1 - 1 1/2 - 2 pounds per week????

LiveLaffLoseLove

I started at wanting to lose 2 lbs per week (I mean who doesn't want to lose more quickly), but 1200 calories seems very limited. So I decided to move it to 1 lb per week (which is what MFP recommends). Any thoughts or input on what you think, or what you have found out along your journey? I am not sure if I weigh enough to try for 2 lbs a week or if I haven't gone down enough yet to try for 1 lb a week....

DLKeeble

I tried the 1200 calories for less than a week. It wasn't enough calories for me. I was weak and very cranky. I read the message boards and discovered BMR, and TDEE. I looked on line for calculators and kept adjusting my calories until I had one that I could work with and still lose. I went in and manually changed my calorie goals to 1500. I also realized that I was not sedentary. I was moderately active. Today is my 3 month anniversary and I have lost 22 lbs. I lost 10 the first month and then the other 12 the last 2 months. I'm satisfied with my rate of loss and I don't feel deprived. I exercise at least 3 times a week and walk about 15-20 miles a week.
Good luck finding that perfect number for yourself.

yarwell

Looks like you have enough excess fat to sustain a deficit of 1500 calories ( = 3 lbs/week ) at 30 cals/day per lb of excess fat, so run with whatever suits you.

lyttlewon

That seems really low to me. I eat 1800 cals a day, and exercise at least 3 times a week. I think I would go nuts if I had to cut 600 cals out of my diet.

reenielovesthebeach

I eat usually less than 1360 per day. I exercise three to five times a week on the treadmill for 45 minutes to an hour. I started on 8/8 at 262 pounds and am now at 239. I was down to 236 a couple of weeks ago and went up a couple of pounds and I keep plateauing. I'm not giving up though. I don't take bp medicine anymore and I can now shop in regular clothing- not plus size. I am getting compliments from everyone so I know what I'm doing is working. Realistically, anything less than what I eat now would just push me to feel deprived and that is the sole reason I have always given up on any diet. This works for me. I hear in the beginning that the weight will come off faster because you lose water weight. I was a tight size 18 jeans- now am tight size 12. I'm thrilled overall, so far...I do have my days where I want it all yesterday. It's normal to feel like that. Good luck with your weight loss.

sandrahulleman

I am losing 2 pounds per week with 1430 calories per day but more importantly I am also watching my sugars and my carbs. I eat between 40 and 60 carbs per meal. To calculate the net carbs, take total carbs and minus the fibre count. With 40-60 carbs per meal and a snack in between each one, along with 150 minutes of exercise per week I have lost 2 pounds per week.

Southern_Belle89

I'm on the 1200 cals per day & feel just fine but I eat lots of chicken, oatmeal, eggs, etc! I don't waste my calories on empty cals that are not going to keep me full!

SickSkilz

I did 2 pounds per week for quite a while. BUT. I was doing 1400 calories of exercise a day which meant i still at 2500+ alories.

When i cant work out for a couple days day for 1 reason or another, I feel terrible if i eat anywhere near 1200. On those days I just break even at 2200

secretlobster

The amount of weight you lose will not only depend on how many calories you eat, but how much weight you have to lose to begin with. So if you have 60lbs to lose, it will probably come off faster than it would for a smaller person eating the same calorie allocation

erickirb

Here is a good reference, if you have over 100 lbs to lose you can lose more than 2 lbs/week safely, that being said it is best to set a realistic safe weekly loss goal and:
If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

19bulldog60

Remember -- The more calories you burn thru exercise, the more calories over you set limit of 1200 you can consume,

WendyTerry420

I started at wanting to lose 2 lbs per week (I mean who doesn't want to lose more quickly), but 1200 calories seems very limited. So I decided to move it to 1 lb per week (which is what MFP recommends). Any thoughts or input on what you think, or what you have found out along your journey? I am not sure if I weigh enough to try for 2 lbs a week or if I haven't gone down enough yet to try for 1 lb a week....

When I saw 1200 calories on mine, I said, um, "NOPE! Not gonna work!" I did some more research and figured out that if I eat around 1000 calories less than my TDEE, then I am still losing 2 pounds per week. Since I added exercise 3-4 times per week, my TDEE shot up to 2700-something, so I brought my daily cals to 1800. I expect to keep losing for at least a few weeks, but you are supposed to reevaluate every 10 pounds or so. I have been eating 1800 for about 8 weeks now though.

derekj222

Exercise more, eat more...the exercise helps burns off those say extra 300 calories that you are enjoying.

Molly_Maguire

It all just depends on how it makes you feel. 1200 can be very restrictive for some people, but may work just fine for others. I had been going 1200/day for about three months, and had great energy, lost about a pound a week, and was still producing breastmilk. So it was great for me. Try it for a week or so and if you have really low energy or are super cranky all the time, reassess. Don't torture yourself, if your calorie goal is killing you, try something different!

SWilkins75

Size 12?!!! I must be a lot shorter than you (I am 5'2) because I weight 231.6 and I wear a size 24. It's slightly baggy but not enough to buy more pants. I'd love to be a 18 by Christmas. I also have a horrible saggy belly.

slkehl

That does seem excessively low. I'd suggest seeing a dietician for a more accurate number. It's really important for you to have an intake level that you can maintain.

reddingaz

MFP has set me at 1200 calories a day for 1lb a week & for the most part that's pretty reasonable for me - I usually end up between 1200-1300 when it's all said & done & I don't feel deprived at all. Though I have to admit I don't exercise much - usually just an hour's walk on the weekend days with the mutts - If I was working out more I'd definitley have to eat more.

KrazyAsianNic

You can eat more than 1200, just make sure you exercise too. Exercising techniquely gives you more eating power. and if you choose healthier options like snacking on veggies, you can save a LOT of calories while still getting full.

Squeaks1977

The biggest thing is exercise! I'm on a 1540 intake and I exercise 5 days a week a minimum of 30 mins. I've been losing 1 1/2 to 2 lbs a week. What I try to do is eat my calorie intake and not dip into the extra the exercise adds to it. So without going into the calories you burn your able to lose that much a week. I workout usually 30 mins but some days an hour. I also do things to help as parking far in the parking lots at stores. My hubby and I have both lost weight but doing little things like that. Another thing is that I keep my fats and sugars low. You will find what works for you. But it is a slow process. It took years to put the weight on and it may take a year or two to take it off. I was on so many yo-yo diets because I wanted to lose weight fast just to gain it all back. The way I'm doing it now is so much healthier for myself and I have not gained any of it back even when I have a day to indulge myself. If you have a bad day, don't beat yourself up, just do better the next day. If you don't rush it you will last longer on it. Good luck and feel free to add if you want more support! :happy:

chellec23

I was just about to mention exercise when I saw the previous post. As long as you burn enough calories, you CAN eat more and lose plenty! The last time I did the whole diet/exercise thing I was losing anywhere from 1-6lbs a week...it just depended on how much I exercised.