Is 1200 calories too low for me?

angeljo2015

Hi, I'm new to calorie counting and starting on 1200 calories, I'm 5ft 1 and weigh 154 pounds, I'd like to lose a stone, I'm in an active job where I not heavy files about and I'm up and down stairs alot and running around a notes library, 1200 leaves me feeling hungry.

janejellyroll

Did you get the 1,200 calorie goal from MFP? Did you choose "active" as your setting on activity level? Did you choose an aggressive goal for weight loss (2 pounds a week)?

angeljo2015

I chose 2 pounds a week and was set at 1200 by mfp, I lost four pounds on 1200 cal last week although good wondered at what cost

janejellyroll

angeljo2015 wrote: »

I chose 2 pounds a week and was set at 1200 by mfp, I lost four pounds on 1200 cal last week although good wondered at what cost

You weigh too little for such an aggressive goal.

Choose a more reasonable goal (.5-1 pound a week) and you'll have more calories each day.

angeljo2015

Okay thanks

WinoGelato

Did you not care for the advice you got in your other thread on this topic?

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/35583107#Comment_35583107

angeljo2015

I did read that but I got a bit confused with everything

kshama2001

angeljo2015 wrote: »

I chose 2 pounds a week and was set at 1200 by mfp, I lost four pounds on 1200 cal last week although good wondered at what cost

With only 14 pounds to lose, losing 2 pounds a week is too aggressive. We discussed this with you two days ago and you said you were going to eat 1400 calories per day.

angeljo2015

Okay sorry

WinoGelato

It's one page of responses telling you that 1200 is too low for someone who only is trying to lose a stone and who has an active job.

You said in there that your TDEE calculated is around 2000 cals/day. As I suggested in that thread:

WinoGelato wrote: »

angeljo2015 wrote: »

That was online calculated x

If I were in your situation I would either set my goal at 1400 and eat exercise calories back, or maybe 1600 and don't eat them back, give it a good 4-6 weeks and see what your results are. If you've lost 2-3 lbs in that time, sounds like you're on track. If you've lost more, may want to increase by 100 cals or so. If you've lost less, either drop it by 100 cals or make sure your logging is as accurate as possible.

Good luck!

I'm not saying that my advice is the end all be all, but the suggestions you got in that thread were largely consistent with this. I'm not sure what is so confusing that it merits a whole other thread? What are you expecting to hear today that would be different, since there was fairly high consensus in the other thread.

bgrojean1

.

briegirl28

angeljo2015 wrote: »

Hi, I'm new to calorie counting and starting on 1200 calories, I'm 5ft 1 and weigh 154 pounds, I'd like to lose a stone, I'm in an active job where I not heavy files about and I'm up and down stairs alot and running around a notes library, 1200 leaves me feeling hungry.

1,200 calories is usually what hospitals administer ---- a very strict but monitored diet. I would not recommend going that low as it might make your body think it is starving and result in holding on to every calorie.

Have to tried the initial changes like no sugar (except naturally occurring sugars), lots of protein and veggies, plenty of rest and water? If you are doing a lot of exercise, you probably need more calories than you realize.

WinoGelato

bgrojean1 wrote: »

Here's the advice that you need - consult your doctor. Advice on the internet for the most part is flawed and opinionated. With regard to weight loss, following the herd could be dangerous to your health. You and your doctor know what's appropriate. MFP gave me a 1400 goal - my doctor gave me a 1600 min per day goal with 1700 being ideal. I've lost 77 lbs as of today over 298 days. My doctor was right - MFP was wrong.

She's got 14 lbs to lose. I'm not really sure that constitutes - consult a medical professional before you begin anything.

Also, MFP shouldn't be giving a male a calorie target of 1400 at all, I think the minimum it suggests for men is 1800, maybe 1600. But if you got 1400 then I think perhaps something was set up incorrectly at the time.

WinoGelato

Are people missing the fact that she has less than 15 pounds to lose, and that she lost 4 lbs last week on 1200 cals? All she needs to do is set an appropriate goal in MFP of 0.5 lb/week, and track her food consistently. She can eat any food she likes and should be able to achieve her goal, she has mentioned no medical reason to cut out sugar, or make any other major changes in her diet.

janejellyroll

angeljo2015 wrote: »

I did read that but I got a bit confused with everything

Can you share exactly what is confusing you? It seems like you're asking variations of the same question over and over and it would be better for us to clear up whatever is confusing you.

LeslieCampbell35

briegirl28 wrote: »

angeljo2015 wrote: »

Hi, I'm new to calorie counting and starting on 1200 calories, I'm 5ft 1 and weigh 154 pounds, I'd like to lose a stone, I'm in an active job where I not heavy files about and I'm up and down stairs alot and running around a notes library, 1200 leaves me feeling hungry.

1,200 calories is usually what hospitals administer ---- a very strict but monitored diet. I would not recommend going that low as it might make your body think it is starving and result in holding on to every calorie.

Have to tried the initial changes like no sugar (except naturally occurring sugars), lots of protein and veggies, plenty of rest and water? If you are doing a lot of exercise, you probably need more calories than your



Starvation mode is a myth

angeljo2015

Maybe I need to set the reasonable goal of a slower loss than the fast loss x

WinoGelato

angeljo2015 wrote: »

Maybe I need to set the reasonable goal of a slower loss than the fast loss x

Yes.

janejellyroll

angeljo2015 wrote: »

Maybe I need to set the reasonable goal of a slower loss than the fast loss x

Set a reasonable goal and, if your job is active, make sure your activity level is set to "active" (or at least "lightly active").

HG93022

If I were you, I would set my activity level to "Active" and set a 1lb loss goal. After a month on that plan, adjust if the loss isn't consistent with a 1lb per week.

angeljo2015

Thanks everyone

Yi5hedr3

Yep - set 1 lb/week max.