1300 calories???

celtsguy81

I see my GF and her projected calories for the day and it boggles my mind. How does someone limit their calorie intake to 1300 calories a day? That pretty much means you HAVE to exercise for a decent amount of time every day. And then you still can barely eat. Let alone if you want to go out for a few drinks?

Am I missing something? Is that crazy or no?

renegadecupid

Hardly. Once I reach my goal weight, even as a man, to keep losing from there, I have to have 1300 or less. And that's for a goal of 190lbs.

You can still eat with a limit of 1300, but you have to eat smart, and not eat processed high-calorie, high-sugar, high-fructose corn syrup laden crap.

For instance, just cutting out a 2 liter of soda a day means you're cutting 800+ calories out of your diet (just there).

This morning I had cereal, oatmeal, an english muffin and still stayed under 500 calories. 2 sandwiches for lunch (both pastrami) and cheese and mustard with 35 calorie oatmeal bread, another 420 calories.

a sensible dinner and I'll be at 1300.

drinking alcohol on a diet is not the best idea because it dehydrates you, and in order to process food, you have to be hydrated. and the drinks add up. I used to drink molson xxx... until I plugged it into my journal here. 201 calories per beer. lol.

haley0h

i am on 1225 cal a day and i am under it mostly. which i try and eat more but sometimes i just dont have time. it depends on what you eat, if you eat clean, or replace meals with shakes (which is what i do and that allows me to have one large meal a day 600 cals, and 2 snacks up to 125 cals a peice) and i stay relatively full. the trick is to eat every few hours to keep your metabolism up. and get the right amout of protein. protein will make you feel full and lessen your cravings for other bad foods

Swizzle1986

If you want to lose weight you need to adjust your eating, make healthier choices and decrease your overall calories.
I can usually have a beer every day (if i wanted to) even when i dont exercise.

Plan your day. I basically log my entire day in the morning so that i can tweek it throughout the day to make sure i stay within my calories. And i am at 1200 a day and dont find it hard to stay under.

If you know that you are going out for drinks, exercise in the morning to make sure you are burning off those calories.
No pain, no gain.

aryastarkk

yep, being a short woman sucks! Haha, my cal goal is 1200. Honestly, it drives me crazy. I was able to eat oatmeal for breakfast and am planning to eat a granola bar and salad for lunch just so I can maybe eat some dinner with my bf when I get home.

On the bright side it doesn't take a lot of fuel to keep us going! My plan is to build some muscle and exercise regularly so that I can actually eat once in a while

justal313

My net is currently set to 1200. I exercise for at least 500 calories everyday because 1200 is kinda skimpy. I've done it once or twice but I had to be VERY selective about what I ate on those days.

My diary is open. I eat 3 meals a day and have 3 snacks. I'm just rather particular about what I eat and it's not rabbit food. I have a cookie and a glass of milk just about every night before I go to bed. If I exercise more than 500 calories I can have a more calorie dense meal or two or failing any of that a second cookie. These are Kashi cookies so they are fairly dense and filling and one is plenty and two is quite the treat.

_granola

Seems low to me, but I suppose it depends on her goals. Most people should set their activity level to lightly active, and aim to lose no more than a pound a week.

I honestly think women (or men, I suppose) who eat less than 1200 calories per day are kidding themselves if they think it's going to be sustainable.

KipDrordy

I see my GF and her projected calories for the day and it boggles my mind. How does someone limit their calorie intake to 1300 calories a day? That pretty much means you HAVE to exercise for a decent amount of time every day. And then you still can barely eat. Let alone if you want to go out for a few drinks?

Am I missing something? Is that crazy or no?

I can't believe how easily staying within a 1310 calorie diet has been, and it doesn't take a ton of exercise. I'm to the point where I sometimes struggle to eat enough calories as I have deemed many foods to not be worthy of the calories and no longer stock them. I'll still stray at times and go way over on a day, but for the most part I don't quite hit my caloric goals. If you dig into my daily log, you'll see Taco Bell, pizza, Thai food, Doritos.....etc.

kiittenforever

Drinking now thats tough to stay in the 1300 range!

mfpcopine

I have to keep to around 1150 to see any progress. You have to eat carefully.

mfpcopine

Drinking now thats tough to stay in the 1300 range!

Sadly, if you're committed to weight loss, drinks have to be limited to maybe a couple of times a week. I drink Amstel Light, which is only 95 calories.

3foldchord

guys seem to need more calories. also, the more thin and fit one is, the less they seem to need as their BMR, I think (I am not knowlegable on this, just from what I have sen here the last month)

KipDrordy

Seems low to me, but I suppose it depends on her goals. Most people should set their activity level to lightly active, and aim to lose no more than a pound a week.

I honestly think women (or men, I suppose) who eat less than 1200 calories per week are kidding themselves if they think it's going to be sustainable.

I'm assuming you meant 1200 calories per day. I think it's important to enter an activity level that realistically represents your activity level. Mine is sedentary. You only need to sustain a deficit as long as you are above your goal weight. Once there, you rework your numbers to reflect maintenance which will likely add about 3500 calories per week (500/day). Now, an 1800 calorie day is certainly within reason and sustainable.

Equally important is adding the right amount of exercise to your plan. I've seen some here go from doing absolutely nothing to a very high level of exercise while trying to lose weight. To me, that seems to be the unsustainable part. Say my caloric goal is 1310 and I add 1000 calories a day in exercise and eat 2300 calories. I'm going to lose weight. But I'm not so certain I'm going to be able to sustain that 1000 calories/day in exercise. The problem is I'm training myself to eat 2300 calories/day. The minute my exercise level drops to a more realistic amount, I'm probably going to have a problem reducing from an intake of 2300 calories. I think this is why professional athletes seem to balloon up right after retirement or during the off season. I've raised my exercise level to an easily maintained level. I will up the level only after proving that I can maintain this one.

_granola

Seems low to me, but I suppose it depends on her goals. Most people should set their activity level to lightly active, and aim to lose no more than a pound a week.

I honestly think women (or men, I suppose) who eat less than 1200 calories per week are kidding themselves if they think it's going to be sustainable.

I'm assuming you meant 1200 calories per day. I think it's important to enter an activity level that realistically represents your activity level. Mine is sedentary. You only need to sustain a deficit as long as you are above your goal weight. Once there, you rework your numbers to reflect maintenance which will likely add about 3500 calories per week (500/day). Now, an 1800 calorie day is certainly within reason and sustainable.

Equally important is adding the right amount of exercise to your plan. I've seen some here go from doing absolutely nothing to a very high level of exercise while trying to lose weight. To me, that seems to be the unsustainable part. Say my caloric goal is 1310 and I add 1000 calories a day in exercise and eat 2300 calories. I'm going to lose weight. But I'm not so certain I'm going to be able to sustain that 1000 calories/day in exercise. The problem is I'm training myself to eat 2300 calories/day. The minute my exercise level drops to a more realistic amount, I'm probably going to have a problem reducing from an intake of 2300 calories. I think this is why professional athletes seem to balloon up right after retirement or during the off season. I've raised my exercise level to an easily maintained level. I will up the level only after proving that I can maintain this one.

Yes, per day. Sorry - corrected that.

I have a bodymedia FIT, which measures my activity level throughout the day. I have a desk job, work 8 hours a day, go home and sit on my butt or exercise and then sit on my butt. When comparing MFP to my bodymedia fit, "sedentary" is too low. I think it is for most people. And for most people 1200 calories per day is below their BMR. Not healthy to eat so little every day. Yes, if you exercise, you eat more, but for a lot of women here, they are not eating those exercise calories. They claim they aren't hungry, or they are "short," or have some other excuse that makes them a unique and special snowflake. I think most women can eat 1700 calories or more and still lose weight, retain their lean body mass, have energy, and maintain their sanity. This is sustainable to me.

The fact that we continue to perpetuate the idea that women need to eat so little and torture themselves for several months to weigh some magic number that will supposedly bring them all the happiness in the world really bothers me. It's not reality.

rtpjmlm5

Seems low to me, but I suppose it depends on her goals. Most people should set their activity level to lightly active, and aim to lose no more than a pound a week.

I honestly think women (or men, I suppose) who eat less than 1200 calories per week are kidding themselves if they think it's going to be sustainable.

I'm assuming you meant 1200 calories per day. I think it's important to enter an activity level that realistically represents your activity level. Mine is sedentary. You only need to sustain a deficit as long as you are above your goal weight. Once there, you rework your numbers to reflect maintenance which will likely add about 3500 calories per week (500/day). Now, an 1800 calorie day is certainly within reason and sustainable.

Equally important is adding the right amount of exercise to your plan. I've seen some here go from doing absolutely nothing to a very high level of exercise while trying to lose weight. To me, that seems to be the unsustainable part. Say my caloric goal is 1310 and I add 1000 calories a day in exercise and eat 2300 calories. I'm going to lose weight. But I'm not so certain I'm going to be able to sustain that 1000 calories/day in exercise. The problem is I'm training myself to eat 2300 calories/day. The minute my exercise level drops to a more realistic amount, I'm probably going to have a problem reducing from an intake of 2300 calories. I think this is why professional athletes seem to balloon up right after retirement or during the off season. I've raised my exercise level to an easily maintained level. I will up the level only after proving that I can maintain this one.

Yes, per day. Sorry - corrected that.

I have a bodymedia FIT, which measures my activity level throughout the day. I have a desk job, work 8 hours a day, go home and sit on my butt or exercise and then sit on my butt. When comparing MFP to my bodymedia fit, "sedentary" is too low. I think it is for most people. And for most people 1200 calories per day is below their BMR. Not healthy to eat so little every day. Yes, if you exercise, you eat more, but for a lot of women here, they are not eating those exercise calories. They claim they aren't hungry, or they are "short," or have some other excuse that makes them a unique and special snowflake. I think most women can eat 1700 calories or more and still lose weight, retain their lean body mass, have energy, and maintain their sanity. This is sustainable to me.

The fact that we continue to perpetuate the idea that women need to eat so little and torture themselves for several months to weigh some magic number that will supposedly bring them all the happiness in the world really bothers me. It's not reality.

I totally agree

thinnnnnnner

1200 seems to be the magic number on this site. I eat around that most days and am usually content. When people feel they need to eat more than this they're usually doing so for emotional reasons, not actual hunger.

elyelyse

They claim they aren't hungry, or they are "short," or have some other excuse that makes them a unique and special snowflake.

first of all, we ARE all special snowflakes

some women, depending on age and height, and a dozen other factors, really truly can not lose weight without restricting to 1200-1400 calories a day. It's ok that you don't believe it, you don't have to, you do what works for you, and we'll do what works for us.

and it's also true that one can eat at around 1200 calories and not be hungry. Do i get the munchies? sure. That's not the same as hungry.

McBully4

I eat in the ball park of 2200-2500 and I'm losing weight just fine.

My wife eats 1900ish and she has lost more than me.

kayyydee_cancel

Unless I end up going out to eat, I have no issues staying within my 1200 calorie budget. I eat good meals and healthy snacks. I eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruits too during the day. I've even found that if I want a drink or two, I can just switch a few things up and I'm still within my goals.

lizziebeth1028

I'm definitely a 'eat more to weigh less' person! It's true and it works. I 'starved' myself for years thinking I had to stick to 1100 to 1300 calories. In fact my body was so used to getting too few calories that I never really felt hungry. My metabolism eventually screeched to a halt and I hit the big plateau. Starting upping my calories a little bit at a time and I'm now at 1600 and still seeing results!!! Seriously.....being healthy (key word is healthy here) does NOT mean starvation, deprivation and HOURS at the gym. Eat above your BMR and below TDEE, get enough protein, lift weights and do a sensible amount of cardio and you will get fit!

cmriverside

Hardly. Once I reach my goal weight, even as a man, to keep losing from there, I have to have 1300 or less. And that's for a goal of 190lbs.

This is nuts! You need way more than 1300 cals a day as a man. The recommended absolute minimum for a male is 1500, and that's if you are morbidly obese.

A man 5'10" 35 years old, 190 lbs, has a BMR of 1897 (using an online calculator). You would then add your activity ( you know, brushing your teeth, getting dressed, walking to your car, going to ANY type of job)...so , say another 600 on top of that...that would make your TDEE about 2400 - if all you do is sit on your rear all day at work. Subtract a 15%- deficit for weight loss (because that's really all you can subtract at that weight), and you get ....wait for it....2040 - that would be the absolute lowest you should be going.

Where did you get this notion of a male eating 1300 at his healthy weight? You can do it for a while at 311 lbs, but you're asking for trouble at 190.

sassi5

That is normal. I am at 1200 a day and still eat and have a beer or a glass of wine. It just depends on how much you want to lose and how quickly.

lizziebeth1028

1200 seems to be the magic number on this site. I eat around that most days and am usually content. When people feel they need to eat more than this they're usually doing so for emotional reasons, not actual hunger.

I just want you to clarify your statement - are you saying that people that eat more than 1200 calories a day do so for emotional reasons? Please explain?

thisisiamj

I think it really depends on what you eat/drink. If you stick to lean protein/veggies, its doable. Plus, I don't drink alcohol/juice/soda, so its not too bad.

Sixlairds

My goal is 1300 calories as well. I'm 5'2" and I weighed almost 300 pounds. I have been working hard to make this work and most every day I stay well under the 1300 calories. Tracking honestly and looking at other people's diary's has given me great ideas to accomplish my goals in a healthy way.

tigerblue

I hope your GF apprecciates your compassion. My husband doesn't even want to hear how frustrated I become at always having to leave the table hungry! He has no idea. All he has to do is take the stairs every day and cut out sodas and he loses! I have to limit limit limit my calories just to maintain. It gets old!

kgordon88

You have to make sensible choices. I spread my calories evenly across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have a healthy snack between each meal. I also do not eat after 7:00p.m. I thought it would be hard to maintain 1300 calories, but now if I eat more, I feel stuffed. You will be able to do it-just plug foods into your app while you are at the grocery store.

erickirb

1200 seems to be the magic number on this site. I eat around that most days and am usually content. When people feel they need to eat more than this they're usually doing so for emotional reasons, not actual hunger.

that is not a magic number, that is the minimum MFP will give anyone. Most people that only get 1200 tend to have their weekly weight loss goal set much too aggressively (2lbs/week when it should be 1 lb/week)

postrockandcats

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you're happy, healthy, making progress and aren't ready to keel over from hunger, then you're eating fine. I eat 1890 a day and I'll bet there's people that don't get that I can loose weight like this. I don't even get the "are you dieting" questions because of how I eat. And, yet, I'm loosing. My BFF is 4 inches shorter than me and does the same on a 1400-1600 a day plan. There are people who do just fine on 1200.

If you aren't happy, aren't loosing, feel bleh then taking a look at what you eat is a good thing, regardless of how much/ little you eat.

KimAggie04

I am a small woman (5'0", 125 lbs) and have set my weight loss goal to 1/2 a week. My calorie goal is 1250, and whenever I eat more than that I gain weight. I was suprised to learn that it was definitely a goal I could maintain. My biggest changed was breakfast. I usually eat homemade oatmeal and have greek yogurt for a mid-morning snack. I cook at home more, which made a huge difference. I also started cooking with more whole grains and vegetables. I can eat quite a lot of food in a day under 1250 calories. But I am also a big believer of eating back your exercise calories. On those days I can eat extra.

darwinforyou

I have my goal at 1400 calories - I also believe that 1200 is not realistic and actually is not healthy. Consider eating fruit and vegetables - Carrots are higher calorie for a vegetable, and one small serving of them is 35 calories. Add up a baggie for lunch or whatnot - and you're around 100+ just for carrots. CARROTS! The same goes for berries or for any other fruit - those add up quickly. I believe in eating wholesome foods that are minimally processed as well - but food is food and it's calories. Our bodies, by design, run on fuel.

For example - yesterday I could tell that I didn't have nearly enough calories during the day because when I went to exercise that night I had the hardest time energy wise. I also have been eating under my calories this week and not eating my exercise calories and I'm stalled a little bit. When I eat more, up to my calories and some of my exercise calories I seem to lose more.

I'm not a fan of deprivation 1. I believe food is art and there's way too much art out there not to enjoy yourself. 2. I burn a lot of calories when I work out and to be at my best while exercising I NEED TO EAT! 3. I'm not a fan of size 2 deprive yourself girls who are perpetuating the way women should look today.



My own individual Rules:
1. I don't drink my calories - and I look for lower calorie beers that are good.
2. I stay away from pastas.
3. I stick to way super low calorie breads when I do.
4. Substitute my meats occasionally, or else bulk them up with vegetarian options.
5. Lots of fruits and veggies added to recipes.
6. Eat protein whenever possible rather than carbs - but don't avoid carbs like the plague, I love my treats and fruit, and who can say no to a nice crusty piece of bread with soup.


Here's my beer go to list -

1. A Bottle of Guiness is 125 calories
2. Michelob Ultra light - Cider - 120 Calories
3. Piss beer - Miller 64 - still 64 calories.

There are options for beer - and it's a bit like playing tetris. You gotta see where all the blocks fit.