Eating around 1200

RachFace1000

Hello, for the last month I've been eating intuitively, and making sure what I eat in clean, and most things are high protein instead of counting my calories and such. It has worked out pretty well so far, I'm a lot stronger, I lost 4 lbs in a month, and an inch off my hips.
So the other day I decided to log my food and found that I'm eating close to 1200 cals a day (give or take a hundred). I'm 18 years old and 5'9, so that definitely does NOT sound like I'm getting enough. But here's the thing, I'm never hungry. I don't feel tired, and I'm getting stronger through my weight training. Do you guys think I should still try to squeeze more calories in there?
Thanks for your input!

AmyRhubarb

I think 1200 is too low for most people. It's likely that your BMR is higher than 1200, so you might want to bump it up to at least that level.

There's a great topic here for calculating how much you should be eating and setting your goals - this might help: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

KenosFeoh

With no negative symptoms to complain of, it sounds like you're doing fine on around 1200.

Matt_Wild

For most people 1200 is not enough for most people who are not hobbits.

Use this - http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

Subtract around 300-400 calories below your total daily expenditure (the figure it gives at the end of the maths). Watch the fat come off slowly and steadily.

Do not be tempted to drop the calories lower until you get a two week halt - weight loss is not liner - and then ONLY by 5-10% per drop. That will be enough.

Simples.

BurtHuttz

That sounds way too low to me, but the bell curve exists for a reason and people do live in those tiny narrow tails.

paxbfl

With no negative symptoms to complain of, it sounds like you're doing fine on around 1200.

I'm sort of in the same boat... I'm a big guy with a higher BMR but I'm consistently netting under it. I think the important thing is to be CAUTIOUS and be aware that eating under BMR is probably not sustainable over the long-term.

I'm still doing it because it's working for me, but if I noticed any negative symptoms such as fatigue, loss of strength or no weight-loss, I'm going to bump the calories up.

PriceK01

I've been doing 1200, too. We're similar in size, I'm 5'10" and started at 160 (but at 44, I'm a lot older than you!). I do try to eat back all of my exercise calories, and measure my burns with a Polar HRM. Eating relatively clean, 1200 does not feel like a deficit to me and it's sometimes hard for me to eat back the exercise calories as I'm just not hungry.

I'm down 10 pounds now, and would like to lose another 10-15. I'm thinking I will stay at 1200 until there or plateau, then I will start upping it by 100 every two weeks to see how things go.

Matt_Wild

With no negative symptoms to complain of, it sounds like you're doing fine on around 1200.

I'm sort of in the same boat... I'm a big guy with a higher BMR but I'm consistently netting under it. I think the important thing is to be CAUTIOUS and be aware that eating under BMR is probably not sustainable over the long-term.

I'm still doing it because it's working for me, but if I noticed any negative symptoms such as fatigue, loss of strength or no weight-loss, I'm going to bump the calories up.

When weight loss stops at 1200 calories - where do you go? More cardio? What happens after you increase cardio? More cardio? Less calories?

Long term is key like you say

RVfrog

the dietitian did a body test and I need 1267 calories daily.....and she put me on 1200. I'm thinking I'll never lose any weight but time will tell. I do get some exercise in so I'm not sure . She also told me if I was not hungry don't eat. Just telling you what I was told. Hope it helps.

kristen6022

Being 5'9 that's definitely too low. I lost my last 10 pounds in 3 months eating 1500-1600 calories and I'm 5'11 and 34 years old. Being 18 your metabolism is naturally must faster than mine. You could really afford to eat more and I bet you you'll feel even better and stronger quicker!

osualex

If you're having trouble, just eat more calorie-dense foods such as whole eggs, peanut butter, meat with some fat (if you eat meat). I think 1400 minimum would be better for a girl of your height.

katz22

In my opinion 1200 can be ok for a short amount of time, to drop weight, and you have not reported any negatives. Although I tried a few calculators and for your height and age say 1200 is bmr for someone around 100lbs, so perhaps it will not be sustainable.

NeverGivesUp

If it ain't broke then don't fix it!!! Listen to your body above and beyond the advice here. One pound a week is great, not too much and not too little. Maybe you are eating more than you think you are, but seriously if it isn't broken, don't mess with what is working. When it stops working then you can switch it up.

Congrats on the loss so far and feeling great. If you aren't hungry then there is no using forcing calories down your throat for the hell of it.

Matt_Wild

Eat more than 1200 calories, more likely around 1700-1800 for most women. Preserve lean body mass. Once dieted down you can then revert to a higher amount of calories without putting on fat. Fat loss will be around the same as 1200.

OR

Burn lean body mass, have a lower BMR and thus TDEE and put on fat much easier.

Your call.