Reaching 1200 calories

cakeums

Just a quick FYI that this post will not go well.
So on with it...

Most 1200 calorie diets fall below your BMR.
This is bad.
You lose lean mass as well as fat.

Boost the calories up to 1600 a day and lose the same weight at a more sustainable level and you not only get better nutrients but your energy levels will be high enough to get the best from your training.

As you lose weight and improve lean mass you will be able to eat more.

1600 calories for a woman? That seems really high?1

I hope you're kidding.

Nope, I'm new to this, I obiovusly am still learning! Why does MFP say 1200? How much should I eat a day then?

I'm sorry - sometimes it's hard to know if someone is joking on here. TDEE is the number of calories you burn in a day, so as he pointed out, you want to consume %20 of that to continue to lose weight. I like this calculator: http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html For instance, I work out 6-7 days per week, with an average burn of 500-700 calories just from exercise. I average, per day, over 2,000 calories consumed. If I didn't exercise, I would STILL eat over or around 1,600 calories.

It's different for everyone, but my experiences have been, the more I eat, the more I maintain (I'm not trying to lose). But, I also eat a lot of whole foods, lots of GOOD fats and exercise a lot.

OK so if my TDEE (based on the site you posted) is 2407, I was to consume 20% less than that a day, to still lose weight. So technically I could consume up to approx. 1900 calories daily and still lose weight?

That's the plan I'm on, and it's working for me.

TluvK

Just a quick FYI that this post will not go well.
So on with it...

Most 1200 calorie diets fall below your BMR.
This is bad.
You lose lean mass as well as fat.

Boost the calories up to 1600 a day and lose the same weight at a more sustainable level and you not only get better nutrients but your energy levels will be high enough to get the best from your training.

As you lose weight and improve lean mass you will be able to eat more.

1600 calories for a woman? That seems really high?1

I hope you're kidding.

Nope, I'm new to this, I obiovusly am still learning! Why does MFP say 1200? How much should I eat a day then?

I'm sorry - sometimes it's hard to know if someone is joking on here. TDEE is the number of calories you burn in a day, so as he pointed out, you want to consume %20 of that to continue to lose weight. I like this calculator: http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html For instance, I work out 6-7 days per week, with an average burn of 500-700 calories just from exercise. I average, per day, over 2,000 calories consumed. If I didn't exercise, I would STILL eat over or around 1,600 calories.

It's different for everyone, but my experiences have been, the more I eat, the more I maintain (I'm not trying to lose). But, I also eat a lot of whole foods, lots of GOOD fats and exercise a lot.

OK so if my TDEE (based on the site you posted) is 2407, I was to consume 20% less than that a day, to still lose weight. So technically I could consume up to approx. 1900 calories daily and still lose weight?

Absolutely - if you configured your exercise properly - (and, do still keep track of that.) Yes, technically that should work for you. How has your progress been so far at 1,200? Again, some people will say it doesn't matter what you eat - it's calories in, calories out. There are even studies out there that prove that theory. But, for me, it really does depend on the food I'm consuming - mostly because the food I eat fuels my body and keeps me full. Now, I average around 2,100 per day and genuinely DO have trouble fulfilling that amount - it's a good problem to have!

catic

OH well THAT makes me happy. I was struggling trying to stay under 1200 calories a day, and the says I worked my butt off at the gym are the only days I seemed to be able to maintain that. Well I guess I"m still learning about all this, I"ve never counted calories before. Thanks guys. I'm going to change my 'goals' on her to increase my calories.

RBRoy

Are you working out? That will make you hungry and is a critical part of weight loss and weight maintenance. Also, make sure you drink enough water. I agree with the above posts about making your own food instead of eating lean cuisines; they are high in sodium and stripped of many nutrients. Also, by making your own food, you'll keep it interesting! I tend to make dinner and then take leftovers for lunch the next day. It makes it easy to pack my lunch (I'm a teacher) and it's a good use of the food my husband and I cook. I hope these suggestions help! Good luck in your journey!

cakeums

Just a quick FYI that this post will not go well.
So on with it...

Most 1200 calorie diets fall below your BMR.
This is bad.
You lose lean mass as well as fat.

Boost the calories up to 1600 a day and lose the same weight at a more sustainable level and you not only get better nutrients but your energy levels will be high enough to get the best from your training.

As you lose weight and improve lean mass you will be able to eat more.

1600 calories for a woman? That seems really high?1

Actually that is on the lower end for a woman.

Well Then MFP has some explaining to do because that's what it set for me when I filled out the diet profile thingy mcgee

What do you have your lifestyle and your pounds per week set at? For example, mine is lightly active and I want to lose 1lb/week. I currently weigh 201lbs and get 1830/day.

I'm 5'5 and currently 170 lbs. I have my lifestyle set to active because I am VERY active for most of the day and I have it set to lose 2lbs a week out of habit because it's been there since I started. I'm not actually worried about it being so low... my concern is actually that I have trouble meeting it at 1200, when I know I should be eating closer to 1800-2000 to really effectively burn the fat and build muscle.....

Just go ahead and mess with the settings! Change it to 1lb/week. Eat some more calorie-dense foods and see where it takes you. I can't hurt to give it a try.

catic

I'm actually not doing too good, I try to hit the gym 4 times a week, plus I am out walking the dog daily. I'd like to incorporate more cardio though. I haven't lost anything yet, I've been focusing so much on saying under 1200 calories a day!

TluvK

Just a quick FYI that this post will not go well.
So on with it...

Most 1200 calorie diets fall below your BMR.
This is bad.
You lose lean mass as well as fat.

Boost the calories up to 1600 a day and lose the same weight at a more sustainable level and you not only get better nutrients but your energy levels will be high enough to get the best from your training.

As you lose weight and improve lean mass you will be able to eat more.

1600 calories for a woman? That seems really high?1

Actually that is on the lower end for a woman.

Well Then MFP has some explaining to do because that's what it set for me when I filled out the diet profile thingy mcgee

What do you have your lifestyle and your pounds per week set at? For example, mine is lightly active and I want to lose 1lb/week. I currently weigh 201lbs and get 1830/day.

I'm 5'5 and currently 170 lbs. I have my lifestyle set to active because I am VERY active for most of the day and I have it set to lose 2lbs a week out of habit because it's been there since I started. I'm not actually worried about it being so low... my concern is actually that I have trouble meeting it at 1200, when I know I should be eating closer to 1800-2000 to really effectively burn the fat and build muscle.....

Well, now you DO know how it works! Okay - you just need to plan better and educate yourself on the foods you need to fuel your body. I used to be confused about how people who needed to lose weight needed help with EATING. But, I now understand that people need help with fulfilling their calorie goals with the right food. Easy: Drive to McDonalds Hard: Drive to the grocery store and pick between all of the foreign produce, go home and put it all together to create a tasty, satisfying and healthy meal that is also protein rich and somewhat calorie dense with some good fats thrown in. It's hard, it takes practice, but once you find your balance, you'll soon forget it was hard for you- it will just become second nature.

auntdeedee87

You guys have a lot to learn. Except for the three of you that advocate eating smart instead of eating small. What really pisses me off is you people who say things like "OMFG you had to eat more than 1200/day to get fat lol!" Maybe *you* did, honey, but that's not how this always works. Do more homework then post.

Condescending terms of endearment. How original, "sweetie."

dovesgate

For those who think we all got fat because we ate more than 1200 calories per day, every day:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

Helloitsdan

Eating too little causes weight gain and maintenance due to the bodies defense mechanism.
Most everything eaten gets stored.

rachduet

i am eating every bit of my 1200 calories a day and looking for every but of exercise i do possible to deduct calories so I can eat more. But its shock to my system to be at only 1200 cal, when i was probably eating 3000 cal a day before. so its a major adjustment. I am almost through the adjustment period and getting used to it.

AmberJslimsAWAY

but i want to eat healthy.

so ditch the lean cuisine.

THIS!! Those things are not healthy!!!