Less than 1200 calories

rr0831

So I'm sure that this has probably been asked before, but I couldn't see where.

I'm averaging about 900- 1000 calories a day, with 200 left over on rest days, and up to 500 left over in excess if I've been to the gym (my average work out burns 350 calories.)

I'm not hungry at all, probably because I'm eating a lot of vegetables, and I'm not craving anything. Should I just eat more for the sake of making it to 1200? I'm worried about the idea that I'll be eating too little to achieve weight loss. It seems counter intuitive to eat for the sake of more calories.

DrBroPHD

Are you under 4 feet tall?

Chief_Rocka

Eating intuitively is a bad idea for most people.

CoachReddy

Eating intuitively is a bad idea for most people.

true.

there's not a single human on earth that benefits from eating fewer that 1000 calories/day. (i'm personally against the whole 1200 argument too)

look up your BMR. (http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/) That should be the LOWEST number of calories you eat daily.

taso42

Yes eat more. But not for the sake of hitting an arbitrary number like 1200; it's for the sake of health and nutrition.

CoachReddy

Yes eat more. But not for the sake of hitting an arbitrary number like 1200; it's for the sake of health and nutrition.

holy crap - the three of us (fire rock included) just agreed on something. :laugh:

sbjmorgan

Haven't seen a person yet that can pack in all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbs, healthy fats and protein into 1000 cals a day - you're depleting your body of something, whether it's calcium, vitamin D, protein to build muscle or healthy fats to keep your brain going. Keep that in mind.

psv1012

My doctor told me to never eat less than 1200 calories a day, however,I do have the same issue with exercise and net calories. I average 1100 or so calories a day after workout (MFP has my calorie target at 1280). I have been losing pretty consitantly. I have been on the program for 6 months and have lost 44 pounds, grant it I have alot more weight to lose than it appears you do (I have another 50 to go). I think eating just to reach a number is not ideal. Try eating high protein foods,low in fat but higher in calorie. When i do that I seem to be meeting the numbers naturally. Hope this helps.

Chief_Rocka

Yes eat more. But not for the sake of hitting an arbitrary number like 1200; it's for the sake of health and nutrition.

holy crap - the three of us (fire rock included) just agreed on something. :laugh:

woah, cowboy

stormynytes4ever

Haven't seen a person yet that can pack in all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbs, healthy fats and protein into 1000 cals a day - you're depleting your body of something, whether it's calcium, vitamin D, protein to build muscle or healthy fats to keep your brain going. Keep that in mind.

Take a look at my diary then. My bloodtests always come back fine.

MB_Positif

Yes eat more. But not for the sake of hitting an arbitrary number like 1200; it's for the sake of health and nutrition.

holy crap - the three of us (fire rock included) just agreed on something. :laugh:

They're the three best friends that anyone can have...

Edit: yes, try to eat more food. If you don't want to add another meal, up your calories of what you already eat...for example, put a spoonful of peanut butter in oatmeal or an extra slice of cheese on a sandwich.

CoachReddy

Haven't seen a person yet that can pack in all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbs, healthy fats and protein into 1000 cals a day - you're depleting your body of something, whether it's calcium, vitamin D, protein to build muscle or healthy fats to keep your brain going. Keep that in mind.

Take a look at my diary then. My bloodtests always come back fine.

lol you take 800 supplements a day instead of eating. if you just ate those foods instead, you'd lose weight faster.

sandradev1

If you look under the APP tab of this website and scroll down, on the right hand side you will see a BMR calculator. Click on this, it already has your information filled in and all you need to do is press CALCULATE. This will give you your BMR number which is the amount of calories that you body would need if you were in a coma just to keep your vital organs and breathing healthy.

You could also google BMR to see how important this amount of calories is to our bodies. Then you can consider how many calories you think you should be eating to lose weight and remain healthy.

It is true that if you eat less calories you may still lose weight, but you will also lose muscle mass and when you reach your goal you could well be 'skinny fat' and be disappointed that your body does not look how you thought it would. On the other hand if you were to eat at a healthy calorie goal, you will retain more of your muscle mass, stay healthy and be more likely to keep the weight off. :drinker:

I know that I choose to eat healthy and retain my muscles

vim_n_vigor

You are pretty young. You are a pretty girl with beautiful hair if that is you in your profile picture. I am assuming these are things you like - nice skin, nice hair. Do you know what just one of the problems that you can face by eating too little and not getting the proper fats and nutrients into your diet? That beautiful hair will start to dry out. You'll start to find more and more of it in the drain after you shower and in your brush when you fix your hair. You'll realize that you are losing your hair. You'll also over time start to notice dry skin that just doesn't glow anymore. You know why? There are just things you need in your diet that 900 calories a day just isn't going to get you. This is about much more than losing weight, this is about your health. If you want children someday, another thing is that you can totally mess up your reproductive system for the rest of your life by not getting essential nutrients now. For your health, you need to eat food, you need fats in your diet, and you need to take care of yourself, even though sometimes it isn't what you want to do.

vim_n_vigor

Haven't seen a person yet that can pack in all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbs, healthy fats and protein into 1000 cals a day - you're depleting your body of something, whether it's calcium, vitamin D, protein to build muscle or healthy fats to keep your brain going. Keep that in mind.

Take a look at my diary then. My bloodtests always come back fine.

I don't know your age, but if you are significantly older than the OP, you won't face the same lifelong issues she could by not eating now.

Controversial

*shakes head and walks away*

rr0831

Thanks guys- I really appreciate the help.

I'll try getting some more nuts/healthy fats etc into my meals.

vim_n_vigor

Thanks guys- I really appreciate the help.

I'll try getting some more nuts/healthy fats etc into my meals.

Yay!

Warchortle

It's fine if you like crashing your metabolism and feel like that is sustainable forever. You can have high and low days to keep your weekly average above 1200 as long as it's through whole foods. I can eat probably 1,000 calories daily and still workout normally, but my body CRAVES food when I workout like The Hulk and I bump my food to 1800.

fightininggirl

I am doing the Maker's diet and i can eat as much as I want on the approved list and not have to calorie count. so far I lost 23 pounds with it. I have my diary set to friends only so you are welcome to take a look. from 1/13 and on. I also listed the phase 1,2 foods in my blog here on mfp.

I did up my calories a bit to 1400 calories to help me aim a bit better on my eating calories. If I eat healthy and hit 1200 calories then so be it.

CoachReddy

I am doing the Maker's diet and i can eat as much as I want on the approved list and not have to calorie count. so far I lost 23 pounds with it. I have my diary set to friends only so you are welcome to take a look. from 1/13 and on. I also listed the phase 1,2 foods in my blog here on mfp.

I did up my calories a bit to 1400 calories to help me aim a bit better on my eating calories. If I eat healthy and hit 1200 calories then so be it.

what's your plan when you're done with the diet?

brower47

I said I wouldn't do it... but if you are just starting out, you likely won't feel like you're hungry after that many calories but in two, three weeks, you might suddenly find that >2000 calories doesn't leave you feeling full. That's you're body waking up and realizing that you've been depriving it. Those sorts of cravings aren't nearly as likely if you don't do such a drastic cut to calories. You could be potentially sabotaging your weight loss goals in the long run by cutting back your calories so drastically.

Also, no diet of this low of calories should be done without medical supervision to make sure you are meeting all of your dietary needs, both in your macros and your micro nutrients. Since most people lose weight to get healthier, it would be ironic if your journey left you less healthy in the long run.

**hope this hasn't been considered bashing**

twoss9112

If you look under the APP tab of this website and scroll down, on the right hand side you will see a BMR calculator. Click on this, it already has your information filled in and all you need to do is press CALCULATE. This will give you your BMR number which is the amount of calories that you body would need if you were in a coma just to keep your vital organs and breathing healthy.

Something is wrong with this app, then!

It's telling me my BMR is 1358. That cannot be right - 1358 is my number AFTER I take off the 500 calorie deficit, according to every other calculator on earth. If that were right, then my deficit number would be 858. MFP gave me a 1200 calorie/day goal, originally.

CoachReddy

If you look under the APP tab of this website and scroll down, on the right hand side you will see a BMR calculator. Click on this, it already has your information filled in and all you need to do is press CALCULATE. This will give you your BMR number which is the amount of calories that you body would need if you were in a coma just to keep your vital organs and breathing healthy.

Something is wrong with this app, then!

It's telling me my BMR is 1358. That cannot be right - 1358 is my number AFTER I take off the 500 calorie deficit, according to every other calculator on earth. If that were right, then my deficit number would be 858. MFP gave me a 1200 calorie/day goal, originally.

that actually does seem right-ish. what do the other calculators say your BMR is?

stormynytes4ever

Haven't seen a person yet that can pack in all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbs, healthy fats and protein into 1000 cals a day - you're depleting your body of something, whether it's calcium, vitamin D, protein to build muscle or healthy fats to keep your brain going. Keep that in mind.

Take a look at my diary then. My bloodtests always come back fine.

lol you take 800 supplements a day instead of eating. if you just ate those foods instead, you'd lose weight faster.

It's more like 4, dear, and 22 lbs since December 1st is pretty darn fast. :-p

meg7399

MFP will never allow someone to go lower than 1200 calories. if something calculates lower they still put you at 1200.

MightyDomo

I agree with those that suggest eating your BMR at minimum and making your maximum your TDEE - (10-20)%.

If you calculate your activity level into your TDEE you'd never have to eat back any regular calories you burn but only those above and beyond the regular.

It also is way harder without supplementation to eat all the vitamins and minerals you need in a day. I try to eat over 1500 at least everyday and I still have trouble getting all the vitamins and minerals I need. But over time I will easily be eating more and will get what I need from my diet and not a pill.

Be good to your body and it will be good to you

katiess1128

I'm a small person (only 5'2 at 23 years old) and I find that most days, I don't eat more than 1000-1100 calories. I work out for about 45-60 minutes a day, depending on the day, and I'm losing weight slowly (about 1.5lb per week) but my clothes are fitting much better and I FEEL better overall. I know that everything I've read says to consume 1200 calories or more, but I see where you're coming from and honestly- my body feels better than it ever has. There are definitely some days where I pack in some more healthy fats (natural peanut butter, avocado, etc.) but for the most part I tend to average closer to the 1000-1100 range. You're not alone

meg7399

Haven't seen a person yet that can pack in all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbs, healthy fats and protein into 1000 cals a day - you're depleting your body of something, whether it's calcium, vitamin D, protein to build muscle or healthy fats to keep your brain going. Keep that in mind.

Take a look at my diary then. My bloodtests always come back fine.

lol you take 800 supplements a day instead of eating. if you just ate those foods instead, you'd lose weight faster.

It's more like 4, dear, and 22 lbs since December 1st is pretty darn fast. :-p

But you aren't meeting your macros...you are always way off. Also I think the point about losing weight faster is in the long term. I owuld be concerned about that much weight loss in such a short time. Its not smart and its not something you can keep going. Eventually you will stall and palteau

MightyDomo

Haven't seen a person yet that can pack in all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbs, healthy fats and protein into 1000 cals a day - you're depleting your body of something, whether it's calcium, vitamin D, protein to build muscle or healthy fats to keep your brain going. Keep that in mind.

Take a look at my diary then. My bloodtests always come back fine.

lol you take 800 supplements a day instead of eating. if you just ate those foods instead, you'd lose weight faster.

It's more like 4, dear, and 22 lbs since December 1st is pretty darn fast. :-p

Hmmm, have you talked to a doctor, endocrinologist and nutritionist about this and they all agree it is healthy and can last long term?

** I have also been eating loads and I am currently at 18 lbs lost since December 1st.

stormynytes4ever

As a matter of fact, I have. Everything checks out fine and I'm feeling better than I have in years. What I'm doing works for me and I am not going to force myself to eat when I'm not hungry.