The 1200 Calorie Plateau

mmoyer1978

Hi. About three weeks ago, I dropped my calorie intake down to 1200. I had been eating 1500 for a long time and wasn't getting anywhere. I kept my workouts the same, typically burning anywhere from 700 to 900 calories per workout. I try not to eat back any more that 100 calories. I have stuck yo-yo'ing back and forth between the same 10lbs for a LONG time now (since at least March). I've stepped up workouts, dropped calories and am eating mote greens and lean proteins but I am still stuck. Over the course of three weeks I have lost 1.2lbs. Does anyone have an idea of where I am going wrong? Should I be eating more? Working out less? Where is my happy medium? Where is that step when I will finally get off the plateau and start losing again? Not to worry, I will NEVER give up until I reach my goal weight, but I am one FRUSTRATED health nut. HELP!!!!!

lisanorman6

I have been EXACTLY where you're at! The following link was a total god-send related to calorie intake and where it should be. It also helped me realize that the # on a scale isn't what I (personally speaking) want to focus on. I've decided to focus more on my body fat percentage.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12?hl=ipoarm+2.0&page=1#posts-9495811

1200 calories is more along the lines of what you should be eating closer to your goal weight. I, too, was only intaking about that and hit a plateau. I have since bumped my calories up to 1520 and the weight has started coming off. The bottomline was that I was not giving my body enough fuel. I suspect that you may be in the same position. When I bumped my calories up, it was kicking and screaming. My belief was that I'd gain weight, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that what I had read and investigated was true and it worked.

If you find the link helpful but still have questions, let me know. It took reading it twice to really get a grip on it.

Don't give up, you can totally do this!

mmoyer1978

I have been EXACTLY where you're at! The following link was a total god-send related to calorie intake and where it should be. It also helped me realize that the # on a scale isn't what I (personally speaking) want to focus on. I've decided to focus more on my body fat percentage.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12?hl=ipoarm+2.0&page=1#posts-9495811

1200 calories is more along the lines of what you should be eating closer to your goal weight. I, too, was only intaking about that and hit a plateau. I have since bumped my calories up to 1520 and the weight has started coming off. The bottomline was that I was not giving my body enough fuel. I suspect that you may be in the same position. When I bumped my calories up, it was kicking and screaming. My belief was that I'd gain weight, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that what I had read and investigated was true and it worked.

If you find the link helpful but still have questions, let me know. It took reading it twice to really get a grip on it.

Don't give up, you can totally do this!

So, after doing all the calculations, I should set my MFP settings to 2437 and eat 20% below that? Is that right?

BaileyBoo13524

If you are truly burning that much through exercise you need to eat MORE. Try taking your TDEE (you can find calculators online) and cut anywhere from 10-25% from that to see a loss. 1200 calories with working out as much as you do is ridiculous.

restoreleanne

I was there to I found if I eat between 1400 -1500 a day I will lose 2 pounds a week. If I go back down to 1200 I get no where.

mmoyer1978

If you are truly burning that much through exercise you need to eat MORE. Try taking your TDEE (you can find calculators online) and cut anywhere from 10-25% from that to see a loss. 1200 calories with working out as much as you do is ridiculous.

Thanks. I figured my TDEE is 2437 (which about made my jaw hit the floor) and I changed my settings to 20% below that which is 1950. I guess we'll try this for a while and see where it takes me. I still think it's nuts that I am stuck because I'm not eating ENOUGH. I figured that was my problem, but still. CRAZY!!! Thanks again!