Anyone else on 1200 a day?

keeponkickin

I am now at the point of weight loss where even 1200 won't give me a 2 pound loss. It will say 1.5. BUT, 1200 is too low. I'm 5' 8" and active. I've read up that you shouldn't go under your BMR either. So I am now set at 1450 and I am now eating ALL my exercise calories. I am once again dropping weight. I believe 1200 is too low for the majority of people.

VVEXVVEX

I am. At first I found it a little difficult but after a week or so of logging, you become more aware of the calories that are in the foods you eat and start to make healthier decisions based on that. Fruit and vegetables are so much lower in calories than processed foods that I can eat quite a lot of them and stay at or even slightly under 1200.

^This.

I'm very full right now on a 300-calorie dinner of bean soup and spinach pie. Being limited to 1200 has been a great learning experience. I have learned after five months to make calories count, not drink them up at Starbucks or on too much alcohol. Big salads are good. Fill the plate with veggies and leave little room for the dense calories.

And when I hit goal and get those maintenance calories back, I will make them count too -- maximum nutrition in every bite.

Tamee33

Yes, I am. Today has been great and yesterday was horrible. I found some great foods today that filled me up and now I'm having a hard time getting all my calories in. I'm a week in now and I love this app! I think I might be able to actually DO this! Thanks for the info about your plateau though. That will be helpful later!

vferentz

If you add your exercise each day that adds calories you can eat. Each exercise has a calorie amount associated with it.

mflinn84

Yes, my MFP advises about 1275 for me and I don't worry too much if I go over it. I'm eating smaller portions, I'm moving more and I'm being a lot more picky about what I eat/drink. I already feel firmer, trimmer. Before, when I would over-focus on not eating, I would get dizzy, confused. And when I finally couldn't take it anymore, I gave it up altogether and put all the weight right back on.

So now, I eat when I'm hungry, I don't let myself get ravenous, and I stop before I'm stuffed. So far, it's working just fine and I haven't topped 1350!

VVEXVVEX

Yes - I have to say, my body thrives on 1200 calories a day. Even when I am not trying to lose weight, I stick to 1200 calories a day during the week, then I can eat whatever I want on the weekends. By the end of the weekend, I swear, my body is craving to go back to 1200 calories a day. It is all I truly need. Here is the secret .... no pre-packaged, processed food. That food does not fil you up and is too calorie-dense. I eat fruit, green, leafy salads with protein ( albacore tuna with light mayo or grilled chicken with BBQ sauce), make my own soups with beans and chicken and vegetables, eat oatmeal for breakfast with turkey bacon, and I eat three meals plus a mid afternoon snack. The snack is a a piece of chocolate and a piece of fruit. I am more than satisfied. For dinner I eat a protein, like chicken breast, piece of salmon, Tuna Casserole ( made light with low-fat mushroom soup), turkey meatballs, or turkey burgers. Then I add a veggie ( I love olive oil sprayed broccoli, no calories in the olive oil spray), and some brown rice or thai jasmine rice from Trader Joe's. IF I find I am hungry before bed, I drink 8 ounces of unsweetened Almond Milk. It's only 40 calories and fills my tummy up good before going to sleep.

I think it's all the process foods that fool you into thinking you need more calories than you actually need. It all depends on your level of activity, too. If you are an office worker, don't move much during the day, you burn fewer calories just going through your day, than say, a mailman or busy salesperson who's always on their feet or getting and out of the car all day.

For whatever reason, I feel like my body responds/functions better on fewer calories. So maybe once you make the change, you'll feel better, too!

^This person = very wise. Lots of nutrition and satiety in those 1200 cals! Certainly not everyone is suited to the same formula, but I've come to appreciate how I feel when I'm not over-fueled.

FWIW, my grandma ate "like a bird." She never missed a meal, but she never filled her plate either. She lived to 102 and was healthy into her late 90s. She was never overweight, never had dementia and thrived on physical activity all her life.

EpicMeyri

Seems really low to me since anything less is starvation. This is what was recommended for 2lbs a week and for 1.5 lbs I only get 1300. I don't know seems low to me, anyone else out there working with this number too?

I am working with the same number.. It is too low. But if you workout and lose at least 400 calories you'll be ok. I am also trying to lose 2lbs/week

greysHair

I'm with you. It has to do with age and amount you want to loss. I just started 4 days ago and have only met my goal 1 day. We are able to consume MORE if we work out. That is my new goal... work out so I can eat and not starve.

Shesabigstar

I totally agree w/ two points up above. I went from eating a lot of processed foods to hardly any at all. I have egg white muffins (another great suggestion about egg whites above) for breakfast... loaded with protein, low in fat/calories... a fruit for a mid-morning snack... lunch is usually a Lean Cuisine meal (I know, lots of sodium, but... ) with a good sized salad w/ minimal dressing... afternoon snack is carrots w/ a little bit of hummus... dinner is something high in protein (chicken or turkey dish) w/ a small side of rice or even pasta and a good serving of a vegetable. If I want a snack at night - and I usually do - I have a little bit of popcorn. And like I said before, TONS of water and I'm not feeling hungry or deprived at all.

Mommiana

I'm working with 1320 a day. If I don't exercise, I can't eat much. So I find myself looking for ways to make my calories go a long way---like salads, veggies and fruit. Most of all, I exercise to get my extra calories.

Helloitsdan

Why do new people like to do this the hard way?
You dont starve the fat away gang you work it off.

Eat enough to boost metabolism.
Work out enough to burn calories and boost metabolism.
Boost metabolism!
Boost metabolism!
Eating below BMR KILLS metabolism!

Its not rocket science!

The 1200 calorie failure crew will eat at 1200 and lower their metabolism.
Complain that they havent lost a pound.
Workout extra hard to eat back what they should have already been eating in the first place.

If for any reason you all dont lose weight then try eating at 1600 calories daily and working out 3 times a week.

Average persons TDEE is probably 2300calories daily give or take.
Thats working out 3 times a week and having a regular 9-5 job.

So 16100 calories weekly.
You eat 1600 calories a day.
So 11200 weekly <---look ma a deficit!
Work out 3 times a week and burn 200 calories each session.
So at the end of the week youve had what 10600 calories...
Thats a 5500 calorie deficit weekly.
A pound of fat weighs what?
2500 calories?

You guys do the math.
Its almost that time in January when all the resolutions go back to normal and most of you wont be here.
Or will you?

Truth be told if you dont know what your dietary numbers are youll fail.
Do the research.
Know what BMR is and why its important not to eat below it.
Know what TDEE is and what it does for you.
Know your body fat % because it will stop you from writing the next set of forum posts about your scale and why you are so confused by it.

Good luck!

Mommareed4

if i eat more than 1200 than i either maintain or gain. so i like to stay at 1200. Now some days i may only eat 900 cals but usually the next day i eat about 1400..so it all even out by the end of the week.

Helloitsdan

Youll gain weight eating below your BMR.
You need to regulate at a higher caloric intake and work out.
Think about it this way...The BMR is a caloric intake for providing "essential nutrients" to "vital organs".
You starve your Vital Organs for long enough and youll be looking at bigger problems than being fat.

How much weight have you lost at 1200 calories a day?

jennyjo79

Why do new people like to do this the hard way?
You dont starve the fat away gang you work it off.

Eat enough to boost metabolism.
Work out enough to burn calories and boost metabolism.
Boost metabolism!
Boost metabolism!
Eating below BMR KILLS metabolism!

Its not rocket science!

The 1200 calorie failure crew will eat at 1200 and lower their metabolism.
Complain that they havent lost a pound.
Workout extra hard to eat back what they should have already been eating in the first place.

If for any reason you all dont lose weight then try eating at 1600 calories daily and working out 3 times a week.

Average persons TDEE is probably 2300calories daily give or take.
Thats working out 3 times a week and having a regular 9-5 job.

So 16100 calories weekly.
You eat 1600 calories a day.
So 11200 weekly <---look ma a deficit!
Work out 3 times a week and burn 200 calories each session.
So at the end of the week youve had what 10600 calories...
Thats a 5500 calorie deficit weekly.
A pound of fat weighs what?
2500 calories?

You guys do the math.
Its almost that time in January when all the resolutions go back to normal and most of you wont be here.
Or will you?

Truth be told if you dont know what your dietary numbers are youll fail.
Do the research.
Know what BMR is and why its important not to eat below it.
Know what TDEE is and what it does for you.
Know your body fat % because it will stop you from writing the next set of forum posts about your scale and why you are so confused by it.

Good luck!

Okay ... I'm going to sound like a dumba**, but what does TDEE stand for?

I have lost 55lbs in the past from WW and kept it off. I have about 12 more lbs I'd like to lose. MFP currently has me at 1200 calories a day, but I am not losing (much). I've noticed I actually see more of a loss after the weekend, when I allow myself a little higher amnt of calories. So apparently I need to up my calories it seems.

I checked my BMR and found it is 1310. I typically exercise 5 days a week for an hour ... give or take. So I should at least be eating 1310 to lose weight? Is that correct?

riotsgram

I just started this week but have done Weight Watchers in the past so counting calories is similar to adding up points. I found if I plan ahead by calculating my meals and snacks the day b4 I can stay within the 1200 calorie range. I do add some exercise to up the calories. There are a lot of high fiber, low fat options available now. Take advantage of some of the great healthy products available out there. Good Luck!

Helloitsdan

Okay ... I'm going to sound like a dumba**, but what does TDEE stand for?

I have lost 55lbs in the past from WW and kept it off. I have about 12 more lbs I'd like to lose. MFP currently has me at 1200 calories a day, but I am not losing (much). I've noticed I actually see more of a loss after the weekend, when I allow myself a little higher amnt of calories. So apparently I need to up my calories it seems.

I checked my BMR and found it is 1310. I typically exercise 5 days a week for an hour ... give or take. So I should at least be eating 1310 to lose weight? Is that correct?

Its how many calories you burn a day. If you eat above TDEE you gain.
If you eat below, you lose!
Simple!

MJ7910

Okay ... I'm going to sound like a dumba**, but what does TDEE stand for?

I have lost 55lbs in the past from WW and kept it off. I have about 12 more lbs I'd like to lose. MFP currently has me at 1200 calories a day, but I am not losing (much). I've noticed I actually see more of a loss after the weekend, when I allow myself a little higher amnt of calories. So apparently I need to up my calories it seems.

I checked my BMR and found it is 1310. I typically exercise 5 days a week for an hour ... give or take. So I should at least be eating 1310 to lose weight? Is that correct?

Its how many calories you burn a day. If you eat above TDEE you gain.
If you eat below, you lose!
Simple!

1310 would be bmr. to get tdee (or maintenance) here is what you do:
If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2
If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375
If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55
If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725
If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9

then if you want to lose, a good recommendation is multiply TDEE times 0.8 that is a 20% reduction from maintenance.

so for me... my bmr is 1200 approximately. i exercise about 5 times a week so i would multiply by 1.55 = 1860. that would be approximately my maintenance calories. if i'm trying to lose i'd take the 1860 times 0.8 = (1488) to get a safe number of calories i can eat and lose at a healthy pace.

cloud2011

When I really plan my meals, I can eat a lot of food for 1200 and I don't feel deprived.

So for breakfast, I eat a homemade Egg McMuffin-type sandwich and a smoothie, for under 400 calories. It's a lot of food and I feel stuffed.

I just found a book called "The 400 Calorie Fix." It has pictures and recipes and also includes 400 calorie meals if you're eating out.

There's another book called "Volumetrics" which shows how to eat more food for fewer calories. It also has photos, which I find very helpful. I found "Volumetrics" at my library.

Anyway, for me, it helps to have a strategy like this...eating better quality foods for a more satisfying experience.

Sometimes I also like Kashi frozen dinners, or Amy's brand of organic frozen foods. (Check the sodium though, I haven't had them in a while).

But in the end, I usually go over the 1200 somewhat, but not always. There's also the theory that zigzagging (eating fewer calories some days, a lot more on others) tricks your body, so it releases the weight more easily instead of sensing that you're going to be on a low calorie starvation type of diet.

Helloitsdan

1310 would be bmr. to get tdee (or maintenance) here is what you do:
If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.2
If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.375
If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.55
If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.725
If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calorie-Calculation = BMR x 1.9

then if you want to lose, a good recommendation is multiply TDEE times 0.8 that is a 20% reduction from maintenance.

so for me... my bmr is 1200 approximately. i exercise about 5 times a week so i would multiply by 1.55 = 1860. that would be approximately my maintenance calories. if i'm trying to lose i'd take the 1860 times 0.8 = (1488) to get a safe number of calories i can eat and lose at a healthy pace.

Very good!

BTW you will lose the same amount of weight doing this than cutting to BMR but you wont kill metabolism!
If you start fasting for 16 hours a day you could eat more...

hugsnkisses1499

i'm on 1000 a day but i cant eat anymore as i feel full!

joneswife09

i'm on 1000 a day but i cant eat anymore as i feel full!

Suggestion...Do it anyway!

alexbelly

I'm on 1200, too. It allows for more when you log your exercises.
I'm trying to use it as inspiration to work out.

twanthe1

1200 a day would kill me - I'm on 1800 and it sucks at times.

chiv123

I'm on 1200 and find that I have to be careful to eat minimally in the a.m, particularly on days when I have to be up very early. Its easier to manage with exercise and (somewhat tedious) meal planning . I'm pretty new here, so only time will tell if this low of calorie intake is maintainable for me, but I can see that it will be a challenge. Hopefully it gets easier once I have a bit of a routine. On top of it, MFP predicts I'll lose only 1.1lbs/week, rather than the 2lbs I selected. Only time will tell, but I have a feeling it will come off a little quicker, at least in the first few weeks.

theresasimone

I get 1250 a day to lose 1 pound a week. Since I exercise that is more than enough for me. I am starting to cut out butter in my starches and veggies. I eat healthier snacks that are high in fiber. Foods high in fiber will fill you up so you won't be as hungry. I love chocolate, so I started eating fiber one oats and chocolate bars and that is all the chocolate I need for the day.

Never2Bz

During a previous time dealing with my weight issues I found I lose weight more the first month. I put my goal at 1200. Second month I went to 1000. Third month I went to 800. . I did end up losing 10 lbs. per month which was my goal. Now I started at 1200, lost 10 lbs. in 12 days so I reduced to 1100 cals. I will continue to reduce my cals by 100 cals each time I lose 10 lbs. I will not go under 800 cals. BTW I don't give myself extra cals for working out, so you have to be careful because your body will feel weak if you overdo it. Just "listen to your body"... you know what is best for you!

I_get_fit

I'm at 1200 calories to lose 1.5 lbs per week. I'm currently unable to workout because I had my gallbladder removed recently so I've been sticking to that number. But when I workout I eat back all my exercise calories (usually around 1600 calories total) - this works great for me.

alisonst76

To all the men who are saying this is starvation . . . . women's bodies are very different from a mans.

We have less muscle mass which means our bmr is much lower also we have a much lower testosterone level which means it is much hard for us to gain and maintain muscle mass. We also tend to have a much smaller frame. We also have these really wacky hormones that throw everything else out of sync.

Yes to a typical man 1200 calories a day is starvation to a small framed female with little muscle mass to maintain at a sedentry job 1200 is plenty.

I'm on 1200 a day too and I don't ever feel hungry and I don't eat my exercise calories back either. I work out on average 6 hours a week a combo of cardio/strenght training.

All about the smart choices. If I go over it is from mindless snacking on junk food or eating out.

MJ7910

To all the men who are saying this is starvation . . . . women's bodies are very different from a mans.

We have less muscle mass which means our bmr is much lower also we have a much lower testosterone level which means it is much hard for us to gain and maintain muscle mass. We also tend to have a much smaller frame. We also have these really wacky hormones that throw everything else out of sync.

Yes to a typical man 1200 calories a day is starvation to a small framed female with little muscle mass to maintain at a sedentry job 1200 is plenty.

I'm on 1200 a day too and I don't ever feel hungry and I don't eat my exercise calories back either. I work out on average 6 hours a week a combo of cardio/strenght training.

All about the smart choices. If I go over it is from mindless snacking on junk food or eating out.

i don't know about this... sure women's bodies may be different but i can't really eat 1200 long term. i only go that low if i had a really high day the day before. then i end up back at 1500-1600. the closer to maintenance you eat and the more you exercise, the more you will make your metabolism go up. it happened to me. i was eating 1200 and then let myself have more and it was amazing how i was losing more weight eating more (but still exercsing). eating less slows down metabolism. unless you can't exercise, eating that low could sabotage your efforts in the long run.

edited to add - i am 125 lb and 5'4" so i am a small person and eat way more than 1200. i have a desk job so basically sedentary, burn about 250 calories a day with exercise.

bookwormie

You're able to lose 2 lbs. with 1200 calories? The most I can lose at 1200 is 0.7 lbs. I'm a little jealous of you when I read that. When I switch the setting to 2 lbs, that's all I get. When I set it to 1 lb. it says the same thing. I'm sure it's because I'm short (4'11"). 1200 seems a perfectly normal amount of food to me, not at all starving, probably for the same reason.