1200 calorie diet and not losing
musicchick02
Posts: 5 Member
Hello all. I've been on a 1200 calorie diet for about a month now. If I exceed 1200 I don't go beyond 1400 calories a day and that is rare. My doctor told me that I burn 1750 calories a day and that is without exercise. I eat gluten free and the only sweet I indulge in is a single Dr. Pepper a day. I take Phentermine, but it really doesn't do much for me. I do CrossFit 3-4 days a week and I also run twice a week. I know I will gain muscle with CrossFit, but no weight loss after an entire month? Any thoughts on what is going on? I'm working very hard and staying the same weight as when I was doing nothing at all! So discouraging...
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Replies
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You could run a search on your topic title to find your answer, but, to avoid making you burn any calories doing that, I'll say:
Open your food diary.
Eat more. You're not feeding yourself enough.
Drink more ice water.
Take measurements and photos. The scale won't give you an accurate measurement.0 -
How much do you weigh? What's your height?
Are you logging your calories? Many people THINK they are only consuming so much, then they start logging calroies and realize they have been consuming more than they thought.
You should have lost weight, yeah. But I would think your body would burn more than 1750 a day too..Mine burns 21xx a day, but I am "obese", if you're not obese, you're not going to lose much weight.0 -
Same story. Really very discouraging
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And again..........0
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OPen your diary ?
Is this single Dr Pepper a 20ozs full fat one with 64g of sugar and 250 calories ?0 -
It would be hard to say unless I knew exactly what you were eating. When you say "gluten free," does that mean you're eating gluten free packaged foods? If so, you have to beware because they contain a lot of other flours like potato, rice, tapioca, that are high in carbohydrates, which could be affecting your weight loss. I guess I technically eat gluten free since I'm on a low carb diet, but I only eat clean food (meats, poultry, fish, veggies, nuts, seeds, fats and very little fruit).
Also, it goes without saying, but drinking water is essential to weight loss, especially if you're working out so much.
I have found that losing weight is really probably 85% what you eat and about 15% working out, especially in the beginning. You may just be over taxing your body by doing all the Cross Fit and running while eating such a low calorie diet.
Again, I don't know what you're eating on a daily basis, so I can't really say if that's the problem, but you might want to research other types of diets to see if your body likes those any better because it's obviously not cooperating with you right now!
It's great that your exercising though, it's good for you, but don't think that's what's going to make you lose weight, your diet is the key.0 -
You could be eating 1200 calories of junk food. It depends what your eating! Make sure your meal is mostly vegtables and your drinking ATLEAST 2 L of water
Hope this helps a bit x0 -
*sign*...another one. :frown:0
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If you eat only 1200 (sometimes 1400 cals) a day and do cross fit 3-4 days a week, you will never lose weight.
Your body needs to fuel itself and you need to eat more to lose. If your doctor said you burn 1750 cals a day with no fitness, then to lose 1 lb a week, you would decrease your cals to 1250 BUT you are also burning a crap load of cals doing cross fit/running so you need to eat those cals back.
Dont eat your cals (or most of them) and you wont lose.
Dont focus on the scale, take photos and measurements to see the real body transformation.
But again most importantly, you have to eat your food.0 -
Quit the exercise and see how that goes. Same logic as exercising and eating more - lower deficit, less stress.0
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Like mentioned above there are a lot of things to consider.
1. What is your age, weight, and height?
2. How long have you been doing this exercise routine?
3. Don't take into account that your doctor says you burn 1700 calories a day, if that was the case we would all be skinny
4. Have you been keeping a food and exercise log?
5. Do you use a heart rate monitor
The first issue could be like someone mentioned, that you are not eating the right foods. I work with clients often who aren't over weight, but have a lot of access fat and its usually because they aren't eating enough protein to gain enough muscle. They are doing resistance training on a regular basis with little results. I see this with a lot of men as well. You have to eat protein if you want to gain muscle.
Second if you have been doing this exercise routine for a while your body could be plateauing because it has gotten used to these exercises. It might be time to switch it up and try something new. Be careful of running too much as it can start to burn protein if you havent eaten enough carbs, therefore counter acting all your crossfit training.0 -
I'm 5'9" and weigh 220. The Dr. Pepper is a can (150 calories).
Thank you for the responses!0 -
Eat more. You are not fueling your body0
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I know I will gain muscle with CrossFit
This is actually untrue. Not while eating 1200. You can only gain muscle eating at a surplus. It is completely impossible to gain muscle at a calorie deficit.
That being said, I don't think 1200 is enough for you, unless you are very very short (meaning SMALLER than 5 feet) I would double check that number your Dr. gave you by finding an online TDEE calculator, and making sure you're not eating less than -20% of that number. Keep in mind that a larger deficit does NOT necessarily equal faster weight loss. You could be shooting yourself in the foot by eating too little.0 -
-29 yrs old
-5'9"
- I've been doing CrossFit for a little of a month. Before that I ran 5 days a week and worked out at the gym 2-3 days a week.
-Don't have/use a heart rate monitor. Should I?
-I log all of the food that I eat but not the exercise.
I know that losing weight isn't easy but dag gone! Im busting my butt! I'm open to all suggestions. I am very determined to meet my goal! Thanks again, everyone! I really appreciate you taking your time to respond!0 -
I know I will gain muscle with CrossFit
This is actually untrue. Not while eating 1200. You can only gain muscle eating at a surplus. It is completely impossible to gain muscle at a calorie deficit.
That being said, I don't think 1200 is enough for you, unless you are very very short (meaning SMALLER than 5 feet) I would double check that number your Dr. gave you by finding an online TDEE calculator, and making sure you're not eating less than -20% of that number. Keep in mind that a larger deficit does NOT necessarily equal faster weight loss. You could be shooting yourself in the foot by eating too little.
Yeah... I'm 4'11" and I rarely go below 1800. You are eating way too little.0 -
If your body burns 1750 without exercise, don't you think it deserves more than 1200-1400, especially if you're doing CrossFit and running?
I'm older, shorter and workout less than you do, and I eat 1800-2000 calories a day and lose. You need to eat more.0 -
soft drink addiction, ditch it! save your teeth
i had to do this with pepsi max... i have literally banned myself from buying it cos its killing my teeth.
I also agree with all the above posts. you're not eating enough and possibly all the wrong stuff.
gluten free doesn't mean it's got less carbs in it. ditch the processed carbs as much as possible, google low carb recipes and see if you can find substitutes for things you normally have such as
miracle noodles (aka zero noodles) instead of normal pasta (they are quite expensive so that alone will make you eat less).
spagetti squash (if you can find it!) instead of spagetti/noodles
courgettes instead of lasagna sheets (don't cook them before hand, let them cook once lasagna's assembled)
carbs are great when they're in their natural form, i.e. in fruit and veg but not so great once someones messed with it for you, bread, pasta etc up your veg and protein intake (soya, pulses etc if your veggie) and keep your processed carbs to a minimum, so not every meal and a 1/4 of your plate if not less (1 slice of bread, or half a portion of 1 persons pasta, try oopsie bread - aka cloud bread).
diet and low fat things are usually full of sugar or fake sugar (which in themselves can cause health problems, Stevia is ok tho).
Hope that helps. If you need more help ask a fitness dietitian/nutritionist for help with what to eat, they often don't cost that much and the benefits can far outweigh the cost) if you can't afford that just read up on as much food related stuff as you can on the internet. Your best nutritionist is you, you know what you do and don't like and once you have the rough idea, you can best decide what you have time to do, what works and what doesn't, and with the foods you can actually find in your local shops.0 -
If your body burns 1750 without exercise, don't you think it deserves more than 1200-1400, especially if you're doing CrossFit and running?
I'm older, shorter and workout less than you do, and I eat 1800-2000 calories a day and lose. You need to eat more.
This. Your NET calories per day should be at or above your BMR. If you're only eating 1200-1400 a day and not eating back exercise calories, you are way underfeeding yourself.0 -
Ditching the Dr. Pepper will be super tough, but I also want to save my pearly whites!
This will be a challenge...but I'm up for it!
I eat gluten free due to an allergy. I guess I should have been clear. Sorry about that!
I looked at a few TDEE calculators and they are saying. 2700-3000 calories! Woah! Anyone have a recommendation as to an online calculator that is the most accurate?0 -
I ditched Dr. Pepper several years ago, after drinking it daily. You can do it! The only soda I drink now is an occasional Hansen's with natural sugar, and it's rare. I like my water and unsweetened iced tea! Well, and iced cofee - but I make my own and it's still better than Dr. Pepper! :bigsmile:Ditching the Dr. Pepper will be super tough, but I also want to save my pearly whites! This will be a challenge...but I'm up for it!
I eat gluten free due to an allergy. I guess I should have been clear. Sorry about that!
I looked at a few TDEE calculators and they are saying. 2700-3000 calories! Woah! Anyone have a recommendation as to an online calculator that is the most accurate?
For calculating your numbers, give this topic a read: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
It's long and a load of info, but worth it. There are links to tools and instructions on using them (which vary slightly from the linked website, so make sure you follow them!) to figure out your current BMR, TDEE, & body fat percentage, as well as setting your macros. I started eating according to that topic over a year ago and have had my best success with losing the fat since doing so!0 -
I eat 1200 calories by lunch0
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<snip>
3. Don't take into account that your doctor says you burn 1700 calories a day, if that was the case we would all be skinny
Did you read the statement? That was the doctor estimating her BMR, or what she burns WITHOUT exercise. And it IS possible to burn this much in a day without doing anything at all. It's what your body burns just to keep your organs functioning. But you knew that.
For someone so 'well versed' in nutrition, I see you give out a lot of broscience brotips. :ohwell:0 -
I ditched Dr. Pepper several years ago, after drinking it daily. You can do it! The only soda I drink now is an occasional Hansen's with natural sugar, and it's rare. I like my water and unsweetened iced tea! Well, and iced cofee - but I make my own and it's still better than Dr. Pepper! :bigsmile:Ditching the Dr. Pepper will be super tough, but I also want to save my pearly whites! This will be a challenge...but I'm up for it!
I eat gluten free due to an allergy. I guess I should have been clear. Sorry about that!
I looked at a few TDEE calculators and they are saying. 2700-3000 calories! Woah! Anyone have a recommendation as to an online calculator that is the most accurate?
For calculating your numbers, give this topic a read: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
It's long and a load of info, but worth it. There are links to tools and instructions on using them (which vary slightly from the linked website, so make sure you follow them!) to figure out your current BMR, TDEE, & body fat percentage, as well as setting your macros. I started eating according to that topic over a year ago and have had my best success with losing the fat since doing so!
Beat me to the IPOARM suggestion! :laugh:
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If you were truly only eating 1200 cals per day and exercising like that, you would be losing weight. The majority of the time, the problem is poor measuring and logging. We fool ourselves into thinking we are eating less than we really are.0
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Your ticker shows you have lost 20 pounds. When did you lose that, and how did you lose it?0
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You need to eat more. Even with moderate exercise each week you're still not eating enough. Considering your height, gender, weight and age, IMO you should try eating around 2100 calories a week, assuming you're exercising moderately each week. Try eating more and see if that helps.0
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Pop doesn't harm your teeth. Your teeth are constantly breaking down, remodeling and producing new enamel (which uses flouride) and the rate of this depends on moisture and pH. An acidic pH slows down the production of new enamel. Keep your mouth from being acidic all the time (such as rinsing after drinking or eating acidic things) and brushing with a simple (NON-whitening) flouride toothpaste.
The other thing is to ensure you don't have a dry mouth. Many people get this because they breathe through their mouth while sleeping. Correcting those things will make an actual difference, and without giving up something you enjoy.
Also there are good and bad bacteria on your teeth. The anaerobic bacteria burn sugars without oxygen, making an acidic byproduct, which slows down rebuilding of the enamel. So sugar does not rot your teeth either.
Here's a book that covers this stuff if anyone cares.
http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Your-Dentist-Goodbye--Yourself/dp/1929774672/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373143092&sr=1-1&keywords=kiss+your+dentist+goodbye0 -
I too was eating around 1200 calories per day, all healthy foods...and not really losing weight. So, I dropped it to 900-1100 calories per day. It feels plenty sufficient for me. I work out 3 times per week, doing the elliptical, treadmill, and some weight machines. But, when I gain weight over 7 days of being right around 1000 calories per day...it is getting frustrating.
I make sure I take a multi vitamin, as I read that can help us lose weight. I did have my gallbladder out a few months ago...and I'm wondering if that is the issue. I am 54 yrs old. But, very active. 5'5" and approx. 176 lbs. right now. I was 185 in May, I stopped consuming around mid May caffiene and sugar, and dropped 2 lbs...but felt so much better. So I started in June at 183. It is July 6th and I am fluctuating at 176-178...although I was 175, about 10 days ago? Yet, I have not increased my calories, nor have I slacked off in my workouts!?
My husband says, I am losing inches, and look better...but I never measured...yet certainly clothes fit better. But, I seem to have stopped where I am at! And, I want to get to 150! I log every day, and am very conscious of what I am eating. I review the summary to check the fat, cholesterol, and sugar contents...and am usually in the guidelines or under.
I am trying to eat smaller meals, and just more often....but my tummy seems so bloated. Some days it seems flatter, and then other days so puffy. I just started including sit ups...lol...which I hate, but doing them on the big bouncing ball makes it easier. I work my waist on the treadmill and elliptical.
I thought maybe I wasn't getting enough fat, for things to work right? I am usually so far under my goal number.
I am in menopause, and take hormone therapy. All these affect ability to lose weight I guess. Except I am so active...
and with healthy eating I should be losing something after a week....a 1/2 lb...at least!
I drink water all day....I think at least 10 -12 cups. That is pretty much the only thing I drink. Rarely a unsweet tea, or a small glass of wine, like once a week.0 -
-29 yrs old
-5'9"
- I've been doing CrossFit for a little of a month. Before that I ran 5 days a week and worked out at the gym 2-3 days a week.
-Don't have/use a heart rate monitor. Should I?
-I log all of the food that I eat but not the exercise.
I know that losing weight isn't easy but dag gone! Im busting my butt! I'm open to all suggestions. I am very determined to meet my goal! Thanks again, everyone! I really appreciate you taking your time to respond!
And if you're not logging your exercise, you're not able to know (or could forget) how many exercise calories you should be eating back. Do you even eat back exercise calories?0
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