Scared to eat more than 1200 and Plateau

jennmariepantoja
jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello :)
I have been using MFP since late January and have followed the 1200 cal a day they set for me (with a few binge days and days I went below 1200). The first few weeks I was losing 3 lbs a week, then it slowed to 1.5 and now nothing.
I am afraid to eat more than 1250 a day.
I also have a fitbit that I wear religiously and it also tells me how many calories I should eat (usually around 1300) but I have been following what MFP says.
Soooo what should I do? What worked for you?

Thanks!

Replies

  • NormInv
    NormInv Posts: 3,303 Member
    What worked for you?


    The search function.
  • ehorn625
    ehorn625 Posts: 144
    Do you excercise? Maybe change up the diet while keeping in the 1200/day range? My biggest problem is snacking at night. I try to have healthy alternatives in the house. Today I started riding my stationary bike again. Hoping that helos! Good luck to you and don't give up!:happy:
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    WOW! Aren't you helpful?
    I hope you get some kind of reward/gratification for that insightful information.
    :sick:
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    Do you excercise? Maybe change up the diet while keeping in the 1200/day range? My biggest problem is snacking at night. I try to have healthy alternatives in the house. Today I started riding my stationary bike again. Hoping that helos! Good luck to you and don't give up!:happy:

    I run 3x a week. Good luck to you as well!
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    At the end of the day, this is all a grand science experiment. Eat for, see what happens. At first, you might see a slight weight gain on the scale or feel a bit bloated as your body adjusts to more food. Work past that. If you're gaining more than a pound a week after 4 or 5 weeks, go back down, but give it time. Get in some good strength training and some cardio and fuel your body. I bet you see the scale move, or at least notice changes in your body, in 4-6 weeks. Good luck.
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    At the end of the day, this is all a grand science experiment. Eat for, see what happens. At first, you might see a slight weight gain on the scale or feel a bit bloated as your body adjusts to more food. Work past that. If you're gaining more than a pound a week after 4 or 5 weeks, go back down, but give it time. Get in some good strength training and some cardio and fuel your body. I bet you see the scale move, or at least notice changes in your body, in 4-6 weeks. Good luck.

    Thanks!
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    And for anyone wondering the same thing.. I did a search using the terms "scared to eat 1200" and some good info popped up :)
    In most cases, calories needed to be bumped up.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Hello :)
    I have been using MFP since late January and have followed the 1200 cal a day they set for me (with a few binge days and days I went below 1200). The first few weeks I was losing 3 lbs a week, then it slowed to 1.5 and now nothing.
    I am afraid to eat more than 1250 a day.
    I also have a fitbit that I wear religiously and it also tells me how many calories I should eat (usually around 1300) but I have been following what MFP says.
    Soooo what should I do? What worked for you?

    Thanks!

    If you are scared at eating 1250 cals, then that is irrational and you might need to seek some professional help
  • capecodder13
    capecodder13 Posts: 9 Member
    Maybe you should recalculate your calorie requirements with your new lower weight???
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Eat your prescribed calories. If you're set at 1200 that means eat back the exercise calories.
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    Hello :)
    I have been using MFP since late January and have followed the 1200 cal a day they set for me (with a few binge days and days I went below 1200). The first few weeks I was losing 3 lbs a week, then it slowed to 1.5 and now nothing.
    I am afraid to eat more than 1250 a day.
    I also have a fitbit that I wear religiously and it also tells me how many calories I should eat (usually around 1300) but I have been following what MFP says.
    Soooo what should I do? What worked for you?

    Thanks!

    If you are scared at eating 1250 cals, then that is irrational and you might need to seek some professional help

    It does seem silly, doesn't it! Maybe I should simmer "Scared" down to "concerned".
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    Eat your prescribed calories. If you're set at 1200 that means eat back the exercise calories.

    I will try that - thanks!
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Eat your prescribed calories. If you're set at 1200 that means eat back the exercise calories.

    I will try that - thanks!

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Trust science, not your emotions. Good luck!
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    You say you've been on here since late January and lost 3 pounds the first couple of weeks then 1.5 and now nothing...It's only late February, so you've been here a month and lost at least 4.5 pounds. Depending on your height and starting weight, that's a pretty significant loss. You could try increasing your calories, but I know for myself, zero loss one week and then a greater loss the following week is not at all unusual. If it has only been a week, then I'd say have some patience and keep doing what you're doing. If in a few weeks you're still at the same place, then re-evaluate. I know it's hard and we all want it to come off immediately, but remember, you didn't put it on overnight, so you're not going to lose it overnight...!!
  • MiniMichelle
    MiniMichelle Posts: 801 Member
    I know its "scary" I STILL have issues with my mind trying to get involved... It works though, as strange as it is... listen to Taso and ConcreteGirl (the link) and you'll see changes :)

    Good Luck :flowerforyou:
  • Goal_Line
    Goal_Line Posts: 474 Member
    What worked for you?

    I significantly increased my activity level.

    and took a long-term approach. Weight loss will very signfincatly from week to week.

    Find a healthy lifestyle and stick to it over a long period of time. Don;t worry about short term changes in weight. There are too many variables (such as water) affecting your weight in the short term.
  • Tilran
    Tilran Posts: 627 Member
    Wow I think you hit a nerve with some people and their snide remarks. Anyway, try to ignore remarks like that and filter them out...I know you are new so this is good advice when combing the forums...you'll start to see a pattern with the people who give good advice, and the trolls.


    As far as your issue, I'd recommend you figure out your own TDEE manually then set your goals to custom to match those figures. MFP is notorious for giving people 1200 as a goal which in most cases is just too low.

    I dont know your stats (Age, weight, height) but if you took those to any decent TDEE calculator you can figure out what that is then take 20% or so off that number to find a number you should eat on a daily basis. Keep that up and you should see weight loss depending on how much you have to lose. (Always easy to lose more the more you have to lose and gets harder as you have less to lose)
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    I would try increasing the frequency, intensity, and length of my exercise sessions before increasing my calories.
  • julesxo
    julesxo Posts: 422 Member
    No reason to be scared! I know that you may think it will slow down your weight loss progress, but if you want to both lose weight and sustain it, I highly recommend upping your calories. What type of workout do you do?
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    Do not fear. I've had the same lack of results on 1200, 1320, and now 1500 calories. At least I don't feel "scratch somebody's eyes out hungry" anymore, and I'm not gaining, so win-win.

    P.S: I called -4 pounds in 2 months "lack of results". "minimal results" would perhaps be better wording
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Every plateau I had to beat was caused by me undereating. I would definitely say that upping my calories worked for me.
  • 250mrsb
    250mrsb Posts: 33 Member
    Wow I think you hit a nerve with some people and their snide remarks. Anyway, try to ignore remarks like that and filter them out...I know you are new so this is good advice when combing the forums...you'll start to see a pattern with the people who give good advice, and the trolls.


    As far as your issue, I'd recommend you figure out your own TDEE manually then set your goals to custom to match those figures. MFP is notorious for giving people 1200 as a goal which in most cases is just too low.

    I dont know your stats (Age, weight, height) but if you took those to any decent TDEE calculator you can figure out what that is then take 20% or so off that number to find a number you should eat on a daily basis. Keep that up and you should see weight loss depending on how much you have to lose. (Always easy to lose more the more you have to lose and gets harder as you have less to lose)

    I was going to post something along the same lines as the OP. Im hoping im figuring this out right....

    my BMR is 1718
    my TDEE is 2354
    so if i do -20%TDEE then my daily calories should be 1884...or am i on drugs....haha
  • Tilran
    Tilran Posts: 627 Member
    Wow I think you hit a nerve with some people and their snide remarks. Anyway, try to ignore remarks like that and filter them out...I know you are new so this is good advice when combing the forums...you'll start to see a pattern with the people who give good advice, and the trolls.


    As far as your issue, I'd recommend you figure out your own TDEE manually then set your goals to custom to match those figures. MFP is notorious for giving people 1200 as a goal which in most cases is just too low.

    I dont know your stats (Age, weight, height) but if you took those to any decent TDEE calculator you can figure out what that is then take 20% or so off that number to find a number you should eat on a daily basis. Keep that up and you should see weight loss depending on how much you have to lose. (Always easy to lose more the more you have to lose and gets harder as you have less to lose)

    I was going to post something along the same lines as the OP. Im hoping im figuring this out right....

    my BMR is 1718
    my TDEE is 2354
    so if i do -20%TDEE then my daily calories should be 1884...or am i on drugs....haha

    You are not on drugs, if that is your TDEE of 2354 (I dont know your stats so I cant double check) then 1883 should be your daily calories.
  • 250mrsb
    250mrsb Posts: 33 Member
    Wow I think you hit a nerve with some people and their snide remarks. Anyway, try to ignore remarks like that and filter them out...I know you are new so this is good advice when combing the forums...you'll start to see a pattern with the people who give good advice, and the trolls.


    As far as your issue, I'd recommend you figure out your own TDEE manually then set your goals to custom to match those figures. MFP is notorious for giving people 1200 as a goal which in most cases is just too low.

    I dont know your stats (Age, weight, height) but if you took those to any decent TDEE calculator you can figure out what that is then take 20% or so off that number to find a number you should eat on a daily basis. Keep that up and you should see weight loss depending on how much you have to lose. (Always easy to lose more the more you have to lose and gets harder as you have less to lose)

    I was going to post something along the same lines as the OP. Im hoping im figuring this out right....

    my BMR is 1718
    my TDEE is 2354
    so if i do -20%TDEE then my daily calories should be 1884...or am i on drugs....haha

    You are not on drugs, if that is your TDEE of 2354 (I dont know your stats so I cant double check) then 1883 should be your daily calories.

    Thanks :)

    Here are stats if you are interested (gulp)

    Weight 198lbs
    Goal 145lbs
    height 5ft 9 or 69inches
    work out 6 days a week for 30 mins
    walk to dog 2-3 times a week depending on schedule
    work is pretty sedentary so i gotta keep active with exercise
    semi-vegetarian diet
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    Thanks everyone for the help!
    Hope this helps others as well!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Eat your prescribed calories. If you're set at 1200 that means eat back the exercise calories.

    I will try that - thanks!

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Trust science, not your emotions. Good luck!
    This exactly! I have been eating according to the info and guidelines in this topic for nearly a year, with steady results and not one single plateau. Find your numbers, and eat good food - fuel your body and it will thank you! My diary is public, have a look - I eat over 1800 calories a day, and I'm having great results.
  • stephaniebreaux18
    stephaniebreaux18 Posts: 7
    I know it might sound weird, but when I ate 1200, I didn't lose weight. But when I upped it to 1400, I *slowly* lost weight. I probably lose weight slower than most, but the point is I was actually losing! So, I would guess just exercise and try following the 1300 calorie suggestion for at least a couple weeks. If 1200 isn't working, you might as well give it a try! Not like you'll gain weight on 1300 anyway! :p
  • rushandy
    rushandy Posts: 7 Member
    You say you've been on here since late January and lost 3 pounds the first couple of weeks then 1.5 and now nothing...It's only late February, so you've been here a month and lost at least 4.5 pounds. Depending on your height and starting weight, that's a pretty significant loss. You could try increasing your calories, but I know for myself, zero loss one week and then a greater loss the following week is not at all unusual. If it has only been a week, then I'd say have some patience and keep doing what you're doing. If in a few weeks you're still at the same place, then re-evaluate. I know it's hard and we all want it to come off immediately, but remember, you didn't put it on overnight, so you're not going to lose it overnight...!!

    Exactly what this lady said. You've only been at it 4 weeks! Give it some time :-)

    I started dieting early Jan, so only a little longer than you, and I've not lost anything significant the last week or so despite having a decent overall calorie defecit. I'm not worried as I'm looking at hitting my goal weight by the end of the year. I'm hoping slow and steady will help me lose weight safely AND keep it off.

    They say 1 - 2 lbs a week is a safe amount to lose over a sustained period. Looking at your records and stats it looks like you fit into that category, so just stick with it, don't get disheartened and watch the scales drop next week :-)
  • jennmariepantoja
    jennmariepantoja Posts: 145 Member
    UPDATE!

    Yesterday I upped my calories by about 150 and this morning I lost 2.6 lbs!
    I guess I did need to eat more or eat back some of my exercise calories since I am set @ 1200 and Sedentary

Categories