Has anyone lost weight eating less than 1200 calories a day?

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Replies

  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    The diet I've been on for the last two months allows me to eat 1200 calories a day and my results have been amazing, I've lost around 15 pounds, but that also includes eating healthy and exercise. I'd recommend limiting yourself to around 1200 calories a day if you're serious about losing weight.

    A totally irresponsible thing to recommend and total rubbish that only people eating 1200 calories are serious about losing weight. Some of the greatest success stories on this site are people who lost weight eating 1600 calories plus.
    Seriously, do some research before typing such things and suggesting something that could be seriously unhealthy for many on here.
    Agreed...I've lost over double that and actually had enough fat in my diet to absorb the nutrients in the 'healthy' food I was eating. I can't see how someone can ''eat healthy' to a unreasonable unsustainable diet. I wouldn't say limiting yourself to what many think is an extreme measure as serious. I was more ignorant then serious when I thought it was a good idea. When I started taking things seriously and looking into things, I ate much more and didn't run into any of the stalls other pals ran into. I knew exactly what to expect.
  • sarahisme18
    sarahisme18 Posts: 574 Member

    That's it. They are old, or shorter, or older and shorter than you... less active, more active, physically disabiled..their needs might be different....Their goals might be different.

    I'm not advocating at 1200 calorie diet. Just wondering why folks are being such absolutists without considering lives and (importantly) life styles that differ from their own.

    I could be on the chit chat section harping on everyone who doesn't put 400 a month into their 401k. That's where I'm at. Others may be thinking: wtf is a 401k and why do I care? My lifestyle and my needs may be different than theirs.
    And please, don't bring up snowflakes.

    There are very, very, very few people who have a BMR of 1200 or less... but that doesn't matter because you shouldn't be eating at or below your BMR anyway. You should be eating your TDEE which is totally more than your BMR.

    And besides, do any of the people in this thread who are advocating a 1200 calorie diet even KNOW their BMR? Or their TDEE? No, they do not.

    How do I know that? Because they are 1) asking if they should do it, and 2) telling others to do it.
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    The diet I've been on for the last two months allows me to eat 1200 calories a day and my results have been amazing, I've lost around 15 pounds, but that also includes eating healthy and exercise. I'd recommend limiting yourself to around 1200 calories a day if you're serious about losing weight.

    I was totally not serious eating 1700-1900 calories per day losing 32 lbs over the course of just a few months whilst busting my *kitten* at the gym.

    NOPE not serious at all *eyeroll*

    What a silly comment to make!
  • nicleed
    nicleed Posts: 247 Member
    To the OP - just curious why you asked a question when you were going to do whatever you wanted anyway? The only poster you have thanked was the one telling people they weren't serious about dieting unless they ate 1200 or less.

    Tell that to the 20+ pounds of fat I lost while eating 1700 a day.......

    Seriously. Do what you want, but don't come back here crying when you hit middle age and have stuffed your metabolism so badly that you have to eat 1200 just to maintain.
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
    The diet I've been on for the last two months allows me to eat 1200 calories a day and my results have been amazing, I've lost around 15 pounds, but that also includes eating healthy and exercise. I'd recommend limiting yourself to around 1200 calories a day if you're serious about losing weight.

    LOL





















    no
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    ask if anyone has kept if off. heh.

    Yes, I did. I lost 82 lbs eating at that level and kept it off for about 4 years. I moved last year and with stress and being surrounded by lots of need, yummy food...gained 25 lbs so I am here to get that off. However, I didn't gain all the weight back and then some.

    heh.

    still gained.

    SO will you if you eat in excess!! YOU ARE THE RUDEST POSTER ON THIS SIMPLE MESSAGE & NOT helpful!!! Your RUDE & NO need for that EVER!!! I bet your a real JOY in person....NOT!!!!

    You are absolutely right. But I don't think that was their point. I think their point is statistically, that's what happens. And then someone proved her point when they thought they were doing the opposite...I don't think pointing out the truth is mean. I don't think she meant any offense by it like you did. I think the truth needs to be pointed out sometime.
    Clearly you did not read ALL her responses!! Very rude & sarcastic & in no way helpful like yourself & the others! I had at least 6 people inbox me with their response due to the rude backlash they knew they would receive! Now that is ridiculous!! And yea she wanted to be offensive thus her sarcastic rude response...I appreciate everyone's (almost everyone) responses! Looking forward to posting my success story in the months ahead!! :)
    which is probably why I've gotten a few friend requests and msgs myself. I'm ok with having a different opinion, nobody has to have the same as me. I'm fine with that part...And some people do have their reasons and with that...I'm going to say this and please don't think that I'm assuming you because I'm not. I find a lot of people can be very sarcastic when put in a specific place. Especially if they appreciate the sarcastic gene like many do. For example, a place where you start to realize that the majority of those around you on these diets, especially the ones that argue (but not all of them), if you carry on a sensible conversation with them they realize that there was a lot they didn't know and they just picked a side and argued ignorance until proven guilty because others were. Once you ask them the specifics, they seem to get confused and question why they're doing it when they start getting facts they can understand and digest. Then you see so many of them change their mind and all of the ones I have been personally in contact with have been happier with their decision and voiced it repeatedly and wondered wtf was wrong with them. So then you get this big group of hundreds of people in the same situation...and you see a group of to be people...and as you can see there are people in this thread and other threads like this who will read it, realize 'what have I done' and start asking questions for help. I think that's why many people will voice their opinion instead of staying mute in threads like these which can be very destructive if read by the wrong people who don't know any better to check all sides of the equation...and sometimes certain sides of the equation is harder to find then common logic and a little background they're in the dark about needs to be known.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    The diet I've been on for the last two months allows me to eat 1200 calories a day and my results have been amazing, I've lost around 15 pounds, but that also includes eating healthy and exercise. I'd recommend limiting yourself to around 1200 calories a day if you're serious about losing weight.

    What about the people who've lost far more than you have while eating A LOT more than that? This makes me sad not only because it's spreading misinformation, but because you really believe it and are restricting yourself in a way that isn't necessary, unless a medical condition is present.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    If I eat 1700 calories a day I'd be mooing in no time. Sorry, but especially when you get older and your metabolism slows, your caloric intake to lose weight or to maintain it is much different than when you are younger.

    I'm 44 years old and menopausal and my TDEE is around 2200. I lost weight (20+ pounds in four months) eating around 1700, and reduced BF% from 30-ish to 23-ish. So I say phooey to you and your slowing older metabolism! :)

    The key is in keeping your metabolism alive by not turning into a couch potato - I do some sort of exercise every day, including regular strength training, and I am probably stronger now than I was in my cardio-crazy 30s.

    I have no horse in the 1200 calorie race, but my question is why deprive yourself? You can eat cake, drink wine AND lose weight!

    Yep...45 years old here.
  • oregonzoo
    oregonzoo Posts: 4,251 Member
    Well yes I did.

    About 346 lbs to be exact.

    That would be one pound off of myself, and 345 lbs in the two people I happened to kill in a hungry rage.

    Wasn't my fault they were holding candy bars.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Eating less than 1200 calories a day is on par with the feeding tube diet in my eyes- probably effective in the short term but not at all smart or necessary, and doomed to failure in the long term.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    What? .

    You went on a sub 1000 calorie diet and failed, so you want to do it again? That just doesn't make sense to me. You got depression from it, why would you even want to go near that again?

    Why not eat a reasonable deficit. Why not lift heavy.

    So, NO, just no no no.

    tumblr_mb8xa0PxPU1r058sqo1_250.gif
  • terracotti
    terracotti Posts: 101 Member
    Weird, I counted calories and stayed right on 1200 cals for two weeks and my weight didn't move. I stopped counting calories, just limited my portions and last I checked I've lost 4 lbs. Maybe counting calories creates stress? Haha either way, I don't have success with calories counting whether I eat under or over 1200 cals. maybe my body is just stubborn or it's just my mind or maybe because I slipped to over 2000 cals sometimes. But you can lose if you eat UNDER 1200 cals of course but don't do it. I've seen a girl she ate at 300-400 cals (!!!) and she was concerned with how her nails started falling off, scary. just be patient, even if you eat over 1200 you still can lose weight, sure, it's not as fast, but at least you still lose the weight and still enjoy cakes/anything you like.
  • I did. And I lost weight. And it was TERRIBLE. Hard on my body, I was tired all the time, I couldn't focus, I was always hungry, and eventually I just stopped losing weight or making any gains. I would go to work and as soon as I got home I would pass out in my chair, even though I had gotten 8 hours the night before. I finally asked online and found out that for my height, weight, work and exercise I should have been eating somewhere in the 3500 calorie a day range. I kept it at 3000 calories and lost more weight more quickly, had more energy and saw better muscle mass and strength gains, not to mention I got to eat!
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    is this the thread where I'm allowed to comment on this type of crap? I can't tell anymore where I can comment and where I can't on this damn site. I'm out
  • chocl8girl
    chocl8girl Posts: 1,968 Member
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  • jenmsu83
    jenmsu83 Posts: 185 Member
    Well yes I did.

    About 346 lbs to be exact.

    That would be one pound off of myself, and 345 lbs in the two people I happened to kill in a hungry rage.

    Wasn't my fault they were holding candy bars.

    OMG...LOL! This is amazing!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    But to answer your question OP...I think that 1200 calories (even net) is too low. I would NEVER last eating that little. I did some research before starting on MFP after I realized I was eating too little (I was doing Weight Watchers.) I now eat between 1900-2200 cals a day to lose weight, and I maintain right around 2200.
  • nicleed
    nicleed Posts: 247 Member
    Well yes I did.

    About 346 lbs to be exact.

    That would be one pound off of myself, and 345 lbs in the two people I happened to kill in a hungry rage.

    Wasn't my fault they were holding candy bars.

    I think I love you. :bigsmile:
  • chocl8girl
    chocl8girl Posts: 1,968 Member
    Well yes I did.

    About 346 lbs to be exact.

    That would be one pound off of myself, and 345 lbs in the two people I happened to kill in a hungry rage.

    Wasn't my fault they were holding candy bars.

    This post just make me snort. I adore you. :love:
  • chocl8girl
    chocl8girl Posts: 1,968 Member
    If I eat 1700 calories a day I'd be mooing in no time. Sorry, but especially when you get older and your metabolism slows, your caloric intake to lose weight or to maintain it is much different than when you are younger.

    I'm 44 years old and menopausal and my TDEE is around 2200. I lost weight (20+ pounds in four months) eating around 1700, and reduced BF% from 30-ish to 23-ish. So I say phooey to you and your slowing older metabolism! :)

    The key is in keeping your metabolism alive by not turning into a couch potato - I do some sort of exercise every day, including regular strength training, and I am probably stronger now than I was in my cardio-crazy 30s.

    I have no horse in the 1200 calorie race, but my question is why deprive yourself? You can eat cake, drink wine AND lose weight!

    EXACTLY! I am 40 years old and only 5'1", and my TDEE is over 1900 calories. I eat between 1400-1600 calories and lose weight very consistently. Do I lose 2 pounds a week? Nope, but that's not my goal. My goal is to be strong, and be able to eat this way for the rest of my life, and since I spent over 20 years weighing well over 200 pounds, I figure 5 years of losing weight eating enough food for me to be satisfied is well worth the time and sacrifice.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Anyone can lose on less that 1200 a day, the question is, is it weight you wanna lose weight or mostly fat? Cuz eating that low will promote more muscle loss.
    Some folks BMR is less than 1000.
    What does BMR have to do with it? Weight loss comes from eating at a deficit from your TDEE - and I doubt anybody here has a TDEE below 1000.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    If I eat 1700 calories a day I'd be mooing in no time. Sorry, but especially when you get older and your metabolism slows, your caloric intake to lose weight or to maintain it is much different than when you are younger.

    I'm 44 years old and menopausal and my TDEE is around 2200. I lost weight (20+ pounds in four months) eating around 1700, and reduced BF% from 30-ish to 23-ish. So I say phooey to you and your slowing older metabolism! :)

    The key is in keeping your metabolism alive by not turning into a couch potato - I do some sort of exercise every day, including regular strength training, and I am probably stronger now than I was in my cardio-crazy 30s.

    I have no horse in the 1200 calorie race, but my question is why deprive yourself? You can eat cake, drink wine AND lose weight!

    EXACTLY! I am 40 years old and only 5'1", and my TDEE is over 1900 calories. I eat between 1400-1600 calories and lose weight very consistently. Do I lose 2 pounds a week? Nope, but that's not my goal. My goal is to be strong, and be able to eat this way for the rest of my life, and since I spent over 20 years weighing well over 200 pounds, I figure 5 years of losing weight eating enough food for me to be satisfied is well worth the time and sacrifice.

    Looks like you lost a few pounds there! Congratulations!
  • Belinda658
    Belinda658 Posts: 181 Member
    The diet I've been on for the last two months allows me to eat 1200 calories a day and my results have been amazing, I've lost around 15 pounds, but that also includes eating healthy and exercise. I'd recommend limiting yourself to around 1200 calories a day if you're serious about losing weight.

    What about the people who've lost far more than you have while eating A LOT more than that? This makes me sad not only because it's spreading misinformation, but because you really believe it and are restricting yourself in a way that isn't necessary, unless a medical condition is present.

    This!!! Wow the people who lost a lot whilst eating lots weren't serious obviously. They probably all really ate 1000 cals a day and lied
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    Help...I think I have figured out my TDEE at 1755 but I have no idea what that means or how much I should be eating. I am on the 1200 plan but I work out so much that I am always well under what the recommended calorie intake should be. My plan allows for a bit more protein and less carbs because I had gastric bypass seven years ago and my doctor wants me on 60 grams of protein a day. I actually struggle to get in more than 1400 calories because I always feel full, especially after workouts. I've been on the program since Jan. 4th and have lost 10lb. so far. I'm happy with how things are going but am fearful of that dreaded starvation mode I keep hearing about by not eating enough to make up for the exercise add ons. Suggestions?

    Where did you get the 1755 number? If that is a picture of you in your profile that number seems off. Also, after having a gastric bypass can change things with the regular math as well as add reasons why you shouldn't eat so much. But it's been many years and I'm not sure how a gastric bypass works after that and if you go back to eating a regular amount of food? If so...

    It sounds to me that you have MFP set up in a way that you should be logging your exercise calories and eating those back. Otherwise, you would have your exercise built in automatically and your recommendation would be higher. This site does not recommend eating under 1200 cals and usually bans threads that promote eating less then that if someone reports them. Extra protein is a great idea then the recommendation on this site. The site's recommendation is based on the RDI, which stands for the minimum protein intake to avoid deficiency. There's a thread about this here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/869015-fundamental-flaws-with-rda-recommendations-for-protein
    and here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/823505-research-on-protien-intake

    With that being said, I'd recommend bringing that to the attention of your doctor before changing it and asking if the recommendation is so low for a specific reason (unless you know the reason already). I don't know much about it. It may have something to do with the fact you had a bypass.

    As for starvation mode, a lot of people have a misconception of what it actually is...so I'm not sure what you think it is. If you think it's something where you can eat 2 calories a day and consistently gain weight, then no, that doesn't exist.

    If you think it's something that can cause your metabolism to slow down then yes, it can and absolutely well. Our metabolism is as fast as our energy expenditure which is a sum of our RMR+EAT+NEAT+TEF. Look up those terms to learn more about them
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermogenesis
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_metabolic_rate
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resting_metabolic_rate
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermic_effect_of_food

    Your body only has as much energy as you give it. There are many factors associated with low calorie diets that slow down the metabolism. If your body has less fuel to work with, it will shut off certain functions so it doesn't need to run as high. Thermogenesis for example (the process of heat production in organisms) tends to slow down. Many people on low calorie diets will feel cold. Also, when you are eating more then your energy expenditure for a extended period of time, it well speed up. You'll also gain weight when you do so. So despite the large person that tells the skinny person they have a fast metabolism...the larger person is the one with the faster RMR (resting metabolic rate). If they're eating the same amount, then the smaller person moves around more.

    Also, it's normal to feel full on whatever calories you eat long term. Even if it's 400 calories. Some scientists believe it's a survival mechanism. '"the cause of this therapeutic anorexia is not known but it is likely to help obese subjects to comply with prolonged periods of caloric restriction." http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/49/5/745.short
  • HartJames
    HartJames Posts: 789 Member
    Bye-bye muscle and hello never being able to eat normal again without re-gaining weight at lightning speed. Thanks to the muscle you lost in your low cal loss it will be even harder to lose again. Also, if someone is beginning at an obese level and attempts to lose that way they will most likely look absolutely deflated.

    It's sad that all of the basics aren't readily available at easy obvious access with citations and explanations. Took me years of research to figure it all out and weed through the bulls*it.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    Bye-bye muscle and hello never being able to eat normal again without re-gaining weight at lightning speed. Thanks to the muscle you lost in your low cal loss it will be even harder to lose again. Also, if someone is beginning at an obese level and attempts to lose that way they will most likely look absolutely deflated.

    It's sad that all of the basics aren't readily available at easy obvious access with citations and explanations. Took me years of research to figure it all out and weed through the bulls*it.
    ^this.....this was exactly my problem.
  • amyschicos
    amyschicos Posts: 30 Member
    To the OP - just curious why you asked a question when you were going to do whatever you wanted anyway? The only poster you have thanked was the one telling people they weren't serious about dieting unless they ate 1200 or less.

    Tell that to the 20+ pounds of fat I lost while eating 1700 a day.......

    Seriously. Do what you want, but don't come back here crying when you hit middle age and have stuffed your metabolism so badly that you have to eat 1200 just to maintain.


    Ohhhh HUSH IT!! She was NICE for a change so I basically thanked for her kindness that's pretty much what I meant!! Don't worry WON'T be coming back complaining!!
  • you should reconsider your judgment on me not exercising. I am 60 years old and can hardly walk due to major back problems. I would love to walk or exercise moderately, but if you ever had a back injury you would know what I am talking about. I am living with constant pain for almost 30 years!
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    This sounds like the road to an eating disorder. 1200 was already iffy in my book from personal experience..but coming on here to ask about eating even less??? :noway: :sick:
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Bye-bye muscle and hello never being able to eat normal again without re-gaining weight at lightning speed. Thanks to the muscle you lost in your low cal loss it will be even harder to lose again. Also, if someone is beginning at an obese level and attempts to lose that way they will most likely look absolutely deflated.

    It's sad that all of the basics aren't readily available at easy obvious access with citations and explanations. Took me years of research to figure it all out and weed through the bulls*it.
    ^this.....this was exactly my problem.
    edit
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member

    That's it. They are old, or shorter, or older and shorter than you... less active, more active, physically disabiled..their needs might be different....Their goals might be different.

    I'm not advocating at 1200 calorie diet. Just wondering why folks are being such absolutists without considering lives and (importantly) life styles that differ from their own.

    I could be on the chit chat section harping on everyone who doesn't put 400 a month into their 401k. That's where I'm at. Others may be thinking: wtf is a 401k and why do I care? My lifestyle and my needs may be different than theirs.
    And please, don't bring up snowflakes.

    There are very, very, very few people who have a BMR of 1200 or less... but that doesn't matter because you shouldn't be eating at or below your BMR anyway. You should be eating your TDEE which is totally more than your BMR.

    And besides, do any of the people in this thread who are advocating a 1200 calorie diet even KNOW their BMR? Or their TDEE? No, they do not.

    How do I know that? Because they are 1) asking if they should do it, and 2) telling others to do it.
    Eating your TDEE? to lose weight?
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