Doctor has told me to eat 1200 cals a day

juliexiuu

But I keep hearing different things like I should eat more.

I'm 5'2 - 5'3 and weigh 135
Go to the gym 4-5 days a week

Confuzzled lol

Tourney3p0

"1200 a day" is the blanket, generic, rule of thumb response that calls for no thought whatsoever.

No advice on this forum should be taken over that of your doctor's. However, you were given a response that did not take any aspect of your unique situation into account (for example, did he calculate your BMR? Your body fat percentage, etc?).

My advice would be to get a second opinion from a nutritionist.

honestlysweet

You're not even overweight, why would he/she be telling you to eat 1200 calories? Just curious.

kbmnurse

Here's an idea---tell him to eat 1200 cal/daily. LOL

moochachip

My family doctor told me I was eating just fine at 1200 (and under)..

.. A few weeks later I ended up in the hospital because of just that.

juliexiuu

I'm thinking of seeing a nutritionist actually.
No, he hasn't calculated my BMR or body fat %.

I told him I wanted to lose about 10 more pounds so he said to eat 1200 calories a day lol

Hmm.

Sarauk2sf

Doctors are notoriously bad when giving advise re diets - they are not specialists in the area. They seem to always go with the 'eat 1200' calorie route when it is not the best advice at all. Did he calculate your BMR, did he ask about daily activity? did he ask about exercise? did he calculate your TDEE? If not, he cannot advise as he does not have all the facts.

If you want a professional opinion, I wouls suggest going to a RD (Registered Dietician).

SunnyAndrsn

I'm thinking of seeing a nutritionist actually.
No, he hasn't calculated my BMR or body fat %.

I told him I wanted to lose about 10 more pounds so he said to eat 1200 calories a day lol

Hmm.

I second the idea of speaking with a dietitian/nutritionist.

theartichoke

1200 is the magic number for doctors, it's low enough to lose weight and it won't kill you. It's also wrong for most people. A nutritionist would be much better at helping you find what's healthy for you if you're questioning what's best for you. Also, this was a post from today that I found very helpful and I hope you will too.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557201-how-to-lose-weight-correctly

By the way, you're a very pretty lady and you look perfect to me!

catwomanclaws

My friend who, ironically, is a nurse....said her doctor told her that it is impossible to lose weight once you hit menopause. Doctors do not know everything.....you need to take charge of your own health and be informed.

juliexiuu

Sounds like a plan!
Thanks everyone.

Knew my doctor was full of ****... haha just kidding.

But seriously, all he knows is that I go to the gym and plateaued lol -.-

KatKatatrophic

I eat about 1,500! I'm only 5'1 and 105. You're doctor must be full of *kitten*. O_o

jsapninz

So do it.

Everyone on MFP freaks out about that, but it most certainly is doable. I used to eat at 1,150 but uppped it to 1300 because I was losing a bit faster than I wanted.

People on here are fear mongers. It is ridiculous to say that every female, regardless of height, age, etc, has the same minimum 1200 requirement. You are short, and in a healthy weight, 1,200 is reasonable (as long as you are eating back your exercise cals).

juliexiuu

Some good info here.

Thanks guys!

FlaxMilk

MFP set my calories to 1200, so I am going to try out eating 1200 on a rest day (except for a 2 mile walk), then have a cardio and weights day and eat around 1500, and go back and forth. (I know technically it may be better to do cardio and weights on different days but I am curious to see how this system will work.)

xoeva

Not sure where you are but in Canada you can call 811 and you get a registered dietitian - free! I was on the phone with one for about an hour talking about what I normally eat, and where I could make small but significant changes.

Glucocorticoid

Don't ask your doctor for nutritional advice.

juliexiuu

I normally do weights and cardio on the same day, weights first then some cardio.
I'm also experiementing with my intake, we'll see how it goes!

I'm in Ottawa! Thanks

Glucocorticoid

Read this if you want to break through your plateau the correct way:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

sleepytexan

But I keep hearing different things like I should eat more.

I'm 5'2 - 5'3 and weigh 135
Go to the gym 4-5 days a week

Confuzzled lol

even doctors are stupid.

eat your BMR + exercise calories. why starve and strangle your metabolism?

sleepytexan

So do it.

Everyone on MFP freaks out about that, but it most certainly is doable. I used to eat at 1,150 but uppped it to 1300 because I was losing a bit faster than I wanted.

People on here are fear mongers. It is ridiculous to say that every female, regardless of height, age, etc, has the same minimum 1200 requirement. You are short, and in a healthy weight, 1,200 is reasonable (as long as you are eating back your exercise cals).

hahahaha. ya, you can eat 1200, but I eat 2000. And I'm 5'4, 130 lbs and 44 years old. *winning!*

juliexiuu

Read this if you want to break through your plateau the correct way:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

Will read, thanks

juliexiuu

awesome

Glucocorticoid

You're a fast reader lol.

So tell me what you've learned.

juliexiuu

You're a fast reader lol.

So tell me what you've learned.

I'm still reading it lol!
It's late here so I'm doing my best haha, very informative so far though o: