When is 1200 calories appropriate? (hint: almost never)
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I too was given the 1200 calorie number, and found myself close to that, slightly over or under some days. I have a friend who is a registered dietician who I talked to, because I was confused that I was not losing any weight over several weeks of sticking close to the 1200 goal. She advised me that my body was probably close to "starvation mode" and was trying to preserve my weight/fat. She advised me to bump up to about 1400 and include higher protein breakfasts. After recalculating some figures on MFP, it has put me at a goal of 1360. I am curious to see if there is any difference soon!0
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bumping to read this later:)0
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LOVE THIS!0
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Nice try, but this is going to fall on deaf ears.
I came to mfp determined 1200 was right. I read a thread like this and upped them. Some people do listen
Me. I was one of those. I lost 4 lbs in the first week on 1200 calories. I wasn't hungry, BUT my legs were not recovering from Zumba. Each day was getting harder and harder. Then I weighed in and saw that I lost all that weight. It clicked. I wasn't burning fat; I was burning muscle, most likely, which would explain the unrecovering soreness. I upped my calories and I feel great. I am happy to plan meals and fun snacks. I sleep better, and it was because of a forum like this. They bother people, but they are good for those wavering on the edge. Not everyone will (or needs to) change. Enough do though, and this is posted for those people! Thank you for posting. IT is hard because it is so controversial. :flowerforyou:0 -
After reading several of these threads I made an appointment with my doctor to discuss my diet and weight loss. She took my information down, consulted a nutritionist and emailed me the diet plan she'd like me to use.
It's an exchange diet... 1200 calories. Go figure.
Edit: Also... I'm stuffing myself to eat 1200 calories. I just forced down two slices of toast with butter and fruit spread because I was 170 calories short for the day.
MMM sounds yummy!! Toast and butter. Delicious!
I think the OP wasn't saying 1200 calories is wrong. He was just intending to give information to those curious about that number and themselves! If it is working for you, keep it up. It sounds like you are doing fine with it (esp Dr recommended), and it sounds like you are enjoying the finer things (here I am referring to butter haha)!! Great work! :flowerforyou:0 -
Love the Roadmap link, but was a little confused with all of the numbers I ended up with.
I'm just a little confused about everything.. I have my BF% and my BMR. I also used the calculators to get my daily calories. I understand that I should eat somewhere between my BMR (1407) and my daily calories (1935) to lose weight, but where does the -20% play in? Should I be eating between my BMR (1407) and the daily calories -20% (1548)? Is the daily calories number my TDEE? Which number do I put into my goals? Thanks for any help
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Love the Roadmap link, but was a little confused with all of the numbers I ended up with.
I'm just a little confused about everything.. I have my BF% and my BMR. I also used the calculators to get my daily calories. I understand that I should eat somewhere between my BMR (1407) and my daily calories (1935) to lose weight, but where does the -20% play in? Should I be eating between my BMR (1407) and the daily calories -20% (1548)? Is the daily calories number my TDEE? Which number do I put into my goals? Thanks for any help
I was told you take your TDEE 1935 and take away 20%, as long as you are above your BMR. I may be incorrect if the person that explained that to me was wrong. For you, this would be the 1548 you stated above. You would put that into your goals and eat back exercise calories to remain above your BMR. You have it right. It is hard because that is less than a pound projected per week, but you may find that you still lose at a good rate because it is better for your body! :flowerforyou: 0 -
I think the OP wasn't saying 1200 calories is wrong.
The title of the topic is: "When is 1200 calories appropriate? (hint: almost never)." Does that signal approval to you?
The OP made a blanket, inaccurate statement, which is why there's been blow back.0 -
After reading several of these threads I made an appointment with my doctor to discuss my diet and weight loss. She took my information down, consulted a nutritionist and emailed me the diet plan she'd like me to use.
It's an exchange diet... 1200 calories. Go figure.
Edit: Also... I'm stuffing myself to eat 1200 calories. I just forced down two slices of toast with butter and fruit spread because I was 170 calories short for the day.
You had a quarter of a cup of trail mix for lunch and you say you are stuffing yourself?
Really?
How exactly did you end up with weight to lose?0 -
I think the OP wasn't saying 1200 calories is wrong.
The title of the topic is: "When is 1200 calories appropriate? (hint: almost never)." Does that signal approval to you?
The OP made a blanket, inaccurate statement, which is why there's been blow back.
There's also been approval.
The point is, yes, you CAN lose weight on 1200, but the vast majority of people would also lose on 1400, 1500, 1600. It is good to give new people the information, and let them decide for themselves.
If I hadn't read something like this when I started, I'd have given up after a few weeks, as 1200 was just not sustainable, for me.
I am fully intending to be able to join the 1800 calorie club once I get back to exercising.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/506349-women-who-eat-more-than-1800-calories-a-day0 -
Love the Roadmap link, but was a little confused with all of the numbers I ended up with.
I'm just a little confused about everything.. I have my BF% and my BMR. I also used the calculators to get my daily calories. I understand that I should eat somewhere between my BMR (1407) and my daily calories (1935) to lose weight, but where does the -20% play in? Should I be eating between my BMR (1407) and the daily calories -20% (1548)? Is the daily calories number my TDEE? Which number do I put into my goals? Thanks for any help
Also, with how little you have to lose, 20% is a pretty deep cut, and a 10-15% cut off your TDEE might be more appropriate.0 -
SERIOUSLY????? I get sick and tired of the "eat more" crowd telling everyone and anyone how harmful it is to eat 1200 calories per day! Really people in third world countries are dying for that many calories per day! In America the land of obesity and excess 1200 calories does seem like starvation mode, but it is far from it. I'm a 54 year old 5'6" female who has lost 39 lbs since June 6 2012 eating 1200 calories. I've been maintaining since December at 1530 calories. I eat a pretty nutrient dense diet, no room for crap or processed foods but plenty of fuel for this body. I can honestly say I've never been hungry. Have I ever wanted crap I had no calories for, sure? There's a difference between hunger and cravings. I also don't believe in forgoing things i enjoy for the sake of weight loss, moderation in all things!. I don't think my way is the only way nor do I get on the threads and advocate it as the holy grail of weight loss. I do however share my experience when someone needs help or ask for advice. My 1200 calorie diet was suggested by my physician. I also workout on a regular basis. The post is not based on fact it is your opinion. There are plenty of us doing just fine at 1200 calories and I'm sure there are the same number doing just fine in the "eat more" camp. Everyone needs to find what works for them!0
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i'd like to wish good luck to everyone here who actually read and understood the initial post in this thread. the choice is always in your hands. 1200 may be right for some people. i never said it wasn't. i simply said that it wasn't the only way or even the best way for the large majority of people here (probably even vast majority). in any event, all i want for people to do is to make informed decisions on how they proceed. read. learn. then decide. i've passed along 2 good links in the original post and for anyone new or confused or stalled, i would urge you to check out both links. for those of you who are happy on a 1200 calorie diet, i hope it works for you. there is some interesting give and take on this thread and even a handful of skeptical people whose posts deserve to be read.
for those who came in here with an agenda of their own and anger in their hearts aimed at me for things i didn't say, i most likely didn't read most of your posts since i put several of you on ignore. good luck to you folks anyway. i have no animosity toward you and never passed judgment on your choices. this thread was only about information. i hate seeing people struggling on VLCD because they are deathly afraid of increasing their calories. i'm firmly in the faction that recommends eating a bit more to make this whole process easier whenever that is an option.
:drinker:
THANK YOU!!! If postings like this didn't happen, I would've prolonged my unnecessary 1200 calorie misery indefinitely...0 -
bump0
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SERIOUSLY????? I get sick and tired of the "eat more" crowd telling everyone and anyone how harmful it is to eat 1200 calories per day! Really people in third world countries are dying for that many calories per day! In America the land of obesity and excess 1200 calories does seem like starvation mode, but it is far from it. I'm a 54 year old 5'6" female who has lost 39 lbs since June 6 2012 eating 1200 calories. I've been maintaining since December at 1530 calories. I eat a pretty nutrient dense diet, no room for crap or processed foods but plenty of fuel for this body. I can honestly say I've never been hungry. Have I ever wanted crap I had no calories for, sure? There's a difference between hunger and cravings. I also don't believe in forgoing things i enjoy for the sake of weight loss, moderation in all things!. I don't think my way is the only way nor do I get on the threads and advocate it as the holy grail of weight loss. I do however share my experience when someone needs help or ask for advice. My 1200 calorie diet was suggested by my physician. I also workout on a regular basis. The post is not based on fact it is your opinion. There are plenty of us doing just fine at 1200 calories and I'm sure there are the same number doing just fine in the "eat more" camp. Everyone needs to find what works for them!
And that's what OP's post and others like it help many to do. Whether you like it or not, and whether you agree with the means or not, does not mean it is not happening for a lot of people.0 -
One formula doesnt fit all...
not that I eat 1200 or anything but lets not put people down for eating less than we believe they should. its their body not ours. and if they are losing and not malnourished who cares
Thank you. I feel like berating people for their calorie choice is akin to fat-shaming. If I'm not allowed to tell someone to reduce their calorie intake, no one should tell me to increase mine. Unsolicited advice is unsolicited for a reason.
No one is telling you to increase your calories. Good gosh people read and understand. This thread is for those who are NOT THRIVING on 1200 calories. Believe what you want but at if you can't even comprehend to post then you should just back away. If I am not mistaken YOU decided to read the post if you can't handle someone trying to help those that struggle on 1200 that is really a personal problem that YOU have.
I will add that I did 1200 or less for a long time now I live with health problems caused by eating to little. So if these posts can save one person from damaging their bodies when 1200 is way too little then I say keep em coming.0 -
Everyone needs to find what works for them!
And that's what OP's post and others like it help many to do. Whether you like it or not, and whether you agree with the means or not, does not mean it is not happening for a lot of people.
Exactly. I'm tired of being made out to be an "eat more bully" for sharing what has worked brilliantly for me.0 -
I just want to say thank you for this post! Without posts like these I wouldn't have started looking into my specific needs. I was doing 1200 NET or less (1000 is as low as it would get unless I was sick) for a long time and struggling the whole time. I was also getting weaker and getting ill along with thinning hair and bad skin. For me 1200 was a vlcd because I was eating far below my bmr. Those that say 1200 won't cause horrible side effects are mistaken. I didn't listen at first but soon realized my body was going to try to survive any way it could. Oh and I didn't feel hungry either but I also know hunger doesn't really mean much. I will have heart problems for the rest of my life because I was to naive and thought I controlled my body. I have to live with that which is easier now since my body is getting the right amount of food. That is why these posts are so important. For all those getting butthurt get over it. It isn't about you. It is about helping those who are looking for a more sustainable way to get healthy because whether you like it or not 1200 is dangerous for some.0
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I have a question...most week days i don't eat 1200 calories (and I'm not ashamed of it), but on the weekends I eat more, have a few drinks whatever i want. I workout twice a week at the gym and twice a week on the treadmill at home. So do you think I'm on my way to starvation? :huh:
No. Do you know what your average daily net for a typical week is?
My average daily net for last week was 1326
Everyone is different, but it's unlikely and women would damage her metabolism eationg at that calorie level.0 -
Being a 45 yr old male obviously gives you great knowledge of what works for all of the women of the world - well done sir.0
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Bump0
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In 2011 I tried the eating 1200 calories thing for a couple of months, plus doing Insanity 6 days a week. Did I lose weight? Hell yeah, I lost it quickly too, 14 lbs in 6 weeks! Was I hungry? You bet, I was. Somedays not at all, somedays I felt famished. Was I getting stronger? Absolutely not, I could still barely do pushups by the time I had to stop (in fact, my endurance had peaked and began to decrease). Yep, I had to stop, because I got sick. I got sick for 6 weeks straight, one thing after another, cold, flu, respiratory infection, bronchitis, etc etc. I would feel better for a couple of days, try to get back onto my workouts and I didn't have the energy. Where I was able to sort of make it through before, I couldn't make it 10 minutes through the warm up anymore, then I would get sick again. I could no longer eat the 1200 cals I had been eating because I just didn't care to track it any more. I was just trying to stop being sick. So I stopped tracking and began eating again without regard to tracking. I gained all of the weight back, plus a couple of extra, within a month. I had worn myself out, literally, made myself sick. I fully believe eating so little and over training had caused my immune system to hate me.
Fast forward a few months and I decided to try again and I did begin with the 1200 again, because hey, it worked before!! But I dreaded, absolutely dreaded, having to restrict my calories so much. Then I began reading what others were saying in the forums about not having to restrict myself to 1200 calories. I began experimenting with the calculators, asking questions, getting educated on what TDEE meant, and I began lifting weights again, and then began learning what "heavy" meant for lifting. I began to understand that I don't have to lose weight that fast and I don't have to starve myself, I can make a lifestyle change where I can enjoy eating out with friends, drinking wine and I don't have to do any cardio (I hate cardio!) but I can lift weights, which I love. My progress is slower than before, but I love the way my body looks more now than when I had lost the weight in 2011.
And I am only a few lbs off from where I was then, but I'm doing it the smart and fun way instead of blindly accepting thinking that I should be miserable to lose weight. Plus, the lbs don't bother me, I really don't worry about them so much, its the fit of my clothes and the way my husband and others notice how much better I look.
tl;dr - I ate too little, over trained, got sick, gained it back, am older and wiser now and understand it doesn't have to be that way.0 -
I know i need to increase my calorie intake but to be honest, Im scared ****less.
I have been at 1200 for over a year. I lost about 40 lbs in the first 7 months ish but I have not lost anything since august. The fact that I am maintaining at 1200 is clearly a problem. Im scared to increase because I have tried this before and gained weight. I think ill eat at 1300 for the next two weeks and take it from there. I honestly think a gradual approach is the way to go.
If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it! Messages are welcome0 -
Exactly. I'm tired of being made out to be an "eat more bully" for sharing what has worked brilliantly for me.
Do you recognize that "eat more bullying" happens? On my home page, in a conversation with friends, a lady just revealed that she keeps her diary closed because otherwise she is inundated with criticism for eating too little. Do you know anybody doing TDEE-20% who is afraid to share that information?
I have not seen a thread about that system that has low calories eaters constantly sticking their heads in to make ****ty, snarky, insulting comments. It is guaranteed for us.
I really do think the OP made it out like the number of people who can thrive at 1200 is so vanishingly small you should assume you are not one of them. But let's assume I am wrong. Let's assume HotrodsGirl is right and I just have crap reading comprehension.
Could you TDEE-20% people agree that there is a liiiiiiiiittttttttttttle bit of a hostile environment here for people who eat few calories and that is not very nice?0 -
Bump to check out suggested links later...thanks!0
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Could you TDEE-20% people agree that there is a liiiiiiiiittttttttttttle bit of a hostile environment here for people who eat few calories and that is not very nice?
Getting constantly called a bully for advocating a moderate approach to weight loss is no fun, either. All I've ever suggested is using this site the way it was meant to be used, which is eating no less than 1200 plus exercise calories. Unless they are under doctor's supervision. I have some friends who've had WLS, and I fully support their choices. I'm really impressed and amazed at how meticulous they are about nutrition.
I've never given unsolicited comments about anyone's diary. I have had people make snarky comments about some of the foods in my diary, even when they fit perfectly within my goals, or making snide comments about "Yeah, let's see how well that works for you when you're 60." Well, derp... why would I be doing what will work for me when I'm 60 when I'm 40? Of course things will change as my body changes.
To be perfectly honest... I don't care about being considered nice. I care about giving good advice.0 -
I know i need to increase my calorie intake but to be honest, Im scared ****less.
I have been at 1200 for over a year. I lost about 40 lbs in the first 7 months ish but I have not lost anything since august. The fact that I am maintaining at 1200 is clearly a problem. Im scared to increase because I have tried this before and gained weight. I think ill eat at 1300 for the next two weeks and take it from there. I honestly think a gradual approach is the way to go.
If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it! Messages are welcome
Nothing wrong with easing into it if that's your preference. It could take a little longer since you'll need to give each change a few weeks to see if it works. Your body won't adjust over night. Honestly, I think it's easier to break a plateau by upping calories and increasing the intensity of exercise at the same time. I'm not sure what you are doing now for exercise, but by upping the intensity you likely could jump your calories up 200-300 and still being losing again.0 -
I'm currently doing 1200 calories a day only because I make veggie/fruit smoothies for breakfast & lunch. I have a snack in between breakfast & lunch and then between lunch & dinner. For dinner I have sirloin or a chicken breast with veggies for sides. These things do not add up to be a high calorie content, but I am getting all my fruits & veggies in. I've never been big on drinking milk so I don't get much dairy. I guess if anyone has any suggestions for me that would be great, but I'm keeping my smoothies! I love love love them!!!!!0
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Being a 45 yr old male obviously gives you great knowledge of what works for all of the women of the world - well done sir.
f you are a sedentary 38-year old woman, who is 4'10" and weighs 115lbs and does not exercise, then your TDEE-20% would be approximately 1200 calories.
if you are:
more active than that...
and/or younger than that...
and/or male...
and/or taller than that...
and/or weigh more than that...
and/or engage in cardiovascular exercise, then
you should almost certainly be eating MORE than 1200 calories per day.0 -
To be perfectly honest... I don't care about being considered nice. I care about giving good advice.
No, no, no. That is irrelevant. Do you care about being nice? That is the question. If you don't, our assumptions disagree and I'll walk away without feeling frustrated or anything. Just, oh well, we're not going to see eye to eye. But, if you do care about being a nice person, please read on.
First off, I don't really know anybody enough to say who is and isn't an "offender" or whatever. I don't really care to. I am not interested in pillorying anyone. I am just trying to get you guys to see what the overall environment here is like for people who are on low calorie diets.
Everybody has gotten snarky comments for all manner of different things. Hell, I have gotten rape threats for sharing my political views. It made me laugh because it was so inordinate. There are horrible people everywhere. You can't take everything to heart, especially on the internet.
That is different from being certain that discussing your diet will elicit snide comments. Getting a snide comment here and there isn't going to make you take your diary off of public. The criticism would have to be fairly constant to have that effect.0
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