How many calories do you eat a day?

Rayman79

I think most of us understand that eating disorders are not a choice, but something that requires professional intervention. For the vast majority of people here though, the MFP community tries to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for the 'average' person... sometimes that includes calling people out for having unhealthy eating and/or exercise habits. The simple fact id that eating 600 or 800 cals a day IS NOT HEALTHY.

For all of the people who have responded with comments such as 'this is the only way I can lose weight...' etc, you are wrong. Your body is responding this way because it is trying to save itself. If you consistently under eat, your body will fight you and try to hold on to every scrap of energy it can (read one of the MANY articles on starvation mode). Just try to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, up your calories to a healthy level. Chances are very high that you will put a little weight on to start with, but as your body recovers, you will lose again, and QUICKER! You will be healthier, and have more energy.

meggonkgonk

If you are looking to lose, that's quite reasonable, if on the moderately low side.

I eat 1300 a day (NET, so 1300+what I burn for my workout) when I'm trying to lose and 1500-1600 NET (so again 1500 + whatever I burn) when maintaining.

bbycarrot

I never eat less than 1,200! My body can't run without food. When I'm trying to lose weight I want a net between 1,200-1,400. I usually end up eating between 1,200-1,800 and exercising if I want to eat more. I try to not go above 2,000.

justanotherbrickinthewall

HELLLLO <333

I'm 5'8.8" 133 pounds and I eat 2500-3000 calories a dayyy.
(i do run 40 miles a weeek, but stilll)

YES !


no need to develop an eating disorder to lose weight

WOOT! SOOO glad to see someone living a healthy life with a healthy relationship with food. One day, I will eat 2500 calories a day. And I will love every moment of it.

Thai curry anyone? mmmmmmmm. Yum.

I'm sure most people struggling with anorexia, bulimia, or any other eating disorder would love to live "a healthy life with a healthy relationship with food." It's not a choice. It's a disease. I'm starting to think that people believe there's some magic on and off switch for individuals with eating disorders. You can't just preach a healthier lifestyle and expect them to "snap out of it," because it isn't simply about looks to begin with. They're not in it to become healthy or to look better in their prom dress. It's a matter of control. One feels they have no control over certain aspects of their life, so they control what they eat. And it becomes such an obsession that they can't stop. If it was simply about "exercising more, eating less," I'm sure there'd be less occupied rooms in eating disorder clinics all over this country.

I find it rather arrogant of someone to brag about the fact that they were able to lose weight without "the need of developing an eating disorder." I doubt most girls were sitting around one day when they decided, "hey, I'm going to become anorexic, it'd be so much easier than this diet and exercise nonsense."

It's a disease. Not a decision.

I agree with her. Us anorexics and bulimics on here are not trying to advocate or force others to eat the amount we do. All she did, was answer the question that was asked.
Yes, anorexics and bulimics can get help. But I don't think people understand how challenging it is to have this disorder. Having this disorder has been the most difficult thing I've ever faced in my life. You can't just get better right away.

It's annoying when people are saying "You have to eat." It's not that easy. You will never understand what shear hell it is, living with an eating disorder, unless you have/had one.

juicygurl1

most of the time i eat under my daily goals especially on days i work out, then my off days..(no workout) i consume more than i should. if i have to work the mid shift, 1800-0600 then my calorie count is very high, because i snack to stay away. i am moving away from eating junk so i might be in the right direction. one day this crazy life style will balance out.

vmclach

I'm sure most people struggling with anorexia, bulimia, or any other eating disorder would love to live "a healthy life with a healthy relationship with food." It's not a choice. It's a disease. I'm starting to think that people believe there's some magic on and off switch for individuals with eating disorders. You can't just preach a healthier lifestyle and expect them to "snap out of it," because it isn't simply about looks to begin with. They're not in it to become healthy or to look better in their prom dress. It's a matter of control. One feels they have no control over certain aspects of their life, so they control what they eat. And it becomes such an obsession that they can't stop. If it was simply about "exercising more, eating less," I'm sure there'd be less occupied rooms in eating disorder clinics all over this country.

I find it rather arrogant of someone to brag about the fact that they were able to lose weight without "the need of developing an eating disorder." I doubt most girls were sitting around one day when they decided, "hey, I'm going to become anorexic, it'd be so much easier than this diet and exercise nonsense."

It's a disease. Not a decision.

It's a disease you can get help for. You have the power to decide to go get help. And if you have an eating disorder, you sure shouldn't be bragging about how little you eat or encouraging others to do the same.

It seems to me that you are, in fact, encouraging others to eat unhealthily. You're suggesting it's okay to eat less than 1200 calories a day... and you know what, you're absolutely right that 1200 calories a day is not a "magic number"... but it's a number that helps people to know when to stop so that they don't descend into unhealthy habits.

You do not have to live the life you are living. You can get help. There are half a dozen women on here that I've seen that have recovered or are recovering from eating disorders. They are working on developing that healthy relationship with food. You can do it too.

Stop advocating a very low calorie diet. Stop making excuses. Am I being harsh? Yes. But you aren't helping yourself. You aren't helping others on here that might also have an eating disorder or that might be on the verge of developing one.

it's a disorder. You admit you have this disorder, and you are PROUD of it. Instead of getting help or trying to help yourself, you are putting all your effort towards counting all your calories and going around telling random people online you have never met that you have an eating disorder.

You clearly need help, so why don't you get off your computer and talk to someone who cares. Open up to someone. If you know you have a problem, and you aren't doing anything about it, then yes, I am going to show you it's not healthy. I'm trying to help you. You don't know my past. You have no idea if I've ever had any eating disorder. Don't get all bend out of shape when people on here are so harsh towards you.

People are harsh because they care. They want you to break down and realize there is a problem. It's better you realize you have a problem through people slamming you online then your heart failing one day and you are in the emergency room.

just putting that out there.

chickybuns

I know everybody is different, but I don't know how people have enough energy on less than 1200 calories a day. My minimum is usually 1800 and I add exercise calories. If I have a lower day, I feel sluggish the next day. I'd rather fuel my body so I can workout harder.

seasonalvoodoo

I NET between 1600-1800 calories a day. If I exercise, that means I am eating around 2100 cals or so, at times.

PepeGreggerton

I know everybody is different, but I don't know how people have enough energy on less than 1200 calories a day. My minimum is usually 1800 and I add exercise calories. If I have a lower day, I feel sluggish the next day. I'd rather fuel my body so I can workout harder.

Everyone's different... When I eat I get tired. When I don't I get hyper and have tons of energy.

ackeebee

i am currently set at 1550 per day (aiming to lose 1 lb per week). of course on the days when i do exercise, i eat closer to 2000 or more calories. as i am only trying to lose another 6 - 10 lbs, i am thinking of revising my goal to 0.5 lb a week. i blv this will allow me about 1800 calories per day.

bbl2013t

I eat about 4500 calories a day, to maintain my chubby appearance, being overwieght never bothered me or stopped me from doing what i wanted to do if i eat less i become super skinny. Also i've never been able to go below 4000 calories without starving myself!

Arwaxx

i personally started eating between 1500-1700 kcals. i think i should be eating 1700+ but im still hesitant too...
I don't go to gym very often. i try to go 3--5 times a week and burn between 200-350 kcals.

Beautiful_Disaster108

I eat less than you!
Il probably die in about a month or so since god forbid I don't eat your precious 1500 or more calorie amount.

Btw you can't just randomly stop haveing an ED it may go away for a while but it's always there and always try's to comeback.
Imagine being a recovering addict but everyday you still had to be around your drug of choice no matter what. Would it be so easy to stay clean than?
People can't say ANYTHING if they havnt experienced it and know personally

kors85

I think you could eat more! I am trying to lose 35 pounds. I have now lost 15 so far and I am eating 1,000 calories. Do you work out?