Seeing a lot of rude comments about 1200/cal....

ShawnaCurley

I persoanlly would starve at 1200 cal a day. I have to eat several hundred more than that.And even more on day's I go to the gym. I know everybody is different, so I say do what works. But just be sure you get everything your body needs out of what your eating.

Kikilicious84

but if I eat fresh veggies and fruit all day and IM FULL...

I don't mean to pick on you, and your diary is private so I obviously have no clue what your'e eating, but this is something I see a lot... 1200 (or less) calories of fruit and vegetables isn't exactly a healthy diet. Sure you can eat a LOT of them, but you're not getting healthy fats and protein from a pile of vegetables.

(Some veg can provide really good fats, but they tend to be really high in calories, so the under 1200 club tend to avoid them.)

The comment about protein/healthy fats and vegetables is not accurate. Sorry.

So how much protein is in a garden salad?

Who is eating a garden salad? .... and honestly the makings of a basic garden salad are not the only vegetables in the world...and that wouldn't be the only meal of the day. A statement like "You're not getting healthy fats and proteins eating fruits and veggies" is inaccurate.

fearie_jae

Lifecycle of an MFPer

1. Start out at 1200 calories
2. Complain about how you're "stuffed" at 1200 calories and don't understand why everyone wants you to eat more
3. Make a post calling out the mean people
4. Gradually up your calorie goals when you grow tired of being "stuffed" on asparagus spears
5. Realize that you're still losing weight and feeling much better
6. Try to help 1200 calorie people
7. Get called an arrogant ahole one too many times
8. Retreat to chit-chat forum more or less permanently, only occasionally emerging to lay down a burn

^^^ true story.

LorinaLynn

Who is eating a garden salad? .... and honestly the makings of a basic garden salad are not the only vegetables in the world...and that wouldn't be the only meal of the day. A statement like "You're not getting healthy fats and proteins eating fruits and veggies" is inaccurate.

I've seen a lot of diaries from people who "can't possibly eat another bite" because they're "full of fruit and vegetables," and most of them have been woefully lacking in fats and proteins. But they think they're eating well because they're eating fresh natural foods, but since they're only paying attention to calories, they're not getting balanced nutrition. That's all I'm saying.

CAN someone get a balanced diet eating mostly fruits and veg? Sure. But it takes a lot of careful planning.

LaurenAOK

Who is eating a garden salad? .... and honestly the makings of a basic garden salad are not the only vegetables in the world...and that wouldn't be the only meal of the day. A statement like "You're not getting healthy fats and proteins eating fruits and veggies" is inaccurate.

Actually the statement was "you're not getting healthy fats and protein from a pile of vegetables" which IS mostly accurate. Let's think of the most common vegetables people eat: squash, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, carrots, etc. You can't tell me that those are high in healthy fats or protein. Vegetables are great for you, but not in those particular areas. I realize that there are exceptions, but most people aren't eating those exceptional veggies.

cecimaguina

This topic is so interesting! I'm also on a 1200cal goal a day, and I have to say I've stick to it and still loosing the weight. About feeling full or not: I think it depends on your activity level on that day, some days I'm satisfied (don't want to say full because after eating I really don't need to open up my pants to breath!), but some other days I get hungry.
I've read fitness books and many comments here and from friends & family and the experiences vary a lot.

My conclusion is: LISTEN TO YOUR OWN BODY! and GIVE IT SOME TIME. As anything else in life this is a learning process so just be patient and stick to it - you'll have good days and bad days, the important thing is that you come back every time...doesn't matter what happened.

I'm 5'3" with 1200cal goal, when I first started I noticed I was eating a lot less calories (of course, without my weekly dose of chocolate and Oreos) than what I was supposed to. With some jogging I was able to lose close to 30lbs during the first 3 months (my first 10lbs was before my MFP days), then it all stopped! I was exercising, dieting harder than ever and nothing happened for almost 2 months!!!! How frustrating is that?! I read a blog from one of my MFP friends that I need to calculate my weight, height and BMI (gave me an entire page of equations) to come up with my ideal calorie goal.......it came up to 1450 calories!..........Hey!! I can barely do 1200 and not losing? how am I going to eat 1450 without junk food?!!! Well, during my push to up my calories put me right into the 1200cal a day and surprinsingly I started losing again!! It's much slower than before but I am losing and that's what's important to me now.
Make sure you exercise and not eat your exercise calories, and as far as your calorie intake a day...just play with it, try to do wholesome foods like fruits and veggies but also fish, chicken and meat, I love to snack on hummus with pita bread but I know even though is healthy, hummus contains a lot of calories (a 1/4 cup or 2tbs has close to 150cal), so I do this one once or twice a week and sometimes replace the pita bread for celery sticks; I got oatmeal, protein bars, eggs........sure you'll get to your goal, you'll see.
Set small goals that work for you: every 5 or 10lbs loss....it becomes much easier when you think you "only" need 10lbs to reward yourself.
Hope this helped you and best of luck!

Kamille2007

12,000 calories

Im jealous

LOL

Kamille2007

My question to all of those who offer medical or nutrition advice is, where did you earn your degree? If you have not earned one in one of these fields... SHUT YOUR MOUTHS! Everyone is different, different stroked for different folks... no need to criticize because what works for someone else is different than what you know to work for you... get over yourselves... I don't know who would join a group like this if all they want to do is criticize... I joined for support and to support others... if you have other intentions you should probably take your bullying and all knowing selves somewhere else!

deksgrl

The other thing to think about is... there will be plateaus. What was working usually stops working. At that point, you are already at minimum calories, you can't cut them any further. When you get down to your last 10-15 pounds you need to lose, you can't cut another 200 calories a day. So then what? You will be forever stuck just out of reach of your goal? No, you have to learn a new way. For some people that day is still quite a ways off so they don't worry about it now. But when you get frustrated because you are stuck, think about it.

MoonGypsyQ67

Well I am very sorry that you have had some bad experiences here. I am also rather new and went to see a nutritionist about my unhealthy eating habits. She started me on 1200 cal a day. I agree with many of the posts that say you are going to get conflicting advice from many sources. Make sure you are eating in a healthful way. You could lose weight eating ice cream every day, but is that really the healthiest way? Make sure you are getting your protein, fats, carbs and eat those fruits and veggies! Good luck and I certainly hope that the positive experiences outweigh (no pun intented) the negative ones. Feel free to add me as a friend if you wish. If you really are concerned, talk to your doctor.

witchy_wife

When I first joined MFP I set to 1200 calories and I lost weight. I lost 30lbs and I was really proud of that. But then my losses stopped. I really struggled week after week or trying to stick to my calorie goal when the scales were not moving. And it wasn't like I was near my goal, still had another 40-50lb to go.

I tried exercising harder and I would lose half a pound and the following week have gained it. Impossible..... I was eating 1200 calories a day and working out like crazy.... but the loss just stopped.

I was scared, I had worked hard to lose that weight and didn't want to gain it back. But eventually I listened to people saying it might be too little for you. So I started eating between 1400 - 1500 a day. And you know what.... yep I started losing again without anywhere near as much as the effort as before. Not in the first week, I gained half a pound, but then it started going down again.

So if 1200 is working great for you then listen to your body and if you are happy stick with it. But if you want more food or your weight loss stalls out, just give the higher calories a go. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Oh and for people saying they are too full to possibly eat more calories unless eating junk, that is rubbish. Instead of the low fat salad dressing that is full of rubbish, make one with olive oil, crushed garlic. A small handful of like 25g of nuts can have almost 200 calories. There is a lot of ways to increase calories without having to resort to eating junk food.

QueenofScott

Sorry you've had some ugly comments( I thought this was a place to encourage and cheer each other on. Good for you for our weight loss so far. I say, if it's working, keep it up. By the way, when I plugged in all my numbers MFP put me AG 1200 calories a day. I have not been hungry, and am usually under my goal for the day. I am losing, so it's working....I will keep it up u til I hot a plateau and need to change things up.

cjgillespie

Sorry you've had some ugly comments( I thought this was a place to encourage and cheer each other on. Good for you for our weight loss so far. I say, if it's working, keep it up. By the way, when I plugged in all my numbers MFP put me AG 1200 calories a day. I have not been hungry, and am usually under my goal for the day. I am losing, so it's working....I will keep it up u til I hot a plateau and need to change things up.

THANK YOU. good luck to you as well!

T1mH

My question to all of those who offer medical or nutrition advice is, where did you earn your degree? If you have not earned one in one of these fields... SHUT YOUR MOUTHS! Everyone is different, different stroked for different folks... no need to criticize because what works for someone else is different than what you know to work for you... get over yourselves... I don't know who would join a group like this if all they want to do is criticize... I joined for support and to support others... if you have other intentions you should probably take your bullying and all knowing selves somewhere else!

There wouldn't be many people to talk on here or get support from if we all had to be doctors or certified nutritionists to reply to any question. Even among those supposedly educated there are many opinions of what is right.

This is a great community because of the number of people willing to contribute to it.

supercatie18

I don't really understand how people can be "stuffed" or have to "force" themselves to eat 1200 cals.... if that were the case, you probably wouldn't need to be using a weight loss website....

Brenda_1965

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/751349-30-lbs-in-12-weeks

You'll love my post!

mommy_03

i think it has to do with your lifestyle too cuz i chose moderately active when completing my profile because i clean houses for a living and it set my calories at 1670/day but in reality i only do about 1300 with plenty to spare and i am a 178lb, 5'4" white female trying to shed leftover baby weight

farway

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/751349-30-lbs-in-12-weeks

You'll love my post!

I did, certainly set the cat amongst he pigeons has it not?

FitFabFlirty92

My question to all of those who offer medical or nutrition advice is, where did you earn your degree? If you have not earned one in one of these fields... SHUT YOUR MOUTHS! Everyone is different, different stroked for different folks... no need to criticize because what works for someone else is different than what you know to work for you... get over yourselves... I don't know who would join a group like this if all they want to do is criticize... I joined for support and to support others... if you have other intentions you should probably take your bullying and all knowing selves somewhere else!

People give advice here because people on this board ASK for it. Don't ask for opinions or advice on something that would be better handled by your doctor anyway if you're not willing to take criticism or opposing views.

kaydee_66

It's not always about the calories you're eating, but the food you're eating too. We could all fill up on 1200 calories of "junk" and still feel hungry ... or fill up on 1200 calories of "healthy" and feel fine. Your body, your decision! :flowerforyou:

nerys72

hah. I set my goal for 2 pounds a week (low for my goals but it is what it is) and it set my calorie goal at 2930 IIRC

I changed it to 2000.

imhungry2012

It really frusterates me when people hate on the whole "1200 calorie" thing and talk about starvation mode yada yada. While I agree that under eating can be just as bad as over eating in some ways I also think that it is an unfair statement to say "1200 calories is too low" or "i won't be friends with someone who only eats 1200 calories".

My caloric needs to lose weight being 5 foot 3, 140lbs are much different than my boyfriends 5 foot 10, 215lb body!

I net 1200 cals a day, am making much healthier choices, feeling better, losing weight, working out harder and am proud of it!

Cant0na

It's sad isn't it that we can't all just support one another? I am also on the 1200 calorie plan...some days I spend my extra (my exercised calories) others...I'm struggling to simply consume 1200 calories. If it's working for you stick with it. I began my journey on May 25th...since then I've lost 29.2 lbs...more importantly, I've gone from a very tight size 12 to a 6! Yes, I'm shocked every time I put on pants with a size 6 on the tag and they fit.

If 1200 calories was too low, this former tub-o would be dying by now...I'm not. I rarely feel like I'm very hungry (unless, I'm approaching snack/meal time). I feel great, in fact!

Keep up the good work. If 1200 is working for you...GREAT! Important thing...keep moving and keep the good going in and the bad coming out.

Woot 1200's!

Perfect example of how we are all different.
Just like you I started may 25 th 2012 have lost exactly 29 pounds, I eat about 1500 - 1700 and due to sciatica I do minimal excercise.
Way to go for us! :-)

gatorginger

Most of the people on here are very supportive so don't let any negative remarks bother you. Just keep testing out what works for you and you will be fine

Cindy393

On June 25 of this year, my doctor set a goal for me of 1200 calories a day. I eat healthy foods. I snack on healthy foods every few hours. I work out almost every day, a minimum of 30 minutes a day, usually closer to an hour. I am now down 32 lbs. I do get full sometimes on 1200 calories. I don't feel deprived. I'm doing just fine. Just like everyone says, it's what works for each individual. There should not be any hating because of it. Period, amen.

Juliet321

I'm a short girl (4'10"), 1200 calories works perfect for me

vnakkar

I'm a short girl (4'10"), 1200 calories works perfect for me

This is whats missing from all the 1200 calorie threads I've seen. There seem to be a lot of hobbits on here all eating 1200 calories... Sounds perfect for them. I think height and weight should accompany all calorie posts. Context matters!

JanaCanada

12,000 is the amount of calories I'm on too--

Wow..I want THAT diet! :laugh: :bigsmile:

Aren't typos FUN?!?!

sashatmcg

I completely disagree.... most natural foods are very low in calories and can fill you up.... even stuff you to where you don't want to eat anymore. The calories helps remind you to stick to healthy choices... Not about starving yourself.

sashatmcg

me tooooo!!!!!