This 1200 calories thing..is getting to me
franticfoxx
Posts: 50 Member
Hi
I've been on this 1200 calorie plan for months. And I eat back burned calories, but I'm still not usually nettting 1200. Because its scary to me. Funny haha i Know... But I would love to eat more, and just not care about the number so much right now. But Currently I know I must have lost some weight, but I do not weigh myself. Last time it was maybe 130. And i'm 5'3. Active female. Desk job. But workout just about everyday. Although I don't want to be afraid of break days. For example. Today, i DO NOT want to workout. Im exhausted, my muscles ache. But now I can barley eat anything lol. Its like what the hell do I do on these days. Eat like a rabbit? I'm Constantly hungry.
I'm assuming that I'll be needing to up my calories soon. But I just have a bad feeling that I will gain weight again Because thats what my body does, gains, very easily. I want to relax and not worry, but i'll gain. And I am very healthy, no problems with thyroid..
Do I take the risk and up the calories? Or do I deal with this if i want to see more results.
I've been on this 1200 calorie plan for months. And I eat back burned calories, but I'm still not usually nettting 1200. Because its scary to me. Funny haha i Know... But I would love to eat more, and just not care about the number so much right now. But Currently I know I must have lost some weight, but I do not weigh myself. Last time it was maybe 130. And i'm 5'3. Active female. Desk job. But workout just about everyday. Although I don't want to be afraid of break days. For example. Today, i DO NOT want to workout. Im exhausted, my muscles ache. But now I can barley eat anything lol. Its like what the hell do I do on these days. Eat like a rabbit? I'm Constantly hungry.
I'm assuming that I'll be needing to up my calories soon. But I just have a bad feeling that I will gain weight again Because thats what my body does, gains, very easily. I want to relax and not worry, but i'll gain. And I am very healthy, no problems with thyroid..
Do I take the risk and up the calories? Or do I deal with this if i want to see more results.
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Replies
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How do you know you will gain.. you don't have a scale? Take a day off and eat 1200 calories.. or eat more.. Nobody said you have to starve yourself and workout everyday to lose weight.. that is how people end up quitting and just gaining it all back.0
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If you're hungry, it's for a reason. EAT.0
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I, personally, would find a calculator and figure out your TDEE -20% whether it be from scoobyworkshop.com or iifym.com. I use the latter. I tried the 1200 calorie thing for about a month. I saw weight loss but then I remembered why I quit the first time I did it. 1200 was not enough and I felt like "If this is what it takes to be skinny, then screw it, I'll stay fat!". I calculated my TDEE, don't have to worry about how much I actually burn from exercise (as it's already calculated in) and I can eat more!! I'm still losing over a 1 lb a week and I don't feel like chewing my arm off or napping all day from exhaustion. If you're not happy, try upping your calories slowly. Maybe 50-100 a week.0
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Is the 1200 calories what MFP suggests you should use as your goal?0
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Is the 1200 calories what MFP suggests you should use as your goal?
yeah, because I know activity level that you have to put in there DOESNT include exercise. So its at sed. level.
But I workout about 5 days a week for an hour.0 -
Since you're already in a healthy weight range for your height, there is no reason to eat at such a drastic deficit. And yes, when you up your calories, you will see a slight gain. It's water weight from your body replenishing it's glycogen stores and it is not permanent. Honestly, this sounds largely mental to me. Stop looking at food as the enemy that makes you gain weight and start looking at it as the tasty healthy wonderful stuff that nourishes your body and fuels your workouts.0
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Sooo true!How do you know you will gain.. you don't have a scale? Take a day off and eat 1200 calories.. or eat more.. Nobody said you have to starve yourself and workout everyday to lose weight.. that is how people end up quitting and just gaining it all back.0
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i doubt you are sedentary...and how many pounds a week do you have it set to lose?Is the 1200 calories what MFP suggests you should use as your goal?
yeah, because I know activity level that you have to put in there DOESNT include exercise. So its at sed. level.
But I workout about 5 days a week for an hour.0 -
i doubt you are sedentary...and how many pounds a week do you have it set to lose?Is the 1200 calories what MFP suggests you should use as your goal?
yeah, because I know activity level that you have to put in there DOESNT include exercise. So its at sed. level.
But I workout about 5 days a week for an hour.
I believe its a pound a week.. but I know that doesn't happen0 -
i doubt you are sedentary...and how many pounds a week do you have it set to lose?Is the 1200 calories what MFP suggests you should use as your goal?
yeah, because I know activity level that you have to put in there DOESNT include exercise. So its at sed. level.
But I workout about 5 days a week for an hour.
I believe its a pound a week.. but I know that doesn't happen
Did you use any of the advice given last month?0 -
i doubt you are sedentary...and how many pounds a week do you have it set to lose?Is the 1200 calories what MFP suggests you should use as your goal?
yeah, because I know activity level that you have to put in there DOESNT include exercise. So its at sed. level.
But I workout about 5 days a week for an hour.
I believe its a pound a week.. but I know that doesn't happen
Did you use any of the advice given last month?
tried too mhm0 -
Did you use any of the advice given last month?
Definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.0 -
Sounds like you're getting the same advice.0
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Sounds like you're getting the same advice.
lol just like to hear more of peoples responses, nothing wrong with that. Don't need any attitudes from anyone.0 -
Did you use any of the advice given last month?
Definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
"I'm not really looking for friends, I don't log a lot on here or need my diary or exercise critiqued." and I don't need yours0 -
Sounds like you're getting the same advice.
lol just like to hear more of peoples responses, nothing wrong with that. Don't need any attitudes from anyone.
It's not really attitude. Just wanted to point out you've been given this same advice and apparently haven't changed anything. You never opened your diary, so no one can be sure how accurate you're logging and based on the information given, there's really nothing else people can say?0 -
Sounds like you're getting the same advice.
lol just like to hear more of peoples responses, nothing wrong with that. Don't need any attitudes from anyone.
It's not really attitude. Just wanted to point out you've been given this same advice and apparently haven't changed anything. You never opened your diary, so no one can be sure how accurate you're logging and based on the information given, there's really nothing else people can say?
Okay your right, thank you!0 -
Hi
I've been on this 1200 calorie plan for months. And I eat back burned calories, but I'm still not usually nettting 1200. Because its scary to me. Funny haha i Know... But I would love to eat more, and just not care about the number so much right now. But Currently I know I must have lost some weight, but I do not weigh myself. Last time it was maybe 130. And i'm 5'3. Active female. Desk job. But workout just about everyday. Although I don't want to be afraid of break days. For example. Today, i DO NOT want to workout. Im exhausted, my muscles ache. But now I can barley eat anything lol. Its like what the hell do I do on these days. Eat like a rabbit? I'm Constantly hungry.
I'm assuming that I'll be needing to up my calories soon. But I just have a bad feeling that I will gain weight again Because thats what my body does, gains, very easily. I want to relax and not worry, but i'll gain. And I am very healthy, no problems with thyroid..
Do I take the risk and up the calories? Or do I deal with this if i want to see more results.
Hey. My stats are similar to yours (5'3", started at 143 lbs, now at 121 - and I did lose a lb a week until I hit 125). I lift once a week, not near the exercise you're doing. I'm still losing eating 1400-1500 cals per day (ignore the last couple of days, they're anomalies - and the vacation week I didn't log).
You're feeling poorly - sounds like a clear sign that you're not eating enough. Eat a couple of hundred calories more, feel better. You'll gain a little weight at first from water, glycogen, more volume of food in your system, but that weight will drop back off and you'll keep losing. Bonus - you'll workout harder because you'll feel better. Trust me, give it a go.0 -
Hi
I've been on this 1200 calorie plan for months. And I eat back burned calories, but I'm still not usually nettting 1200. Because its scary to me. Funny haha i Know... But I would love to eat more, and just not care about the number so much right now. But Currently I know I must have lost some weight, but I do not weigh myself. Last time it was maybe 130. And i'm 5'3. Active female. Desk job. But workout just about everyday. Although I don't want to be afraid of break days. For example. Today, i DO NOT want to workout. Im exhausted, my muscles ache. But now I can barley eat anything lol. Its like what the hell do I do on these days. Eat like a rabbit? I'm Constantly hungry.
I'm assuming that I'll be needing to up my calories soon. But I just have a bad feeling that I will gain weight again Because thats what my body does, gains, very easily. I want to relax and not worry, but i'll gain. And I am very healthy, no problems with thyroid..
Do I take the risk and up the calories? Or do I deal with this if i want to see more results.
Hey. My stats are similar to yours (5'3", started at 143 lbs, now at 121 - and I did lose a lb a week until I hit 125). I lift once a week, not near the exercise you're doing. I'm still losing eating 1400-1500 cals per day (ignore the last couple of days, they're anomalies - and the vacation week I didn't log).
You're feeling poorly - sounds like a clear sign that you're not eating enough. Eat a couple of hundred calories more, feel better. You'll gain a little weight at first from water, glycogen, more volume of food in your system, but that weight will drop back off and you'll keep losing. Bonus - you'll workout harder because you'll feel better. Trust me, give it a go.
Thank you, you are pretty similar in stats. heaviest I was about 140. Appreciate your response.0 -
Last month you were given some excellent advice, and that was to increase your calories. But you're still talking about1200 calories, which means you haven't actually taken the advice and increased. Stop thinking of calories as such a scary thing. The world is not going to end if you eat more than 1200 calories. What does happen though, is you give your body the nutrients it needs and is craving. Give your body more of what it needs and you'll probably see some change. Also, the closer you are to goal, the closer to maintenance calories you should be eating. I *personally* think you're trying to be too aggressive (with your calorie goal) for the amount of weight you want to lose. But certainly start implementing the advice already given.0
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you really, really need to eat back the exercise calories, for sure. it sounds like maybe you aren't right now? 1200 is not a lot of calories. that really is a level that you'll lose a pound a week at sedentary level. but, if you're working out an hour a day, you need more calories. you will still have a deficit and lose, don't worry. i lost 30 lbs using the mfp calorie recommendations, eating back exercise cals.0
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Last month you were given some excellent advice, and that was to increase your calories. But you're still talking about1200 calories, which means you haven't actually taken the advice and increased. Stop thinking of calories as such a scary thing. The world is not going to end if you eat more than 1200 calories. What does happen though, is you give your body the nutrients it needs and is craving. Give your body more of what it needs and you'll probably see some change. Also, the closer you are to goal, the closer to maintenance calories you should be eating. I *personally* think you're trying to be too aggressive (with your calorie goal) for the amount of weight you want to lose. But certainly start implementing the advice already given.
Thank you0 -
Not sure how or why it works for me, but i am on the 1200 per day too. I find that sometimes (and by sometimes I mean 1 or 2 times every couple of weeks) I will go over my calories and the next day I show that I have lost weight! I did learn one thing while being an avid weight watcher member years ago, you should always eat the minimum recommended. If you consistently stay under, your body will go into starvation mode. It will hold onto any and all excess fat because it is not sure when food souce will come again for energy. Sounds silly but in simple terms, your body unless fed regularly and approx the same caloric intake, might think you are "trapped in a snow storm" and will hold on to all excess weight to save you from starvation. Hopefully this makes sense. I know each person is differnt in their body types and how they lose weight. It was just something I heard and it has stuck with me throughout the many years of my journey. Good luck and I am sure you will find the best solution for you!!!0
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If food is scary to you, perhaps you should see someone about that, because that is not healthy.0
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That's why I do TDEE-20%. I want to be able to eat on my days off!0
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If food is scary to you, perhaps you should see someone about that, because that is not healthy.
^this
Not having enough food to eat to survive? Scary. Adequate amounts of food should not be scary. Ever.0 -
Sounds like you're getting the same advice.
lol just like to hear more of peoples responses, nothing wrong with that. Don't need any attitudes from anyone.
Favorite kind of poster...
Help me please...
Advice Given
Advice not Taken
Help me please
We gave you advice already????
Don't give me attitude jeez I want advice that I agree with not logical stuff.:laugh: :noway:0 -
Hey I wanted to tell you that I did the 1200 calorie thing for a while too and it worked! I lost a ton of weight! I also work at an all womens dance fitness studio where I live and they do challenges. I participated in our kangoo challenge and they put us on an eating plan. it wasnt terrible and was a set plan. we were eating around 1500-1600 calories a day with 3 workouts a week minimum. Now on days you work out you need to eat more to make up for it but during this 6 week challenge I lost 7 lbs all over. 4 inches on my hips, 2 on my waist and thighs and arms and 3.4% body fat. I totally thought I would gain because of the calories but I didnt, instead I Firmed up and toned. its what you put into your body that is most important. Be aware of how many calories but most importantly focus on what your putting in. I could share this meal plan with you if you like
good luck and dont be discouraged!! eat healthy 80% of the time and give yourself the other 20% to indulge! 0 -
Sounds like you're getting the same advice.
lol just like to hear more of peoples responses, nothing wrong with that. Don't need any attitudes from anyone.
OK, here's more response …
Eat more. I am shorter than you and weigh about the same as you. I eat 1600 calories a day and don't gain weight (in fact, when I actually log properly and am really at 1600, I lose weight). I do use the TDEE method, so I eat the same whether or not I exercise, but you could easily eat 1400 on rest days (which your body needs, by the way) and 1600 or so on exercise calories.
You're already in a healthy weight range. You don't need to lose weight, although if you really want to lose a few more pounds you could while staying healthy. But not at a pound a week. When you're in the healthy range, 1/2 pound a week is about the most you can lose in a healthy way (meaning, losing mostly fat and not LBM). But it's even better, at this point, to do something to increase LBM while possibly cutting fat, and maintain your weight.
Eat more. Really, do. You should never eat like a rabbit. (Salads are good, but not if that's all you have all day). If you feel tired and run down, it's a signal that you need a break/rest day from exercise AND that you aren't consuming enough calories. Even if you ate 1800 for a few days, you'd be fine, and probably feel a lot better. If you're terrified that you're going to gain weight if you net even 1200 calories, or if you think that going over once in a while or taking a rest day is bad for you, then there is likely a more serious problem going on.0 -
Sounds like you're getting the same advice.
lol just like to hear more of peoples responses, nothing wrong with that. Don't need any attitudes from anyone.
Favorite kind of poster...
Help me please...
Advice Given
Advice not Taken
Help me please
We gave you advice already????
Don't give me attitude jeez I want advice that I agree with not logical stuff.:laugh: :noway:
ROFL why does it bother you so much ?0
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