Will 1200 calories put me in starvation mode?
Replies
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No its fine. That is where I started out, and was for about the first year, until I started working out harder. And had lost about 45 lbs. Then I upped my cals because I was burning more and needed more fuel. But 1200 should be fine for you.0
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same here
! I have lost 17lbs so far. started on 1200 now that I work out ( has only been 2-3 weeks) I upped my cal to 1390
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If you would like to know without guessing this is what you do. Do a calculation to find out your lean body mass. (google it) This is an important number to know. This mass is what needs healthy nutritious food, especially protein. Go as low as you want on calories, the only caviat is you have to get in 1.5g of protein for every pound of your lean body mass. Eat one meal a day if you want, IF you get all that protein in, no? then do two big meals, can you eat all that protein in two meals? I usually get close.
The answer to your question is No. Starvation means burning muscle for food in my mind. If you get your protein for the day, when ever doesn't matter and how long your not eating doesnt matter. It will be hard to go super low on calories because your protein requirements limit this, if you don't get that protein your body will steal it from your muscles and that will be 'starvation mode'
So, what to do? Eat good sources of Protein and vegies will give you the lowest calories for carbs. Some cottage cheese is good to.0 -
no. ive been on 1200 cals as doctor directed.0
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How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:
how long have you been limiting yourself to 1200 calories?0 -
"Starvation Mode" is basically a myth. If it were true, people wouldn't die from starvation. It is possible that eating less than 1000 calories will slow down your matabolism a bit, but you will still lose weight. For example, if you expected to lose 1 lb a week on 1500 cals, and 2 lbs a week on 1000 cals, then you would likely expect to lose 3lbs a week on 500 cals but actually you would only lose something like 2.4lbs on 500. So bottom line, you'll still lose, just not as fast as you might expect for such restricted calories. But you have to ask yourself. If "starvation mode" is such a scary thing and it makes you supposedly gain weight, then why does the medical community (and not just a few quack Dr's, but MOST of the medical community) put people on VLCDs of 800 cals or less for drastic weight loss? How are people so successful with weight loss surgery where they're eating only 500-800 cals a day? I have been eating approx 800 cals for two months now and have been very successful. I feel great and haven't had any problems. I take plenty of multi vitamins to ensure I'm not losing out too much nutritionally. I must admit though, I haven't lost weight as fast as I would have thought. I've had weeks were I've lost nothing. But I've had weeks like that on every other diet I've ever been on.
Now, all that said, do I reccomend that diet for everyone? No. Especially if you don't think it's something you can maintain for a significant amount of time. But if you don't feel like eating over 1200 calories every day, don't worry that some big bad fat monster is going to come and pack you with pounds. Dont stuff yourself with food just because you feel like you have to hit a magic number of 1200 when you're really not in the mood to eat anything more.
well said!!!!!!!!!!!!0 -
Bump0
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Not necessarily, as starvation mode is a overused/abused terms. But there is a high probability that it will hinder your long term success.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/922076-plateau-time-again
This is an awesome post. sad to see so many though at the same time!
I think people get crazy with starvation mode, I think it is more of a metabolic slowdown. You should really find what calories are right for you, 1200 might be it, but looking at you, you look young, and have a feeling you might need more than that.
I would check out the road map, I don't have the link but I am sure you have seen it around here, and find out what cals are right for you. And if you already did and that was the number you got, then you should be just fine
Good luck!0 -
How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:
worked well for me. Last time after having my son I lost 150 lbs on 1200 als a day.0 -
If by 'limiting' you mean not stuffing my face, making wise choices and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, then I have been eating 1200 calories since Feb. With zero problems.
How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:
how long have you been limiting yourself to 1200 calories?
For reference: I'm 5'3" and net 1200.0 -
Not necessarily, as starvation mode is a overused/abused terms. But there is a high probability that it will hinder your long term success.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/922076-plateau-time-again
This is an awesome post. sad to see so many though at the same time!
I think people get crazy with starvation mode, I think it is more of a metabolic slowdown. You should really find what calories are right for you, 1200 might be it, but looking at you, you look young, and have a feeling you might need more than that.
I would check out the road map, I don't have the link but I am sure you have seen it around here, and find out what cals are right for you. And if you already did and that was the number you got, then you should be just fine
Good luck!
its called up your intake by 500 cals on your weigh in day then back to 1200, thats how you kick start you metabolism. Been there dos this!0 -
yeah im 5 ft even
If by 'limiting' you mean not stuffing my face, making wise choices and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, then I have been eating 1200 calories since Feb. With zero problems.
How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:
how long have you been limiting yourself to 1200 calories?
For reference: I'm 5'3" and net 1200.0 -
Eating 1,200 PLUS exercising will cause you to lose muscle mass. Of course you will get smaller but it may not be coming from the sources you would like. If you eat 1,200 calories and are sedentary I think you would be okay. But if you are exercising too it won't hurt to eat more, it will only help you in the longrun,.
I think you might have worded that wrong, eating the 1200 + exercise will help retain muscle mass, not lose. Eating just 1200 and not eating back exercise cals can cause issues because you are netting well below 1200, definitely not providing your body with enough nutrients.0 -
So, eating different calories on different days can kick-start a metabolism? Tell me more.its called up your intake by 500 cals on your weigh in day then back to 1200, thats how you kick start you metabolism. Been there dos this!0 -
I would say no if your sedentary. to figure my calories I went to scoobysworkshop. the fast calorie calculator. It goes by your age, height, current weight and body fat % you want to lose. it will tell you what you need to eat.0
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It TOTALLY depends on your size. I'm 5 feet tall and weigh about 123 pounds-- 1000-1200 is the ONLY way I can lose weight. If I start eating much higher, I start gaining.0
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I don't know about starvation mode, but it might make you hangry.... at least it does me. As long as you are getting your nutrients and don't feel deprived, why not.
"hangry" - I love it! Hungry AND angry. I feel like that today 0 -
I find eating 1200 calories of just carbs (bread, beer, white rice and potatoes) works well, with a multivitamin.
I hope you're trolling, protein and fat are important too!0 -
If you would like to know without guessing this is what you do. Do a calculation to find out your lean body mass. (google it) This is an important number to know. This mass is what needs healthy nutritious food, especially protein. Go as low as you want on calories, the only caviat is you have to get in 1.5g of protein for every pound of your lean body mass. Eat one meal a day if you want, IF you get all that protein in, no? then do two big meals, can you eat all that protein in two meals? I usually get close.
The answer to your question is No. Starvation means burning muscle for food in my mind. If you get your protein for the day, when ever doesn't matter and how long your not eating doesnt matter. It will be hard to go super low on calories because your protein requirements limit this, if you don't get that protein your body will steal it from your muscles and that will be 'starvation mode'
So, what to do? Eat good sources of Protein and vegies will give you the lowest calories for carbs. Some cottage cheese is good to.
What he ^^^^ said!
Quality over quantity! As long as your eating the RIGHT foods and are just trying to lose fat, not muscle up you should be ok. I am on 1230 a day right now (just started 2 weeks ago), but I do tend to eat more on my hard days at the gym. My M-F job is 8+ hours on my *kitten* so I burn nothing at work unless I walk at break & lunch which I rarely have time to do. Just do what feels good & right for you, if you notice you start to plateau make some adjustments. Good luck!0 -
you do realize that just sitting and existing is burning calories, right?My M-F job is 8+ hours on my *kitten* so I burn nothing at work unless I walk at break & lunch which I rarely have time to do. Just do what feels good & right for you, if you notice you start to plateau make some adjustments. Good luck!0 -
If by 'limiting' you mean not stuffing my face, making wise choices and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, then I have been eating 1200 calories since Feb. With zero problems.
How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:
how long have you been limiting yourself to 1200 calories?
For reference: I'm 5'3" and net 1200.
Ok so a month and a half? i started off the same way. did it for months, and i lost weight. i won't ever deny that. then i started to have days where i would crave foods that i had deemed "bad choices" and then i eventually gave into those cravings. I would feel junky about having a bad food day, andi don't care who you are... you WILL have bad food days. Since I've figured out my calorie goals with my TDEE, I feel much more satisfied, and i hardly EVER go over my calorie allowance. Less restrictions to food = more sustainable habits.
Also, there is a complete difference between working out and only taking in 1200 calores, rather than having 1200 calories and eating back your exercise calories. If you are eating back your exercise calories, then don't be concerned. Just keep doing what you're doing, but for those that are netting 700-800 calories a day, no bueno.0 -
you do realize that just sitting and existing is burning calories, right?My M-F job is 8+ hours on my *kitten* so I burn nothing at work unless I walk at break & lunch which I rarely have time to do. Just do what feels good & right for you, if you notice you start to plateau make some adjustments. Good luck!
Yes, but no where near enough to gorge myself all day. I do that enough on the weekends with beer & hot wings.0 -
No but it'll put you in hangry mode..0
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I am sedentary and have never been a person to voluntarily work out. I have been seeing a dietitian and she told me to stay between 1200 and 1400 per day. I have been doing that for 2 months with very little exercising (I have a bulged disk in my back) and I have lost 18 pounds in 2 months. I have kept between 1200 and 1400 everyday and I am doing fine.
Oh no You DID ent!. Dietitians are quacks who know nothing about nutrition. Idiots on MFP say so so it must be true.
Yep those damn dieticians they go to uni, study and think they know everything about nutrition.0 -
If you look at my diary, you will see that I do not deny myself anything and often have one or several sweet treats. It's about balance, making sure the bulk of your day is healthy and leaving room for a little naughty IF you want. Netting 1200 is doable as long as you're sensible about it.
If by 'limiting' you mean not stuffing my face, making wise choices and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, then I have been eating 1200 calories since Feb. With zero problems.
How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:
how long have you been limiting yourself to 1200 calories?
For reference: I'm 5'3" and net 1200.
Ok so a month and a half? i started off the same way. did it for months, and i lost weight. i won't ever deny that. then i started to have days where i would crave foods that i had deemed "bad choices" and then i eventually gave into those cravings. I would feel junky about having a bad food day, andi don't care who you are... you WILL have bad food days. Since I've figured out my calorie goals with my TDEE, I feel much more satisfied, and i hardly EVER go over my calorie allowance. Less restrictions to food = more sustainable habits.
Also, there is a complete difference between working out and only taking in 1200 calores, rather than having 1200 calories and eating back your exercise calories. If you are eating back your exercise calories, then don't be concerned. Just keep doing what you're doing, but for those that are netting 700-800 calories a day, no bueno.0 -
not advocating gorging yourself... I do the same. It might be interesting to calculate your BMR, since that's a portion of what you're burning by just sitting there. Say your BMR is around 1800. That's over the course of 24 hours. If that's the case, you're burning at least 600 calories by, you know, just sitting.
you do realize that just sitting and existing is burning calories, right?My M-F job is 8+ hours on my *kitten* so I burn nothing at work unless I walk at break & lunch which I rarely have time to do. Just do what feels good & right for you, if you notice you start to plateau make some adjustments. Good luck!
Yes, but no where near enough to gorge myself all day. I do that enough on the weekends with beer & hot wings.0 -
Probably not but it might make your fat loss efforts less efficient than it could be (especially if your day to day activity unconsciously falls.)
Try it. If you feel lethargic or deprived don't feel afraid to eat more.0 -
While you are sedentary, you should be fine, but definitely increase your calories if you begin to exercise. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week and dropped my calories last month to 1200. I stopped losing weight and began to inch back up because my body was holding onto the fat. Even though I was not hungry, I do feel my body was holding onto fat for energy-whether it was actually in "starvation mode", I don't know. I recently upped my calories back to 1400 a day and have already lost 1 pound.0
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If by 'limiting' you mean not stuffing my face, making wise choices and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, then I have been eating 1200 calories since Feb. With zero problems.
How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:
how long have you been limiting yourself to 1200 calories?
For reference: I'm 5'3" and net 1200.
Oh so now you tell us. Netting 1200 is pretty reasonable.
Grossing 1200 however, for most folks, is pretty nuts... especially if they're active.0 -
not advocating gorging yourself... I do the same. It might be interesting to calculate your BMR, since that's a portion of what you're burning by just sitting there. Say your BMR is around 1800. That's over the course of 24 hours. If that's the case, you're burning at least 600 calories by, you know, just sitting.
you do realize that just sitting and existing is burning calories, right?My M-F job is 8+ hours on my *kitten* so I burn nothing at work unless I walk at break & lunch which I rarely have time to do. Just do what feels good & right for you, if you notice you start to plateau make some adjustments. Good luck!
Yes, but no where near enough to gorge myself all day. I do that enough on the weekends with beer & hot wings.
I have done that, and based on my height and all it said 1700-1900, but I haven't been ready up them just yet I guess b/c I allow myself to cheat on weekends, which I know to achieve the true results I want I will have to stop that as well. I think once I get these first few pounds shed and my workouts become more intense I will definately want to up them some. BTW, have you ever done the Warrior Dash? It's a 5k mud run/obstacle course, but besides that, you could so win the beard contest! Just sayin.... 0
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