Seriously ... 1200 calories or less
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I'm not the sort to fast, but I do think that the timing of my calorie consumption plays a huge role in how I lose weight. For example, I find that if I eat a protien- or calorie-heavy breakfast, I have fewer issues with hunger or food cravings for the rest of the day, whereas if I skip breakfast I have a hard time shaking that hungry feeling for the next 12 hours. I've also found that eating right before going to bed slows down my weight loss or causes me to gain - I try to stop eating 2-3 hours before I plan to hit the sack.0
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I am doing a protein sparing modified fast and have lost 26 lbs (10% of my starting weight) since Jan 21. My typical daily intake is under 600 calories. I'm not starving, I have plenty of energy, and I really think about what I'm eating now. If I think I want something I know is bad for me, I don't just run to the fridge. I sit and think about it, "Do I really want this, or am I just bored?" "Am I actually craving this particular thing, or just some sort of food in general?" Different things work for different people.0
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I am doing a protein sparing modified fast and have lost 26 lbs (10% of my starting weight) since Jan 21. My typical daily intake is under 600 calories. I'm not starving, I have plenty of energy, and I really think about what I'm eating now. If I think I want something I know is bad for me, I don't just run to the fridge. I sit and think about it, "Do I really want this, or am I just bored?" "Am I actually craving this particular thing, or just some sort of food in general?" Different things work for different people.
I hope I'm misinterpreting this. You're sparing protein - as in, not eating it, eating under 600 calories a day and have lost 26lbs since January. Hate to say it, but if I have that right, it isn't primarily fat you're losing.0 -
BMR and TDEE..... not the same thing. Find a calculator online for your TDEE, then 20% less than that number.
20% of my BMR is 1234
20% of my TDEE is 1984
That's a pretty big gap...do I set it to somewhere in the middle, and just not eat back my exercise calories? Why is this crap so confusing??!?!?0 -
It's not. Take your BMI. Let's say it's 1800. You are Sedentary, so to find your TDEE, we multiply that by 1.2. Your TDEE is 2160. To subtract 20% from your TDEE, multiply 2160 by 0.8, which gives you 1728 - only that is too low, because you shouldn't eat below your BMR.BMR and TDEE..... not the same thing. Find a calculator online for your TDEE, then 20% less than that number.
20% of my BMR is 1234
20% of my TDEE is 1984
That's a pretty big gap...do I set it to somewhere in the middle, and just not eat back my exercise calories? Why is this crap so confusing??!?!?
So, try again with subtracting 15% (2160*0.85) and you get 1836. Still a bit close and you should really consider a 10% deficit, but it's much better than eating below your BMR.
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My BMR for instance is 2475.
My TDEE, as lightly active, is 3465.
Because I have a lot to lose, a 20% deficit for me is safe for now and leaves me at 2772 calories per day. I have my goal set slightly lower than this in my diary to account for discrepancies and sauces, seasonings etc.0 -
I am doing a protein sparing modified fast and have lost 26 lbs (10% of my starting weight) since Jan 21. My typical daily intake is under 600 calories. I'm not starving, I have plenty of energy, and I really think about what I'm eating now. If I think I want something I know is bad for me, I don't just run to the fridge. I sit and think about it, "Do I really want this, or am I just bored?" "Am I actually craving this particular thing, or just some sort of food in general?" Different things work for different people.
I hope I'm misinterpreting this. You're sparing protein - as in, not eating it, eating under 600 calories a day and have lost 26lbs since January. Hate to say it, but if I have that right, it isn't primarily fat you're losing.
No, a protein-sparing modified fast means you're cutting out all fat and carbs and getting most of your calories from protein. I eat 100g of protein per day, which is more than the recommended amount for my ideal body weight.
Edit: Essentially you are "fasting" but sparing protein from that fast, meaning you do not cut it out (you actually up it).0 -
What everyone seems to have missed is that this is NET CALORIES!!! Walk every day for 30mins so you can consume more food! fill the appetite gap by exercise and burning calories...0
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bump! great post0
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I have trouble eating 1200 calories. In fact, I rarely get to 1200. However, I'm not gonna eat all high-cal foods or binge to reach the magic number. I'm not starving, I eat what I want, when I want, the only thing low-fat in my diet is my yogurt, AND, I've had no trouble losing weight either.0
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bump0
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What everyone seems to have missed is that this is NET CALORIES!!! Walk every day for 30mins so you can consume more food! fill the appetite gap by exercise and burning calories...
Exactly! Today I have 1677 calories because I WORKED for 477 of them.0 -
Even with exercise, I can't do 1200 calories. Maybe I'm undercounting my exercise but I'm a lot happier on 1700-ish. (I've bumped it to nearly maintenance for the week while visiting family).0
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In my opinion(that's right, my OPINION), here is what I have learned from weight loss(and we are talking about a 15 year period here, starting at when I was 13)
Weight Watchers-only works if you read everything and go to meetings, for me. I lost 50lbs when I was 13 and I gained it all back, plus some. Because I was a kid and I wanted to eat like my friends. Tried it again as an adult, never lost more than 10-15 pounds.
Tried Atkins-wasn't sustainable for me, I'm Italian, I like pasta.
Finally, at age 30, I've learned that to lose the weight, it not only has to come from changing how you eat, but from inside as well. Your head will mess with you, tell you you can't eat a certain food, or tell you that you're fat when you look in the mirror. I've read a ton of health related things and I bust my butt while in grad school to work so I can pay for a trainer once a week.
I've learned that for me, 1200 calories a day doesn't work. I tried it for 2 weeks and stopped losing. Now, I'm at 1900 calories, give or take. I eat 40/30/30, and I do cardio 2x a week and lift 3x a week.
EDIT-forgot to mention that I've lost 15lbs in two months, 5 inches from my waist, and 5 inches from my hips. And I EAT FOOD. I just had a burger for the first time in two months, and it was DELISH. I'm not depriving myself anymore, If I workout, I can eat. And I know that now.
This is a lifestyle change for me, NOT a diet.
And for the people complaining that they are being picked on for eating 1200 calories a day, remember this site is called my FITNESS pal and those of us recommending eating more have learned to lift heavier and fuel the body, we've learned that FITNESS helps.
That being said, some people might be okay with 1200 calories. To me, I cannot fathom sustaining a whole lifetime on this.0 -
*groan* This topic has been dissected so many times that the calories burned for the rant typing of it have equaled 1200 calories :bigsmile:0
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In my opinion(that's right, my OPINION), here is what I have learned from weight loss(and we are talking about a 15 year period here, starting at when I was 13)
Weight Watchers-only works if you read everything and go to meetings, for me. I lost 50lbs when I was 13 and I gained it all back, plus some. Because I was a kid and I wanted to eat like my friends. Tried it again as an adult, never lost more than 10-15 pounds.
Tried Atkins-wasn't sustainable for me, I'm Italian, I like pasta.
Finally, at age 30, I've learned that to lose the weight, it not only has to come from changing how you eat, but from inside as well. Your head will mess with you, tell you you can't eat a certain food, or tell you that you're fat when you look in the mirror. I've read a ton of health related things and I bust my butt while in grad school to work so I can pay for a trainer once a week.
I've learned that for me, 1200 calories a day doesn't work. I tried it for 2 weeks and stopped losing. Now, I'm at 1900 calories, give or take. I eat 40/30/30, and I do cardio 2x a week and lift 3x a week.
EDIT-forgot to mention that I've lost 15lbs in two months, 5 inches from my waist, and 5 inches from my hips. And I EAT FOOD. I just had a burger for the first time in two months, and it was DELISH. I'm not depriving myself anymore, If I workout, I can eat. And I know that now.
This is a lifestyle change for me, NOT a diet.
And for the people complaining that they are being picked on for eating 1200 calories a day, remember this site is called my FITNESS pal and those of us recommending eating more have learned to lift heavier and fuel the body, we've learned that FITNESS helps.
That being said, some people might be okay with 1200 calories. To me, I cannot fathom sustaining a whole lifetime on this.
nice post, totally agree!! :-)0 -
In my opinion(that's right, my OPINION), here is what I have learned from weight loss(and we are talking about a 15 year period here, starting at when I was 13)
Weight Watchers-only works if you read everything and go to meetings, for me. I lost 50lbs when I was 13 and I gained it all back, plus some. Because I was a kid and I wanted to eat like my friends. Tried it again as an adult, never lost more than 10-15 pounds.
Tried Atkins-wasn't sustainable for me, I'm Italian, I like pasta.
Finally, at age 30, I've learned that to lose the weight, it not only has to come from changing how you eat, but from inside as well. Your head will mess with you, tell you you can't eat a certain food, or tell you that you're fat when you look in the mirror. I've read a ton of health related things and I bust my butt while in grad school to work so I can pay for a trainer once a week.
I've learned that for me, 1200 calories a day doesn't work. I tried it for 2 weeks and stopped losing. Now, I'm at 1900 calories, give or take. I eat 40/30/30, and I do cardio 2x a week and lift 3x a week.
EDIT-forgot to mention that I've lost 15lbs in two months, 5 inches from my waist, and 5 inches from my hips. And I EAT FOOD. I just had a burger for the first time in two months, and it was DELISH. I'm not depriving myself anymore, If I workout, I can eat. And I know that now.
This is a lifestyle change for me, NOT a diet.
And for the people complaining that they are being picked on for eating 1200 calories a day, remember this site is called my FITNESS pal and those of us recommending eating more have learned to lift heavier and fuel the body, we've learned that FITNESS helps.
That being said, some people might be okay with 1200 calories. To me, I cannot fathom sustaining a whole lifetime on this.
FTW! Best post I've read on this site in quite awhile. I'm with you! I fuel my body to sustain my workouts. I eat 1800+ cals a day. I've lost 101 lbs and still losing along with maintaining the muscle I have built. I'm getting close to my goal and keep waiting for the loss to stall but it hasn't so I'm going to keep plugging away and eating
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I'm sure MFP only states a 1200 calorie diet if it's a short term goal you've entered? (e.g. half stone rather than 4 stones)0
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bump0
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I'm sure MFP only states a 1200 calorie diet if it's a short term goal you've entered? (e.g. half stone rather than 4 stones)
MFP is just a calculator. It can only go by what numbers you plug in. It won't tell you, "Are you kidding me? You only weigh 120 pounds... you can't lose 2 pounds a week!"
That's what the forums are for.
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....I'm curious to know the answer to this :?So what do you say to those who MFP TELLS to eat 1200 or less if they want to lose??? Why even use the site if it isn't accurate or healthy?0 -
Dropping down to 1200 calories was just what I needed to get my butt in the game. I helped me be WAY more cautious about measuring out serving sixes of my favorite foods and stuff like that. It helped me get a better picture of exactly how poorly I was actually eating when I thought I was doing good.
I completely understand what you guys are saying about it not being for everyone and that MFP is not telling you you have to do anything but, it does work for some people and everybody wants something that works right?
I am perfectly content with my calorie intake, 1200cals a day seems to be perfect, right now. I dont feel like I over eat and I am not left feeling hungry because I planned my meals better than I normally would. Through my 1200 cals a day I learned that even a burrito, 1 burrito from tacobell can be bad because I use 400+ cals and end up being hungry 2hours later.0 -
....I'm curious to know the answer to this :?So what do you say to those who MFP TELLS to eat 1200 or less if they want to lose??? Why even use the site if it isn't accurate or healthy?
I say that you should adjust your goal because at your size you should probably take a more modest approach to weight loss. It computes a 1000 calorie deficit if someone says they want to lose 2 pounds per week, 500 calorie deficit if 1 pound. So if you choose either of those and it would mean eating less than 1200 it automatically gives you a 1200 goal. It's a calculator--not a person who can reason through the effects of eating 1200 calories... and for many people NOT eating back exercise calories.0 -
In my opinion(that's right, my OPINION), here is what I have learned from weight loss(and we are talking about a 15 year period here, starting at when I was 13)
Weight Watchers-only works if you read everything and go to meetings, for me. I lost 50lbs when I was 13 and I gained it all back, plus some. Because I was a kid and I wanted to eat like my friends. Tried it again as an adult, never lost more than 10-15 pounds.
Tried Atkins-wasn't sustainable for me, I'm Italian, I like pasta.
Finally, at age 30, I've learned that to lose the weight, it not only has to come from changing how you eat, but from inside as well. Your head will mess with you, tell you you can't eat a certain food, or tell you that you're fat when you look in the mirror. I've read a ton of health related things and I bust my butt while in grad school to work so I can pay for a trainer once a week.
I've learned that for me, 1200 calories a day doesn't work. I tried it for 2 weeks and stopped losing. Now, I'm at 1900 calories, give or take. I eat 40/30/30, and I do cardio 2x a week and lift 3x a week.
EDIT-forgot to mention that I've lost 15lbs in two months, 5 inches from my waist, and 5 inches from my hips. And I EAT FOOD. I just had a burger for the first time in two months, and it was DELISH. I'm not depriving myself anymore, If I workout, I can eat. And I know that now.
This is a lifestyle change for me, NOT a diet.
And for the people complaining that they are being picked on for eating 1200 calories a day, remember this site is called my FITNESS pal and those of us recommending eating more have learned to lift heavier and fuel the body, we've learned that FITNESS helps.
That being said, some people might be okay with 1200 calories. To me, I cannot fathom sustaining a whole lifetime on this.
nice post, totally agree!! :-)
Thanks Em!!!0 -
In my opinion(that's right, my OPINION), here is what I have learned from weight loss(and we are talking about a 15 year period here, starting at when I was 13)
Weight Watchers-only works if you read everything and go to meetings, for me. I lost 50lbs when I was 13 and I gained it all back, plus some. Because I was a kid and I wanted to eat like my friends. Tried it again as an adult, never lost more than 10-15 pounds.
Tried Atkins-wasn't sustainable for me, I'm Italian, I like pasta.
Finally, at age 30, I've learned that to lose the weight, it not only has to come from changing how you eat, but from inside as well. Your head will mess with you, tell you you can't eat a certain food, or tell you that you're fat when you look in the mirror. I've read a ton of health related things and I bust my butt while in grad school to work so I can pay for a trainer once a week.
I've learned that for me, 1200 calories a day doesn't work. I tried it for 2 weeks and stopped losing. Now, I'm at 1900 calories, give or take. I eat 40/30/30, and I do cardio 2x a week and lift 3x a week.
EDIT-forgot to mention that I've lost 15lbs in two months, 5 inches from my waist, and 5 inches from my hips. And I EAT FOOD. I just had a burger for the first time in two months, and it was DELISH. I'm not depriving myself anymore, If I workout, I can eat. And I know that now.
This is a lifestyle change for me, NOT a diet.
And for the people complaining that they are being picked on for eating 1200 calories a day, remember this site is called my FITNESS pal and those of us recommending eating more have learned to lift heavier and fuel the body, we've learned that FITNESS helps.
That being said, some people might be okay with 1200 calories. To me, I cannot fathom sustaining a whole lifetime on this.
FTW! Best post I've read on this site in quite awhile. I'm with you! I fuel my body to sustain my workouts. I eat 1800+ cals a day. I've lost 101 lbs and still losing along with maintaining the muscle I have built. I'm getting close to my goal and keep waiting for the loss to stall but it hasn't so I'm going to keep plugging away and eating
AWESOME!!!! I'm totally adding you as a friend! I'm trying to friend women who understand this, because they are so supportive!!
Anyone feel free to add me, I know what these struggles are like, and I am happy to provide support!0 -
That being said, some people might be okay with 1200 calories. To me, I cannot fathom sustaining a whole lifetime on this.
I don't plan on maintaining a lifetime of 1200 NET calories. I plan on losing weight on that. When I get to a maintenance level, obviously I would not stay at 1200 NET.0 -
....I'm curious to know the answer to this :?So what do you say to those who MFP TELLS to eat 1200 or less if they want to lose??? Why even use the site if it isn't accurate or healthy?
I tell them to be realistic. It's a calculator. It doesn't care if you end up weak, ill or in the hospital.0 -
^^^this times 9000
That being said, some people might be okay with 1200 calories. To me, I cannot fathom sustaining a whole lifetime on this.
I don't plan on maintaining a lifetime of 1200 NET calories. I plan on losing weight on that. When I get to a maintenance level, obviously I would not stay at 1200 NET.0 -
I agree with this!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.0 -
Sad but true for a shortie (5ft0) and a desk job girl!!!
>>But for the other 5 foot desk job girls, 1200 is not starvation
It doesn't put you into starvation mode if you gain additional calories by walking 35+ mins or so or doing some cardio to gain you some extra calories. Also logging what you eat makes you aware of how much junk is consumed in an office weekly. I used to eat 2/3 Krispy Kreme's when someone brought them in for their birthday, now I limit myself to 1 and do some light cardio (zumba, walking). Weekends I go for a jog as I know I may eat more and may have some wine.
I am finally shedding weight (slowly) eating around 1,200 calories. I have always worked out, but as I have gotten older the weight has gotten harder to shift eating 1,500 a day.0 -
Thank you SO much for posting this! I'm new to the site, but def. not new to trying to loose weight. I had been trying to stay at or under 1200 calories because I figured the less food I ate the more weight I would lose. I was hungry most of the time and discouraged because I just wasn't losing much. I upped my calories, have upped my cardio as well and started doing weight training and eating back about half of my earned calories and I feel GREAT! I'm never hungry, I have a lovely almost full feeling and the pounds are just FALLING OFF! It doesn't make any sense to deprive your body of food to try and loose weight.....we need food, and as long as it's good healthy food with good exercise added in, weight loss will happen. I think that this is a much better way for me to lose weight and it completely negates the need to figure out how to live "normally" once I get to my goal....that was always my downfall before. I would restrict myself so severely (1200 cal. or less) and then once I got to a happy weight I'd eat "normally" and gain it all back. This is my new normal!0
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