Eating under 1200

arozman2

Is eating under 1200 calories really bad?? Why can't I lose weight. I'm eating under my calorie goal but still can't :( someone please help

tricksee

Yeah, it pretty much sucks. Trust me, I'm a doctor.

Toddahlie

Because you body think that it has to reserve some calories and fat and for that reason you don't lose weight

RunEatLift

Your body thinking it's starving so it's holding onto your fat. You're really going to slow down your metabolism eating that little - it's unnecessary.

arozman2

So if I eat 1200 though is that enough!

newfie_74

I think it's trial-and-error. I was setting 1200 as my net calorie goal, and didn't lose anything. Bumped it up to 1400 and it's starting to come off. You need to feed your metabolism.

NutellaAddict

:mad: :explode: :huh:

Poods71

If you eat 1200 you will start losing again but you will stall again as it is still not enough. I eat 1400 and I am only 5' 2" and as long as I stick to it I lose every week

Mia_RagazzaTosta

:mad: :explode: :huh:

x2

...for the love already

briabner

Look up eat more to weigh less on the forums here, there is some really good info about it. I can personally say that it works I now eat anywhere from 1500-2300 calories per day averaging about 1800 per day and I have been consistently loosing 2+pounds per week. Think of it this way you need to eat to fuel your work outs.

caleo2006

Look up eat more to weigh less on the forums here, there is some really good info about it. I can personally say that it works I now eat anywhere from 1500-2300 calories per day averaging about 1800 per day and I have been consistently loosing 2+pounds per week. Think of it this way you need to eat to fuel your work outs.

Yes! This ^^^

kelmom123

I try and fluctuate my calorie intake so my body has to keep guessing and does not slow down. I still stay within a range to lose weight, but your metabolism doesnt slow down because it's confused, whereas eating 1200 calories a day for weeks on end, it gets used to that and accommodates for so few calories by slowing down.

Ashwee87

I am eating between 1600-1800 calories a day and have recently been losing almost 2 lbs a week the past couple weeks.

gaylynn35

I am 49 years old and 4'10" tall!! I eat around 1500 calories 5 days a week when I am exercising. When I am not exercising I eat about 1200 calories.

If you are exercising you need to eat back about 1\2 of your exercise calories if you are using what MFP gives you for your exercise. With that being said, MFP tends to over estimate calories burned.

Good Luck!!

jenniferrusso7393

I cannot consistently stay under the 1200... I even tried to change my goals, and it still kept it at that... I don't panic if I am over most of the time... I've lost over an inch...I'm happy that I am moving in the right direction, and I eat back pretty much ALL of my exercise calories!

Serah87

EAT!!!!! :grumble:

Zombriana

Try netting at least you're BMR. There are cacluators on here for that. BMR is what you body needs to function, so eating less than that, is generally not a great idea.

edit:
At the top where all the tabs are, there is one that says APPS, click on it and then BMR in the little tree that appears. That should give you your BMR calories.

muddynicola

I think everyone's metabolisms are different and it's generalizing to say that's not enough end of story. I spent 6 months eating 1600 calories and exercising and didn't lose an inch and that was me increasing my calorie intake from about 1400 and not exercising because I was thrown the popular line 'you need to eat more' so I did and whilst I didn't gain anything I didn't lose it and I was working out 3.5 hours a week more than on 1400 calories. I have since cut it to 1200 and now I am losing. I advise you to work out your BMR and use that as a guideline. People like to jump on popular bandwagons and at the moment it's low sugar, interval training and eat more, next year it will be something else. Stick as close to the science as you possibly can. I say eat more mass, eat more frequently but don't neccessarily eat more calories unless the science BMR,TDEE says you should. However I have serious doubts about the formula's used for body fat percentages given variations is skeletal structure and fat distribution around the body.

theblondetrick

Am I the only one who doesn't benefit from upping my calorie goal?
People say in order to lose weight,you have to be eating more than 1200 cals,blah blah,but it just doesn't work for me.God,why?!

Turtlt

Om average you should be eating breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. Do not meal skip. Chose protein and veggies for each meal DON'T DRINK your calories. My training said eat anything with a face 3-4 oz, cut carbs eat carbs only after a work out and in MODERATION. Even your snacks should include a protein.

For example for breakfast I have a green shake (I make) with Whey protein. AM snack is 2 oz of chicken and a handful of veggies (carrots, celery etc maybe 5 or so baby carrot and 2 sticks of celery cut in half) lunch 4 oz of protein and a large salad with no dressing. PM snack is similar to the AM snack and dinner will consist of 4 oz of tuna, steak, chicken etc along with a cup or more of veggies and 1/4-1/2 cup of couscous or brown rice. Skip adding sweetener to teas or coffees. Drink water and teas (unsweetened) at least 48oz a day. Stay away from energy drinks, sodas and gatorades they are high in sugar and sodium. Stay away from Starbucks etc or chose a small rather than medium or large there are a lot of calories in those things. Cut out refined and processed food, fast food, etc.

Nuts are good snacks. Making a life style change and healthy choices can be difficult until you understand what you are putting in your body!

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Mia_RagazzaTosta

Am I the only one who doesn't benefit from upping my calorie goal?
People say in order to lose weight,you have to be eating more than 1200 cals,blah blah,but it just doesn't work for me.God,why?!

You're probably doing it wrong.