1200 calories a day...
Archerychickge
Posts: 606 Member
So.. When I started MFP I put in my height and weight and other info and told it I wanted to lose 2 pounds a week. MFP put me on a 1200 caloric intake each day. I've stuck with that and everytime MFP asks if I want to update my goals, I do, and It still has me at 1200 calories a day.
Here's my question... does it ever drop below 1200? I have lost almost 70 pounds and have noticed that my weight loss has slowed significantly. Heck there are even days when I don't even eat 1200 because I'm just not that hungry. Why force myself to eat if my body says I don't need it?
Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
Here's my question... does it ever drop below 1200? I have lost almost 70 pounds and have noticed that my weight loss has slowed significantly. Heck there are even days when I don't even eat 1200 because I'm just not that hungry. Why force myself to eat if my body says I don't need it?
Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
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Nope MFP bottums out at 1200 calories so you are not creating the same deficit as when you started therefor have less loss (as you get smaller you require fewer calories so the deficit shrank when you did not also decrease your intake)
your ticker has you at goal weight? why do you feel the need to keep eating at such a low intake level?0 -
Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
If you don't want advice don't ask for it.
I'm going to give it to you anyway. 1,200 is the lowest amount of calories that fitness pal will give you because anything lower is dangerous. Even if you sit on your butt all day and do nothing I still think 1,200 is too low and if you exercise at all then it's definitely too little.
The closer you get to your goal weight the less weight you can expect to drop per week. 2 lbs per week is too aggressive, consider lowering your goal and be happy with your results. Consider eating more and hitting the gym, strong lifts is a great beginner heavy lifting program.0 -
Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
If you don't want advice don't ask for it.
I'm going to give it to you anyway. 1,200 is the lowest amount of calories that fitness pal will give you because anything lower is dangerous. Even if you sit on your butt all day and do nothing I still think 1,200 is too low and if you exercise at all then it's definitely too little.
The closer you get to your goal weight the less weight you can expect to drop per week. 2 lbs per week is too aggressive, consider lowering your goal and be happy with your results. Consider eating more and hitting the gym, strong lifts is a great beginner heavy lifting program.
This!^
If you have to "force" yourself to eat 1200 calories......you are eating the wrong foods (think calorie dense) ....or you need to see a doctor.:flowerforyou:0 -
Why force myself to eat if my body says I don't need it?
Because hunger is not a reliable determinant for what your body needs.Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
That's like saying, "Hey guys, what's 2+2? And before anyone suggests that it's 4...no."
You asked for advice and then rejected the advice you need.0 -
Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
Well, too bad. MFP will never tell you to eat less than 1200 calories. If you only have 3 lbs to go to your goal weight (per your ticker), 2 lbs loss/week is too aggressive. If you changed it to 1 lb/week, it would give you more calories.0 -
I guess no one else is going to tell you this due to the "starvation mode" myth, but you *can* custom set your calorie level. You can set it to 1000 if you choose regardless of their recommendations. People who are very short don't burn the same amount as people who are taller, but it seems to be rare that anyone takes this difference into account. If you're five three like me, there comes a point when 1200 calories may have you losing a pound a month if you're lucky. Ten pounds away from goal for example. My goal is 120 and I'm at 131. So I set the calories lower manually. You can also do that if you like.0
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Well, considering you pick generic entries I'm guessing you don't weigh any of your food, so you probably are eating more than 1200 calories. Don't eat less than that k? Get a food scale and weigh everything isn't a liquid.
....eat more
*giggles and runs away*0 -
I guess no one else is going to tell you this due to the "starvation mode" myth, but you *can* custom set your calorie level. You can set it to 1000 if you choose regardless of their recommendations. People who are very short don't burn the same amount as people who are taller, but it seems to be rare that anyone takes this difference into account. If you're five three like me, there comes a point when 1200 calories may have you losing a pound a month if you're lucky. Ten pounds away from goal for example. My goal is 120 and I'm at 131. So I set the calories lower manually. You can also do that if you like.
I'm 5'3.5" and have been maintaining my weight for about a month now on 2350 at 120 lbs. ....so no, you really don't have to eat little just because you're short.
I know everyone is different but c'mon.
ETA: Starvation mode may be a myth but there is a thing called "adaptive thermogenesis"0 -
Glancing quickly at your diary, I think you probably are eating a bit more than you think. Entries for 2 slices of bacon at 15 calories total. No...that bacon doesn't exist! I don't mean to say you're lying or purposely miscalculating, but I think the entries you're choosing or the wrong entries. That's a big issue on here so you have to check for accuracy. Also, it does not appear that you weigh foods. If you don't, that can easily add calories that you don't know about. I'm guessing that you're probably eating closer to 1400-1500 a day, maybe.
All that said, I definitely agree with others who've said that aiming for lower than 1200 (assuming you are accurately weighing and counting the cals) is just too low.
Good luck.0 -
So.. When I started MFP I put in my height and weight and other info and told it I wanted to lose 2 pounds a week. MFP put me on a 1200 caloric intake each day. I've stuck with that and everytime MFP asks if I want to update my goals, I do, and It still has me at 1200 calories a day.
Here's my question... does it ever drop below 1200? I have lost almost 70 pounds and have noticed that my weight loss has slowed significantly. Heck there are even days when I don't even eat 1200 because I'm just not that hungry. Why force myself to eat if my body says I don't need it?
Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... YES.
FIFY :flowerforyou:0 -
I guess no one else is going to tell you this due to the "starvation mode" myth, but you *can* custom set your calorie level. You can set it to 1000 if you choose regardless of their recommendations. People who are very short don't burn the same amount as people who are taller, but it seems to be rare that anyone takes this difference into account. If you're five three like me, there comes a point when 1200 calories may have you losing a pound a month if you're lucky. Ten pounds away from goal for example. My goal is 120 and I'm at 131. So I set the calories lower manually. You can also do that if you like.
/\ Not this0 -
Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
How about trying to net just 1200? Most of your entries say you burn 400-500/day and you eat less than 1200 so you're netting around 5-600.. so.. yes.. you do need to eat more to fuel your body. Or you could just wreck your metabolism.
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Well, 67 lbs ago, your body probably used up way more calories on a daily basis than it does now. There's now less of you around, therefore less energy that your body needs to use to keep everything in order and fuel whatever actions you decide to take each day. The "calories out" part of the equation has a lower value, so the caloric deficit has also decreased. But, it still theoretically takes a deficit of around 3500 or so calories to lose a lb of fat. With a lowered deficit, it's simply going to take more time for that number to reach another 3500 aka -3500 every two weeks instead of every week.
Congrats on getting so close to your goal! The fish fin blocks the last number on the ticker-->if it's 70, then awesome, 3 more lbs to go!!
Regarding eating when you're not hungry...personally, I don't think it is that big of a deal if it's once in awhile. Most people miss a meal once in awhile due to travel, major events, etc and life still goes on. But, if you find yourself consistently feeling full on say 1000 calories (sorry, don't know your height), check in with a qualified doctor and get his or her opinion. Since human bodies do vary, it could be hypothesized that some people have bodies that are a bit more efficient at taking in nutrients, atoms, etc and thus don't have to eat as much as others and vice verse. But, more than likely, you would be best just eating 1200 and enjoying the gradual weight loss. If you are still losing weight at 1200, albeit slowly, that means you are eating less than your body needs to stay at its current weight. The fact that you aren't feeling as much hunger is more than likely due to your body adapting to your lowered caloric intake. Regardless, check in with a doctor if you feel concerned.0 -
The more you lose, the harder it gets.
It took a while to get there, but it learned to follow my body. And the results of that are every interesting to me. I always knew that I ate more before a period and a lot of it was carbs. What I never noticed until I followed my body was that there are a few days at the end of a period (or just after) where I am not hungry and don't need much food, I just eat enough to take my pills, lol. It balances out.
Eat more. Eat less. Up to you.0 -
Why force myself to eat if my body says I don't need it?
Just because you're not hungry, doesn't mean your body is getting the nutrition it needs. Feeling hungry is NOT a determinate factor that you have adequate nutrition.Oh and before anyone suggests that I'm eating too little, and that I need to eat more calories to keep losing.... No.
So... you're going to ask for advice and then not listen to the ones that's giving you sound advice that works? That's blind ignorance. If you won't take THAT advice, then the only thing I can tell you is to make sure you're logging accurately. ALWAYS weigh solids in grams and liquids in cups/tbsp... My guess (I experienced this) is that you're eating more than you think.0 -
Glancing quickly at your diary, I think you probably are eating a bit more than you think. Entries for 2 slices of bacon at 15 calories total. No...that bacon doesn't exist!
Unicorn Bacon! I want some!0 -
Glancing quickly at your diary, I think you probably are eating a bit more than you think. Entries for 2 slices of bacon at 15 calories total. No...that bacon doesn't exist! I don't mean to say you're lying or purposely miscalculating, but I think the entries you're choosing or the wrong entries. That's a big issue on here so you have to check for accuracy. Also, it does not appear that you weigh foods. If you don't, that can easily add calories that you don't know about. I'm guessing that you're probably eating closer to 1400-1500 a day, maybe.
All that said, I definitely agree with others who've said that aiming for lower than 1200 (assuming you are accurately weighing and counting the cals) is just too low.
Good luck.
Came to post this. I think a lot of people who "eat 1200 and can't lose" are most likely eating more than they think.0 -
Very confusd it seems that everybody is set at 1200 calories......I exercised daily so I have extra calories.....I think because of my size my calorie intake should be higher than 1200?0
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That's like saying, "Hey guys, what's 2+2? And before anyone suggests that it's 4...no."
:laugh: :flowerforyou:0 -
Glancing quickly at your diary, I think you probably are eating a bit more than you think. Entries for 2 slices of bacon at 15 calories total. No...that bacon doesn't exist!
Unicorn Bacon! I want some!
^ hahahahahaa :laugh:
Are you eating back your workout calories? How do you get the numbers from your workout calorie burn? MFP over estimates - in my experience. If you are set at 1200 are you hitting that every day? Did you choose the correct lifestyle setting when setting up your goals. Very few people are actually sedentary in their lifestyle. (If that's what you chose.) Lightly active sure. I've noticed when I don't eat enough I usually plateau...0 -
Okay, so you all don't htink I'm a total idiot...
1. The only question I really asked was if MFP ever sets you at less than 1200 calories a day. It wasn't that I wanted mine to be set lower, I was just curious if that was their threshold.
2. I'm still losing, albeit slowly. Which is fine by me. I've lost quickly in the past and always gained it back. So slow and steady is fine by me.
3. Unicorn bacon, Yeah I'll take some too! Seriously though, I am going by the nutritional values that are printed on the package of bacon, and I rarely eat more than one slice. Usually it's only a half slice... just to taste it. Yum. I also bake mine on a rack so it's not sitting in all that grease, and I blot the hell out of it to get out as much fat as possible. Then the extra fatty bits go to my dog who loves me very much for it.
5. I underestimate ALL my exercise. I know that MFP usually over estimates the calories burned during exercise. Plus I rarely eat those calories back. I also use a pedometer, and I also research things on the net based on my height, current weight, etc. Then I still under estimate my activity.
6. Yes, as a matter of fact I DO weigh my foods. I used my lovely digital kitchen scale this morning and at almost every meal. It drives my husband and kids crazy when I drag it out to weigh my food, but it's my food not theirs so they can just suck it up and ignore Mommy's crazy scale usage. But not all foods listed in the MFP database are measured by weight some are by volume. So I do use actual measuring cups as well and I ALWAYS underfill them.
7. Logging only generic items? like what? There are ALOT of very specific items in my food diary. Take a look, I have no problem with it. The few generic items I do log are things like raw spinach or lettuces, fruits, and other veggies. I also do alot of cooking so I enter alot of my own recipes into the recipe calculator, weighing and measuring the ingredients carefully. Not sure where or how I could be more specific, but if someone has a suggestion on that I'm all ears...
I DO appreciate the input folks. If I didn't I wouldn't have asked. As far as going over 1200, I just don't see the point. I'm still losing slowly, I feel great and my husband says my rear looks fabulous. What more could a girl want? 0 -
1200 is as low as MFP goes.
If you're not losing at 1200 (you are, but just for the future) you're almost certainly estimating intake wrong. And when/if that happens, the answer isn't eat more. I wish.
It doesn't sound like you need it but if you want some info about 1200 calorie diets not being dangerous, see the links in my profile.0 -
The bacon is unicorn bacon! The grams change and the slices never do!!!! Just kidding, but that is rather strange (and why we were misled), usually it will change the serving too
If you want to eat that low thats up to you, but sometimes the problems that come from not eating enough take time to show up. Consider getting blodwork done fairly regularly so if you are missing anything important hopefully they will catch it earlier rather than later.0 -
Glancing quickly at your diary, I think you probably are eating a bit more than you think. Entries for 2 slices of bacon at 15 calories total. No...that bacon doesn't exist! I don't mean to say you're lying or purposely miscalculating, but I think the entries you're choosing or the wrong entries. That's a big issue on here so you have to check for accuracy. Also, it does not appear that you weigh foods. If you don't, that can easily add calories that you don't know about. I'm guessing that you're probably eating closer to 1400-1500 a day, maybe.
All that said, I definitely agree with others who've said that aiming for lower than 1200 (assuming you are accurately weighing and counting the cals) is just too low.
Good luck.
The bacon I eat is 60 calories per 2 slice serving. When my diary says I ate 15 calories of bacon it's because I only ate half a slice or 1/4 of a serving.0 -
Hello! I do believe the calories go according to your activity level. Maybe according to your body frame also. Any good advice just changing the subject a bit on exercises. I'm overweight just started my 1200 cal. Diet yesterday. Love walking and have a Personal Trainer twice a week. However, I'm always looking for ideas.0
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Hello! I do believe the calories go according to your activity level. Maybe according to your body frame also. Any good advice just changing the subject a bit on exercises. I'm overweight just started my 1200 cal. Diet yesterday. Love walking and have a Personal Trainer twice a week. However, I'm always looking for ideas.
MFP does take size and activity level into consideration. HOWEVER, there is then a mathematical formula based on "I want to lose XX pounds per week." 1200 is the lowest default minimum in MFP. Sometimes that's a good number....other times the user put in a really aggressive goal. A 6' tall woman could get 1200 if she set her weekly goal high enough.
To test out whether 1200 is a good fit for you.....look up your BMR (basal metabolic rate) calories your body would use if you stayed in bed all day. If 1200 is lower than you likely want to bump it up a bit.0
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