1200 calories?
wordena
Posts: 177 Member
How many calories a day do you guys eat? MFP recommends that I eat 1200 a day to lose weight. But many other sites recommend that I eat more. (I'm 5' 4" and female) When I exercise I eat half of my calories burned MFP says that I burn, but try not to eat more because frankly, I don't belive I burn that many calories with the activities I do. I have a family history of slow metabolisms. My mother had her BMR taken (She's 5' 2") and it was only 800 calories a day. This was done in a lab. The people giving the test were absolutely shocked, and said they couldn't recommend that she eat that few of calories each day, (and thankfully I'm pretty sure she eats more.) However, that being said, I'm exteremly leery of too many calories because I know I also have a slow metabolism, and possibley even a slower one than she did at my age. I've had to work exteremly hard at even maintainung my higher than normal weight, rather than just gaining more weight. I'd like to know what you guys think.
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Replies
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1200 without eating my exercise calories has worked for me, but others here have had success with more. Bottom line is do what works for you because you'll get as many opinions as you get responses.0
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I think you should consult with a nutritionist, if possible.
(I am 5'2" 125 lbs and maintaining my weight at 2,100-2,400 calories per day)0 -
Suggest getting your blood work done. Have them run all of the usual tests including a thyroid and A1c glucose test.0
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1200 a day is working for me currently. You may need to increase it at some point, but trying 1200 cals a day for a while won't hurt you. You can also try exercising more to increase what you can eat. I check my fitness calories burned against the calculator at livestrong.com. I hope this helps.0
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I'm 5'4. I eat about 2000 cals a day.0
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I was doing 1200 plus eating exercise calories and I lost weight. I tried 1200 without exercise calories and I lost weight. I upped it to 1300 plus eating my exercise calories but couldn't give you a real result yet. I'm assuming I'll lose weight...0
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I am 5'2"... My base is set at 1200. I have a Fitbit that tracks my daily activities which are generally about 200-300 a day... so, that sets me to about 1450 per day... If I work out on any given day, I add that in separate... I try to eat close to my net which is my roughly 1450 PLUS my workout calories. I have been ACTIVE here since mid August (so about 10 weeks) and I am down 27 lbs. I will stick with what I am doing!
)) 0 -
I am 5'2"... My base is set at 1200. I have a Fitbit that tracks my daily activities which are generally about 200-300 a day... so, that sets me to about 1450 per day... If I work out on any given day, I add that in separate... I try to eat close to my net which is my roughly 1450 PLUS my workout calories. I have been ACTIVE here since mid August (so about 10 weeks) and I am down 27 lbs. I will stick with what I am doing!))
great job on wt loss!!! wahoooo0 -
Thanks, I'm glad I am not alone in the 1200 a day club. It seems like so many people say 1200 isn't that way to go. One day I'd love to be able to have a metabolism fast enough to eat more like 2000 calories and maintain my goal weight (Ultimate goal life goal!) It's why I look foreward to exercise and weight lifting! BTW, my mother was tested for thyroidism and all tests came back negative.0
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I eat around 1200 calories a day and have been losing weight. I could possibly eat more. I don't think i have a particularly low metabolism for my age. I just found that eating healthy food fills me up at 1200 calories.0
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I'm 5'2ish 118lbs and eat between 1700 and 2100 cal a day. Down 45lbs and still losing.0
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Screw MFP's numbers. Figure out your TDEE, calculate your burns with an HRM, and record those calories but don't eat them back. Done.0
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Im 52, Im 5'1 and Ive been eating 1200 calories for 8 months and I've lost 41 pounds...i dont feel hungry and I pretty much eat what I want. I do exercise about 4 times a week but I dont eat back my exercise calories unless its a special occasion. Really I think its about what works for you. Try it and adjust as needed.0
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what i do at 1200 calories: punch random people in the face and otherwise be generally moody.
what i do at TDEE: be awesome.0 -
Thanks, I'm glad I am not alone in the 1200 a day club. It seems like so many people say 1200 isn't that way to go. One day I'd love to be able to have a metabolism fast enough to eat more like 2000 calories and maintain my goal weight (Ultimate goal life goal!) It's why I look foreward to exercise and weight lifting! BTW, my mother was tested for thyroidism and all tests came back negative.
All women with an estimated BMR calc of 1760 or lower who selected Sedentary activity level (and majority do whether it applies or not, because of the thought of desiring to loose quicker) and loss goal of 2 lb weekly (and majority do despite recommendation to select 1 lb, because they want to lose it quickly) will receive a daily goal of 1200.
That is considered the bare bottom safe minimum eating level. Not the best, just the minimum for safety reasons.
Same way minimum building codes is for safety, not for aesthetics, longevity, or performance. Most if having a choice want better than just safety, and one some of the others.
People have actually lowered their metabolism well outside the statistical avg by eating too little. Your stomach shrinks, and you aren't hungry anymore eating so little.
Many folks in parts of the world do it by no choice, many see the health benefits and purposely do it.
Sadly it's hard to lose weight that fast with slower metabolism.
Usually outside the statistical avg for metabolism is either hormone problems, really bad lack of muscle which extreme deficits will indeed rob, and just under eating for your level of activity.0 -
Thanks, I'm glad I am not alone in the 1200 a day club. It seems like so many people say 1200 isn't that way to go. One day I'd love to be able to have a metabolism fast enough to eat more like 2000 calories and maintain my goal weight (Ultimate goal life goal!) It's why I look foreward to exercise and weight lifting! BTW, my mother was tested for thyroidism and all tests came back negative.
All women with an estimated BMR calc of 1760 or lower who selected Sedentary activity level (and majority do whether it applies or not, because of the thought of desiring to loose quicker) and loss goal of 2 lb weekly (and majority do despite recommendation to select 1 lb, because they want to lose it quickly) will receive a daily goal of 1200.
That is considered the bare bottom safe minimum eating level. Not the best, just the minimum for safety reasons.
Same way minimum building codes is for safety, not for aesthetics, longevity, or performance. Most if having a choice want better than just safety, and one some of the others.
People have actually lowered their metabolism well outside the statistical avg by eating too little. Your stomach shrinks, and you aren't hungry anymore eating so little.
Many folks in parts of the world do it by no choice, many see the health benefits and purposely do it.
Sadly it's hard to lose weight that fast with slower metabolism.
Usually outside the statistical avg for metabolism is either hormone problems, really bad lack of muscle which extreme deficits will indeed rob, and just under eating for your level of activity.
MFP said I'm going to lose 0.75 pounds a week on a 1200 calorie diet, NOT 2 pounds a week. I picked sedentary lifestyle because I work a desk job and do have a sedentary lifestyle. I supsect that based on the definition given of sedentary lifestyle which excludes exercise outside of that lifestyle, the majorty of women do qualify.0 -
I've been Primal/Paleo for a couple months now. (no grains, legumes, processed food. Eat like our ancestors before they planted grains.) And without even trying or being hungry, I average about 1200-1400. Main foods I eat are meats, veggies, fruit, nuts, high fat dairy, coconut products, with nightly treat of dark choc. square or almond butter on apples. My macros are about 30% protein, 15% carbs, and 55% fat. Turned my body into a fat-burner instead of a carb-burner. More in tune with how our bodies were designed to work. If I had a pretty intense workout, then I eat a little more fruit and a little more calories that day.0
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All women with an estimated BMR calc of 1760 or lower who selected Sedentary activity level (and majority do whether it applies or not, because of the thought of desiring to loose quicker) and loss goal of 2 lb weekly (and majority do despite recommendation to select 1 lb, because they want to lose it quickly) will receive a daily goal of 1200.
That is considered the bare bottom safe minimum eating level. Not the best, just the minimum for safety reasons.
Same way minimum building codes is for safety, not for aesthetics, longevity, or performance. Most if having a choice want better than just safety, and one some of the others.
People have actually lowered their metabolism well outside the statistical avg by eating too little. Your stomach shrinks, and you aren't hungry anymore eating so little.
Many folks in parts of the world do it by no choice, many see the health benefits and purposely do it.
Sadly it's hard to lose weight that fast with slower metabolism.
Usually outside the statistical avg for metabolism is either hormone problems, really bad lack of muscle which extreme deficits will indeed rob, and just under eating for your level of activity.
MFP said I'm going to lose 0.75 pounds a week on a 1200 calorie diet, NOT 2 pounds a week. I picked sedentary lifestyle because I work a desk job and do have a sedentary lifestyle. I supsect that based on the definition given of sedentary lifestyle which excludes exercise outside of that lifestyle, the majorty of women do qualify.
You did indeed find the problem with the difference between selecting 2lb weekly goal, and what 1200 actually allows mathwise. Only those with BMR at 1760 would actually get that full 1000 daily deficit, everyone else would be short by some amount.
Question is, are you steadily losing 0.75 weekly? Then the math was right, and your daily maintenance really was correct.
If you search for posts about BodyMediaFit and FitBit, and read initial use reactions, you'll find the vast majority are getting levels above Lightly Active, and that is outside formal exercise, just their normal days with indeed desk jobs.
Actually, it's easier to just find the Group for both and read through those initial use posts, everyone is surprised what they burn.0 -
All women with an estimated BMR calc of 1760 or lower who selected Sedentary activity level (and majority do whether it applies or not, because of the thought of desiring to loose quicker) and loss goal of 2 lb weekly (and majority do despite recommendation to select 1 lb, because they want to lose it quickly) will receive a daily goal of 1200.
That is considered the bare bottom safe minimum eating level. Not the best, just the minimum for safety reasons.
Same way minimum building codes is for safety, not for aesthetics, longevity, or performance. Most if having a choice want better than just safety, and one some of the others.
People have actually lowered their metabolism well outside the statistical avg by eating too little. Your stomach shrinks, and you aren't hungry anymore eating so little.
Many folks in parts of the world do it by no choice, many see the health benefits and purposely do it.
Sadly it's hard to lose weight that fast with slower metabolism.
Usually outside the statistical avg for metabolism is either hormone problems, really bad lack of muscle which extreme deficits will indeed rob, and just under eating for your level of activity.
MFP said I'm going to lose 0.75 pounds a week on a 1200 calorie diet, NOT 2 pounds a week. I picked sedentary lifestyle because I work a desk job and do have a sedentary lifestyle. I supsect that based on the definition given of sedentary lifestyle which excludes exercise outside of that lifestyle, the majorty of women do qualify.
You did indeed find the problem with the difference between selecting 2lb weekly goal, and what 1200 actually allows mathwise. Only those with BMR at 1760 would actually get that full 1000 daily deficit, everyone else would be short by some amount.
Question is, are you steadily losing 0.75 weekly? Then the math was right, and your daily maintenance really was correct.
If you search for posts about BodyMediaFit and FitBit, and read initial use reactions, you'll find the vast majority are getting levels above Lightly Active, and that is outside formal exercise, just their normal days with indeed desk jobs.
Actually, it's easier to just find the Group for both and read through those initial use posts, everyone is surprised what they burn.
It depends on the week. I track it on Wednesdays. I've lost between .4 and 1 pounds a week with this approach. I don't have a lot to lose, but it seems to be working for me.0 -
Keep in mind that calories are not just any ol' calories....you still need to eat 'good' calories. If you eat 1200 calories of crap food, I find it hard to believe that you'll make much progress!0
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today I ate 1400 calories because i ate back my exercise calories. i don't usually do that, but was hungry.0
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Figure out what your BMR is. NEVER eat or NET under this because your body needs this to maintain organs!!!! I am 5'4 146lbs my BMR is 1480 so i never net under this, this might mean eating 1500 or eatting 1900 depending on who intense of a work out I did but I didnt lose a pound till i ate more! I would never suggest 1200 calories! far to low try this calculator http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/bmr-calculator.html0
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hahahaha awesomewhat i do at 1200 calories: punch random people in the face and otherwise be generally moody.
what i do at TDEE: be awesome.0 -
what i do at 1200 calories: punch random people in the face and otherwise be generally moody.
what i do at TDEE: be awesome.
Yes, you are, my friend. :flowerforyou:0 -
Figure out what your BMR is. NEVER eat or NET under this because your body needs this to maintain organs!!!! I am 5'4 146lbs my BMR is 1480 so i never net under this, this might mean eating 1500 or eatting 1900 depending on who intense of a work out I did but I didnt lose a pound till i ate more! I would never suggest 1200 calories! far to low try this calculator http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/bmr-calculator.html
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I did the 1200 claories for about 3 months and didn't move much, I more or less ate back my excercise cals. I'm quite active as traning for an endurance event so redid my goals and am now on 1427 found in first week got down with weight, next weigh in will tell if loss is a trend due to eating more.0 -
Figure out what your BMR is. NEVER eat or NET under this because your body needs this to maintain organs!!!! I am 5'4 146lbs my BMR is 1480 so i never net under this, this might mean eating 1500 or eatting 1900 depending on who intense of a work out I did but I didnt lose a pound till i ate more! I would never suggest 1200 calories! far to low try this calculator http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/bmr-calculator.html
I don't know who told you this or where you read it about never eating under your BMR but its not accurate.
Your body has stored energy ie fat. If you eat less then more will be taken from it. Not many people's BMR are 1200 or below.
My BMR is ~1600. I'm 5.7 / 140 lbs and just finishing 12 weeks at a 1200 cal net. Lost 2.5 lbs a week on avg.0 -
Hey there!!
You need to find a happy medium for youself as too many calories you wont lose weight, but too few calories and your body can enter 'starvation mode' and will store fats as a safety mechanism.
My original BMR was 2040 cals per day but when I decided it was time for a change I began a 1200 calorie diet and joined a gym.
I am very strict about keeping my intake below 1300 calories per day (its hard to be exactly 1200) and burn a minimum of 550 calories per day.
I have now lost 6kg in 5 weeks and feeling good.
I have tried so many different diets and never seem to last longer than a few days. I am a Mother of 2 and since having my babies Ive found that my metabolism as slowed down severely.
Just remember....anything less than 120 calories and you may deprive your body of the nutrients it nees to survive!!!
All the best!!0 -
I eat at 1200, I'm 5 foot 6 and 61kgs0
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I try to stick to 1200, but it's hard to be exact - some days I'm a little under and some days I'm a bit over. I am doing this to maintain my weight and the tracking has shown me where my pitfalls are, i.e. if I have a day that meets my calorie goal but is higher in sodium, my weight will go temporarily go up. On days when I can't work out at all, I am diligent about sticking to the 1200.
I totally believe in exercise and have been working out regularly for 20 years, but find that counting calories and using a food diary such as MFP is more helpful if my focus is weight loss. I think we tend to overestimate how effective our exercise activities are, which may result in us eating more...
I've been using MFP for two months and my weight has stayed within the same two pound range, with or without working out.
One approach I've used is to multiply my ideal or goal weight by 10 to give me a baseline of how many calories I should be taking in. If I'm exercising, I multiply the ideal or goal weight by 13, which is the factor for moderate exercise. Even if I'm working out 7 days a week, I under-rate my exercise efforts and rate them as moderate. As an example, if you weight 160, but want to weigh 130, you should eat 1300 calories a day on the days you do not exercise, but you can eat 1690 (130 x 13) on the days you engage in moderate exercise (i.e. 30-45 minutes of walking outside, walking on the treadmill, riding a stationary bike, etc.). Always tie your intake to your goal weight.
I hope that helps. I am in my early 50's and just want to maintain my weight. The older you get, the more challenging it is! Good luck!0 -
I'm 5'3 and I eat 1600-1900 cals a day.0
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