why 1200?

littlehedgy
littlehedgy Posts: 192 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I don't understand why the apparently magic number of 1200 calories fit's everyone. It seems that if ANYONE wants to lose weight they should cut back to 1200 calories. I'm 4'11'' and don't have a huge amount of activity. I honestly and truly do not believe I need 1200 calories per day especially when compared to people much taller and bigger than me who aslo need 1200 calories? Blehh just don't understand. Help me?

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I don't understand why the apparently magic number of 1200 calories fit's everyone.
    It doesn't, but most people select sedentary (20% more than their BMR expended in total) and a weight loss of 1 lb/week (500 calories a day) or higher and hence they end up under 1200 and MFP rounds it up to a minimum 1200.

    So in practice all those 1200's should be a range of numbers below 1200.

    At 4'11" your mathematical target might be 900, but puppies and kittens will die if I suggest that on here ;-)
  • mkgates121
    mkgates121 Posts: 7
    I'm 4'10 and I started at 1200 that's the lowest amount of calories anyone should eat to be healthy. I ate 1200 until I hit my goal weight which took a month or too because I'm already small, now I'm eating a maximum of 1480 to maintain weight. Everyone is different ur right about that, I've noticed though when I was eating 1200 cals weighing 110 at 4'10 and my friend was eating 1200 at 200 plus pounds and 5'2 it worked for us both because when we did the same workout let's say walking for 60 mins I burned only 100 cals or so where she burned around 200. I hope that's makes sense or helps. It's all in what u eat and how much u workout. Do what works best for u.
  • littlehedgy
    littlehedgy Posts: 192 Member

    At 4'11" your mathematical target might be 900, but puppies and kittens will die if I suggest that on here ;-)

    hahahaha I've been sticking to about 1000, but it actually might be lower than that. Whenever I don't measure something out I eyeball it and round up. That way I figure I never go over my calorie count. Also thank you very much :)
  • Sandibeach17
    Sandibeach17 Posts: 5 Member
    I'm in a similiar boat, I'm 4'10 and trying to consume 1200 calories a day I left like I was stuffing myself. So I've been listening to my body and cutting down the calories week by week. Maybe you should try that.
  • PinkEnvyx
    PinkEnvyx Posts: 172
    I don't understand why the apparently magic number of 1200 calories fit's everyone.
    It doesn't, but most people select sedentary (20% more than their BMR expended in total) and a weight loss of 1 lb/week (500 calories a day) or higher and hence they end up under 1200 and MFP rounds it up to a minimum 1200.

    So in practice all those 1200's should be a range of numbers below 1200.

    At 4'11" your mathematical target might be 900, but puppies and kittens will die if I suggest that on here ;-)

    HAHA The best answer about number of calories I have seen yet. :) Oh and it made me laugh! :laugh:
  • Saezimmerman
    Saezimmerman Posts: 93 Member
    You make a legitimate point. In all honesty, my doctor says that the average female should have 1500 calories per day, but you are not "average". If you're concerned about it, take MFP to your next appointment and get his or her opinion. :smile:

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