Aaaaand confused again

The only surefire way to lose weight, the only thing that causes a program to "work" so to speak, is a calorie deficit. So let's say for instance you burn an average of 2200 calories a day, just being alive, going about your normal business, eating fewer than 2200 calories will net you weight loss over time.

So eating at a deficit, whether that's 1800 calories or 1200 calories, will net you weight loss over time. The question is just whether eating at a steady rate of 1200 calories a day is maintainable for as long as you need to continue losing weight to reach your goals?

For me, it absolutely wasn't. I had no energy, hair fell out, I was crabby and anxious and a royal bloody b!tch the whole time I was eating at 1200. Then I upped my calories to just shy of 2000 and I'm still losing, I feel great and I know I can continue doing this for as long as I need to to reach my goals.

From what I understand the general consensus is that just eating 1,200 calories a day while also working out will work for a while but soon those people will plateau and stop losing weight. I also got the impression that some people consider only eating 1,200 calories AND working out to be edging on an ED since the exercise "burns" many of the calories eaten and results in a day with a much lower calorie intake total than is generally considered healthy on MFP. I'm not sure how it really works but how its kinda set up in my mind is that it's like you eat 1200, burn 300, so really your only intake is 900.

Is that your BMR or TDEE? One thought is to eat TDEE - 15% which is what I do.

It completely depends on your body. Everyone's body is completely different on how they gain weight and lose weight. I would do what works the best for you. If eating 1200 calories works well for you, then do that. If 1600 is better, do it that way. Also make sure to add in exercise and you'll be good :-)

The only surefire way to lose weight, the only thing that causes a program to "work" so to speak, is a calorie deficit. So let's say for instance you burn an average of 2200 calories a day, just being alive, going about your normal business, eating fewer than 2200 calories will net you weight loss over time.

So eating at a deficit, whether that's 1800 calories or 1200 calories, will net you weight loss over time. The question is just whether eating at a steady rate of 1200 calories a day is maintainable for as long as you need to continue losing weight to reach your goals?

For me, it absolutely wasn't. I had no energy, hair fell out, I was crabby and anxious and a royal bloody b!tch the whole time I was eating at 1200. Then I upped my calories to just shy of 2000 and I'm still losing, I feel great and I know I can continue doing this for as long as I need to to reach my goals.

thanks-I really like how you put this-very helpful xx

You're only 20. Your metabolism, barring medical conditions, is much higher than many of us working off a base of 1200. Plus some of us on 1200 calorie diets are very sedentary. We don't go walking the mall with friends, dragging a backpack to classes, working a job that requires any standing, walking, or lifting, or doing anything else except maybe a short burst of daily exercise.

My advice is, eat more than we do, exercise more, and live more.

I do 30 day shred, walk my dog, and then I sit on my *kitten* all day HAHAHA. :P
Im kind of sedentary. I dont have a job that is stable, it depends on when and how many clients I get.
Which during the winter is very slow. Otherwise I hike /sometimes/ and go to the gym /sometimes/
Im not that active really anymore ... which is why i was confused about calories because well, most people do things like walk or stand during the day.

Still, you're younger. You probably have a better metabolism. And if you can lose a pound or two a week while eating more than 1200, lucky you! It will be much easier and why make it harder than it is?

I don't believe that eating 1200 is "bad" if that's what your body requires. Eating LESS than 1200 calories can have health detriments - you may not be giving your body the fuel and nutrients it needs to stay healthy, which might be stalling your weight-loss. Consuming too few calories for a long time can force your body into starvation mode, causing it to hold onto fat and even slow your metabolism.

My best advice is listen to your body. Track your calories -and see what happens. If you're exercising and eating under 2000, you will likely be at a deficit and likely see SOME sort of weight loss. The speed of that loss can be sped up or slowed down if you widen or shrink that deficit. For some, 1200 calories is exactly what their body needs and they can supplement with vitamins or manage to eat so cleanly they can still get in all the necessary nutrients.

Based on my activity level, I eat around 2200 calories and will see a loss of about .5-1 lb each week. It's enough that I don't feel deprived and can have indulgences while overall making wise food choices.

It does get confusing, especially when you look at all the different regimes and diet plans. I'm doing the Rosemary Conley plan, which starts you off on 1200 calories a week, for two weeks. I just find that is too low. I go mad with cravings, then I fall off the rails and end up bingeing. From dieting in the past, I know I lose weight more easily if I eat more.

I really think 1200 is too low for someone your age. I'm using my BMR as the main guideline for what to eat. My TDEE is much higher - over 2000 kcal per day. I'm not sure if I'd lose weight if I ate that much. Seems to be different opinions on that here.