You won't see a drop on the scale every single week, even when you're just starting out. Give your body some time to catch up with your new routine before you panic.
Thanks, this helped. I'm pretty desperate to lose some weight that I gained recently so I freaked out when it seemed like it wasn't working. I'll just keep at it.
Have you had a chance to go through the "must read" posts stickied to the top of each section? This one in particular might be helpful: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear
Wow, that was a great article! Thanks (: I seriously was considering just eating 1,000 calories as I've done in the past, but I'm going to stick to the healthy way and try to avoid incorrect entries to make sure I'm really eating what I think I am.0 -
Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?
The point is that exercise is great for your body and mind.
MFP gives you a calorie goal that includes a deficit, without you doing any exercise. This deficit will create weight loss. If you increase this deficit through exercise, you run the risk of having your net calories go too low. This will impact your energy level, mood, ability to meet your body's nutritional needs, and may put you at a higher risk for binges. Additionally, rapid weight loss (like the kind you will experience if your deficit is too high) increase your risk of health complications (like hair loss and gall bladder issues) and it means you will lose more muscle than fat. You always lose some muscle on a diet, but you really want to lose as little as possible. A reasonable deficit makes this possible. This is why MFP is designed for people to eat their exercise calories back.0 -
Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Your weight is not a static number. It's constantly in flux due to things like muscle inflammation after a workout, water retention caused by lots of things (sodium, carbs, stress, hormones, etc), where you are in your monthly cycle, when you last pooped, etc. It's why so many people tell you that weight loss is not linear. You won't see a drop on the scale every single week, even when you're just starting out. Give your body some time to catch up with your new routine before you panic.
Thanks, this helped. I'm pretty desperate to lose some weight that I gained recently so I freaked out when it seemed like it wasn't working. I'll just keep at it.
Have you had a chance to go through the "must read" posts stickied to the top of each section? This one in particular might be helpful: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear
Wow, that was a great article! Thanks (: I seriously was considering just eating 1,000 calories as I've done in the past, but I'm going to stick to the healthy way and try to avoid incorrect entries to make sure I'm really eating what I think I am.
What are your stats ht/wt, because when you say you're going to "stick to the healthy way".....I don't think you're doing it netting under 1000 calories.....especially at your age.....unless you're 2 and a half feet tall.0 -
Pebblemonster21 wrote: »Hi Everyone!
So I started my current weight loss journey last Monday. I stuck to the 1,200 calorie diet pretty faithfully and worked out 4 times, each between 250-300 calories burned. Yet, when I weighed myself, it seems like I actually gained weight.
That happens to me too!! I lost the first week but gained the second. I want to say it's from muscle gain, but I don't know. I know this is gross, but make sure you're getting in just a little bit of oil every day because it keeps you lubricated. Sometimes when I diet and cut out butter and oils, I get stopped up and that makes me gain weight. Just advice!0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?
The point is that exercise is great for your body and mind.
MFP gives you a calorie goal that includes a deficit, without you doing any exercise. This deficit will create weight loss. If you increase this deficit through exercise, you run the risk of having your net calories go too low. This will impact your energy level, mood, ability to meet your body's nutritional needs, and may put you at a higher risk for binges. Additionally, rapid weight loss (like the kind you will experience if your deficit is too high) increase your risk of health complications (like hair loss and gall bladder issues) and it means you will lose more muscle than fat. You always lose some muscle on a diet, but you really want to lose as little as possible. A reasonable deficit makes this possible. This is why MFP is designed for people to eat their exercise calories back.
I understand that having too much of a calorie deficit is bad. But I'm only 5'3 and I currently weigh 152 lbs. So I'm about 12 pounds overweight.Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Your weight is not a static number. It's constantly in flux due to things like muscle inflammation after a workout, water retention caused by lots of things (sodium, carbs, stress, hormones, etc), where you are in your monthly cycle, when you last pooped, etc. It's why so many people tell you that weight loss is not linear. You won't see a drop on the scale every single week, even when you're just starting out. Give your body some time to catch up with your new routine before you panic.
Thanks, this helped. I'm pretty desperate to lose some weight that I gained recently so I freaked out when it seemed like it wasn't working. I'll just keep at it.
Have you had a chance to go through the "must read" posts stickied to the top of each section? This one in particular might be helpful: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear
Wow, that was a great article! Thanks (: I seriously was considering just eating 1,000 calories as I've done in the past, but I'm going to stick to the healthy way and try to avoid incorrect entries to make sure I'm really eating what I think I am.
What are your stats ht/wt, because when you say you're going to "stick to the healthy way".....I don't think you're doing it netting under 1000 calories.....especially at your age.....unless you're 2 and a half feet tall.
I'm 5'3, 19 yrs. old, and I weigh 152 lbs., which means I'm 12 lbs. overweight. According to that, my BMR is 1513 calories. So eating 1,200 calories and burning 300 creates a deficit of roughly 600 calories.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?
The point is that exercise is great for your body and mind.
MFP gives you a calorie goal that includes a deficit, without you doing any exercise. This deficit will create weight loss. If you increase this deficit through exercise, you run the risk of having your net calories go too low. This will impact your energy level, mood, ability to meet your body's nutritional needs, and may put you at a higher risk for binges. Additionally, rapid weight loss (like the kind you will experience if your deficit is too high) increase your risk of health complications (like hair loss and gall bladder issues) and it means you will lose more muscle than fat. You always lose some muscle on a diet, but you really want to lose as little as possible. A reasonable deficit makes this possible. This is why MFP is designed for people to eat their exercise calories back.
I don't really follow the diet plan that MFP set up for me. I use this app so I can keep track of my calories, but I adjusted my calorie intake to what I felt would be good while still staying within a healthy calorie amount. I don't know, I just feel like eating back the calories I just burned is self-sabotage. I want to exercise to lose weight, not to be able to eat more.
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Pebblemonster21 wrote: »Hi Everyone!
So I started my current weight loss journey last Monday. I stuck to the 1,200 calorie diet pretty faithfully and worked out 4 times, each between 250-300 calories burned. Yet, when I weighed myself, it seems like I actually gained weight.
That happens to me too!! I lost the first week but gained the second. I want to say it's from muscle gain, but I don't know. I know this is gross, but make sure you're getting in just a little bit of oil every day because it keeps you lubricated. Sometimes when I diet and cut out butter and oils, I get stopped up and that makes me gain weight. Just advice!
Lol thanks for the advice. (: How long have you been on this diet?
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As you mentioned you have only been doing this for a week...If exercising is something that you're newly incorporating into your wellness plan than give this transition some time. Results don't happen over night and especially when you're adding in new exercise.
Make sure you're weighing and logging accurately and you'll be fine. CICO. It worked for me and majority of people on here so my advice: Practice patience, weigh and log errthang and I mean everything, and don't be so hard on yourself if you're not seeing results on the scale. Take some measurements and go by those as well.
Good luck!!0 -
Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?
No... think about it logically.
For example, let's say someone's TDEE is 2300 calories. They eat at 1800 calories daily... that is a 500 calorie deficit (aka 1lb loss per week). If they burn calories through exercise, lets say 500; 1800-500 = 1300 net calories.
You eat back these calories so you're back to where you were so you have more fuel... which is necessary for bodily functions etc.
Take a step back, take another step back, take a step forward... returning to where you were a step back ;p that just makes it sound confusing but you get the drift?
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I understand that having too much of a calorie deficit is bad. But I'm only 5'3 and I currently weigh 152 lbs. So I'm about 12 pounds overweight.
It's often suggested that the less you have to lose the slower you should go. It helps you keep your muscle tone and makes sure that you're getting enough nutrition for your body. Someone with 75 pounds to lose might be able to aim for 2 pounds per week. With 12 pounds to lose you should probably consider a less aggressive plan.I'm 5'3, 19 yrs. old, and I weigh 152 lbs., which means I'm 12 lbs. overweight. According to that, my BMR is 1513 calories. So eating 1,200 calories and burning 300 creates a deficit of roughly 600 calories.
You want to take your deficit from your TDEE, not your BMR. And again, aiming for a 1,000 calorie deficit is a lot for someone with only 12 pounds to lose.I don't know, I just feel like eating back the calories I just burned is self-sabotage. I want to exercise to lose weight, not to be able to eat more.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/818082/exercise-calories-again-wtf0 -
Pebblemonster21 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?
The point is that exercise is great for your body and mind.
MFP gives you a calorie goal that includes a deficit, without you doing any exercise. This deficit will create weight loss. If you increase this deficit through exercise, you run the risk of having your net calories go too low. This will impact your energy level, mood, ability to meet your body's nutritional needs, and may put you at a higher risk for binges. Additionally, rapid weight loss (like the kind you will experience if your deficit is too high) increase your risk of health complications (like hair loss and gall bladder issues) and it means you will lose more muscle than fat. You always lose some muscle on a diet, but you really want to lose as little as possible. A reasonable deficit makes this possible. This is why MFP is designed for people to eat their exercise calories back.
I don't really follow the diet plan that MFP set up for me. I use this app so I can keep track of my calories, but I adjusted my calorie intake to what I felt would be good while still staying within a healthy calorie amount. I don't know, I just feel like eating back the calories I just burned is self-sabotage. I want to exercise to lose weight, not to be able to eat more.
That's your first mistake if you actually want to succeed at long term weight loss. Did you pick to lose 2lbs a week thinking it'll be off in a few months and you can go back to eating normal?
Overly restricting your calories is sabotage. Eating the proper amounts of calories for sustained weight loss is the healthy way to do it. How many calories did MFP give you? And how many lbs did you chose to lose each week? With 12 lbs, you should have picked 1/2 lb loss each week and stick with that number of calories, AND eat a portion of your exercise calories burned.0 -
Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?
no you are still at a deficit0 -
Pebblemonster21 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »IsaackGMOON wrote: »How long have you been on this '1200 calorie diet' and have you been eating back your exercise calories?
I've been on it for a week now. And I haven't been eating back my calories burned. I stick to the 1,200 and then burn an additional 250-300.
A week is nothing. And you should be eating back your exercise calories otherwise you will be netting a smaller amount (around 900) which isn't healthy..
Wait, I don't understand. What would be the point of working out if I'm just going to eat back the calories I just burned? Wouldn't that be pointless?
The point is that exercise is great for your body and mind.
MFP gives you a calorie goal that includes a deficit, without you doing any exercise. This deficit will create weight loss. If you increase this deficit through exercise, you run the risk of having your net calories go too low. This will impact your energy level, mood, ability to meet your body's nutritional needs, and may put you at a higher risk for binges. Additionally, rapid weight loss (like the kind you will experience if your deficit is too high) increase your risk of health complications (like hair loss and gall bladder issues) and it means you will lose more muscle than fat. You always lose some muscle on a diet, but you really want to lose as little as possible. A reasonable deficit makes this possible. This is why MFP is designed for people to eat their exercise calories back.
I understand that having too much of a calorie deficit is bad. But I'm only 5'3 and I currently weigh 152 lbs. So I'm about 12 pounds overweight.Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Pebblemonster21 wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Your weight is not a static number. It's constantly in flux due to things like muscle inflammation after a workout, water retention caused by lots of things (sodium, carbs, stress, hormones, etc), where you are in your monthly cycle, when you last pooped, etc. It's why so many people tell you that weight loss is not linear. You won't see a drop on the scale every single week, even when you're just starting out. Give your body some time to catch up with your new routine before you panic.
Thanks, this helped. I'm pretty desperate to lose some weight that I gained recently so I freaked out when it seemed like it wasn't working. I'll just keep at it.
Have you had a chance to go through the "must read" posts stickied to the top of each section? This one in particular might be helpful: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear
Wow, that was a great article! Thanks (: I seriously was considering just eating 1,000 calories as I've done in the past, but I'm going to stick to the healthy way and try to avoid incorrect entries to make sure I'm really eating what I think I am.
What are your stats ht/wt, because when you say you're going to "stick to the healthy way".....I don't think you're doing it netting under 1000 calories.....especially at your age.....unless you're 2 and a half feet tall.
I'm 5'3, 19 yrs. old, and I weigh 152 lbs., which means I'm 12 lbs. overweight. According to that, my BMR is 1513 calories. So eating 1,200 calories and burning 300 creates a deficit of roughly 600 calories.
No....Like Dianne said. Your deficit is from maintenance.....not your BMR. Eating at your BMR that you state would be eating at about TDEE -25%....With only 12lbs to lose you should probably be closer to TDEE -15% (or about 1800). If you're eating only 1200-1000 calories your eating at TDEE -40to50%, or a deficit of 800 to 1000cals per day.
Not something someone your age and with so little to lose should be doing.0 -
Here's another great read that will help you understand. Read the first post in this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here0
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