1200 calorie friends?

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Replies

  • RVfrog
    RVfrog Posts: 213 Member
    1200 calories will not put you into starvation mode. I went to a hospital weight loss program that is run by the dietitians.....and that is what I was put on after they did a body assessment . So no.....1200 won't make that happen. I need 1267 calories to maintain.....do I have to up my exercise to lose my weight. Just saying what I was just told. Not everyone is the same.....we are all different. What works for one will not work for another person. Do what works for you. Just my 2 cents worth.
  • Hi I was wondering how short are you? I am 5'2 and weight 140. I excercise 5 days a week.
  • I am at the 1200 Calorie per day diet. Just started today, feel free to add me.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    I'm currently at 2500 calories, recently decreased from 3000. My diary is open. Fellow 2500 people, feel free to add me.

    Huh?

    Whoops, wrong thread. Sorry about that.

    *leaves quickly*

    Feel about as awkward as walking in on a bunch of ladies in the restroom talking about their periods and you giving advice on your jock itch? It helps to read the sign on the door. :wink:

    There is something positively reassuring to see urinals on the wall when I walk into a restroom.

    Lol, I can understand that.
  • kaceelawlor
    kaceelawlor Posts: 184 Member
    What is your goal by consuming only 1200 calories per day?

    Did you know that eating too-few of calories can actually cause our bodies enter starvation mode? The thyroid hormones needed to fuel your metabolism can’t be produced and our metabolism starts slowing down. Our bodies start clinging to fat stores as a source of energy and we become sluggish.

    The ideal caloric intake is based off an equation that first calculates your BMR to include your height, weight, age, gender.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Once this number is established, the next step adds in your activity level in the Harris Benedict equation.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

    This final number is what you should be consuming on a daily basis. The ideal plan for your body is 40/40/20, meaning 40% carbs, 40% protein, 20% fat. This keeps your body in fat-burning mode while allowing the gain of lean muscle. It also allows your body to maintain a higher energy level and feel full longer!

    I hope this helps, feel free to add me :)

    I actually did this, then multiplied the final number by 7 (for weekly calories needed to maintain) subtracted 3500 (to lose 1lb a week without any exercise, even though I do work out 2-3 times a week) and divided by 7 to see daily calories needed to lose. It came out to 1,199. I'm currently trying the 1200cal/day thing and so far so good. If I did the same process as above and subtracted 2000 instead (to account for the days I work out), my daily caloric intake is about 1400. I DO try to eat anywhere between 12 and 1400 a day, so my advice is do what works for you and use this stuff as a baseline. PS they say to calculate your BMR every 5lbs lost to make sure you're eating the right amount.

    Yes it's true 1200cal/day isn't best for everyone and your body could go into starvation mode, but as long as you do your research and a little trial and error to see what works best for you, and you're well informed (not just the pros, not just the cons), stick with it and best of luck.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    ...are you all doing 1200 *plus* exercise or just 1200?

    My maintenance level without exercise is around 1700, so 1200 gives me a 1 pound loss. I still have 50 more pounds to lose, so if I burn another 250-500 per day and don't eat them back, then I can lose between 1.5 and 2 pounds per week. It works for me. I don't find that I am any hungrier on high workout days, but sometimes I might want a little treat and don't feel guilty about going over 50-100 calories on occasion.

    Some people exercise so that they can eat more. I exercise so I can lose more. Of course we both get the strength and cardio benefits.

    Whatever works for you.
  • I've literally just rejoined MFP after months away... Apparently 1200 cals per day for me too... eek! Feel free to add me, I could use the advice ha!
  • kdt000
    kdt000 Posts: 27 Member
    I'm on 1230 and I eat back what I work off at the gym. It's not nearly as hard as I thought it would be!
  • etoiles_argentees
    etoiles_argentees Posts: 2,827 Member
    ...are you all doing 1200 *plus* exercise or just 1200?

    My maintenance level without exercise is around 1700, so 1200 gives me a 1 pound loss. I still have 50 more pounds to lose, so if I burn another 250-500 per day and don't eat them back, then I can lose between 1.5 and 2 pounds per week. It works for me. I don't find that I am any hungrier on high workout days, but sometimes I might want a little treat and don't feel guilty about going over 50-100 calories on occasion.

    Some people exercise so that they can eat more. I exercise so I can lose more. Of course we both get the strength and cardio benefits.

    Whatever works for you.

    Whatever works for you? Exactly. So tired of people worrying about what others are eating.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    Thanks for that... very interesting. I have just started this weekend.

    Could you advise please... my target intake is 1470 calories and I ate 1246, but then I cycled 60 minutes which added 1132.
    Therefore I have only used a net if 114.

    Is this a problem re starvation mode?

    Thanks.

    How are you figuring your calories burned, do you use a heart rate monitor with a chest strap? Or do you plug it in to MFP and use that number? I ask, because MFP was giving me about 700 calories for 60 minutes on the bike. My husband, who is a competitive cyclist, burns around that same amount when he is racing at 25-30 mph with a heartrate in the 190s, so he suggested I get a HRM to see if my burn amounts were correct. I got the HRM and found out I burn less than half the number MFP shows. Now, I can see what my HR is and get an accurate count. I can also shoot to increase my intensity so I can increase my burn numbers.

    So 1132 for 60 minutes sounds like an awfully high number, unless your HR is maxed out the whole time and you are climbing some major hills.
  • arlenem1974
    arlenem1974 Posts: 437 Member
    the app put my calories at 1250. I keep it 1200-1250. If you eat under 1200 your body will go into starvation mode. I'm only 5'1" that's why its set so low for me. Anyone can add me if you like.
  • MsipiGRITS
    MsipiGRITS Posts: 128 Member
    I'm working on 1200 daily too, but I am trying to maintain where I am. However, I have found a direct correlation to 'what' I eat and weight gains and/or stalls, even if I do not exceed my calories!!! Would be great to join a group with similar goals! So, feel free to add me anyone... :flowerforyou:
  • im aiming for the same thing does anyone know foods that actually make you feel full?

    I eat lots of protein, 2 egg omelet with fat free cheese and stuffed with veggies, grilled chicken breasts with steamed veggies or salads, guacamole, nuts, sunflower seeds and pine nuts, smoothies made with EAS protein drinks and frozen strawberries.
    The higher protein and good fats combined with high fiber, non starch veggies, keeps me very satisfied on 1200 calories per day. If I eat lower fiber carbs, i.e. sugar, white bread, starchy veggies, then I find I get hungrier.

    This works for me, altho it might not work for everyone.

    You can substitute spaggetti squash or zuchini slices for pasta, mashed cauliflower for mashed potatoes, and many other substitutions. I like haven't a lot of veggies so that it fills my plate up while having lower calories. Fiber is the key for me. I shoot for 25g per day.

    My macros are set to 30Carb/30Protein/40Fat, and I stay fairly close to that.

    THIS! Except that I tend to get a little more protein in and go even lower on carbs and fat ... feeling great, not hungry at all, and steadily losing on 1200 daily.
  • MsipiGRITS
    MsipiGRITS Posts: 128 Member
    I'm on Week 3 of C25K! Good luck! :happy:
  • biggiejax
    biggiejax Posts: 3 Member
    i doing 1200 as well please add me:wink:
  • BonnieGertz
    BonnieGertz Posts: 6 Member
    I am also trying to do 1200...you can add me
  • fisky123
    fisky123 Posts: 6 Member
    I'm aiming for 1200 cals too, just started tracking last week and have no friends on this yet! Finding 1200 a bit hard to stick to...it was closer to 3000 a day last weekend! Feel free to add me- strength in numbers and all that! :-D
  • I'm currently at 2500 calories, recently decreased from 3000. My diary is open. Fellow 2500 people, feel free to add me.

    Huh?

    Whoops, wrong thread. Sorry about that.

    *leaves quickly*

    Alright!!! I am 5'3 and started at 140 lbs, and ate at 1900 to lose weight and now I can eat 2150 and still not gain....oh hang on...

    Oh wait..... sorry... Man I did it again.

    I LOVE that I can actually eat more than a squirrel, that's the BEST part! :bigsmile:

    cookiemonstergif_zps09f16cd7.gif
  • I'm aiming at 1800 a day.


    The downside is I am 6'11 but I've done it before on 1500. Those were the days!
  • simonesez
    simonesez Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, I am new to MFP. I too am aiming for a 1200 calorie diet. Its been about three days so far, and it's going well... but I have already decided I will be over on Thanksgiving because it is also my birthday on Friday. I am not sure if I have an open diary, but feel free to add me. I want to get back to my goal weight of 160lbs... currently 198. I am 5'9 and am going to try working out at least 3 days a week... treadmill @ 3.0-3.5 mph. Good luck to all.
  • jesspi68
    jesspi68 Posts: 292
    What is your goal by consuming only 1200 calories per day?

    Did you know that eating too-few of calories can actually cause our bodies enter starvation mode? The thyroid hormones needed to fuel your metabolism can’t be produced and our metabolism starts slowing down. Our bodies start clinging to fat stores as a source of energy and we become sluggish.

    The ideal caloric intake is based off an equation that first calculates your BMR to include your height, weight, age, gender.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Once this number is established, the next step adds in your activity level in the Harris Benedict equation.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

    This final number is what you should be consuming on a daily basis. The ideal plan for your body is 40/40/20, meaning 40% carbs, 40% protein, 20% fat. This keeps your body in fat-burning mode while allowing the gain of lean muscle. It also allows your body to maintain a higher energy level and feel full longer!

    I hope this helps, feel free to add me :)



    Based on those Calculators you added, at 5'2" 133 pounds 28 year old female, my BMR = 1393.35 x 1.2 (sedentary (little or no exercise) = 1672.02

    1672 mnus 500 cals per day to loose 1 lb per week = 1172 cals per day. I still stick to 1200 though.

    You don't subtract calories from your BMR. That's actually telling you that 1672 would work for you to lose weight...
  • Tammiecarver
    Tammiecarver Posts: 37 Member
    I'm 1200 calories and my dairy is open so please feel free to add me.
  • trinak1
    trinak1 Posts: 6 Member
    Hi I'm also at 1200 calories a day. I'm 5'3" and would like to lose 10 lbs. I'm vegetarian but it's still hard to lose the weight! Feel free to add me
  • i am aiming for 1200 or less a week any of you can add me. I am very encouraging.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    The app put my goal to 1200 calories a day, so that cant be too low, right? I just started last Thursday, you can add me. I'm new here on the message boards.

    Starvation mode only happens to you if your BMI is not withing the healthy range anymore or if you literally stop eating for weeks on end. Do some research instead of listening to everyone?
  • Heya, I'm on 1200 a day, and I have an open diary if anyone wants to add me, I log everything that goes in my mouth, everyday
  • Mitzimum
    Mitzimum Posts: 163 Member
    i'm on 1200 too, SO FREAKIN HUNGRY!!!! only been on it for two days so far so i'm hoping it gets easier...
  • It does, the first two weeks suck... But after that its totally different (Ina good way)
  • I'm new, MFP also recommended 1200 calories a day. It's motivating me to exercise so that I can eat more! Feel free to add me.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    What is your goal by consuming only 1200 calories per day?

    Did you know that eating too-few of calories can actually cause our bodies enter starvation mode? The thyroid hormones needed to fuel your metabolism can’t be produced and our metabolism starts slowing down. Our bodies start clinging to fat stores as a source of energy and we become sluggish.

    The ideal caloric intake is based off an equation that first calculates your BMR to include your height, weight, age, gender.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Once this number is established, the next step adds in your activity level in the Harris Benedict equation.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

    This final number is what you should be consuming on a daily basis. The ideal plan for your body is 40/40/20, meaning 40% carbs, 40% protein, 20% fat. This keeps your body in fat-burning mode while allowing the gain of lean muscle. It also allows your body to maintain a higher energy level and feel full longer!

    I hope this helps, feel free to add me :)



    Based on those Calculators you added, at 5'2" 133 pounds 28 year old female, my BMR = 1393.35 x 1.2 (sedentary (little or no exercise) = 1672.02

    1672 mnus 500 cals per day to loose 1 lb per week = 1172 cals per day. I still stick to 1200 though.

    You don't subtract calories from your BMR. That's actually telling you that 1672 would work for you to lose weight...

    She was subtracting the 500 calories from her TDEE. 1672 is her maintenance level. Her BMR is 1393