1,200 calorie

Brightstar4031

Could only eating 1,200 calories be potentially harmful?

muddyventures

I'm not sure, but everyone is different. I have been eating 1200 for about 4 weeks, and even with a few bad days I am still under 1200 net at the end of each week. The last two days I haven't felt very good at all, and I am thinking about upping my calories, mostly because I don't want to go over my number so if I lift the number I will still try to be just under on average. It is some kind of numbers game my head plays on me.

If you are thinking about eating 1200, just be honest with your body...I really feel like I'm not getting enough right now. I just need to work out th kinks in my dietary change. It looks like you've been on awhile so I'm not sure if you are inquiring about you are just asking. I hope that was some help.

Brightstar4031

I've only been consistently logging in and eating 1,200 for a week. Tonight however I went over. I'm going to start again tomorrow. I was good until the 7th day and then I became very hungry, exhausted, and cranky. I'm wondering what other peoples thoughts/experiences are... thanks

squishycow7

read some of the links in this post:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10665-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition



hope they can help!


edit to add - I'm about 5'5", 23 years old.. and I'm netting about 1530 cals a day. and I just had my biggest weekly loss so far (1.6lbs this week), wish I'd bumped up earlier

Barb_0457

I just started on here and have been trying to eat less than 1200 calories because it seems like it is going to take forever to lose the weight if I eat that much.

Adonis21

I have been on a 1,200 calorie limit for over a month and I feel WONDERFUL! The main things are making sure you are getting PLENTY of complex carbs like brown rice and whole wheat bread and especially my favorite steel cut oats in the morning all of these will not only provide you with bunches of energy but also keep you full so you won't be so hungry! Hope this helps add me and let me know how it goes

Adonis21

Oh and one more thing! Make SURE you are eating your back calories from your workouts, those are very important

Barb_0457

I try not to go over the 1200 even on the days I exercise. Bad huh? I just want to see some of the weight start to come off

beautifullybold1

1,200 calories should be fine as long as you get the main food groups in. it just takes some getting use to. This is my first week and the first night about 3 am 'i felt like i had not eaten in weeks. I have to change what I eat to make 1200 calories work. I have been thinking of seeing a nutritionist.

Mrsmonas

I personally had a hard time with only 1200 calories. I really tried. I upped it to 1300 and just that little extra helps.

Barb_0457

I have been trying to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Have also really increased my water intake.

riskiestlavonn

For two - three weeks (and for months in the past) I kept myself on a 1200 calorie diet. From reading a few posts on MFP I decided that I needed to up my calories (which included eating back exercise calories) and now I feel GREAT! I use to be tired (not willing to workout) and angry the time. NOW I don't feel like I'm starving myself anymore.

FYI, a few years back I did lose a LOT of weight only eating 1200 calories a day for a number of months BUT I was always unhappy... now I know why.

Becky_Boodle

I'm on a 1200/day diet and I feel great...
I exercise every day and try to eat back most of my calories...
although sometimes I find it hard to do...

jennfost777

I've only been consistently logging in and eating 1,200 for a week. Tonight however I went over. I'm going to start again tomorrow. I was good until the 7th day and then I became very hungry, exhausted, and cranky. I'm wondering what other peoples thoughts/experiences are... thanks

I would say drink plenty of water and take vitamins also, if it helps go on Amazon and buy the blood type diet book (or at least the individual mini book)this will tell you what type of supplements to take to speed up your metabolism and what foods to avoid. Hope this helps

JoHo57

I started on 1200 and then added 100 extra. I was always just a little over, every day. The extra 100 has worked. It gives me a little extra snack or an extra bit of this or that. It just made all the difference.

korsicash

Been eating 1200 calories for a very long time now, I am never hungry. I have a very hard time eating above that because I feel over stuffed instead of comfortable. DO what feels right to you tho

BazAbroad

OK, If your eating healthy, but if hunger becomes a problem then eat more, best to cut down slowly rather than quick and make yourself ill.

Brightstar4031

Been eating 1200 calories for a very long time now, I am never hungry. I have a very hard time eating above that because I feel over stuffed instead of comfortable. DO what feels right to you tho

I wonder if height is an issue. How tall are you?

cannonsky

1200 is the minimum you should eat. If you are exercising you should definitely eat more. When I first start MFP I was TERRIFIED of eating back my workout calories, but for the last two weeks I've eaten back most of them each day and I'm still losing weight. I feel better than before too.

heybales

Could only eating 1,200 calories be potentially harmful?

If you do a lot of cardio at a decent level of intensity, and you do not eat back most of your exercise calories - big yes.

You'll eventually burn through your store glucose (used for most of that energy needs, and some throughout the day), and then muscle will have to be broken down to be converted to glucose.

That's when the weight loss really starts, muscle breakdown. Bad weight loss.

And during the whole time the glucose stores are being depleted because daily diet doesn't top them off, you are loosing mostly water weight.

heybales

1,200 calories should be fine as long as you get the main food groups in. it just takes some getting use to. This is my first week and the first night about 3 am 'i felt like i had not eaten in weeks. I have to change what I eat to make 1200 calories work. I have been thinking of seeing a nutritionist.

Good, your metabolism has not totally slowed down yet, your body wants more energy for basic functions of life.

Sure you want to go that route, slower metabolism?

VivicaJayne

I had a VERY hard time at first. I was eating about 2000 calories and working the extra 800 off. I was so hungry I would exercise just so I could eat. After about two months I average 1200-1600 per day and it's much easier. Sometimes I don't even need to eat my exercise calories. Just listen to your body and make your calories count by eating foods high in vitamins.

ShellyShuey

I've been on 1200 -- but with exercise, you end up with more some days. I've lost 12 pounds, it's working so far -- I know I will have to increase cals when I get to maintenance.

heybales

I've only been consistently logging in and eating 1,200 for a week. Tonight however I went over. I'm going to start again tomorrow. I was good until the 7th day and then I became very hungry, exhausted, and cranky. I'm wondering what other peoples thoughts/experiences are... thanks

That's your's body response to not getting enough food for basic functions of your body living.

don't worry, you can slow your metabolism down, and the hunger will go away, as so many comment on.

And since your metabolism slows, you burn less calories at everything. Rest, daily, exercise.

Weight loss slows down, and will eventually stall after your body reaches equilibrium.

Or, always net at/above your BMR, basic calories if you were in coma all day.
MFP - Tools - BMR calc.

Is your BMR above 1200?
If you suppress it to 1200 by underfeeting, how many free calories burned each day will you be missing out on?
Say, 300? Feel like missing out on 2/3 lb weight loss per week eventually?

ShellyShuey

Oh and one more thing! Make SURE you are eating your back calories from your workouts, those are very important

This! You won't lose otherwise.

Amy_Lee_2012

I'm 5'2" and 247 pounds and I am on 1200 calories a day. I was only eating 1,000 calories a day but MFP has me set at 1200 calories, so I make sure to eat as close to that as I can. I can honestly say that I rarely feel hungry and often I have to force myself to eat more during the day. I work out a lot each day as well, and yes, I know I should be eating more- but this is working for me right now. Once I get down to 200 pounds, I plan on eating a bit more- but I have a very long way to go before I reach my goal weight of 125 pounds, so I am happy with the way things are going for now

hararayne

I would guess that no one has really looked at what I put for a calorie limit on my profile....and that I often stay under or near it when I include exercise. I limited my calories to 900 net...and I'm finally seeing some weight loss after a month. Before this, I have steadily gained, eating 1500 to 1700 calories a day. The ONLY time I have EVER lost weight and kept it off for a significant amount of time was when I ate less than 800 calories a day in high school. Then I get settled with a boyfriend and my calories gradually drifted upwards and we were rather sedentary as a couple.

I do have a two other reasons for my low calorie max. One is that I read somewhere that most people underestimate their calories by about 20%. I unfortunately do not have a link...it may have even been in one of the many diet books I have read. Either way....20% of 1200 is 240....so 960 calories should be my net calorie max if following a 1200 calorie diet, based SOLELY on the 20% principal.
The other reason is for me, psychologically, if I see that I'm over my 900 calorie max...I will exercise it down to a number closer to 900.
I suppose I can add a 3rd reason as well. I don't believe the ellipticals and other exercise approximations are correct either. I'd guess with some that I burn more calories (like running or walking on the treadmill) and others burn less calories (swimming and elliptical) So again...my 900 calorie diet, just looks like one...when in reality it isn't.

skywa

if you cant maintain the diet and are suddenly feeling the need to eat more your setting yourself up for a binge and likley eating too little.

Lukasmum1

I am on 1200 calories, and find it most days hard to eat up to that amount. I am feeling heaps better but did go through that one week 'struggle' and tired feeling. I am finding it really interesting literally getting to know what I eat and whats in it. The calories, the portions and the ability to still eat what I want - within reason and within portion size.

auntiebabs

I think it depends on your height, weight and goal weight and your personal metabolism

I personally could not do 1200 calories a day for more than 4 days in a row, then I'd have to throw a 1500-1700 calorie day in. Then I'd go back to 1200 calories
Zig zagging seems to work for me. And didn't have too much trouble with plateaus

For me one of the biggest benefits of eating a limited calorie diet was that I focus on getting all my nutrition in first.
As long as I'm getting proper nutrition, I"m not hungry.

Now that I"m on maintenance, i find it more challenging to make good decisions.

m000nlover

OK I WAS IN THAT DIET FOR A WEEK

JUST PUT IN YOUR MIND TO EAT EVERY 3 TO 4 HOURS

TO KEEP YOUR METABOLISM WORKING

3 MEALS
3 SNACKS
WILL DO THE WORK FOR YOU

ALL THE LUCK AND SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH