Anyone else on 1200 a day?

HeidiLynnM

Add me!!!!!!!!!!! I am on the 1,200 CAL diet..............Add me :O)

heatherlh83

I'm on 1270/day to lose 1/2 pound a week. (I'm 5'0 tall and weigh 125) The only way I can stay full on so few calories is by eating completely healthy foods. One serving of junk and I'm starving later because there aren't enough calories left for something more filling.

tikanique

my MFP goal is 1400 calories a day but i'm averaging around 1180 calories a day and it's bothering me. I know I need to get more food in but I'm not really hungry. I'm not stuffed either. I need to plan my food better.....

jennyjo79

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.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ... thank you (and helloitsdan) SO much for taking the time to explain this! It makes sense. I just cannot believe how many calories it says I should be eating though! MFP had me on a 1200 calorie plan and whenI calculate this out it gives me about 1440! That seems like so much!

joandhan

i started today, i thought id been really good on diet today, but i have already exceeded my 1200 limit, and im hungry. was hopeing to have a nite cap tonite too. maybe i better not. groan!

mom2jjl

BUMP FOR LATER

Aphreal

Yep, I think a lot of ladies go for that since it's the least recommended for women. I do OK on it but upped mine to 1300 which is still a little less than what MFP recommended. I do better on that.

chav001

Hi yeah i am too on 1200 a day i thought just the same. I have only been doing this for 4 days and it is hard to start off with but you soon get into tracking and thinking about what you are eating. I am also exercising walking 3-4 times a day for about 30 mins at 3.5 brisk walk and getting around 400 extra calories. I am trying not to go into them but been having around 1250 a day.. you will get there good luck...

TheRealParisLove

That's what I thought when I started, too. So I increased my calories to 1440. I didn't lose any weight. Then I increased my exercise, and ate back most of my exercise calories. I still didn't lose any weight.

I switched back to the 1200, exercise every day, eat back *most* of my exercise calories. I started to lose weight. I think the key is making sure you eat enough fresh fruit and veg and lean protein while exercising everyday--even if it is just a little bit.

RainHoward

Basing your expected weight loss on an archaic mathematical formula is like buying a new car and then complaining that you don't get the exact gas mileage the sticker said you would.

Helloitsdan

Its amazing what happens when we add proper nutrients and fuel to our bodies.
For most, eating too low will help with overall weight loss but once you get to maintenance, RMR is low and youll have to fight to maintain.
This way its more gradual and easy when you get to goal.

wftiger

Anything less is NOT starvation. Stop believing the hype and so some actual research on a reputable site (this is not such a site -- it is a collection of lay people giving their opinions the same with all message boards).

mfpcopine

Anything less is NOT starvation. Stop believing the hype and so some actual research on a reputable site (this is not such a site -- it is a collection of lay people giving their opinions the same with all message boards).

Yes. And if people who have never become overweight or have successfully lost and maintained weight losses tell you that they had to eat 1200 or less maybe you should believe them.

Natashaa1991

tried. doesn't work in the long run.

dalgal26

Me...and have been consistent with it for over a year and do not feel deprived at all. In fact, there are days that I struggle to eat all of the calories.

No, I am not in starvation mode...

What works for one may not work for another.

This is working for me and I feel great!

Wishing you great success in your journey to a new you!:flowerforyou:

petiteLady89

Most days I am content eating 1200, but allow my self to go up to 1400-1500 if I'm hungry, especially when working out.

Natashaa1991

it does seem like enough (when you eat the right food, salads, lean protein...)
but sometimes i wonder WHY do i need so much food. currently i am on around 2000.

MrsSassyPants

Put in 1 pound or .5 a week and give yourself some breathing room. You don't have to eat more. But you can if you are hungry.
Exercise will add in some cals. for you.

speediejane

on 1200 for a week to shock body for result,the increase cals

taylor0204

I have been eating 1,200 calories since Jan. I run 5 days a week so I always had additional calories I could consume if I chose to. I hit a weight loss plateau in Jun and have decided to increase my calories to 1,350 beginning this week. Hoping to jump start my metabolism.

mfpcopine

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

Total Daily Energy Expenditure.

The problem with some of the posts here is that they aren't taking into account that calculations for the Basal Metabolism Rate (BMR) (from which you derive the TDEE), are estimates. They aren't accurate for everyone. If you want even a halfway accurate reading you have to be tested. The metabolic process is not simple.

Add to that the fact that exercise energy expenditures are usually overstated and food calorie contents are often understated and you have the potential for a big, fat problem.

1200 or under is what works for me at the moment. The idea that I'm "starving" myself is nonsense.

dalexander82

I do 1100 a day.. It all depends on what you eat and how often you exercise. With me, it's a mind over matter thing. I eat fruit, veggies, chicken, fish and low fat yogurt ice cream. Everyone's bodies are different, you have to do what works for you.

angel79202

I had my RMR tested at the doctor;s office..and was shocked that I am supposed to at minimum eat 1280 if I am just laying in bed all day with sedentary activity level it was about 1640, I recommend this test to anyone who truly isn't sure..it's more exact than a formula..it requires a breathing mask and all sorts of fun tubes to monitor...good luck to everyone

jbjones56

I am going for 1200 cal a day. Just started last monday. It's important for me not to feel starved. So I have not met the goal everyday and decided to be honest with my food diary. My goal is 1200 calories but I refuse to beat myself up if I don't meet it everyday because I can try again tomorrow. It's quite an adjustment; but it seems I'm eating everytime I turn around. Staying busy beteween meals and snacks takes my mind off not being able to shove anything I want to into my mouth. It does seem low as I have dropped 4lbs in 6 days. Maybe you want to do like another reader replied and up your calories. After your comfortable with that, lower it by 50 or 100 until you get down to 1200.

Helloitsdan

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

Total Daily Energy Expenditure.

The problem with some of the posts here is that they aren't taking into account that calculations for the Basal Metabolism Rate (BMR) (from which you derive the TDEE), are estimates. They aren't accurate for everyone. If you want even a halfway accurate reading you have to be tested. The metabolic process is not simple.

Add to that the fact that exercise energy expenditures are usually overstated and food calorie contents are often understated and you have the potential for a big, fat problem.

1200 or under is what works for me at the moment. The idea that I'm "starving" myself is nonsense.

I dont know...anyone whos only got a couple pounds to lose and not showing any pics of themselves....


I for one have several people of all body types and obesity ranges losing significant weight on a weekly basis.
If I said "Now its time to eat 1200 cals!" they would lock my *kitten* up!

At some point the metabolism slows and youll end up losing at the same rate as if you were eating higher cals.

So whos the dumbass now?

I vote eat more.

Besides!

Eating so low does give the body a reason to harbor fat once the nutrients become available!
Why give it that reason?

Heres a study talking about what I mean.

Its all reletive to height, weight, age, sex and activity level.
Someone sitting around at 1200 cals should be okay for a long time if they sit around.
And if they have the fat to fuel it!
But thats not always the case!
youve got plenty of silliness running every day for miles and eating rabbit food and its not leading anywhere.

http://fampra.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/2/196.full

tinahatcher1

I am on 1200 a day, and have found that when I add my exercising for the day it adds more caloried I can have. So if you want to eat more exercise more! also drink a lot, it helps flush the system and feel full. 1200 a day, just doesn't seem like enough. snacking healthy does make me not get so hungry between my meals. Good luck!

graceserrano

I'm on that diet too, 1200 calories a day. By the afternoon of each day, I only have 300 calories to go. This motivates me to exercise so I can consume more calories. I jog really slow because I am 50 years old but my heart rate gets up fast so that's good. Also, fruit like apples, mangoes, pineapple and watermelon help me keep my mood up when I start to get hungry. Good luck!

soaringlikeaneagle70

I am on 1200 a day. Most times I can keep to it. other times i go over. I am happy with it though.

AyaKara

Eat lots of low-calorie, nutritious meals & it will begin to seem like too many calories -- you'll be wondering what to fill yourself up with to hit 1200! I'm 1200 too, & I've changed most of my diet to healthy foods except cereal to oatmeal; when I start making egg white omelettes, I would be missing quite a few calories that I would need to makeup sometime during the day.

tellascott

I'm on a 1200 a day, and with my typical work schedule i usually have no problem staying within that amount, but i always know i have that wiggle room for cheating on the weekends, which is usually when i make up for not eating much during the work week. I fin ont he weekends, I tend to scoot up between 1400 and 1700 a day.