Only starting and already on 1200 cals

neenk85
neenk85 Posts: 8 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, I'm 5ft 2, I've only started with my calorie counting with alot to lose, but I'm already on 1200 which is very low. What if I hit a brick wall, which I've seen people say can happen, and I stop losing, where do I go from there? I couldnt lower my calories any more?

Replies

  • Go_Deskercise
    Go_Deskercise Posts: 1,630 Member
    edited January 2020
    What did you set to lose per week and how much do you have to lose?
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,153 Member
    The amount you're given as calories is based on the information that you have input when setting up the account. It also does not include your exercise calories which you're expected to log and eat back.
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    Have you chosen the correct activity level and a suitable rate of loss?

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  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    I last until lunch time my first day on 1200 calories, but I'm 4.5 inches taller than you :)

    I changed my weekly weight loss goal to a pound a week, but still need to exercise to get those extra calories - base calories is just not enough food to satisfy me.
  • neenk85
    neenk85 Posts: 8 Member
    I would like to lose in and around 4 stone, I've set it for 2lb a week to start off, and set my activity level at not very active, which I'm not, I only work 2 days a week where I would be active, on my feet all day, the rest of the week I'm trying to do the tredmill, which I've just started.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,153 Member
    edited January 2020
    neenk85 wrote: »
    I would like to lose in and around 4 stone, I've set it for 2lb a week to start off, and set my activity level at not very active, which I'm not, I only work 2 days a week where I would be active, on my feet all day, the rest of the week I'm trying to do the tredmill, which I've just started.

    Like the infographic says, just because you could potentially sustain a 1000 calorie deficit (2lb per week) doesn't mean you'll be able to stick to it long term, additionally as you get closer to goal you will need to start dropping the deficit down.

    Sedentary accounts for about 3000 steps per day (equivalent to about 30-40 mins walking for most people), so if you're doing more than that bump yourself up to Lightly Active. I hit Sedentary levels without even leaving the house on a lazy day.
  • netitheyeti
    netitheyeti Posts: 539 Member
    Ah. Yeah MFP is giving you the lowest amount it can possibly give you because of the 2lbs a week goal.
    I'll just say this, if you truly log everything properly and consistently you're not gonna hit a wall with 1200. Your deficit is gonna get smaller over time because you'll naturally burn less calories when you're lighter so the weight loss might slow down, but even most of us short people (unless maybe really old and bedbound) burn more than 1200 a day, not to mention when you factor in the exercise.
    I stuck to roughly 1300 a day (net!) and lost weight just fine (I'm also 5'2-5'3-ish and not super active).

    Most of the time when people get stuck it's either a plateau and they're not giving it enough time or people getting sloppy with their calorie counting - estimating portions instead of weighing/measuring them. When you're short and not super active those extra calories really add up fast.
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    I would definitely adjust it to one pound a week. It's much better to be able to stick to it and weigh 50 pounds less in a year than to get frustrated and hangry and end up quitting.

    Also be sure to enter exercise and eat back at least half of those calories while you determine how accurate they are for you. Some people find their exercise calories to be extremely accurate (my Fitbit is almost exact) while others find them to be much inflated. Time will tell for you.

    Good luck from one short person to another!
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