1200cal/day really works.

kyleekay10

you are ignoring this user

i wonder who this is, lol.

Who cares?

lol'd at the fact that you replied to her, knowing she can't see your posts.

Shaylyn1986

you are ignoring this user

i wonder who this is, lol.

Who cares?

lol'd at the fact that you replied to her, knowing she can't see your posts.

Figured why not. ^.^

kyleekay10

Ok, anyway. In addition to my post up there.

Eating less than what your body needs to function in a HEALTHY way is bad, mmmkay. Doesn't matter if that number is 1,200 or 1,700.

If you're going to eat 1200/day at least do it right and carefully plan your macros so that you are not losing muscle mass, and so that you get all the nutrients you need. And then take the time to realize that for MOST people 1200/day is not sustainable for life.

That's all I've got.

suziepoo1984

It "really" does not work! Not for most people. I would get depressed , hungry and eat everything in sight after 2 days, because i am losing weight for "Me" and if i am not happy, i will go back to my old ways or even worse. I get a lot of cravings and 1200 calorie can nowhere near satisfy them!
I eat 1700 on average(maybe more, i am not sure as i eat different amount everyday based on exercise) and i am still hungry after that. so at 1200 i would be miserable. My happiness and state of mind is more important to "Me" than losing a few pounds. I would rather be happy and fat than miserable and Skinny.

Serah87

Edited ****
PS to those who say "I've kept the weight off for x years" eating 1200 for most of the time and splurging a couple days...good for you but I bet if you were to actually weigh your food on a kitchen scale you are eating more then you think...and that is the kicker.

You are here defending your choice when probably in reality you are eating closer to 1600 a day on normal days and closer to 1800-2300 on splurge days...but that being said you wont admit it now or even doube check...

My diary is open, feel free to view my 1200 cal a day foods.

Yup I did and I was right in your particular case you don't use a kitchen scale for your food...you use cups and packaged item details....and "measurments" like 1 small...when in fact if you read this thread

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

or this one from another person just recently who is a "common" user who didn't weigh her food either until recently...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1135499-eating-more-than-you-think

You will understand my statement better.

Esp considering the TDEE of a sedendary woman who is 5 ft 2 and weights about 138 is appx 1577 to maintain (that is the average daily intake) so if in fact a woman with those stats eats 1200 a day for 4 days (while weighing food to be sure) then she is consuming 2000 the other 3 days.

I probably am close to 2000 on the weekends. Bf and I like to go out to dinner.

If you are eating 2000 on the weekends, then you are not even doing what you say you are doing.

Okay. I don't track weekends, I eat mostly what I want but not gorge a whole pizza. More active on weekends too.

But okay.

Then why are you so vociferously defending a position (1200 calories a day) that you do not even maintain?

because I did it for 6 months to lose the weight which is what the OP is trying to do as well.

Looked backed on your food diary, back when you said you logged 1200 calories to lose weight. Most of the time you didn't log and when you did, you only averaged 800 calories or less a day and only a few times you actually hit 1200 calories. :huh:

delicious_cocktail

Ok, anyway. In addition to my post up there.

Eating less than what your body needs to function in a HEALTHY way is bad, mmmkay. Doesn't matter if that number is 1,200 or 1,700.

If you're going to eat 1200/day at least do it right and carefully plan your macros so that you are not losing muscle mass, and so that you get all the nutrients you need. And then take the time to realize that for MOST people 1200/day is not sustainable for life.

That's all I've got.

Shaylyn1986

Used the fit bit site and mfp.

kyleekay10

Ok, anyway. In addition to my post up there.

Eating less than what your body needs to function in a HEALTHY way is bad, mmmkay. Doesn't matter if that number is 1,200 or 1,700.

If you're going to eat 1200/day at least do it right and carefully plan your macros so that you are not losing muscle mass, and so that you get all the nutrients you need. And then take the time to realize that for MOST people 1200/day is not sustainable for life.

That's all I've got.

:flowerforyou:

MyChocolateDiet

If I have pre-logged a 668 calorie day for today that takes up 6 meals do I win this thread?

(...does that fact change if ate 3221 calories yesterday and today's cal deficit is to make up for that combined with a deficit the day prior? My diary is only open to my friends feel free to friend or unfriend me as the case may be.)

Serah87

Used the fit bit site and mfp.

Your stories keep changing.

Shaylyn1986

Used the fit bit site and mfp.

Your stories keep changing.

Oookay. I bought a fitbit. It synchs with MFP. It is also used for tracking. :S

kyleekay10

Used the fit bit site and mfp.

Your stories keep changing.

Ha, this.

Also less than 40g of protein a day makes me want to cry on the muscle's behalf.

MyChocolateDiet

It "really" does not work! Not for most people. I would get depressed , hungry and eat everything in sight after 2 days, because i am losing weight for "Me" and if i am not happy, i will go back to my old ways or even worse. I get a lot of cravings and 1200 calorie can nowhere near satisfy them!
I eat 1700 on average(maybe more, i am not sure as i eat different amount everyday based on exercise) and i am still hungry after that. so at 1200 i would be miserable. My happiness and state of mind is more important to "Me" than losing a few pounds. I would rather be happy and fat than miserable and Skinny.

Well, not only that but I do not want to have to eat 1200 calories on my non workout days when I am at maintenance for the rest of my life. So far even though my NET cal goal has been 1200 that means that when at goal I will be at least allowed 1500 cals per day if not more. I am 5'2" and mostly sedentary so I'm not sure how that can be 1200 cals per day when MAINTAINING? For loss I get that some calculators will give you that. Heck even the slim fast diet of which I am so probably misguidedly fond proposes that WITH working out, but yeah once I workout I fer sure need more than 1200 cals and the earned cals thru exercise usually turns out to be just about right for 1) satiety 2) energy 3) no headaches and 4) still achieving weight loss.

MyChocolateDiet

Used the fit bit site and mfp.

Your stories keep changing.

Ha, this.

Also less than 40g of protein a day makes me want to cry on the muscle's behalf.

I think it's hard to keep your stories straight when you eat one way during the week and a competely different way during the weekend. Nothing wrong with that but just there's this thing called math and this thing called averages and this other thing called 1428.5714285714285714285714285714285714 average calories per day...which by accounts here apparently "really works".

elbeerock

Is the point of the thread to say that 1200 works for some, but not for others? Because that's totally true...But maybe I'm missing the point.

I've lost a total of 115 pounds since 2009 in spurts (40 pounds hardcore for a couple of months, maintenance for a few months, 20 pounds for a couple, maintenance...so on). I'm pleased with my progress, because for me, it was realistic. I like having beers during the summer!

That being said, I know my body at this point, and the only way I can lose weight is if I eat roughly 1200 cals a day, with very little carbs. I've recently upped my carb intake because I've started a more-intense-than-I've-been-used-to workout regime within the last few weeks and I was not getting the most out of the workout.

Anyway, that works for me...actually, it's the only thing that works for me. I've had my metabolism tested, seen endocrinologists, got hormone tested, etc etc. All signs point to "you can't eat as much or what everyone else does, young lady".

And before anyone says "are you sure you're eating only that much?", yes, yes I am sure. I have a digital scale and I'm militant about measuring out my recipes. I freak out if I can't properly quantify how much/exactly what I ate in a day.

But! point is! That's just me! That's what works for me. Other people have different strategies, and great success! And that's great. I'd love to be one of those people, but i'm not...that's all.

(Stats: 29/F/5'7" SW: 300 lbs in 2009 CW: somewhere around 185 lbs. I stopped weighing myself since I started working out because my body does not want to lose weight when I weight train, and I didn't want to discourage myself)

MyChocolateDiet

Is the point of the thread to say that 1200 works for some, but not for others? Because that's totally true...But maybe I'm missing the point.

I've lost a total of 115 pounds since 2009 in spurts (40 pounds hardcore for a couple of months, maintenance for a few months, 20 pounds for a couple, maintenance...so on). I'm pleased with my progress, because for me, it was realistic. I like having beers during the summer!

That being said, I know my body at this point, and the only way I can lose weight is if I eat roughly 1200 cals a day, with very little carbs. I've recently upped my carb intake because I've started a more-intense-than-I've-been-used-to workout regime within the last few weeks and I was not getting the most out of the workout.

Anyway, that works for me...actually, it's the only thing that works for me. I've had my metabolism tested, seen endocrinologists, got hormone tested, etc etc. All signs point to "you can't eat as much or what everyone else does, young lady".

And before anyone says "are you sure you're eating only that much?", yes, yes I am sure. I have a digital scale and I'm militant about measuring out my recipes. I freak out if I can't properly quantify how much/exactly what I ate in a day.

But! point is! That's just me! That's what works for me. Other people have different strategies, and great success! And that's great. I'd love to be one of those people, but i'm not...that's all.

(Stats: 29/F/5'7" SW: 300 lbs in 2009 CW: somewhere around 185 lbs. I stopped weighing myself since I started working out because my body does not want to lose weight when I weight train, and I didn't want to discourage myself)

Please elaborate, what specific conditions turned out to be the cause for this? What is the incidence of said condition in the general population according to your understanding from said Dr. appointment or reliable google research?

twooliver

Some people have all the answers for everybody eh? Good for you for sticking to what works and trusting your body! I hope to be so lucky on 1600 a day....but if not...I will be lowering the count!!

Keep up the good work!

Shaylyn1986

(Stats: 29/F/5'7" SW: 300 lbs in 2009 CW: somewhere around 185 lbs. I stopped weighing myself since I started working out because my body does not want to lose weight when I weight train, and I didn't want to discourage myself)

Congratulations on your weight loss! That is a huge accomplishment. I totally agree, do what works for your body.

zyxst

Party still going?

elbeerock

Is the point of the thread to say that 1200 works for some, but not for others? Because that's totally true...But maybe I'm missing the point.

I've lost a total of 115 pounds since 2009 in spurts (40 pounds hardcore for a couple of months, maintenance for a few months, 20 pounds for a couple, maintenance...so on). I'm pleased with my progress, because for me, it was realistic. I like having beers during the summer!

That being said, I know my body at this point, and the only way I can lose weight is if I eat roughly 1200 cals a day, with very little carbs. I've recently upped my carb intake because I've started a more-intense-than-I've-been-used-to workout regime within the last few weeks and I was not getting the most out of the workout.

Anyway, that works for me...actually, it's the only thing that works for me. I've had my metabolism tested, seen endocrinologists, got hormone tested, etc etc. All signs point to "you can't eat as much or what everyone else does, young lady".

And before anyone says "are you sure you're eating only that much?", yes, yes I am sure. I have a digital scale and I'm militant about measuring out my recipes. I freak out if I can't properly quantify how much/exactly what I ate in a day.

But! point is! That's just me! That's what works for me. Other people have different strategies, and great success! And that's great. I'd love to be one of those people, but i'm not...that's all.

(Stats: 29/F/5'7" SW: 300 lbs in 2009 CW: somewhere around 185 lbs. I stopped weighing myself since I started working out because my body does not want to lose weight when I weight train, and I didn't want to discourage myself)

Please elaborate, what specific conditions turned out to be the cause for this? What is the incidence of said condition in the general population according to your understanding from said Dr. appointment or reliable google research?

Jeez louise, that's a bit snarky, don't you think?

I have PCOS and insulin resistance (thanks to a ****ty diet/lack of exercise for the first 25 years of my life) both tested and confirmed from blood testing and continued visits with my Dr over the last 10 years. I have *also* had my metabolism checked because I was convinced that the steroid treatment after a small tumor was removed from my breast had changed the way I metabolised food.

Now, the "incidence of said condition(s)" are probably pretty low, in combination, I'd say. But, again, *for me* this is the sitch, 'tis what it is. For others, it isn't. And that's fine. But no one formula works for everyone, I don't think.

johnjl23

1200 cals will work at start. your metabolism will slow after a week, however if you exercise then your metabolic rate will increase. people say you need breakfast to start your metabolism, es it does that, but your taking in calories so your body wont burn fat, and your taking in likely more than you burn off with digestion unless your eating celery, my point is, dont be caught up with this whole "you need to eat a certain amount to lose weight" if you eat 1200 cals, its not long term, its ok for short term weight loss, but not sustainable as it would be unhealthy. eat this much for a short while, make sure you exercise, and youl lose weight, then when your happy, up the calories to maintenance level. thats if you like crash diets!.....

JUST DON'T BECOME ANOREXIC! as i say. short term.

SezxyStef

Is the point of the thread to say that 1200 works for some, but not for others? Because that's totally true...But maybe I'm missing the point.

I've lost a total of 115 pounds since 2009 in spurts (40 pounds hardcore for a couple of months, maintenance for a few months, 20 pounds for a couple, maintenance...so on). I'm pleased with my progress, because for me, it was realistic. I like having beers during the summer!

That being said, I know my body at this point, and the only way I can lose weight is if I eat roughly 1200 cals a day, with very little carbs. I've recently upped my carb intake because I've started a more-intense-than-I've-been-used-to workout regime within the last few weeks and I was not getting the most out of the workout.

Anyway, that works for me...actually, it's the only thing that works for me. I've had my metabolism tested, seen endocrinologists, got hormone tested, etc etc. All signs point to "you can't eat as much or what everyone else does, young lady".

And before anyone says "are you sure you're eating only that much?", yes, yes I am sure. I have a digital scale and I'm militant about measuring out my recipes. I freak out if I can't properly quantify how much/exactly what I ate in a day.

But! point is! That's just me! That's what works for me. Other people have different strategies, and great success! And that's great. I'd love to be one of those people, but i'm not...that's all.

(Stats: 29/F/5'7" SW: 300 lbs in 2009 CW: somewhere around 185 lbs. I stopped weighing myself since I started working out because my body does not want to lose weight when I weight train, and I didn't want to discourage myself)

Were the actual results from the speicalists or just your "feeling"

There are a few medical cases where eating less is required to lose weight but those are not "common"

But for most...they don't need to do that to themselves...

1princesswarrior

I lost on 1200:

My hair, my nails (brittle), my energy, my patience (kinda like following this thread), my friendly personality, ... want me to keep going?

My liver function, kidney function, proper bowel function, ... TMI yet?

1200 may work for the statistical outlier known as the special snowflake but not the rest of us known as the general population. Now my body except for my hair and nails is recovered at 2300 a day and I am still losing at a respectable and healthy rate.

LiftAllThePizzas

I don't even get why people are so mad. Who gives a F?

You learned that exercise allows you to eat more calories? Super for you. Some people aren't like you.

I totally agree.

Do what works for you. Some people just cannot let it go that others don't eat and exercise like them.

1200 a day is not easy and takes getting used to. You'll learn what foods work for you and you'll learn what you need to do for maintenance after you lose.

Feel free to friend me. My diary is open. :]

Some people just don't get that it's not about YOU, it's about letting the thousands of silent lurking readers know that 1200 is NOT the only option, that the vast majority of people can eat quite a bit more than 1200 and enjoy themselves while getting healthy, instead of choosing between one or the other.

MireyGal76

My mom was put on a 1200 cal a day "eating plan" through U weight loss. She is 6'1" and was about 80 pounds over weight.

It really worked. She lost a pile of weight in a few months. Everyone told her how amazing she looked, how great a job she was doing.
She fell into depression because of the restrictive eating and the fact that she couldn't EVER eat what she wanted. She started having the occasional binge... and now she is about 90 pounds over weight, and feels like a failure.

Yeah, it really worked for her.

:brokenheart:

Shaylyn1986

I don't even get why people are so mad. Who gives a F?

You learned that exercise allows you to eat more calories? Super for you. Some people aren't like you.

I totally agree.

Do what works for you. Some people just cannot let it go that others don't eat and exercise like them.

1200 a day is not easy and takes getting used to. You'll learn what foods work for you and you'll learn what you need to do for maintenance after you lose.

Feel free to friend me. My diary is open. :]

Some people just don't get that it's not about YOU, it's about letting the thousands of silent lurking readers know that 1200 is NOT the only option, that the vast majority of people can eat quite a bit more than 1200 and enjoy themselves while getting healthy, instead of choosing between one or the other.

it's also not about YOU. And letting those thousands of silent lurkers know that they don't have to go to the gym 3 hours a day or lift heavy either. It's their choice!

Shaylyn1986

I lost on 1200:

My hair, my nails (brittle), my energy, my patience (kinda like following this thread), my friendly personality, ... want me to keep going?

My liver function, kidney function, proper bowel function, ... TMI yet?

1200 may work for the statistical outlier known as the special snowflake but not the rest of us known as the general population. Now my body except for my hair and nails is recovered at 2300 a day and I am still losing at a respectable and healthy rate.

Ouch. I've heard of this happening too. I didn't experience it but I take Biotin.

MyChocolateDiet

Is the point of the thread to say that 1200 works for some, but not for others? Because that's totally true...But maybe I'm missing the point.

I've lost a total of 115 pounds since 2009 in spurts (40 pounds hardcore for a couple of months, maintenance for a few months, 20 pounds for a couple, maintenance...so on). I'm pleased with my progress, because for me, it was realistic. I like having beers during the summer!

That being said, I know my body at this point, and the only way I can lose weight is if I eat roughly 1200 cals a day, with very little carbs. I've recently upped my carb intake because I've started a more-intense-than-I've-been-used-to workout regime within the last few weeks and I was not getting the most out of the workout.

Anyway, that works for me...actually, it's the only thing that works for me. I've had my metabolism tested, seen endocrinologists, got hormone tested, etc etc. All signs point to "you can't eat as much or what everyone else does, young lady".

And before anyone says "are you sure you're eating only that much?", yes, yes I am sure. I have a digital scale and I'm militant about measuring out my recipes. I freak out if I can't properly quantify how much/exactly what I ate in a day.

But! point is! That's just me! That's what works for me. Other people have different strategies, and great success! And that's great. I'd love to be one of those people, but i'm not...that's all.

(Stats: 29/F/5'7" SW: 300 lbs in 2009 CW: somewhere around 185 lbs. I stopped weighing myself since I started working out because my body does not want to lose weight when I weight train, and I didn't want to discourage myself)

Please elaborate, what specific conditions turned out to be the cause for this? What is the incidence of said condition in the general population according to your understanding from said Dr. appointment or reliable google research?

Jeez louise, that's a bit snarky, don't you think?

I have PCOS and insulin resistance (thanks to a ****ty diet/lack of exercise for the first 25 years of my life) both tested and confirmed from blood testing and continued visits with my Dr over the last 10 years. I have *also* had my metabolism checked because I was convinced that the steroid treatment after a small tumor was removed from my breast had changed the way I metabolised food.

Now, the "incidence of said condition(s)" are probably pretty low, in combination, I'd say. But, again, *for me* this is the sitch, 'tis what it is. For others, it isn't. And that's fine. But no one formula works for everyone, I don't think.

Thank you so much for clarifying. It was not my intent in the least to come off as snarky but only as asking a sincere question in earnest regarding what type of condition would necessitate this. I had heard of PCOS and suspected it might be that and just wanted the clarification for anyone who might be reading and not have access to health care to know that it's a specific diagnosis and that they are free to google it and see it's actual incidence in the general population and weigh those odds in when deciding if they think this might actually apply to them or not.

My apologies if my brief and to the point tone came off as snarky :flowerforyou: . I really meant no harm.

LiftAllThePizzas

I don't even get why people are so mad. Who gives a F?

You learned that exercise allows you to eat more calories? Super for you. Some people aren't like you.

I totally agree.

Do what works for you. Some people just cannot let it go that others don't eat and exercise like them.

1200 a day is not easy and takes getting used to. You'll learn what foods work for you and you'll learn what you need to do for maintenance after you lose.

Feel free to friend me. My diary is open. :]

Some people just don't get that it's not about YOU, it's about letting the thousands of silent lurking readers know that 1200 is NOT the only option, that the vast majority of people can eat quite a bit more than 1200 and enjoy themselves while getting healthy, instead of choosing between one or the other.

it's also not about YOU. And letting those thousands of silent lurkers know that they don't have to go to the gym 3 hours a day or lift heavy either. It's their choice!

Strawman much?

If someone else in this thread advocated going to the gym for 3 hours a day, you're welcome to bring it up with them.

Collier78

I don't even get why people are so mad. Who gives a F?

You learned that exercise allows you to eat more calories? Super for you. Some people aren't like you.

I totally agree.

Do what works for you. Some people just cannot let it go that others don't eat and exercise like them.

1200 a day is not easy and takes getting used to. You'll learn what foods work for you and you'll learn what you need to do for maintenance after you lose.

Feel free to friend me. My diary is open. :]

Some people just don't get that it's not about YOU, it's about letting the thousands of silent lurking readers know that 1200 is NOT the only option, that the vast majority of people can eat quite a bit more than 1200 and enjoy themselves while getting healthy, instead of choosing between one or the other.

it's also not about YOU. And letting those thousands of silent lurkers know that they don't have to go to the gym 3 hours a day or lift heavy either. It's their choice!

Both Valid points..however heavy lifting has never been a gateway to an eating disorder. Which I believe is the particular point this poster is trying to make. There are a lot of impressionable young women (or men I suppose) that will eat below this because they don't like what they see in the mirror. Therefore, promoting it as a long term solution can be far more detrimental than someone lifting heavy.

I congratulate you on your success, but even in maintenance, limiting yourself so seriously during the week, only to "eat whatever you want" on the weekends is setting yourself up to fall back into bad habits, or develop an ED. Allowing yourself whatever you wish in moderation everyday doing calories in vs calories out will help people who have had a poor relationship with food their ENTIRE life learn that they can have those carbs they love without being the hefty. It took me 20 long years of yo yo dieting to get it.