MFP recommending 1200 calls

michaelalouise3915
michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
But a lot of people on here say that's not enough ? Is this something I should follow or not? Sorry if it's a really dumb question, Im not clued up with this.

I'm currently 174lbs, 5ft 4 gw: 140
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Replies

  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    What did you pick for your weight loss goal, 2 pounds, 1 pound or half a pound a week?
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    2, which I understand is enough to burn 3500 a week. But if so many people say it doesn't work, should I upp my calories? I was previously eating a hell of a lot more.
  • hulkweazel
    hulkweazel Posts: 36 Member
    Read

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

    /thread
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    Read

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

    /thread


    I don't understand why mfp have it as an option if it doesnt work. I'll give it a read thankyou :)
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    2, which I understand is enough to burn 3500 a week. But if so many people say it doesn't work, should I upp my calories? I was previously eating a hell of a lot more.

    Try picking a less aggressive weight loss goal. Try a half a pound(or even a pound) a week - it will give you more daily calories, you will probably feel better than if you tried for 2 pounds a week, and it will give you a better chance of long term success.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    For some people it's appropriate. But the reason people get that as a goal is because it's the bare minimum number MFP will give you. If you pick a goal that's too ambitious and then you pick sedentary you get the minimum.

    My advise is to pick your activity level honestly, and chose 1 lb/week as your goal.
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    Read

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

    /thread


    I don't understand why mfp have it as an option if it doesnt work. I'll give it a read thankyou :)

    MFP is just a tool, it runs numbers. It isn't necessarily giving you what will work best for you. It's going by how many pounds you want to lose a week and subtracting the appropriate deficit from your calorie goal. It won't go less than 1200 for legal reasons I believe.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    2, which I understand is enough to burn 3500 a week. But if so many people say it doesn't work, should I upp my calories? I was previously eating a hell of a lot more.

    It wld actually be 7000. 3500 is typically for 1 lbs a week.

    Since you don't have a lot to lose (I know might feel otherwise), a smaller goal like 1 - 1.5 lbs per week is suggested. 2 lbs is more for people who have much more to lose.

    Plus, keep in mind that MFP is designed so you eat calories accumulated by exercise as well. So anyone doing any type of exercise would eat more than the number MFP suggests.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Read

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

    /thread


    I don't understand why mfp have it as an option if it doesnt work. I'll give it a read thankyou :)

    MFP is just a tool, it runs numbers. It isn't necessarily giving you what will work best for you. It's going by how many pounds you want to lose a week and subtracting the appropriate deficit from your calorie goal. It won't go less than 1200 for legal reasons I believe.

    This. The site depends on you to imput correct numbers and choose appropriate goals.
    Many people select sedentary when they are more likely lightly active. And many choose the highest goal when it's not always ideal.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Read

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

    /thread


    I don't understand why mfp have it as an option if it doesnt work. I'll give it a read thankyou :)

    MFP is just a tool, it runs numbers. It isn't necessarily giving you what will work best for you. It's going by how many pounds you want to lose a week and subtracting the appropriate deficit from your calorie goal. It won't go less than 1200 for legal reasons I believe.

    This. The site depends on you to imput correct numbers and choose appropriate goals.
    Many people select sedentary when they are more likely lightly active. And many choose the highest goal when it's not always ideal.

    Also, as I mentioned, the site anticipates you will exercise and earn more calories although exercise is not required.


    ETA - also, it's not that 1200 won't work, it just might not be ideal for a lot of people for a number of reasons
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    That all makes sense, thank you for the replies :)

    I'm hoping to be 140 by say September time, so 1/1.5 could still help. Thanks again.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    2, which I understand is enough to burn 3500 a week. But if so many people say it doesn't work, should I upp my calories? I was previously eating a hell of a lot more.

    1200 calories worked fine for me. I lost 26% of my body weight. Never hungry, full of energy. I'm on maintenance now. No problems. So evidently, it does work for some of us.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    For some people it's appropriate. But the reason people get that as a goal is because it's the bare minimum number MFP will give you. If you pick a goal that's too ambitious and then you pick sedentary you get the minimum.

    My advise is to pick your activity level honestly, and chose 1 lb/week as your goal.

    This, this, a thousand times this!
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    2, which I understand is enough to burn 3500 a week. But if so many people say it doesn't work, should I upp my calories? I was previously eating a hell of a lot more.

    1200 calories worked fine for me. I lost 26% of my body weight. Never hungry, full of energy. I'm on maintenance now. No problems. So evidently, it does work for some of us.

    Yes, it does work for some people. But losing 2 pounds a week for someone who is looking to lose 30/40 pounds is still a very ambitious goal. So, it's possible the deficit may end up being too large for some people.
  • borichfan
    borichfan Posts: 208 Member
    I lost 95 lbs. in an 18 month period eating 1200 calories a day & it worked well for me.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    2, which I understand is enough to burn 3500 a week. But if so many people say it doesn't work, should I upp my calories? I was previously eating a hell of a lot more.

    1200 calories worked fine for me. I lost 26% of my body weight. Never hungry, full of energy. I'm on maintenance now. No problems. So evidently, it does work for some of us.

    You are 58 yrs old, she is 21 yrs old so this makes a BIG difference in how much she should eat.
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    Sedentary would be appropriate for me I think? Pilates 5x a week, and gym 3-4 but this changes when im on nights. I'm a nurse so I'm on my feet most of the day pottering about (and quite often restraining which damn, really makes me sweat!)
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    I lost 95 lbs. in an 18 month period eating 1200 calories a day & it worked well for me.

    Wow that's impressive !
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    Sedentary would be appropriate for me I think? Pilates 5x a week, and gym 3-4 but this changes when im on nights. I'm a nurse so I'm on my feet most of the day pottering about (and quite often restraining which damn, really makes me sweat!)

    Starting to wonder if troll...or...

    Anyways....if you're a nurse and working out regularly, you're not sedentary. You're quite active, actually.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Sedentary would be appropriate for me I think? Pilates 5x a week, and gym 3-4 but this changes when im on nights. I'm a nurse so I'm on my feet most of the day pottering about (and quite often restraining which damn, really makes me sweat!)

    That's not sedentary. :smile: Minimum you're lightly active, probably more.
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    Sedentary would be appropriate for me I think? Pilates 5x a week, and gym 3-4 but this changes when im on nights. I'm a nurse so I'm on my feet most of the day pottering about (and quite often restraining which damn, really makes me sweat!)

    Starting to wonder if troll...or...

    Anyways....if you're a nurse and working out regularly, you're not sedentary. You're quite active, actually.

    Not trolling, just not that bright with this stuff.

    I opted for sedatary because I started last week, and I'm on nights for three weeks now, and I don't really work out at the gym whilst I'm on them, and my activity on night shifts when patients are in bed just involve sitting for ten hours if all stays well.
  • BeckZombie
    BeckZombie Posts: 138 Member
    Sedentary would be appropriate for me I think? Pilates 5x a week, and gym 3-4 but this changes when im on nights. I'm a nurse so I'm on my feet most of the day pottering about (and quite often restraining which damn, really makes me sweat!)

    Sounds like you should be "lightly active," at least. Sedentary is a desk job where you're sitting and really not moving much all day.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    blah blah, I lost 153 in 12 months eating more than 1200.

    EVERY person is different and you need to find the number that works for YOU. It throws out that amount because that's the lowest MFP will go.

    Calculate your BMR, your TDEE, and go from there. Can you lose on 1200? Sure, but why limit yourself so severely if you only need to cut down to.. say.. 1800.. 2000 calories to maintain consistent loss?
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I'd start with at least lightly active. I'm a housewife and I'm lightly active. I'm better you're more active than that.
  • shaunap3
    shaunap3 Posts: 206 Member
    My stats are somewhat similar when I first started. I started off eating 1,600 calories a day and working out 3-4 days a week. Once my endurance built up I lowered my cals to 1,500 and harder workouts. Then 1,300-1,400 and now I just workout whenever I can. No serious set regiment. Listen to your body. Eat enough protein, eat clean real foods and only when you're hungry. Your body knows when it NEEDS food if you really listen.
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    Sedentary would be appropriate for me I think? Pilates 5x a week, and gym 3-4 but this changes when im on nights. I'm a nurse so I'm on my feet most of the day pottering about (and quite often restraining which damn, really makes me sweat!)

    Starting to wonder if troll...or...

    Anyways....if you're a nurse and working out regularly, you're not sedentary. You're quite active, actually.

    Not trolling, just not that bright with this stuff.

    I opted for sedatary because I started last week, and I'm on nights for three weeks now, and I don't really work out at the gym whilst I'm on them, and my activity on night shifts when patients are in bed just involve sitting for ten hours if all stays well.
    I was just joking.:flowerforyou:
    Well, it should be your activity level on average. It would depend how often you work nights.
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    Thanks everybody :) sorry if I come across abit of a dunse.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Yes, I would change your goals to 0.5-1lb loss a week. And from what I'm reading you are at the very very least -moderately active if not very active. Just a reminder - MFP's TDEE calculations tend to be different from other TDEE sites because they expect you to eat your exercise calories back.

    Or, If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/844040-raspberry-ketones-for-the-rest-of-us


    Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


    For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865230-resources-and-references

    For eating below their BMR (which I think 1200 is below your BMR to be honest), not going to preach at you, but here's something you might want to look at:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/859495-if-only-i-had-known?page=1#posts-12919931
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521480-1000-calories-or-less-a-day
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
    http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/3-reasons-why-eating-less-than-1000-calories-is-a-waste-of-time-3347.html


    Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
    One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

    The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

    So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

    And also - make sure you track your measurements. The scale is very unreliable. Measurements are the accurate way to track your progress :)
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Thanks everybody :) sorry if I come across abit of a dunse.

    We all were new. I'd at least read the links I just posted. It's a lot of info..but it might help you at least understand where the #s and everything else come from :)
  • michaelalouise3915
    michaelalouise3915 Posts: 124 Member
    Thanks everybody :) sorry if I come across abit of a dunse.

    We all were new. I'd at least read the links I just posted. It's a lot of info..but it might help you at least understand where the #s and everything else come from :)

    Thankyou so much for all that info, I'll get stuck into now.

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