Low Calorie Intake Question

oOoNICKIoOo

Hi,

My question is fairly simple. I've plugged in all of my information into MFP and was given a total calorie intake of 1,210 per day. Obviously, I'm looking to lose weight based on this number. However, I always thought that everyone needed to have a minimum of 1,200 in order to stop the metabolism from slowing down and the body from going into starvation mode...

My question is... Should I be staying below or right at the edge of my calorie intake? I feel like that's dangerously close to going below the recommended daily value. Also, I know some of the foods I eat are estimates. I don't necessarily weigh out all my fruits and calculate the specific number of calories per weight. I'm sure this means that I need to give or take a few calories each day.

I just don't want to be eating too little, but I also don't want to go to high over my calorie intake and begin to maintain. Is there a safe range that I should stick too? How much do you think it's safe to go above my 1,210 calorie intake and still lose a decent amount of weight? Any help would be much appreciate!!

igotabulletproofheart

However, I always thought that everyone needed to have a minimum of 1,200 in order to stop the metabolism from slowing down and the body from going into starvation mode...

Your metabolism will slow down if you're on any calorie deficit but once you reach your goal you can then work on increasing your metabolism by increasing your caloric intake.

Starvation mode for the typical person is total bs. Only when you're at ~5% body fat then you can worry about it.

Should I be staying below or right at the edge of my calorie intake?

Stay around the number. 1210 calories is an incredibly specific estimate. +/- 50 calories and it won't hurt you.

I feel like that's dangerously close to going below the recommended daily value.

The recommended daily stuff is also bs. It's all rounded to "the average person", but wth is "the average person"?

For example, I'm a 140lb 18 year old girl who's 5'2 and if I ate the RDA of calories, carbs and proteins then firstly I'd be gaining about 1lb a week, secondly I'd be incredibly bloated and lastly I wouldn't be getting enough protein.

Also, I know some of the foods I eat are estimates. I don't necessarily weigh out all my fruits and calculate the specific number of calories per weight. I'm sure this means that I need to give or take a few calories each day.

Don't "give or take" anything or estimate anything.

Get a scale or measuring cups (I like to have both) and learn to weigh food correctly. You'll be doing yourself a huge favour.

I just don't want to be eating too little, but I also don't want to go to high over my calorie intake and begin to maintain. Is there a safe range that I should stick too?

1200

It's all a huge estimate but it works. Even the nutritional content of foods aren't measured perfectly, but if you're good with your diet then it works.

How much do you think it's safe to go above my 1,210 calorie intake and still lose a decent amount of weight?

It entirely depends on your daily physical activity and how often you workout, how intense your workout is and how long you work out for. Just as an estimate I'd say you could probably go up to 1300-1400 calories and still see results.

oOoNICKIoOo

However, I always thought that everyone needed to have a minimum of 1,200 in order to stop the metabolism from slowing down and the body from going into starvation mode...

Your metabolism will slow down if you're on any calorie deficit but once you reach your goal you can then work on increasing your metabolism by increasing your caloric intake.

Starvation mode for the typical person is total bs. Only when you're at ~5% body fat then you can worry about it.

Should I be staying below or right at the edge of my calorie intake?

Stay around the number. 1210 calories is an incredibly specific estimate. +/- 50 calories and it won't hurt you.

I feel like that's dangerously close to going below the recommended daily value.

The recommended daily stuff is also bs. It's all rounded to "the average person", but wth is "the average person"?

For example, I'm a 140lb 18 year old girl who's 5'2 and if I ate the RDA of calories, carbs and proteins then firstly I'd be gaining about 1lb a week, secondly I'd be incredibly bloated and lastly I wouldn't be getting enough protein.

Also, I know some of the foods I eat are estimates. I don't necessarily weigh out all my fruits and calculate the specific number of calories per weight. I'm sure this means that I need to give or take a few calories each day.

Don't "give or take" anything or estimate anything.

Get a scale or measuring cups (I like to have both) and learn to weigh food correctly. You'll be doing yourself a huge favour.

I just don't want to be eating too little, but I also don't want to go to high over my calorie intake and begin to maintain. Is there a safe range that I should stick too?

1200

It's all a huge estimate but it works. Even the nutritional content of foods aren't measured perfectly, but if you're good with your diet then it works.

How much do you think it's safe to go above my 1,210 calorie intake and still lose a decent amount of weight?

It entirely depends on your daily physical activity and how often you workout, how intense your workout is and how long you work out for. Just as an estimate I'd say you could probably go up to 1300-1400 calories and still see results.

Hi! Thank you for all the great information! I really appreciate that you took the time to respond. Obviously, I'm not super knowledgeable on the subject, so that definitely helps.

I generally keep my calorie intake within 100 calories of the MFP suggestion. I just wanted to make sure that if I'm eating 1,300 instead of 1,210 that I'm not completely sabotaging myself haha. Thanks again!!