1200 calories and 10,000 steps: does it work for you?

Shortgirlrunning

I’m 5’0” and get a minimum of 10,000 steps a day. I don’t need to be as low as 1200 calories to lose weight. I eat anywhere between 1300-1600 a day, depending on my activity level, and lose between 1 - 1.5 lbs a week.

Overly restricting usually just leads to failure. Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint and quick fixes don’t lead to long term success. You will need to find patience in this journey if you want to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way.

apullum

blessedpayne1968 wrote: »

I have only started logging my food and walking/steps on this site and notice at despite rarely eating 1200 calories and walking over 10,000 steps a day, I have not really lost any weight. I did lose weight about 2 months ago, 4lbs but then gained it again. I work on a ward, so my job can be very active but gained weight whilst taking steroids for bells palsy on 2 occasions. I want to lose weight steadily but safely. I do not deliberately eat below 12000 but do not feel hungry most of the time. Any help would be appreciated.

Are you weighing ALL of your food using a food scale?

tiffany80802017

I have a lot of weight to lose (100+ lbs) and 1200 kcal/10k steps keeps me stable. I didn’t lose weight until I moved more and exercised. Now I exercise 60-120 mins/day, eat between 1200-1800kcal (most days closer to 1200), and average about 17k steps per day, and am losing weight slowly.

I log/weigh everything except 2 or so times a month when eating away from home.

Not saying this is the correct ratio for you by any means, rather, I don’t think the calculations add up for everyone.

Kcal in/out is not always correct because it doesn’t take into account metabolic factors that vary. My Apple Watch shows a combined Active and Resting kcal per day of about 4000, meaning I should lose about 5 lbs per week, but in actuality it’s more like 1 lb per week.

stephie_nyc

1200 cals and 10k steps is the sweet spot for me to lose fat at a more aggressive pace. I’m 5’4” and I usually cut once I get up to 148. I can’t keep up 1200 calories for more than 2 weeks though.

quemalosuerte

My “base” goal calories right now is 1300 and i get between 1100 and 1400 added back when i reach 10k steps. I eat back about half of them most days. Without eating back calories, it would just be too low to be sustainable.

TeaBea

Vb1965 wrote: »

I’m trying that right now - a week in - no results yet

A whole week?

Perhaps adjust your expectations. Water weight can fluctuate 3-5 pounds - time of month, sodium, sore muscles. Heck, even your bathroom habits are going to impact the scale.

When you are close to goal, 1/2 pound a week would be a realistic goal. Even then, because weight loss won't be linear it may take a few weeks to see that 1.5 pounds.

That said, 1200 is the default minimum for a woman and 10,000 steps is active. If you aren't seeing weight loss after a few weeks, then something is off with your logging. The majority of women can eat more calories and still lose.