1200 calories??

epj78

I know there's no "one size fits all" for calories in weight loss but just to put it into perspective. I'm 5'3.5" and I eat 1700 on non exercise days and more when I do. I lose about a pound a week like this. My daily activity is cleaning the house and taking care of two kids. The first time I tried MFP, I lost 40 lbs doing 1200, found myself miserable in the long run with little energy and relapsed. Now, I've found a sustainable calorie deficit that has me motivated for the long haul. I've gone from 170 lbs at 6 months post partum end of June 2013, to 123 lbs and in the best shape of my life. Here's some helpful links for those who are finding 1200 miserable or for those who need clarification that you can eat MORE and still lose at a decent pace.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

this is so true
I can also now eat 1700 and lose weight, and my bmi is 21.. so you could deffo eat more than 1200!

I agree with the above with one caveat. It's what you eat, not how much you eat - at least for me. I can eat 1200 calories of junk and lose - maybe a pound a week. OR I can eat 1700 calories of good for me, whole foods (proteins, veggies, good fats) and lose the same amount. I used to be a big believer in all calories are created equally. Now, I'm more of a believer of calories certainly play a part, but don't tell the whole story.

BrainyBurro

I know there's no "one size fits all" for calories in weight loss but just to put it into perspective. I'm 5'3.5" and I eat 1700 on non exercise days and more when I do. I lose about a pound a week like this. My daily activity is cleaning the house and taking care of two kids. The first time I tried MFP, I lost 40 lbs doing 1200, found myself miserable in the long run with little energy and relapsed. Now, I've found a sustainable calorie deficit that has me motivated for the long haul. I've gone from 170 lbs at 6 months post partum end of June 2013, to 123 lbs and in the best shape of my life. Here's some helpful links for those who are finding 1200 miserable or for those who need clarification that you can eat MORE and still lose at a decent pace.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

this is so true
I can also now eat 1700 and lose weight, and my bmi is 21.. so you could deffo eat more than 1200!

I agree with the above with one caveat. It's what you eat, not how much you eat - at least for me. I can eat 1200 calories of junk and lose - maybe a pound a week. OR I can eat 1700 calories of good for me, whole foods (proteins, veggies, good fats) and lose the same amount. I used to be a big believer in all calories are created equally. Now, I'm more of a believer of calories certainly play a part, but don't tell the whole story.

facts > beliefs

your body doesn't know whether the carbs/fats/protein it gets is from a donut or a bowl of brown rice. it's all just chemical compounds as far as your digesttive system is concerned. don't fall into the trap of "thinking" that any one food is better than any other food when it comes to weight loss. the facts say that is simply not true.

marilandica

Here's where it does matter what you eat -- some foods are just more satiating than others. You can burn all of your calories on carbs and high fat foods, but you don't get to eat as much of those and stay within your calorie limit. I found that I made healthier food choices while counting calories in MFP, simply because if I wanted to eat MORE, I had to eat something that wasn't so high in calories. I found that what I ate mattered in another way. It quickly became apparent to me that I needed protein to not be hungry. Sure, almonds are high calorie, but they're also enormously hunger-satisfying little protein bombs. Sure, a peanut butter sandwich is high calorie, but, again, enormously satisfying to my hunger in a way that pasta or straight carbs wouldn't be. Mind you, I still ate (and eat) carbs everyday, because bread makes me happy. But, I know very well now that I can't just eat carbs, feel full, have energy and stay within my calorie limits.

I was fine on 1250, but I ate back every exercise calorie, and I exercise a lot.

RGv2

Focus on healthy foods and see how you do at 1200-1400. Are you hungry? Is your diet full of sugary, fattening foods?

It's possible to eat that amount and not be hungry. Many overweight people confuse hunger with other emotions that cause them to overeat. Differentiating between the two is the real challenge.

lol No. Just no.

Many days I eat under 1200. And I walk at least 30 minutes at a fast pace each day. I am not hungry or I would eat more. I'm focusing on cutting fat and sugar.

I ate over Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day but still in moderation. I lost weight then too.

Don't knock something without fully considering. Cheap therapy for all. When you meet people who have kept off hundreds of pounds for decades, you want to listen.

You eat under 1200 calories, and workout.....?

Yep, great plan.

laurarich2014

My stats are almost the exact same as yours and I was shocked when it gave me 1200. I had a desk job too but I try and do at least 30 mins of some kind of exercise every day. I adjusted my calories to be around 1500-1600 per day. I will see how that goes. I was told before to keep it around 1800 but felt like that was too high even with exercise.

2000chances

For what it's worth.....

I started at 1500 as instructed by my Bariatric weight loss doctor. I lost consistent weight and logged everything I ate. When I didn't lose as much as I wanted too (based on prior week)...I lowered my intake to 1200. When I had my monthly check up with my doc...she told me to stay at 1500 because this was a crustal time to get my body use to such a big change in healthy eating. It's in repair mode. She also shared that too low of an intake of calories can lead to your body wanting to dive into the muscles for energy.

Also, as stated in other posts here.....as you add ANY exercise (even walking your child around the block) ...you'll need those extra calories to sustain energy levels.

Keep up the good work!

MyFoodGod

Focus on healthy foods and see how you do at 1200-1400. Are you hungry? Is your diet full of sugary, fattening foods?

It's possible to eat that amount and not be hungry. Many overweight people confuse hunger with other emotions that cause them to overeat. Differentiating between the two is the real challenge.

lol No. Just no.

Many days I eat under 1200. And I walk at least 30 minutes at a fast pace each day. I am not hungry or I would eat more. I'm focusing on cutting fat and sugar.

I ate over Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day but still in moderation. I lost weight then too.

Don't knock something without fully considering. Cheap therapy for all. When you meet people who have kept off hundreds of pounds for decades, you want to listen.

You eat under 1200 calories, and workout.....?

Yep, great plan.

I don't purposely eat under 1200 calories. I'm looking at the fat and sugar. Some days I am over 1200.