Seriously ... 1200 calories or less

MaggiePuccini

i agree with you, a woman needs at least 1500 and if she's overweight (medically) she didn't get that way eating 1500 calories a day. More like 2,300 over a long period of time. So cutting back to 1500 should be sufficient. And if your weight stalls, it's usually cos you're within the parametres of normal. I can't lose weight but tbh I'm not moaning that much because i@m not medically overweight.

LorinaLynn

I hate the phrase starvation mode. I prefer to call it "sure, you'll still lose pounds, but a disproportionate amount will be from muscle mass so you'll look a lot worse when you get to your goal weight than you would have if you ate a little bit more and weren't so focused on the damn scale, not to mention that you're training your body to survive on a small amount of food, so you're gong to be stuck 'dieting' just to maintain a healthy weight" mode.

But it's a bit wordy.

jamiesadler

I tried 1200 cals and I was STARVING!

Me too!

ekz13

I really have a hard time understanding...

1.. why people care so much about someone else's business.. do what works for you

2.. why is it so hard to understand that there just maybe some people that are short/small that don't need 4k/day to survive... everyone is different. someone that is 5;0 that doesn't powerlift or run marathons can get by just fine on 1k and still be healthy so long as that 1k is healthy food and not 4 snickers..

TrudyJo195

I regree with you. thanks for sharing!

jamiesadler

Also, I think the problem with eating such few calories is that it is not a long term solution or a "lifestyle change". If you eat more to weigh less, while not losing muscle mass....that is the healthy, sustainable way to go. That's why you see some people lose a lot of weight at these low calories counts...but they gain the weight back and forth...etc. I'd rather lose the weight slowly while making *sustainable* changes. When I lose all this weight, I don't ever want it to come back! :-))

Agreed. Living off of 1200 cals or less per day would make me miserable. Yes, this is something that could be done for a short period of time, but it would be too hard for me to keep it up in the long run. This is why so many low cal diets have failed me in the past. I would do it for a couple of months, lose some weight, feel miserable and then binge until I gained all of the weight back and then some. Eating a balanced diet that consists of sizeable portions of the good stuff is what my body craves. I have lost about 20 pounds so far. I have lost 20 pounds in the past, but I never looked or felt so good. Even at 160 lbs on my 5'2" frame, I'm starting to see muscle tone. I was never able to say that when I was starving myself at 160 lbs.

Agreed it doesnt matter what you do to lose weight if its not sustainable the weight will come right back.

sparkly96

Yup, no one should ever feel judged or pressured into going about their diet differently. If it is working, it is working.

I'm short as hell. I have hypothyroidism (genetic). I have a desk job. I'm studying for a certification. My hobbies include reading, writing, and playing video games. I make an effort to hit the gym a few times a week to get some movement in, but it's just not interesting to me to go get ripped or to do large amounts of strength training. Why be something I'm not? I just don't want to be overweight is all.

So if my method is to eat 900-1100 calories a day (this is okayed by my physician, by the way, thank you) and do cardio and light strength training, and it's working and I feel good, who are you to judge that I should be doing something different? Are you an MD? No? Okay then. You do your thing, and I'll do mine.

Agreed, live and let live. This thread didnt start out because someone needed advice and advice was offered up. Instead it was started just to state someones opinion. There are so many threads on this topic already and no one will ever agree.

JeSuisPrest

I hate the phrase starvation mode. I prefer to call it "sure, you'll still lose pounds, but a disproportionate amount will be from muscle mass so you'll look a lot worse when you get to your goal weight than you would have if you ate a little bit more and weren't so focused on the damn scale, not to mention that you're training your body to survive on a small amount of food, so you're gong to be stuck 'dieting' just to maintain a healthy weight" mode.

But it's a bit wordy.

:flowerforyou:

sparkly96

I really have a hard time understanding...

1.. why people care so much about someone else's business.. do what works for you

2.. why is it so hard to understand that there just maybe some people that are short/small that don't need 4k/day to survive... everyone is different. someone that is 5;0 that doesn't powerlift or run marathons can get by just fine on 1k and still be healthy so long as that 1k is healthy food and not 4 snickers..

I agree and dont get this either!!! I tried explaining it but of course it didnt get through to anyone. Maybe it's called being a busybody? If someone asks for advice then ok but this is not how this thread was started.

sparkly96

I hate the phrase starvation mode. I prefer to call it "sure, you'll still lose pounds, but a disproportionate amount will be from muscle mass so you'll look a lot worse when you get to your goal weight than you would have if you ate a little bit more and weren't so focused on the damn scale, not to mention that you're training your body to survive on a small amount of food, so you're gong to be stuck 'dieting' just to maintain a healthy weight" mode.

But it's a bit wordy.

Nope not true. Again you are generalizing the population.

HorrorChix89

I hate the posts with "I can't eat 1200 calories" Seriously?!

I hate the posts with "You to do everything I say because it worked for me and I"m right" Seriously?!

Fit4_Life

Well when it comes time to consider myself as a "PRO Athlete" , THEN I will induce my daily calories. Until then....it will remain 1,000 calories as it has been for the last 8 months. And I STILL have no problem in keeping myself active. I am happy to have lost 62 pounds. I have 48 more pounds left to go. You do your calorie intake....and I'll do mine.

HorrorChix89

I hate the phrase starvation mode. I prefer to call it "sure, you'll still lose pounds, but a disproportionate amount will be from muscle mass so you'll look a lot worse when you get to your goal weight than you would have if you ate a little bit more and weren't so focused on the damn scale, not to mention that you're training your body to survive on a small amount of food, so you're gong to be stuck 'dieting' just to maintain a healthy weight" mode.

But it's a bit wordy.

prove it, or it never happened

Vegetablearian

MFP and the % deficit both tell me that for a 1lb weight loss or 20% reduction in cals to eat 1600 , this is my goal ...

for a small person 1200 is fine but for tall people starving yourself is stupid. 1lb a week is a sustainable and sensible weight loss.

Fad diets are for quick losses , doing a small reduction in cals is more likely to lead to maintaining the lower weight due to new habits.

My mother sees a dietician and she says never eat less than 1500 cals , and to eat peanut butter if you're not eating quorn/meat in a day because nutrition is important its relaly hard to get the right nutrition in less than 1500 cals unless you really know what you are doing.

LorinaLynn

I agree and dont get this either!!! I tried explaining it but of course it didnt get through to anyone. Maybe it's called being a busybody? If someone asks for advice then ok but this is not how this thread was started.

Because some of us like sharing what we've learned?

I wish I was part of a community like this and saw topics like this when I was eating under 1000 calories a day thinking it was the only way to lose weight. Would have been really nice to see that there were other options and lots of people were getting better results from eating the right amount of food, instead of eating as little as possible.

sxynanaplay

Its not just the caloric number you have to pay attention to there are alot of factors that are involved in how much you should eat, excercise etc. If you are at that 1200 calorie mark, you need to eat small portion of food throughout the day, you cant just eat something at noon then wait til dinner to eat again, its all about portions and those small inbetween snacks that will keep your tummy satisfied also you need to incorporate protein if your excercising because before i would work out without protein and i felt like i was very tired. It is all about caloric deficit , if you eat 2500 calories normally then you would need to cut at least 500 because it takes 3500 calories burned to lose 1 pound. to each is own and you need to listen to your body and figure out what works for you in a healthy way.

nixirain

I know this post isn't calling out anyone in particular, but remember, this doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. I'm VERY short and have a small bone structure. Following even this advice (maintenance cals - even only 10%) takes me right around that magic 1200, by the time I'm near my goal the minimal 10% is under 1200, I believe.

Yeah, if you're a 6 foot, 300 pound man exercising daily, 1200 cals is definitely not the way to go. But for the other 5 foot desk job girls, 1200 is not starvation. Rather than take these rules as hard and fast ("never eat less than 1200 no matter who you are or what your situation!"), it's much better to work out the best plan for your personal weight loss. Of course this isn't to say every shortie can eat this much (or little, rather), as I know of several in my family alone who can eat much more thanks to vigorous daily exercise.

I still keep myself over 1200 a day because I like how I feel best around 1300, but there are definitely people over 10 years old that 1200 is just fine for.

Agreed! I'm 4'9, 98 lbs, and small boned. I usually net 800-1100, depending on how hungry I am. And I have lost 32 lbs in 5 months.

This is not true, I am 4' 11" and lose just fine EATING!!!! You have trained your body to handle that little of food and that is why you see weight gain when you up your calories. If you exercise and build muscle you will HAVE to eat more calories. Being short, small petite is not an excuse.

I challenge you to check yout body fat %. When I was 89lbs I had no muscle and was flabby because I ate that little of food and didnt exercise.

I can understand using your hieght as an excuse to why you see a 5lb weight gain and normal size person doesn't. But undereating is not the answer to weight loss for the Fun sized.

End Rant.

HorrorChix89

The time of day you eat has no effect on anything. You can eat 1200 calories in one meal and not eat at all the rest of the day. People keep saying eat 6 times a day, tiny portions, make sure they are 2-3 hours apart. Don't eat after 6pm, 10pm, or whatever.

Everyone is a nutritionist, everyone is a scientist, everyone has a degree on knowing everything about everything about everything. We get that. I say the sky is baby blue, you say there's no such thing as baby blue, blue is blue!!!

Doesn't matter, if 1200 calories worked for Ms. Andrews, and 2000 worked for Ms. Michals, then who's right?

shelbynicole32

I started with the 1200 calories a day just to shrink my stomach. Now its been about a month and I am not always hungry, I get full quicker, and do not eat as big of portions. I would say that the 1200 is a good starting point to shrink your stomach, but it is not maintanable to an EXTENT. For some people it is, but of course, everyone is different, so it takes trying different things until your body finds its "magic" number!

nixirain

BTW, Physicans only have to take a class/CME course or 2 while in medical school/residency. Most states dont require a referesher course in nutrition when getting licensed. (I credential physicians for a living) Most of them know very little about nutrition and exercise. If you are getting advice from your doctor, make sure they have some specialization in nutrition. If they can't or dont answer then request to be reffered to a registered dietition.

madamepsychosis

I hate the phrase starvation mode. I prefer to call it "sure, you'll still lose pounds, but a disproportionate amount will be from muscle mass so you'll look a lot worse when you get to your goal weight than you would have if you ate a little bit more and weren't so focused on the damn scale, not to mention that you're training your body to survive on a small amount of food, so you're gong to be stuck 'dieting' just to maintain a healthy weight" mode.

But it's a bit wordy.

I love you.

JeSuisPrest

I really have a hard time understanding...

1.. why people care so much about someone else's business.. do what works for you

2.. why is it so hard to understand that there just maybe some people that are short/small that don't need 4k/day to survive... everyone is different. someone that is 5;0 that doesn't powerlift or run marathons can get by just fine on 1k and still be healthy so long as that 1k is healthy food and not 4 snickers..

I agree and dont get this either!!! I tried explaining it but of course it didnt get through to anyone. Maybe it's called being a busybody? If someone asks for advice then ok but this is not how this thread was started.

Why be so negative? For some it may be true, but for others like myself it's about sharing what we've learned along this journey. If you don't like then don't read the thread.

Vegetablearian

to somebody previously ... I am actually a scientist.

A lot of research people bring up about dieting is totally unscientific and unproven but is taken as gospel.
Anecdotal evidence which most use is pretty much invalid research.

to others .

Gaining adequate nutrition is hard on a low calorie diet that is fact

3500 cals to lose a lb, or starvation mode - I havent seen any hard proof of either but id like to if somebody has some

personally I need to eat several times a day otherwise I feel faint and suffer with indigestion ... but thats just me

sparkly96

I agree and dont get this either!!! I tried explaining it but of course it didnt get through to anyone. Maybe it's called being a busybody? If someone asks for advice then ok but this is not how this thread was started.

Because some of us like sharing what we've learned?

I wish I was part of a community like this and saw topics like this when I was eating under 1000 calories a day thinking it was the only way to lose weight. Would have been really nice to see that there were other options and lots of people were getting better results from eating the right amount of food, instead of eating as little as possible.

But what you learned came from your very own personal experience and is not true for all cases and everyone. Just as many people who have lost weight by eating more calories are coming on this thread saying they have HAD success eating 1200 calories or less. Point is everyone is different.

As i said before i eat 1200 calories on a regular basis. Some days may be a little more some days less depending on the day and activities. Never felt tired or lost muscle mass, in fact i felt better than ever shedding the extra weight.
I'm 4 '11 and for me this is whats good for my body. I would not advise someone to eat the same amounts I eat or to do exactly what im doing because we are all different. What works for some may not for others but its not fair to say that your way is the "right" way to go and the only way. For you, it worked and thats great but there are other options as well.

sparkly96

I really have a hard time understanding...

1.. why people care so much about someone else's business.. do what works for you

2.. why is it so hard to understand that there just maybe some people that are short/small that don't need 4k/day to survive... everyone is different. someone that is 5;0 that doesn't powerlift or run marathons can get by just fine on 1k and still be healthy so long as that 1k is healthy food and not 4 snickers..

I agree and dont get this either!!! I tried explaining it but of course it didnt get through to anyone. Maybe it's called being a busybody? If someone asks for advice then ok but this is not how this thread was started.

Why be so negative? For some it may be true, but for others like myself it's about sharing what we've learned along this journey. If you don't like then don't read the thread.

Im not the negative one here!!! There are tons of threads on this topic. When someone like myself disagrees and "share's" my own experience with a 1200 calorie diet i read how unhealthy it is and that you put your body in starvation mode and blah blah blah. Guess what, im losing and perfectily healthy and the amount of calories i consume were approved by my doctor. Meawhile no one here knows me personally and bottom line everyone's dieting journey is their own. There is no set rule for how it will go. People shared thier experience and im sharing mine.

HorrorChix89

I really have a hard time understanding...

1.. why people care so much about someone else's business.. do what works for you

2.. why is it so hard to understand that there just maybe some people that are short/small that don't need 4k/day to survive... everyone is different. someone that is 5;0 that doesn't powerlift or run marathons can get by just fine on 1k and still be healthy so long as that 1k is healthy food and not 4 snickers..

I agree and dont get this either!!! I tried explaining it but of course it didnt get through to anyone. Maybe it's called being a busybody? If someone asks for advice then ok but this is not how this thread was started.

Why be so negative? For some it may be true, but for others like myself it's about sharing what we've learned along this journey. If you don't like then don't read the thread.

Im not the negative one here!!! There are tons of threads on this topic. When someone like myself disagrees and "share's" my own experience with a 1200 calorie diet i read how unhealthy it is and that you put your body in starvation mode and blah blah blah. Guess what, im losing and perfectily healthy and the amount of calories i consume were approved by my doctor. Meawhile no one here knows me personally and bottom line everyone's dieting journey is their own. There is no set rule for how it will go. People shared thier experience and im sharing mine.

^^^^^^this^^^^^^

nfgchick79

This has probably been posted many many times, but I'm sick of people posting
topics saying they can't lose any weight, and you ask how many calories they consume.
And they'll tell you less than 1200. Are you serious? are you joking? A 10 year old eats more than that.

First of all, go find out what your calorie maintenance is.
Second of all, decrease the amount of calories by 10-20%. For example, if maintenance is 2000 calories
then to lose weight, consume 1600-1800. That's it, it's that easy. Why are people under eating?
Every single athlete which competes in a sport with specific weight divisions, whether it be an MMA fighter
or a wrestler or a boxer etc, and especially body builders (when it comes to cutting weight)
will tell you exactly the same thing, if you want to cut weight, eat 10-20% under your maintenance.
If you eat under at 1200 calories:

1) metabolism will slow down
2) body will try to retain what little that you eat as fat for energy
3) when you eat high calories again, you bet that you will gain all that weight you lost back

Anyway, that's just me venting. Not picking on anyone, it's more out of me wanting to help people.
Because I've been there and I've done that, and 1200 calories or less is not the way to go. You got to
eat to lose weight, SOUNDS RIDICULOUS RIGHT? well it ain't, not even the slightest. =]

MFP set me to 1200, I never eat below this and I eat back all my exercise cals. I was losing 1lb a week but this has been slowing down recently which I thought was due to me starting a gym and now getting fit (fitter than I was anyway)!

Using the calculator ( http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/calories-to-lose-weight) it said my BMR was 1870 cals. Your suggestion of a - 20% deficit would = 1496.... Hmmmm :happy:

My BMR is 1317 so at -20% my daily calorie intake would be at 1053?? See that doesn't make sense. I am only 5'0" and 120. What the heck should I be eating? MFP has me set at 1200, and I've been trying to eat back some of my exercise calories lately. I would like to lose another 10 lbs.

_HeathBar_

If you are so happy and successful eating 1200 then good for you, you should probably keep doing what works.

I personally will never do it because it's completely unsustainable, if I do it for a prolonged period I am prone to bing eating, usually on the weekend. I also felt hungry all the time, even after I had just eaten something. Because I was hungry all the time I was extremely moody and unpleasant to be around. To top is all off I had little to no energy to exercise at all.

The only way I've been able to maintain a 1200 net calorie diet is by burning at least 600 calories via exercise so I can eat a normal amount of food. Of course it seems like the same people who want to eat only 1200 calories also have issues with eating back exercise calories which just compounds the issue, IMO.

_HeathBar_

I hate the phrase starvation mode. I prefer to call it "sure, you'll still lose pounds, but a disproportionate amount will be from muscle mass so you'll look a lot worse when you get to your goal weight than you would have if you ate a little bit more and weren't so focused on the damn scale, not to mention that you're training your body to survive on a small amount of food, so you're gong to be stuck 'dieting' just to maintain a healthy weight" mode.

But it's a bit wordy.

prove it, or it never happened

Oh and here you go.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/491448-research-on-the-starvation-diet/

I'd be interested if you can find me a study or article referencing a study that disproves this. I'm not trying to be rude, I'm genuinely interested from a scientific standpoint.

Purdyrc

Simple equation to find out what your intake should be, see below:

your weight x 7= your intake to lose weight

As you lose, recalculate!