Another 1200 calorie a day post
ellioc2
Posts: 148 Member
I know there’s been a lot of posts about this before, but I’m on 1200 calories a day and getting grumpy and tired. It just doesn’t feel like very much food. Sure, I know how to find low calorie, bulky items like cauliflower rice and salad greens to make it seem like I’m eating more but at the end of the day I’m stretched pretty thing. If I want to go on a date night or drink a glass of wine or have some after dinner chocolate I need to cut a lot out of other meals or even skip a meal. Most days my “lunch” is just an Orgain protein shake and an apple. My breakfast is always without a fail bananas, coffee with skim milk, three eggs with half a cup egg whites and a red bell pepper. Sometimes I snack on raspberries while i’m preparing it. And then for dinners I’ll have a riced cauliflower bowl or some homemade chili/soup. I’m seeing results technically, my weight loss was 5 pounds in 2 weeks. We’ll see what my next weigh in reveals. For context, I’m a 27 year old female, work out 2-3 times a week and am lightly to moderately active. I don’t know my weight but I’m about 5’6” and a size 8 - I think I weigh around 160. What do you guys think? Is the 1200 I’m at good and am just a whiner or is legitimately not enough food?
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Replies
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I'm your height. 1200 calories isn't enough calories for us. See https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/1200-calorie-diet/
What's your goal weight? If you are within 20 pounds change your weekly weight loss goal to a half pound per week.8 -
1200 doesn't feel like much food because it isn't much food! Read the article in the link posted above and give yourself permission to eat a reasonable amount of food. I'm smaller than you (5'2, 136) and not very active and I lose on 1400 average.7
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If you're losing 2 lbs. a week, that 1000 calories is a very drastic cut in your calories. If it is making you grumpy and lacking energy, change your rate of loss to one lb. a week. I could never sustain 1200 calories because I hated eating that little. I was always hungry and ended up obsessed with food. I would always end up binging after a while or just stopping my diet entirely. I did better with a slower rate of loss and increasing my exercise so I could enjoy more food.4
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What did MFP assign you for calories based on your stats, activity level and goal? This will be a better answer than any of us can provide you here on the forums.0
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1200 calories isn’t enough food.
I eat 1200-1300 calories a day (plus any exercise calories) and feel perfectly satisfied and happy. My secret? Being 5’ 0”. You’re 6 inches taller than me, it’s insane that we’d eat the same amount of food.11 -
I know there’s been a lot of posts about this before, but I’m on 1200 calories a day and getting grumpy and tired. It just doesn’t feel like very much food. Sure, I know how to find low calorie, bulky items like cauliflower rice and salad greens to make it seem like I’m eating more but at the end of the day I’m stretched pretty thing. If I want to go on a date night or drink a glass of wine or have some after dinner chocolate I need to cut a lot out of other meals or even skip a meal. Most days my “lunch” is just an Orgain protein shake and an apple. My breakfast is always without a fail bananas, coffee with skim milk, three eggs with half a cup egg whites and a red bell pepper. Sometimes I snack on raspberries while i’m preparing it. And then for dinners I’ll have a riced cauliflower bowl or some homemade chili/soup. I’m seeing results technically, my weight loss was 5 pounds in 2 weeks. We’ll see what my next weigh in reveals. For context, I’m a 27 year old female, work out 2-3 times a week and am lightly to moderately active. I don’t know my weight but I’m about 5’6” and a size 8 - I think I weigh around 160. What do you guys think? Is the 1200 I’m at good and am just a whiner or is legitimately not enough food?
Sounds to me like 1200 is to little.
You’ve lost 2.5lbs per week and granted some of that could be water weight, but it doesn’t sound to me like you have the body fat to safely lose 2 lbs per week.
So a couple things to note:
- MFP’s activity level should be set to what your daily activity is like WITHOUT exercise.
- Log exercise and eat at least 50% of the calories burned.
- Aim for no more than 1% body weight loss per week if you want mostly fat loss. If you think you weigh 160, than the max for now would be 1.6lbs. I’ve actually found the closer I got to my goal the harder that 1% became.
- For sustainability:
0.5 lbs per week if less than 25lbs to lose
1lb per week if 25-50lbs to lose
1.5lb per week if 50-75lbs to lose
2lbs per week if 75+ lbs to lose
Based on what you said I think making sure you have the correct activity level selected, changing your rate of loss to 0.5 or 1 lb per week, and eating at least some of your exercise calories will have you feeling much better.
~~~ I am only 5’4.5” and had an average intake of around 2000 total calories for most of my weight loss. ~~~5 -
Did you set yourself at Sedentary activity level?
How much weight are you trying to lose?
What rate of loss did you choose?
Are you logging and eating back exercise calories?
Are you using a food scale?
For what it’s worth I’m shorter than you (5’2) and have a desk job and I lost my weight (~35 lbs) eating 1600-1900 calories per week.
You should answer the questions above but no, based on the information you’ve already provided I’m confident in saying 1200 is not enough, and not necessary for you .5 -
Change your goal to 1lbs a week, with an activity level that reflects your daily activity without exercise. Eat back exercise cals.
Use a digital scale for all solids, cups, spoons for liquids only, and learn how to find correct entries in the database.
Read the 'most helpful' posts st the top of each sub-forum.
Eat food you are willing to eat long term in quantities that suit your calorie needs.
It is no use eating 'diet' food while losing and then going back to your regular food once you have hit goal. The chances are you will regain.
Cheers, h.8 -
1200 isn't enough for you because you're not short, you're not sedentary, and you probably don't have a lot to lose given your stats. You're less than 10 pounds above the "normal" BMI range for your height. Set your rate of loss to 0.5 lb/week.7
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try setting mfp to lightly or moderately active (as you say you are), and set your weight loss goal to 1lb a week at MAX (maybe even 1/2 lb-not sure how much you plan to lose-but I’m on the borderline for 1/2 or 1 lb/week and weigh the same as you and I’m 2 inches shorter).
Then use that number, PLUS your exercise calories.
I think you’ll be much more content.3 -
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I know there’s been a lot of posts about this before, but I’m on 1200 calories a day and getting grumpy and tired. It just doesn’t feel like very much food. Sure, I know how to find low calorie, bulky items like cauliflower rice and salad greens to make it seem like I’m eating more but at the end of the day I’m stretched pretty thing. If I want to go on a date night or drink a glass of wine or have some after dinner chocolate I need to cut a lot out of other meals or even skip a meal. Most days my “lunch” is just an Orgain protein shake and an apple. My breakfast is always without a fail bananas, coffee with skim milk, three eggs with half a cup egg whites and a red bell pepper. Sometimes I snack on raspberries while i’m preparing it. And then for dinners I’ll have a riced cauliflower bowl or some homemade chili/soup. I’m seeing results technically, my weight loss was 5 pounds in 2 weeks. We’ll see what my next weigh in reveals. For context, I’m a 27 year old female, work out 2-3 times a week and am lightly to moderately active. I don’t know my weight but I’m about 5’6” and a size 8 - I think I weigh around 160. What do you guys think? Is the 1200 I’m at good and am just a whiner or is legitimately not enough food?MFP set my daily goal for 1 pound a week weight loss as 1600... that’s what I started out as, but the personal trainer at my gym said that sounded like a lot and she wouldn’t go any higher, and then I was lamenting to my husband about how I felt like I wasn’t getting results and he told me to cut 400 more. I’m heavier than him which is pretty embarrassing (he’s like 5’8” and 155 pounds). I have a doctor’s appointment in December and my plan is to check in with her about what she feels is safe. I feel I’d look good at 140... I’m built pretty muscular (bigger legs, bigger rib cage, etc.) and I’ve never been naturally skinny. Not that I’m making excuses mind you. Even when I had an eating disorder in high school I never got smaller than a size 4, and my lowest weight when I was knocking at death’s door was 90 pounds. I was a fat kid (when I was 13 I weighed in at 180 pounds and a size 18), so I never want to be that big again. I’m very sensitive about my weight. I just want to feel comfortable in my body.
Look, you already know 1200 calories isn't enough for you because you are grumpy and tired. Do you want to start losing hair too?
With only 20 pounds to lose set your weekly weight loss goal to a half pound per week and eat back at least 50% of the calories you earn from exercise.
Since you're female, you'll likely get hormonal water weight fluctuations. Because of this, compare yourself to last month rather than last week.11 -
I lose at 1700-1900 calories average and I’m 5’4, moderately active and work out 3 times a week. 1200 sounds like torture. No point losing a bunch at the start if you’ll end up going backwards because it’s not maintainable for you. Eat up!
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I’m confused by your question. No one except your husband (whom you did not say is a doctor, nutritionist, or any other sort of expert) has told you to eat 1200 calories. The site you are using to lose weight didn’t tell you 1200 calories, your rate of loss didn’t tell you 1200 calories, you don’t like how you feel on 1200 calories so why again are you eating 1200 calories?15
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MFP has me at 1200 calories a day too. I use that as my "net" calorie limit. I typically have 600-700 exercise calories a availble each day and end up eating 1500-1600. This has allowed me sufficient food to feel good and maintain a good energy level. I have lost 35 pounds in just about 4 months.1
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I just felt like I needed to lose faster so it was me who cut it further... there’s so much conflicting information out there. When I look in the mirror I feel I look exactly the same but I know that’s not true [/quote]
Take photos! You probably look different, we just have a hard time noticing changes on our own bodies.
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maggibailey wrote: »I’m confused by your question. No one except your husband (whom you did not say is a doctor, nutritionist, or any other sort of expert) has told you to eat 1200 calories. The site you are using to lose weight didn’t tell you 1200 calories, your rate of loss didn’t tell you 1200 calories, you don’t like how you feel on 1200 calories so why again are you eating 1200 calories?
I just felt like I needed to lose faster so it was me who cut it further... there’s so much conflicting information out there. When I look in the mirror I feel I look exactly the same but I know that’s not true
You don’t need to lose faster. You’re close to your optimal BMI range, so you do not have enough weight to lose to support a rapid pace of loss. Be patient and stick with a more reasonable calorie goal.10 -
How is your protein intake? Are you meeting your macro goals? Protein generally makes me feel fuller for longer.2
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OP, you've gotten the answers you need. Everyone here is telling you the same thing your body is. Set realistic goals, be patient, and eat more. You don't need to wait for a doctor to tell you that.11
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I'm your height. I'd die on 1200. people have already given good advice up there, but I'm pretty sure that you can eat more than 1200... regardless of your macro split or anything like that. The one time I tried the 1200 calorie diet (before I knew any better) I lost weight, yes, but was starving, weak, tired and gained what I lost back plus more once I gave up because starving, weak, tired.
Follow the advice up above re working out how much you actually CAN eat - the first post4 -
maggibailey wrote: »I’m confused by your question. No one except your husband (whom you did not say is a doctor, nutritionist, or any other sort of expert) has told you to eat 1200 calories. The site you are using to lose weight didn’t tell you 1200 calories, your rate of loss didn’t tell you 1200 calories, you don’t like how you feel on 1200 calories so why again are you eating 1200 calories?
I just felt like I needed to lose faster so it was me who cut it further... there’s so much conflicting information out there. When I look in the mirror I feel I look exactly the same but I know that’s not true
There are lots of reasons NOT to try to lose weight as fast as possible if your current weight is not posing you an immediate health risk. They include: Retention of lean body mass, avoiding brittle nails, hair loss and sallow skin, organ damage and in general learning healthy, sustainable habits about what your body needs in order to continue to maintain your weight loss in the long term.
You’ve had an eating disorder and been overweight. Cutting cals to the bare minimum and focusing on rapid weight loss isn’t a healthy mindset for a person with your history. Focus on building long term habits and how to eat to fuel your current and your future body and lifestyle.16 -
I know there’s been a lot of posts about this before, but I’m on 1200 calories a day and getting grumpy and tired. It just doesn’t feel like very much food. Sure, I know how to find low calorie, bulky items like cauliflower rice and salad greens to make it seem like I’m eating more but at the end of the day I’m stretched pretty thing. If I want to go on a date night or drink a glass of wine or have some after dinner chocolate I need to cut a lot out of other meals or even skip a meal. Most days my “lunch” is just an Orgain protein shake and an apple. My breakfast is always without a fail bananas, coffee with skim milk, three eggs with half a cup egg whites and a red bell pepper. Sometimes I snack on raspberries while i’m preparing it. And then for dinners I’ll have a riced cauliflower bowl or some homemade chili/soup. I’m seeing results technically, my weight loss was 5 pounds in 2 weeks. We’ll see what my next weigh in reveals. For context, I’m a 27 year old female, work out 2-3 times a week and am lightly to moderately active. I don’t know my weight but I’m about 5’6” and a size 8 - I think I weigh around 160. What do you guys think? Is the 1200 I’m at good and am just a whiner or is legitimately not enough food?
OP, it is likely that you are overlooking some of the valuable information in the 'lots of posts about this before'.
The single most useful piece of advice that I see written on MFP is USE A SCALE, and don't guess about the amount of food you are about to eat , or about how much your physical self weights.
The second most useful tip I've read is BE PATIENT WHILE ESTABLISHING LIFELONG HABITS.
good luck to you.
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maggibailey wrote: »I’m confused by your question. No one except your husband (whom you did not say is a doctor, nutritionist, or any other sort of expert) has told you to eat 1200 calories. The site you are using to lose weight didn’t tell you 1200 calories, your rate of loss didn’t tell you 1200 calories, you don’t like how you feel on 1200 calories so why again are you eating 1200 calories?
I just felt like I needed to lose faster so it was me who cut it further... there’s so much conflicting information out there. When I look in the mirror I feel I look exactly the same but I know that’s not true
you didn't put on the weight in 1month, you won't be able to SAFELY lose them in 1 month. Why continue to feel bad for the sake of loosing faster? why not start learning to eat a normal healthy amount now and loose slowly while setting up good habits for maintenance? and not risk potential consequences from loosing too fast.
MFP suggested 1600 for 1 pound a week. do that.
ETA: 1 month was a random number, i just meant "quickly". weight loss is a marathon not a sprint.4 -
born_of_fire74 wrote: »What did MFP assign you for calories based on your stats, activity level and goal? This will be a better answer than any of us can provide you here on the forums.
But, this only works if you put appropriate information. Setting an unreasonable weekly weight loss goal, results in a low calorie goal.0
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