Doctor suggest 1200 Calories
herlove4fit
Posts: 4 Member
My doctor told me that all women should eat 1200 calories to lose weight. And I asked her, "Even if you workout," and she said yes.She believes 1200 calories is the magic number. I've gained back 18 pounds because I have been eating way too much about (2500-2800 cal). According, to my fitbit my tdee is (2200-2300). I'm a 5'3 female, 29 yrs and 160 pounds. I find that my biggest problem is snacking out of boredom because I'm home alone. However, I can't see myself eating 1200 calories I believe it's too low for me. My husband thinks I should listen to the doctor and try a 1200 calorie diet. I don't know if I'm over thinking it, I just don't know what's right. I really can't say how I lost weight any other time because I always zig zag my calories. What would you suggest?
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Replies
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Not to listen to that Dr. just because she believes a certain number works, it may be right but height, age, activity level matter as well. MFP will tell your calories or give you a rough estimate. Plug in your info and see what MFP calculator tells you.0
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MFP will give you a good calorie estimate to start with, @ my current weight and activity level my calorie intake in order to loose weigh is still very high being set at 1,700, this is going to change as I loose weight. If my activity remains on the low side then the number will decrease, as I loose weight and am able to do more it may remain the same.
As Jcl81 suggested plug in your info to MFP.
This is a great place to start, and if you use the tools available, such as logging your exercise and keeping a food diary, be sure not to eat back all of your calories earned by exercise.
I was doing that at first when hunger was just to overwhelming. Try to restrict that to only 1/4 to 1/2 of earned calories if you are very hungry.
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My suggestion:
-Plug your stats into MFP
-Pick a reasonable weight loss per week
- sync your fitbit to MFP
- enable negative adjustments (your calories will be adjusted up or down based on your activity for the day)
1200 is not right for everyone.0 -
I've been to many doctors and none have ever recommended me to eat 1200 calories, they were shocked I was eating 1600 calories and working out!0
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Boredom eating sucks. I struggle with it. I try and leave a cushion in my calories to account for it, as in plan it into my day. 1200 is not a magical number. Figuring out your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) will help you figure out what is right for you. Some good calculators out there. Also, once you hit goal weight you need to have an idea of how many calories you should be eating to hold at that goal. Hope that helps!0
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1,200 is the fastest way one could probably lose weight because its the bare minimum recomended for a female. But quick weight loss isn't always ideal anyways... Losing weight toofast can cause your body to use good muscle and people end up being a 'skinny fat'
Im also 5'3 and was at 165 pounds. Im down to 138. I eat 1,500 calories (give or take) and exercise 6x a week (3 cardio days and 3 strength, alternating). I don't eat back any of the net calories i get back from MFP.
Find what works or you. Measure out food and log everything. If you get bored go for a walk, read, play a game. Something. You need to work on breakig that habit.0 -
You are here. Plug in your stats and tell MFP that you want to lose 1 pound per week. You will get a number of calories to eat. Hit that goal every day (+/- 50 cals).
If you try to eat 1200 calories, you will struggle with hunger in addition to the boredom eating. Instead I would tackle the boredom eating. Find something to do besides eating, and don't keep snack food at home.
Doctors don't know everything just because they are doctors, and neither do husbands.0 -
What is MFP0
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I am also 5'3 and 163lbs. 34 years old, I tried Herbalife for 6 weeks and lost nothing. I'm also a new mom of a 5 month old. Frustrated about my lack of weight loss I met with a nutritionist. (She recommended this site) she said for my body type I need a low carb diet. I'm also shooting for 1200 calories a day but she cared more about the carbs. It's been a week and I haven't weighed myself yet but I feel better already. The exercise I fit in what I can when I can. So I'll do a 5 min plank challenge in the morning and whatever I can fit in the afternoon after work. 30 min treadmill or 15 min of squats and push-ups.0
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1200 is only for short girls that are not very active (like myself). My Fitbit does estimate my TDEE at around 1950-2000 with my 10-11 k steps a day - however I think it's generous estimate. Everyone is different but I used to snack out of boredom as well and that is where my extra calories were. I was not however in any way emotional eating or binging or something like that so it was really easy for me to stop. Now that my snacking is to a minimum (if I have extra calories I will weigh myself a 20-30 g of chips or sth) I don't find it difficult to keep at 1200. If anything I'm feeling like I eat more since all my calories are spent on the 'real food'. Put your stats into MFP, don't set an aggressive goal (1 lbs/week max) and try that for a while. 1200 really isn't for everyone, especially an active person. I wish you all the best. My diary is open if you are interested.
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MFP has suggested 1200 for me and for me it does seem to work. I dont starve myself. I have three meals and two snacks. Usually almonds in the morning and yogurt in the evening. i find chewing gum helps with the snacking. The only exercise I do is walking dog for hour and a half . It may not work for everyone but no one size fits all. It trial and error, Good luck0
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Here is an insight about doctors... I won't generalize since I don't know about other parts of the world but where I finished medicine- Croatia, Europe - they do not specifically teach anything 'diet' related in no subject we took. Even elective ones. Sure, we know a lot about health, issues connected to obesity and such but dieting, calories and things like they are not though. Ever. Doctor is able to tell you that you need to lose weight, and why you need to lose weight...but how? That's more of an area for dietitian. Also I'm talking about general practitioners, not specialists (that's extra years and years of more focused studies-so some of them might know more).0
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I am 5'4" and I began eating 1200 calories per day in January. I don't trust myself not to eat all calories back, so I have chosen not to input my physical activity, just so it's not there to tempt me. I too was a serious snacker, mostly out of boredom (I resently retired). I read a blog by a woman who, when tempted to snack, gives herself 30 minutes, drinks some water, then if she's actually still wanting the snack will fix one serving of it and eat it. I have tried to incorporate this philosophy into my snacking habits. It has helped me hold out until the next meal quite often. One thing, once you start eating proper servings and following your calorie intake, it feels like you are over eating when you eat a large meal so your body does adapt if you give it the opportunity. Now, when I start feeling really empty, it's usually a few minutes until my next meal time. And a little hunger never hurt anyone.0
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i've known several doctors who recommend 800 calories per day. my opinion of the average doctor's knowledge of nutrition for healthy weight loss is that they really have no idea. my luck with dieticians isn't much better.
last year, i did 1200 calories per day (i'm just over 5' 3") and if i got huntry, i ate back some of my exercise calories as protein. i was doing long, fast walks on mild hills and intense lifting at that time, so i did get hungry, but never ate over 1400 calories on workout days. honestly it was hard sometimes, but i was feeling great and losing weight.0 -
shadow2soul wrote: »My suggestion:
-Plug your stats into MFP
-Pick a reasonable weight loss per week
- sync your fitbit to MFP
- enable negative adjustments (your calories will be adjusted up or down based on your activity for the day)
1200 is not right for everyone.
This^
1200 is a one-size-fits-all that's been around forever. It's MFP's lowest minimum default (for aggressive weekly weight loss goals). We know so much more now.
1200 is appropriate for many seniors....that's not you. I'm 5'5" and 55 YO, 1200 is not even appropriate for me. I want to keep as much lean muscle as I can. Aggressive calorie deficits won't help me do that.
Pick a (personalized) deficit that you can live with. Consistency is the most important thing.0 -
The problem with starting at 1200 is first it is likely too large a deficit to start. Also, you have no where to go with it. You are already at the minimum for a female to get the nutrition she needs. I would suggest put your information into MFP with a 1 pound per week goal and see what it gives you. Anyone, even a doctor, who thinks there is one magic calorie number for women in general as the number of calories to lose weigh is showing a great lack of understanding of nutrition and weight loss. The only significance of 1200 calories is it is the generally accepted minimum (That is the absolute least) a woman should eat. Eating at the minimum will bring weight loss, but the goal is fat loss, and eating at the minimum usually means a lot of lean mass loss rather than mainly fat.0
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I'm 5'1", 41 years old
I previously did MFP, on 1200 calories a day. I usually ate back some or all of my exercise calories. It was hard, especially in the beginning being on 1200 calories a day. But it got easier as I got use to it and use to eating healthier. I started at 159 and got down to 118. I got to comfortable, went to old habits over time. I got back up to 148, and am now doing the same 1200 calories a day as I did before. 144 this morning, with a goal of 125. (I don't find the need to get down to 118 again,, I was comfortable around the 125 mark)
Hope that helps a bit,, best wishes!0 -
herlove4fit wrote: »My doctor told me that all women should eat 1200 calories to lose weight. And I asked her, "Even if you workout," and she said yes.She believes 1200 calories is the magic number. I've gained back 18 pounds because I have been eating way too much about (2500-2800 cal). According, to my fitbit my tdee is (2200-2300). I'm a 5'3 female, 29 yrs and 160 pounds. I find that my biggest problem is snacking out of boredom because I'm home alone. However, I can't see myself eating 1200 calories I believe it's too low for me. My husband thinks I should listen to the doctor and try a 1200 calorie diet. I don't know if I'm over thinking it, I just don't know what's right. I really can't say how I lost weight any other time because I always zig zag my calories. What would you suggest?
How long did it take you to gain 18 pounds eating 2500-2800 cals?
Multiply 18 X 3500 (63,000 -- I did that part for you)
Divide 63,000 by the number of days it took you to gain 18 pounds. (e.g., if it was four months, 63,000 divided by 120 days = 525). That's approximately the number of excess calories you've been eating per day, on average.
Subtract your avg excess calories from 2650 (the mid-range of what you think you have been eating while you were gaining weight). (In my example, that would be 2650 - 525 = 2125.) The result is an estimate of your TDEE, based on the data you have.
Subtract 500 calories (for one pound a week weight loss, or some other number if your goal is different) from your estimated TDEE. (In my example, that would 2125 - 500 = 1625). The result is your daily calorie goals to lose 1 lb a week.
IMPORTANT: This is a TDEE-based calorie goal, so do no eat back exercise calories, as that would be double-counting them.
Stick to this for a month, and adjust based on results.
NOTE: You can still "zig zag" your calories; just aim for your weekly total to be seven times your TDEE-based calorie goal.
As for your doctor, you might ask what training in nutrition she has, or just ignore her, because anyone who thinks that your current weight, height, and activity level don't matter for your calorie goals has pretty well demonstrated either ignorance or a dogged adherence to the belief that simple, one-size-fits-all are best because her patients are stupid.
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It all depends on your metabolism. 1200 calories a day is not the minimum; it isn't anywhere close to starvation mode.
I am almost 65, and I am just short of 5'4". My dietician has me at 1220, but reduced me to 1020 last week for two weeks because I am on a plateau. I am moderately active, and when I get hungry, I drink water or have a cup of black coffee. The key is nutrition economy: everything I eat counts. What I eat is weighed before I eat it. My macros are pretty balanced, and I supplement with vitamins. I swim, lift weights, do yoga, and walk. My right knee prevents me from running, but otherwise, I am moderately active. There is no magic bullet or number; losing weight involves hard work and discipline.0 -
1200 calories a day has been my magic number to lose weight. It's not easy, but it's definitely doable! Whenever I stick to that goal, I start losing immediately. Usually all it takes for me is staying away from sugar (I'm a sugar addict) and limiting my portions (THIS is the biggest challenge for me!).
But I do have to agree with 1200 being the "Magic Number" for losing weight. It take about 2 weeks for your body to adjust to eating that many calories... drink LOTS of water or tea and it will help with your body adjusting. It's true that in a way your "stomach gets smaller" after a while and you stop craving so much.
Hope this helps.0 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »herlove4fit wrote: »My doctor told me that all women should eat 1200 calories to lose weight. And I asked her, "Even if you workout," and she said yes.She believes 1200 calories is the magic number. I've gained back 18 pounds because I have been eating way too much about (2500-2800 cal). According, to my fitbit my tdee is (2200-2300). I'm a 5'3 female, 29 yrs and 160 pounds. I find that my biggest problem is snacking out of boredom because I'm home alone. However, I can't see myself eating 1200 calories I believe it's too low for me. My husband thinks I should listen to the doctor and try a 1200 calorie diet. I don't know if I'm over thinking it, I just don't know what's right. I really can't say how I lost weight any other time because I always zig zag my calories. What would you suggest?
How long did it take you to gain 18 pounds eating 2500-2800 cals?
Multiply 18 X 3500 (63,000 -- I did that part for you)
Divide 63,000 by the number of days it took you to gain 18 pounds. (e.g., if it was four months, 63,000 divided by 120 days = 525). That's approximately the number of excess calories you've been eating per day, on average.
Subtract your avg excess calories from 2650 (the mid-range of what you think you have been eating while you were gaining weight). (In my example, that would be 2650 - 525 = 2125.) The result is an estimate of your TDEE, based on the data you have.
Subtract 500 calories (for one pound a week weight loss, or some other number if your goal is different) from your estimated TDEE. (In my example, that would 2125 - 500 = 1625). The result is your daily calorie goals to lose 1 lb a week.
IMPORTANT: This is a TDEE-based calorie goal, so do no eat back exercise calories, as that would be double-counting them.
Stick to this for a month, and adjust based on results.
NOTE: You can still "zig zag" your calories; just aim for your weekly total to be seven times your TDEE-based calorie goal.
As for your doctor, you might ask what training in nutrition she has, or just ignore her, because anyone who thinks that your current weight, height, and activity level don't matter for your calorie goals has pretty well demonstrated either ignorance or a dogged adherence to the belief that simple, one-size-fits-all are best because her patients are stupid.
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My daily goal is 1200 calories a day and I find I do just fine on it. Have been losing weight steadily ever since I chose this goal. Do I go over sometimes? Of course, but my daily activity allows me extra calories for those days. I am 62, 5'6" and started at 218 lbs. I was very sedentary for a decade due to hip issues but now have a hip replacement and making the most of it. I can't run (doctor's orders) but I can walk...and walk I do. However, everyone is different and you must make choices for yourself based on what makes you comfortable.0
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It all depends on your metabolism. 1200 calories a day is not the minimum; it isn't anywhere close to starvation mode.
I am almost 65, and I am just short of 5'4". My dietician has me at 1220, but reduced me to 1020 last week for two weeks because I am on a plateau. I am moderately active, and when I get hungry, I drink water or have a cup of black coffee. The key is nutrition economy: everything I eat counts. What I eat is weighed before I eat it. My macros are pretty balanced, and I supplement with vitamins. I swim, lift weights, do yoga, and walk. My right knee prevents me from running, but otherwise, I am moderately active. There is no magic bullet or number; losing weight involves hard work and discipline.
Yes, 1200 is the mimimum. A person should only go below that if they are under frequent doctor supervision. Going below that, and for that matter for an active woman who exercises regularly, even eating at that minimum, makes it highly likely a person will suffer from not only the results of excessive calorie restriction, that is your body going to use more lean mass (muscles and organ) to make up the energy deficit, but also nutritional deficiencies that will not show up for weeks but will be affecting one's body long before the external symptoms start to show. Harvard Medical, ACSM and many other organizations point to 1200 as the minimum for the average female. The only exceptions would be those who are excessively short say under 5' and those who have various metabolic diseases that have negatively effected their overall calorie burn. Even then, the issue with malnutrition needs to be addressed as it is extremely difficult to get sufficient nutrients under 1200 calories for women or 1500 (some say 1800) for men. I am actually concerned that your dietitian (assuming this is a registered dietitian not and nutritionist or the like) has put you on a 1020 calorie diet even to break a plateau especially with the amount of activity you say you do. Hopefully the supplements were also given by her direction to help avoid those nutritional deficiencies I mentioned.0 -
herlove4fit wrote: »My doctor told me that all women should eat 1200 calories to lose weight. And I asked her, "Even if you workout," and she said yes.She believes 1200 calories is the magic number. I've gained back 18 pounds because I have been eating way too much about (2500-2800 cal). According, to my fitbit my tdee is (2200-2300). I'm a 5'3 female, 29 yrs and 160 pounds. I find that my biggest problem is snacking out of boredom because I'm home alone. However, I can't see myself eating 1200 calories I believe it's too low for me. My husband thinks I should listen to the doctor and try a 1200 calorie diet. I don't know if I'm over thinking it, I just don't know what's right. I really can't say how I lost weight any other time because I always zig zag my calories. What would you suggest?
I ate at a deficit with a calorie goal of 1,200 each day with success. I am 5' and currently weigh about 110 lbs (after building back up from 102 lbs in order to gain more muscle). I got into the habit of eating 1,200 calories x day so much that it was hard for me to switch to maintenance levels. The trick is to eat small portions throughout the day versus three moderate-sized meals. This keeps your stomach filled consistently versus getting extremely hungry and binging. It also plays into your "snacking" habit. Drink only water. Make smart choices when it comes to your food. You can do it!0 -
I can personally be quite content on 1000-1200 calories a day if I pick my food wisely. It's totally possible to do - think protein first, fat second, lots of veggies and just a few carbs. You will lose like crazy at your age. You could do 1200 some days and a higher number on others. It's my opinion, and there are studies that back this up, that quick weight loss can be just as long-lasting and effective as slow weightless. In fact, dropping pounds quickly in the beginning is very motivating.0
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I can personally be quite content on 1000-1200 calories a day if I pick my food wisely. It's totally possible to do - think protein first, fat second, lots of veggies and just a few carbs. You will lose like crazy at your age. You could do 1200 some days and a higher number on others. It's my opinion, and there are studies that back this up, that quick weight loss can be just as long-lasting and effective as slow weightless. In fact, dropping pounds quickly in the beginning is very motivating.
The problem with dropping pounds quickly is that you will drop a higher % of lean muscle mass than those with moderate calorie deficits.
Back in the day - my goal was a number on the scale. But, I'm not going to be wearing that number on my forehead. Losing muscle+fat makes me a smaller version of the current me. I don't want to be "just" a smaller version, I want to be a healthier version. I don't want to still look "fluffy" when I get to goal.0 -
rileysowner wrote: »I am actually concerned that your dietitian (assuming this is a registered dietitian not and nutritionist or the like) has put you on a 1020 calorie diet even to break a plateau especially with the amount of activity you say you do. Hopefully the supplements were also given by her direction to help avoid those nutritional deficiencies I mentioned.
My dietician IS a registered dietician, and has been for over 25 years. Are you a registered dietician? He works with military members and athletes, and is himself, an athlete. On days that I exercise heavily, I will go over. Most of those days, I will stick to that limit. If you are so concerned about my "diet", look at my diary. It's open.
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I've been between 1200 and 1250 or so for the last few weeks, and it's working fine for me. I don't eat back my calories. I'm 5'5" and 190 lbs. My diary is open if you want to see my exercise habits, but I'm neither sedentary nor heroic. I started here at 245 last November and ate about 1700 calories for a while, then gradually dropped until I got to my present 1200-ish limit. When I started, I would have found 1200 intolerable, but it's fine now. You might try dropping 100 calories every week or two and see how you adjust. I found that my stomach shrank up nicely and I stayed comfortable. It's true that my blood sugar doesn't swing much, so I don't "crash" between meals. Everyone's different. Still, the fact remains that the right calorie limit for your particular metabolism and activity level is the one that results in actual weight loss, not the one that someone else agrees with or that makes sense according to some book or website. Clearly what you were doing wasn't working, right? :-) Time to try something new.0
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