1200 is not difficult.
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Glad you can stick with it, but some of us prefer to minimize lean mass losses and would rather lose slower to do so.
THIS
Because I am eating more, almost all of my losses have been strictly fat loss and not muscle (according to my monthly bio impedence analysis tests).
You might be feeling fine and able to do 1200 just fine...but what it is doing to your metabolism and loss of muscle mass the main issue.
She blatantly doesn't care!! As long as the scale goes down it's all good!! Completely mad, just to say hey i'm losing 2 lbs a week!!
let me ask you a question. You look very fit in your profile pic btw. anyway, so lets say your neighbor asks you for help losing weight. She's very overweight- say 400lbs. she doesn't really work out and she's in her 50s.
would you tell her to set her sights on losing .5lbs a week and keeping whatever muscle mass she has (which wasn't much, since she wasn't athletic by any means), or would you tell her to lose 2lbs per week for now, until she gets rid of some of the excess fat?
Just want to make a point here. Most obese people carry a LOT more lean mass than people of a healthy weight. They just also carry a lot of fat so they don't "look" muscled, and they are untrained. Their body fat to lean mass ratio is very different. To use your example, that 400 lb woman is probably somewhere in the 40-60% BF (body fat) range, which means her LEAN MASS is approximately 160-240 lbs. That's more than most athletes weigh total. People who are morbidly obese have larger organs and usually have larger muscle as well. It takes a LOT of strength to haul around 400 lbs every time you walk. Just because someone isn't an athlete or appears to be doesn't mean they don't have a lot of lean mass.
Also, yes, everyone should be concerned about preservation of lean mass no matter how large they are. The longer you diet and more lean mass you lose, the lower your BMR gets along the way. After 100+ lbs come off (eating at a very low calorie level and no strength training), you're talking about having a BMR that significantly lower than someone who managed to preserve more lean mass and burn more fat. That makes a huge difference in how much you can eat and maintain your weight long-term. This is why people who crash diet often end up failing at maintenance. The estimates for their BMR can be off up to 40%.
People with a lot more weight to lose can get away with a VLCD (very low calorie diet) to drop a lot of weight quickly, but it's not intended to be used long-term, and this along with the leptin argument made earlier is why.0 -
let me ask you a question. You look very fit in your profile pic btw. anyway, so lets say your neighbor asks you for help losing weight. She's very overweight- say 400lbs. she doesn't really work out and she's in her 50s.
would you tell her to set her sights on losing .5lbs a week and keeping whatever muscle mass she has (which wasn't much, since she wasn't athletic by any means), or would you tell her to lose 2lbs per week for now, until she gets rid of some of the excess fat?
At 400 lbs, at 5'5, BMR would be over 2500. Add in activity and this person could easy eat a 1000 calories deficit per day for a 2 lb a week weight loss and not be near 1200 calories.
2lbs a week goal is an appropriate goal with a lot of weight to lose and minimize muscle loss. Once you get under 50 lbs left to lose is when the goal should lower.
Edited to add - the suggestion for .5 lbs a week is for those with under 20 lbs left to lose
that's what I would think too. Thanks.0 -
Anyway, this thread has been done to death, you weight loss experts can carry on feeling stuffed to the brim on 1200 and I shall happily carry on eating my 2000 a day and we shall all live happily ever after. :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:0
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I am female, 29 y/o, about 5'9"/5'10" and weigh 226. For me, personally, 1200 is much too low for my height/size/weight/gender. i also have about 30% body fat and checking around the web, and for me exercising at least 3x a week, I need about 2100 cals to maintain, 1800 to lose 1lb a week, and 1550 to lose 2lbs a week. So 1200 would not work for me. I have tried and it will work for a few days but if I have high and low days, I tend to go way over on the high days. I would rather lose weight slowly, and slowly build lean muscle mass, than lose it too quick and have my skin hanging on me (not saying that you do). This is just for me PERSONALLY. and for ME, 1200 IS difficult and not healthy FOR ME if I want to lose the weight right.0
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Anyway, this thread has been done to death, you weight loss experts can carry on feeling stuffed to the brim on 1200 and I shall happily carry on eating my 2000 a day and we shall all live happily ever after. :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:
good. as i said in my original post...
" I'm not saying that a person with less to lose should restrict as much, but for me,... "
and there we have it. you're doing a great job!0 -
1200 calorie diet - you will lose weight fast, along with muscle, bone and maybe some hair as well. You'll mess up your metabolism big time and once you hit that number on the scale you're looking for - it will look nothing like you imagined. Been there done that....I remember thinking why am I still fat when I weigh 130 pounds. Because I still had high body fat % and lost a huge amount of lean muscle mass. Not pretty. Slow and steady is the key!!!! No need to deprive yourself. "But I'm not hungry"......yea I know. Your body has been in such a severe deficit for so long if doesn't recognize hunger.
DO IT THE HEALTHY, SENSIBLE AND INTELLIGENT WAY!!!!0 -
i'm sure its been said 1000 times already in this thread but your calorie needs are based on activity level and body mass composition. 1200 calories will be all one body needs to fuel it self and yet not half enough for another. really pointless to just throw out a number and say 'this is too much' or too little. i eat between 2000-2500 a day and i sometimes feel like i'm not eating enough.0
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So i'm just going to throw it out there. I agree that i can eat 1200 cal a day and lose weight. I lost 75lbs doing this 3 years ago. I did gain some back and recently when i went back to this method i couldn't lose. I went to my DR and dietitian and was advised to eat my TDEE also that i'm not just to eat a yogart for breakfast as I usually do as your body needs a combo of foods within one meal in order to be able to process it better. IE a grain, protein and a dairy. so YES i can eat 1200 a day and feel satisifed i hear what your saying but eventually it does back fire and you will have to gain some back inorder to go into mainatance or lose again. I'm eating 1500-1600 cal a day now and am losing more weight then ever (about 2.3 lbs per week). I thought I was good with 1200 but clearly my body needed more and if I can lose more eating at 1600 then 1200 then clearly that is the way to go and I'm now able to hit my nutrition targets.
...Not difficult by any means but your not getting all your nutrience
Exactly this.
I don't recall anyone saying everyone should eat a set number. Of course we ALL know that our bodies are different but many people here DO need to eat more.
One can say they are having success eating less than what your brain functions on daily, good for you. But I am living proof and I see it daily here, that you WILL plateau and WILL start to gain back. Once you hit your goal, it will be impossible to maintain.0 -
i'm sure its been said 1000 times already in this thread but your calorie needs are based on activity level and body mass composition.
^ This.
Educate yourself people. Please for all things holy, educate yourself...0 -
Anyway, this thread has been done to death, you weight loss experts can carry on feeling stuffed to the brim on 1200 and I shall happily carry on eating my 2000 a day and we shall all live happily ever after. :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:
I'm with you!!!! I just jump on these 1200 threads once in awhile to try and talk some sense into people. But really.....it's been done to death. Starve yourself if you want. I'm going to go eat a Mrs. Field's White chocolate macadamia cookie........0 -
THIS!Glad you can stick with it, but some of us prefer to minimize lean mass losses and would rather lose slower to do so.
THIS
Because I am eating more, almost all of my losses have been strictly fat loss and not muscle (according to my monthly bio impedence analysis tests).
You might be feeling fine and able to do 1200 just fine...but what it is doing to your metabolism and loss of muscle mass the main issue.
I stick with a 1200 diet plan (as stated in my last message), lift weights daily and feel stronger then ever. As long as people feed their muscles with whey isolate afterwords. It can be done.
Well you certainly won't be building any new muscle at that kind of deficit, protein shake or not.
I'm only 5 ft and I don't have a lot of weight to lose so i'm defiantly not depleting my body of anything. I make sure I eat lean protein with every meal. Like I mentioned before, everyone is different. In my case and many others it can be done. if done PROPERLY, End of.
Didn't say it didn't work for you, or you weren't losing, just that you won't build muscle on a diet of 1200. Sorry if the truth is painful to you!
The proof is in my pudding, I have gained muscles. I'm not trying to look like a wrestling star. In that case of course I'd have to eat more and adjust my diet etc. I'm sure most women like myself just want to get tonned and lose some lbs and I have accomplished this. To each their own.0 -
I started a month ago, but not able to lose more that one pound. It really frustrating specialy for this week end I won't be able to work out and today I got 1400 for Lunch at Milestones restaurent with my team.
If you have any advice ?????0 -
The proof is in my pudding, I have gained muscles. I'm not trying to look like a wrestling star. In that case of course I'd have to eat more and adjust my diet etc. I'm sure most women like myself just want to get tonned and lose some lbs and I have accomplished this. To each their own.
Unless you got a body scan before and after to prove it, you did NOT gain any muscle on a calorie deficit, especially at 1200 calories per day. Strength gains are not muscle gains. Muscle appearing "firmer" is not muscle gains either. That's the muscle tissue retaining more water for repair.0 -
The proof is in my pudding, I have gained muscles. I'm not trying to look like a wrestling star. In that case of course I'd have to eat more and adjust my diet etc. I'm sure most women like myself just want to get tonned and lose some lbs and I have accomplished this. To each their own.
Unless you got a body scan before and after to prove it, you did NOT gain any muscle on a calorie deficit, especially at 1200 calories per day. Strength gains are not muscle gains. Muscle appearing "firmer" is not muscle gains either. That's the muscle tissue retaining more water for repair.
I
you. You say what I want to only so much better. 0 -
Every person is different - every body, workout, diet, life situation, etc. is different. For those who have trouble meeting 1,200 calories - below or above - let's give them encouragement, support, love, and advice.0
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Anyway, this thread has been done to death, you weight loss experts can carry on feeling stuffed to the brim on 1200 and I shall happily carry on eating my 2000 a day and we shall all live happily ever after. :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:
I'm with you!!!! I just jump on these 1200 threads once in awhile to try and talk some sense into people. But really.....it's been done to death. Starve yourself if you want. I'm going to go eat a Mrs. Field's White chocolate macadamia cookie........
There are 38g of carbs in one of those cookies. I am only allowed 45 total in an entire meal and only 15 per snack. So do enjoy your cookie because those of us that are T2 have to be a bit more sensible.
There are exceptions to every POV.0 -
Glad you can stick with it, but some of us prefer to minimize lean mass losses and would rather lose slower to do so.
Some of us actually have a hard time affording food and also eating that much food. What I find works for me so far is making healthier -choices- with my food. Those who say it's not that expensive to eat healthy must have better places to shop. I also lose slow, not fast.
I also feel like there are so many different types of diets and even nutritionist backed plans, new research all the time, that we all -think- we know exactly what is best, but I'm sure next year or so we'll learn that what we thought was best wasn't. It's constantly changing and I've seen so many different ideas about what is right and healthy just on this board.0 -
I'm losing weight on 1450 a day (and it was 1480 but I've reduced it a bit now I've lost 18lbs). And most days I go over that my 100 cals. I was hungry on 1200 net when I tried that at the start!
Plus I'm not doing this as a diet. Over the last 4 1/2 months I've seriously changed my eating habits so I don't put this weight back on. I don't know how anyone can eat 1200 or less for good!0 -
I started a month ago, but not able to lose more that one pound. It really frustrating specialy for this week end I won't be able to work out and today I got 1400 for Lunch at Milestones restaurent with my team.
If you have any advice ?????
I'd let people know at work that you're on a diet and perhaps next time they can pick a healthier place to eat. Check out the restaurants nutritional info online before you go and try to pick the healthiest option on the menu. Have a glass of water before you eat so you'll feel fuller, and if you order salad ask for the dressing on the side. I was amazed at how many cals were in my last salad I ordered out because of the dressing and it was a low fat one to boot. Good Luck0 -
>>Strength gains are not muscle gains. Muscle appearing "firmer" is not muscle gains either. That's the muscle tissue retaining >>more water for repair.
So if I am able to squat or curl more weight it does not mean that I gained muscle?0 -
I'm on the 1200 calorie diet as well. I eat every 2 hours that I'm awake and I'm never hungry. It's about portion control. I work in an office and don't get exercise unless I'm getting up to pull something from a file cabinet or a copy machine. I'm gluten intolerant, celiac disease, ulcers, obese, etc.
My current exercise regiment is walking each of my two dogs a half mile each. myfitnesspal.com allows extra calories if your exercising. I've lost 14 lbs. in 3 weeks with willpower and a pair of tennis shoes. My grocery bill has gone down (which blew my mind) because I'm making all my own food.
Before someone says, 'I don't have time," you have to make time. I'm a single mother of 2 who works 55 hours a week. If I can do it, you can do it! All my other diets and exercise regiments failed.0 -
OK she is not going to put herself in starvation mode and mess up her metabolism by eating 1200 calories a day. Some people don't like much breakfast - nothing wrong if eating light breakfast works for you. I personally like eating more because that's what I like but I also think to each their own. Unless someone has an eating disorder - I support them. And eating a sensible 1200 calories diet is not an eating disorder.0
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I go crazy cranky on 12000
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I was doing 1200 a day...of course I'm 5'11" so it was difficult...
I swear I must have started as a boy and somewhere along the way my DNA said 'Eh...never mind let's go this way.'
1700 has me losing 2-4 pounds a week, but I'm very active.
I don't have the sugar or carb cravings either because I feel full.
I think everyone needs to do what's best for them and stop focusing on what other people are doing.
Who cares what other people think of what you're doing ...?
People have told me that when I have an emotional binge I HAVE to log it or I won't know how bad it was and I'll keep doing it. I've had one emotional binge in three months, and it just so happens that regardless of everyone's opinions (Though I respect them) I know what's best for me. I've paid close attention to my body, shifted my calorie and macro goals and come up with a routine where I feel full, get what my body needs, and is working pretty well. I know that because of what I've learned on this site, personally I know the damage, and it hurts my progress more to see it on here then it does to just know it myself.
If everyone does that for themselves, that's where the real life style change takes place.
Not at this certain calorie goal for this height and this lifestyle.0 -
>>Strength gains are not muscle gains. Muscle appearing "firmer" is not muscle gains either. That's the muscle tissue retaining >>more water for repair.
So if I am able to squat or curl more weight it does not mean that I gained muscle?
Yes, that is correct. Strength gain does not necessarily mean muscle gain. Hoping someone will chime in who can explain it much better than me.0 -
OP, I completely agree with you. 1200 isnt hard for me to do either. Just depends on what I choose to eat as there isnt much wiggle room. But I often eat 1200 and never feel hungry. And i don't think your post was offensive or condescending at all. Not sure why people get so upset by people who eat 1200. I dont care how many calories people eat. Do what works for you. The end.0
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i know this is a calorie counting site... its what its for. but honestly i just use it to track my food, not so much my cals, i mean it gives me something to look at for sure. but i try to stick close to the Michael Therman's six week body makeover. It is all about portions and keeping your body constantly fueled. when i first entered my days i was averaging 800 cals a DAY! i was worried, im not gunna lie. but i eat every 2-3 hrs and im not hungry it is a VERY strict program and i have modified so i can mentally stick to it but i still average 1000 cals a day.(now i still have CRAVINGS) but that is where modifications have come in. i have lost 80lbs using this method. i have more energy than ever and as far as muscle mass, i feel i can still lift just fine on my body sculpting days.0
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mmmm... cookies.Starve yourself if you want. I'm going to go eat a Mrs. Field's White chocolate macadamia cookie........0 -
>>Strength gains are not muscle gains. Muscle appearing "firmer" is not muscle gains either. That's the muscle tissue retaining >>more water for repair.
So if I am able to squat or curl more weight it does not mean that I gained muscle?
Yes, that is correct. Strength gain does not necessarily mean muscle gain. Hoping someone will chime in who can explain it much better than me.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/426093-does-building-strength-necessarily-mean-building-muscle-mass/
In a nutshell... ^^^this.0 -
The proof is in my pudding, I have gained muscles. I'm not trying to look like a wrestling star. In that case of course I'd have to eat more and adjust my diet etc. I'm sure most women like myself just want to get tonned and lose some lbs and I have accomplished this. To each their own.
Unless you got a body scan before and after to prove it, you did NOT gain any muscle on a calorie deficit, especially at 1200 calories per day. Strength gains are not muscle gains. Muscle appearing "firmer" is not muscle gains either. That's the muscle tissue retaining more water for repair.
Why would I need to prove it? or lie for that matter, this is a personal journey for me. There are too many moonlighting fitness pros on these boards. Everyone needs to do what works for them. Take advice with a grain of salt . I know I have built muscles since I could hardly lift a 10 pound dumbbell before and now I can press 50plus and do 70plus on most machines.0
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