Going Under 1200 Calories per day

_GlaDOS_

I'm no expert, but I think there are two big reasons why someone should avoid eating ridiculous calorie intakes. IMO, 1200 is bordering ridiculous (700 is idiotic for almost everyone) but it absolutely depends on an individuals stats:

1) Are you very carefully eating nutrient dense foods to avoid nutrient deficiencies? Low calorie diets lack nutrients and the lower you go in calories the more careful you need to be with food selection.

2) Can you succeed long term while eating like this?

And while 1) clearly is the health related question, I think 2) is the big reason why people are silly for even trying. How many people are here because they tried WW, or they tried Slim Fast, or they tried Nutra whatever (insert diet here) and they are coming back because they couldn't keep the weight off?

Then they come here and try to create a massive calorie deficit by eating 1000 calories. This is equally as short-sighted as the person reaching for the pills or strapping on the hot pants.

There genuinely are people who probably do have maintenance intakes that are low enough that 1200 calories is actually a perfectly reasonable intake. I'm willing to bet it's not the majority and it's certainly not the majority of people who come to this site.

Ok, that was my saturday morning rant.

Carry on.

This is great advice. And I would imagine your weight loss stalls because you aren't eating enough. I would also think eating so little for a long period of time and being really active isn't doing your metabolism any favors either.

ETA: I also would suggest not going to a regular doctor for nutrition and weight loss advice. I would go to a nutritionist or dietitian. The training most doctors get in nutrition is pretty pathetic.

Sidesteal

Actually, anyone who is obese and has large stores of fat can afford this type of diet. The body sort of has a priority list for what energy gets used and how. If you are obese, your body has been storing fat for just such an occassion and gladly uses that first. As someone else stated, the closer you get to your goal the more dependent your body will be on food for energy.

Energy stores are only a small part of the equation.

_GlaDOS_

Actually, anyone who is obese and has large stores of fat can afford this type of diet. The body sort of has a priority list for what energy gets used and how. If you are obese, your body has been storing fat for just such an occassion and gladly uses that first. As someone else stated, the closer you get to your goal the more dependent your body will be on food for energy.

Energy stores are only a small part of the equation.

And it appears from the OP's profile, she is near her goal weight, which means this does not apply, even if it were this simple. If she had said she still has 300 lbs to lose, I think the answer would have been a little different.

Sidesteal

I would imagine your weight loss stalls because you aren't eating enough. I would also think eating so little for a long period of time and being really active isn't doing your metabolism any favors either.

And yes to the above.

For the record, my underlying point isn't that eating 1200 calories will kill you. My point is that it's a foolish strategy for the majority.

Cathleenr

So, 801 is ok? What a joke.

I guess I shouldn't be telling anyone 800 is okay for them. Personally, I can eat around 800/900 a day and not be starving. Just to make sure I'm getting good nutrients though, I usually eat around 1000-1100. All I was saying was that it will not kill you to eat 400 cals under 1200.

lol. not right away, at least.

OP, it looks like you could use a little fat in some of your meals...your first meal is carb and protein. i'd add an ounce or so of avocado and maybe a couple teaspoons of peanut butter in the afternoon. that would up your fat and calories, plus increase the satiety factor with all the vegetales.
i can't recall now if you are strength training, but you are doing a lot of cardio. up your strength routine if you have one or start one if you dont and cut down a little on the running. give it two weeks to see if you need to tweak and where.

taso42

So, 801 is ok? What a joke.

I guess I shouldn't be telling anyone 800 is okay for them. Personally, I can eat around 800/900 a day and not be starving. Just to make sure I'm getting good nutrients though, I usually eat around 1000-1100. All I was saying was that it will not kill you to eat 400 cals under 1200.

Sheesh. No, it won't kill you, but it will certainly screw up your health and keep your metabolism from revving where it needs to be.

yasmine36

If you are getting all your nurients and your not hungry then you should be fine. But always remember to take a multivitamin for any nutrients that you might be missing.

Sidesteal

And OP: I never gave my opinion on your stallout issue.

I'm happy to offer my opinion on this but can you tell me (you can PM me):

1) How long have you been at a deficit and do you take diet breaks/cheats/maintenance days where you aren't at a deficit.
2) Approx height/weight
3) If your diary is open disregard this: Average kcal and macro intake in grams over the past 4 weeks, estimating is fine. I will check your diary if it's open.
4) How long you've been stalled out.

I may not have the answer and I'm not a professional of any sort, but if you want to provide me with the above I'm happy to give you my opinion on this. If not, no worries.