Building lean muscle and eating 1200 calories

tomhurst
tomhurst Posts: 47 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Just wondering if this is possible. My main goal is to lose fat, but if I could build lean muscle then that'd be good too...

Basically I'm eating around 1200 calories a day, but trying to make that mostly protein.

I'm also going to the gym and doing cardiovascular and weights.

So is it possible?

Replies

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    If you do a progressive overload program, have some excess fat, AND are brand new to lifting, I think you could gain a little bit for a very little while. You'd be better off upping your calories though I would guess. I'm assuming you are a guy based on your name.
  • tomhurst
    tomhurst Posts: 47 Member
    Yeah. Male, 5"9' and 75kg.
    I wanna get toned and lose most of my body fat.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Eat more calories then. 1200 is too low. Figure out your maintenance calories and eat at 250-500 cal deficit.
  • ccrdragon
    ccrdragon Posts: 3,374 Member
    you will need more than 1200 calories - I am 5'8' and losing on 1800 calories a day!
  • tomhurst
    tomhurst Posts: 47 Member
    I mean my main focus is to burn fat, so building muscle can wait.
    I'd rather keep my calories how they are at the moment because for the first time in years my appetite is low. I know if I start eating more then my appetite is going to go up and I find it hard to get out of that cycle.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited June 2016
    tomhurst wrote: »
    I mean my main focus is to burn fat, so building muscle can wait.
    I'd rather keep my calories how they are at the moment because for the first time in years my appetite is low. I know if I start eating more then my appetite is going to go up and I find it hard to get out of that cycle.

    First of all, as a male you shouldn't be eating under 1500 calories anyway. Also, under-eating can trigger binges, plus you will lose more lean muscle mass.

    I am 3" shorter, 26 years older, female, and I lose weight on 1500 calories per day before exercise, and I exercise.

    I see a lot of people wanting to lose weight fast and say they will build muscle later. Well, it's easier and better to preserve muscle than to try to get it back after you've lost it due to under eating.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    There is no scenario where you are 5' 9", 23, and need a goal of 1200 calories. You are doing your body a disservice.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    tomhurst wrote: »
    Yeah. Male, 5"9' and 75kg.
    I wanna get toned and lose most of my body fat.

    Same stats as me - but I'm three times your age and can lose weight at 2500 cals.
    Food for thought perhaps?

    You may feel OK for a short time but you are going to crash and burn at that silly crash diet level.
    Eat more. Train hard. Don't waste the best training years of your life by malnutrition.
  • arose1122
    arose1122 Posts: 167 Member
    It would be much better for you to eat more and continue with and even expanding on your strength training now. You are going to lose lean muscle as well as fat at the rate you are going now which just makes for more work later. Eat more, lift more. Slow and steady is healthy and sustainable.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited June 2016
    I'm a 5'9", 41 year old female and I can lose on 1930 calories per day. Eat more food!

    You're going to get really hungry at some point, and end up binging and erasing any progress.

    I've seen this around the threads, but don't know who to attribute it to - "The person who can eat the most and still lose weight, wins!"
  • tomhurst
    tomhurst Posts: 47 Member
    Okay guys...I'll try throwing some more chicken in my omelettes :tongue: thanks everyone
  • HollandOats
    HollandOats Posts: 202 Member
    tomhurst wrote: »
    Okay guys...I'll try throwing some more chicken in my omelettes :tongue: thanks everyone

    The old "mother and child reunion".
  • RosieRose7673
    RosieRose7673 Posts: 438 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    tomhurst wrote: »
    I mean my main focus is to burn fat, so building muscle can wait.
    I'd rather keep my calories how they are at the moment because for the first time in years my appetite is low. I know if I start eating more then my appetite is going to go up and I find it hard to get out of that cycle.

    First of all, as a male you shouldn't be eating under 1500 calories anyway. Also, under-eating can trigger binges, plus you will lose more lean muscle mass.

    I am 3" shorter, 26 years older, female, and I lose weight on 1500 calories per day before exercise, and I exercise.

    I see a lot of people wanting to lose weight fast and say they will build muscle later. Well, it's easier and better to preserve muscle than to try to get it back after you've lost it due to under eating.

    Agreed! I'm 5'4.5, 130 lb and female. I lose weight eating 2000 calories (TDEE method).

    Up your calories. Weight loss may be quicker at 1200 calories but you'll lose much more muscle that way.

    Lift heavy, eat at a moderate deficit. You'll do great!
  • wsrep
    wsrep Posts: 20 Member
    Like everyone has said def eat more. Since you are planning to do cardio and lifting you need energy to finish your sets. Eating more will help you out once you start lifitng heavy.

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