1200 Calorie Diet???? Seriously???

minniemanion83

I think saying a 1200 calorie diet is starving is a bit of a broad statement. I am only 5'1. I can not eat as much as someone who is 5'10 and lose weight. I do fine eating 1200 calories and my exercise calories.

Thank you! I am 4"8 and there is NO WAY I can go over about 1300 a day. I hardly get in 1200. I either don't have the opportunity to eat that much that often, or I just can't. I get full quickly and refuse to keep eating when I am not hungry.

MinimalistShoeAddict

1. You do not need to "eat clean." (you can eat a variety of foods, lose weight, and meet nutritional needs)
2. Drink the lemon water if you like the taste, but it will do nothing for weight loss.
3. Meal timing is personal preference.
4. You can eat lunch meat and still lose weight. (and be healthy)
5. You do not have to limit condiments. (if it fits into your day, go for it.)
6. You do not have to limit dairy. (unless you have a medical reason)
7. You do not have to limit fruit. (fruit has numerous nutritional benefits)
8. The only reason somebody should be restricting sugar is because of a medical reason. (sugar is carb, so track that.)

I agree with you. It appears OP used the "1200 calorie diet" to attract readers so he could promote some other agenda

AFGyrl

Another really good way to lose weight is to come here and preach. Folks will take bites out of your backside.

OMG! I love this! Seriously, this topic has been done to death.

lol!!!!!

Haralaba

I agree ...

qtbolden

I definitely agree with you about the 1200 calories. But then I realized that if I exercise; it afforded me more calories. I think that's what your last 2 sentences said right? That the more you excercise, the more calories you need.

Unknown

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diannethegeek

i dont like th ecaloric defict approach. I think you need to eat and exercise to lose weight. If you eat too few calories you wont have the energy to exercise.

Ah you can't lose weigh unless you are in a caloric deficet.....:ohwell:

That is completely not true.

Okay, I'll bite. How do you propose anyone should lose weight without taking in fewer calories than their bodies burn in a day?

Acg67

i dont like th ecaloric defict approach. I think you need to eat and exercise to lose weight. If you eat too few calories you wont have the energy to exercise.

Ah you can't lose weigh unless you are in a caloric deficet.....:ohwell:

That is completely not true.

Technically it is true, just manipulate water and sodium levels. Now if he meant fat loss well, so much for taking an educated approach

ndj1979

I'm fairly new to this forum and am really surprised at how many people on here are starving themselves to lose weight. Weight loss is not a sprint its a marathon. Its something that should happen over time, not within a few weeks. Weight loss is more than just limiting your caloric intake. Its a combination of eating clean and healthy ( I hate the word diet) and exercising on a daily basis. Starving yourself is not a healthy way to lose weight and by limiting your caloric intake to 1200 or so calories is doing just that. Not only is it unhealthy, but its a process that you will never stick to because its not natural and uncomfortable to do. So lets be serious and talk about how to lose weight realistically.

I would first ask yourself, "why do I want to lose weight?' Is it for appearance? Is it to be more healthy? Is it to be able to make it up that flight of steps without getting tired? Once you understand your own reasoning you can then move forward and begin your weight loss journey, because after all that's what it should be, a journey not a short trip. Once you've realized your goal and the reason for it you need to make the biggest decision of all, and that's to commit to yourself and commit to achieving your goal of losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.

So now you've made the decision to put your health first; now what? Lets start with your eating habits. What do you eat? When do you eat it? and how often are you eating? Your body is a very complex machine but by following some simple rules about eating, you can have it running very efficiently. Follow these few simple rules and you'll see and feel the difference in your energy level.
-Start every day with an 8oz. glass of lemon water
-Monitor your portions- you should be eating small portion meals throughout the day rather than one, two or three large portioned meals a day
-Drink water, all day long
-Focus on lean proteins like chicken, turkey, salmon etc. and I don't mean processed cold-cuts...
-Focus on eating fresh vegetables, steamed when possible
-Limit unnecessary condiments i.e. mayonnaise, oils, salt etc.
-Limit, but don't restrict carbohydrates. Complex carbs are needed by your body
-Dairy is ok but in limited portions and should be kept to low fat dairy. Greek yogurt is a good choice.
-Fresh fruit should be kept to 1 or 2 pieces a day. Its high in sugar and you should be limiting your sugar

This si just a guide to go by. Your food intake should be directly related to your physical activity. Exercise is key but that's a whole other topic....

why do I have to eat throughout the day, and what is wrong with three meals a day as opposed to 6?
What is wrong with olive oil?

Sounds like a bunch of broscience to me..

Eating small portioned meals consistently throughout the day will maintain a stable blood sugar level. Theres nothing wrong with olive oil in moderation, i dont think i sadi there was.

you said limit oils...

Also, you can eat three meals a day and have stable blood sugar...I believe there is a study somewhere showing that three meals was superior to six for blood sugar levels...

LiftAllThePizzas

if what "they want" is to lose weight they need to be dedicated and not give in to temptatiuon.

jayrudq

And I believe that there are a bunch of studies that show that FASTING is superior for controlling blood sugar.

Stop. Now. Please. I love lunchmeat.

GlassSlipperGurl

I think saying a 1200 calorie diet is starving is a bit of a broad statement. I am only 5'1. I can not eat as much as someone who is 5'10 and lose weight. I do fine eating 1200 calories and my exercise calories.

Same here

Lake_Po

Setting aside the non-facts of the diet advice listed, am I the only one here who has a very difficult time taking seriously the propaganda of a person that is having such a difficult time with typing even the most basic of words?

I know this isn't the English department, but come on, man.

Resume your attacks, people

Gee_24

Whilst I completely agree that eating clean is the optimum way to live, I find it very hard.

I have lost my 25lbs eating exactly the same as before. One day, I WILL commit to changes. But, right now my work life is severely stressful and I think if I had attempted to eat foods I dont find satisfying, I would never have made it past the first week.

I ate at 1200 cals for 2 months eating currys, chocolate and drinking tea with 3 sugars. Lost the exact same amount as I would have eating clean. Mind you, had I eaten clean I can assume I would have been able to consume a LOT more. But nevermind.

Whoa_OItsMagic

I think saying a 1200 calorie diet is starving is a bit of a broad statement. I am only 5'1. I can not eat as much as someone who is 5'10 and lose weight. I do fine eating 1200 calories and my exercise calories.

Im also 5 1, and could easily eat well over 1200 calories. Think about it.

leslturn8

I seen a different Dr last week as my Dr was off. He told me the best way to lose weight is starvation. There is no point to exercising. Eat less and if you feel satisfied you have eaten too much. Always be hungry.....
I laugh.....
Ah ha ha ha ha
1200 use to satisfy me.....
I didnt lose weight either.....platue.....
I upped cals.....weightloss.......
I still eat bread and processed meat and i treat myself....OMG......i know:drinker:

bluefish49

i dont like th ecaloric defict approach. I think you need to eat and exercise to lose weight. If you eat too few calories you wont have the energy to exercise.

HUH?

Dude, you came on here basically telling everyone how it should be done. A better approach might have been - "Here's what I do. You may be able to adapt some of this to fit your plan.

As of this post I have 197 contradictions to your quote above.

I exercise, yes. But I eat at a deficit and DON'T eat back my exercise calories.

Maybe that's why I ruin everyone else's workout when I hang on to the hand rails on the treadmill. :laugh:

jofjltncb6

Setting aside the non-facts of the diet advice listed, am I the only one here who has a very difficult time taking seriously the propaganda of a person that is having such a difficult time with typing even the most basic of words?

I know this isn't the English department, but come on, man.

Resume your attacks, people

The thing about MFP is...you can share ridiculous dietary/nutrition advice...

...but if you question another member's spelling or grammar too many times, they'll lock you out of the forums.

True story.

yanniejannie

Oh, dear god..........this again???????

Depends on who you are; no, it's not right for a 24 yo. 6ft. guy......

highervibes

I ate all my Pop Corners in the "Kind of Appalled" thread. Sad panda

csab24

Whoever started this post has no idea what they're talking about. I'm 5'1 and i cannot eat 1800 calories a day for example and lose weight. 1200 calories a day is good for me and i dont feel hungry. Short people can't eat as much as taller people and lose weight at the same rate. Just doesnt work. 1200 calories a day is in no world considered starving.

katymartino

Honestly I have trouble MEETING the 1200 calories, especially with my workouts.... It's difficult for me to replace the calories I burn off working out, especially since I exercise in the evening. I don't like to eat after a certain time of day, and find it difficult to do so....

Gee_24

Whoever started this post has no idea what they're talking about. I'm 5'1 and i cannot eat 1800 calories a day for example and lose weight. 1200 calories a day is good for me and i dont feel hungry. Short people can't eat as much as taller people and lose weight at the same rate. Just doesnt work. 1200 calories a day is in no world considered starving.

I think MOST people feel hungry at 1200.

I am 4ft 8, very short. 1200 was hellish for me.

jogglesngoggles

I know, I know, anyone who has every lost weight thinks they're suddenly an expert on the topic, and while we may mean well, and we're so very excited that it worked for us, that why wouldn't we want to share our new found expertise with the world, but well, coming off as a know it all doesn't really sit well with most people!

basschick

I agree with the OP that 1200 calories a day is too few for *many* but certainly not for *all*. It definitely would be too few calories for any man, but if you're a small woman and you get plenty of protein and fiber, a 1200 net calorie/day diet can be perfectly doable and healthy. What I see on here are women who weigh over 150 lbs. who eat less than 1200 net calories -- and not under a doctor's supervision, but because they want to lose weight *fast*. Now that's unhealthy!

Now for those that say they have trouble MEETING 1200 calories because you're just too full:
a. You're not calculating your calories eaten or calories burned correctly and you're eating more than you think.
b. You've gotten used to being hungry all the time so that's your new "normal." OR
c. You've been starving yourself for so long that your metabolism has slowed to a crawl, so you really are satisfied eating less than 1200 net calories a day.

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sayhitostephz

lol at salmon being a lean protein

KateK8LoseW8

i dont like th ecaloric defict approach. I think you need to eat and exercise to lose weight. If you eat too few calories you wont have the energy to exercise.

Ah you can't lose weigh unless you are in a caloric deficet.....:ohwell:

That is completely not true.

...what

LiftAllThePizzas

Honestly I have trouble MEETING the 1200 calories, especially with my workouts.... It's difficult for me to replace the calories I burn off working out, especially since I exercise in the evening. I don't like to eat after a certain time of day, and find it difficult to do so....

Then congratulations! You won't ever need to be on this site and obviously won't ever have any problems with being overweight for the rest of your life.

hookilau