under 1200 calories - bad?

underthebridge09

MFP keeps giving me the "you're under 1200 calories, weight loss will be difficult and you're starving yourself" warning at the end of the day. Is this really true? Because I'm usually full around 900-1000 calories.

I've always heard to eat until you're full. Well, I'm under 1200 calories and I'm full. Seems like conflicting information.

LuckyLeprechaun

it's just hard to maintain nutrition at those levels. Your metabolism will become more sluggish as well if you undereat for extended periods of time. Adding some good fats (avocado, pb, Extra virgin olive oil, nuts, etc.) can bump you into the right range.

chewy8874042

I was wondering the same thing. After I work out, I usually have more "available" calories than I care to eat. I try to budget all day, but at the end of the day when I get that same message, I don't feel like that is a good time to eat more as I will be heading to bed soon. Any input on this would be appreciated.

BeautifulScarsWECHANGED

What are you eating where you're full at that calorie level? I'm having a hard time sticking to my 1420 per day! :laugh:

JaydeSkye

I struggle to get close to 1200 calories. I realllllly have to plan out my entire day to eat that much. I guess it depends where your calories are coming from to accurately assess whether its a good amount, or not. If I don't pay veryyyy close attention to everything I eat, and don't eat, I struggle to hit 800 calories. I'm far from starving myself. I just don't like sweet or salty foods and the foods I do like to eat, just happen to be lower in calories and very low in fat.

If it concerns you, look to see how balanced your calories are throughout the day. What foods are you eatting? When are you eatting? How many calories/carbs/protein/fats/sugar are in each of your meals? How many meals do you eat per day? All of the above are valid questions to ask yourself.

Eatting less calories will not nessicarily slow down your metabolism. Don't confuse that with not eatting small, frequent meals. I eat on average, 4-5 times per day. I hardly ever get close to 1200 calories. I am perfectly fine eatting a can of tuna for a meal, which only gives me 150 calories and 1.5g of fat. But, a meal of tuna satisfies me. I don't feel the need to eat a bag of potato chips or loaf of white bread. Not because I can't have the calories, I usually have AT LEAST 300 left over at the end of each day before accounting for exercise, I just don't like to eat them foods. I think you will be fine.

lupuslady

I do not worrying about the extra calories from excercising, they are good to have if you are going out to eat with a friend, but I just count them as a bonus towards my wt loss.

underthebridge09

I eat a lot of high protein foods that don't have a ton of calories like whole oatmeal with raisins, lowfat yogurt with granola and fresh fruit, avocados w/cottage cheese, chicken, etc. Very filling.

I eat every 2 hours usually and pack my foods in the pampered chef 1 cup and 2 cup bowls so I don't overeat. I drink a ton of water which fills me up too.

I'm really never hungry doing this....and have 1 or 2 days a week (weekends or pms I go over my goal of 1,000.

I DO get hungrier when I work out. But I've never actively TRIED losing weight so I don't know what works?

nehtaeh

I would say that if you are healthy and have energy, eat what you need to. When you get hungry after exercising, eat.

I assume the 1200 cals is a generic number that most people fall into, but not all. If you are still concerned I would check with a dr that can assess you personally, not the generic ideals.

I can see how some people can perform fine under 1200 cals. There are some super skinny people who need well over 1200 cals to just function, so why can't it be the other way around?

bri1720

I've been watching my intake for about a week now and each day I am about 100 short. I get the same message, but have to agree that if you are feeling well and not low in energy that it's not that big of a deal. We're SUPPOSED to stop eating when our bodies tell us we're full right? My issue was that I was always ignoring my body and making sure I cleared what I was served. LOL Good luck to you and listed to your body!!!