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Hmmm, 1200 Cals seems too low for me starting out...?

anjiemr
anjiemr Posts: 41 Member
edited January 17 in Food and Nutrition
I am in the 190s with goal weight at 140. I sometimes feel that 1200 cals is too low for a beginner and being that I have been sedentary.
As embarrassing as it is to say my, past diet has been upwards of 1800-2000 cals or more depending on my mood, etc.
Should I be eating more around 1400-1500 cals to lose 1-2 lbs a week? 1200 cals right off the bat seems like starvation...
Help!?!

Replies

  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Are you getting any exercise? MFP expects you to work out and add the calories burned to your daily total.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    This.
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    I started about the same as you and I'm 143 right now. And yes, when I started, I was at about 1200-1300 CLEAN calories a day, without eating back exercise calories. No, I did not starve. I did not feel like I was starving. Yes it's what I needed to kick start my weight loss. I saw pretty serious results within a month.

    You can try it. If you absolutely can't handle it, bump it up. You'll still probably lose at 1400-1500, just not as fast. But, no, if you weight 190lbs right now and cut to 1200 you won't starve.
  • anjiemr
    anjiemr Posts: 41 Member
    Thanks for all the input. No, I haven't started working out. I have done low calorie before but it was a meal replacement so I guess I thought that doing it this way..."the right way"...that 1200 seemed low. I will continue with 1200 and add exercise but I think I will eat back some of my exercise calories.

    Thank you all!
  • debbielh412
    debbielh412 Posts: 17 Member
    A big later lunch always helps me be able to get through the day eating the 1200 calories. It definitely is hard to stick to, but very possible! :) YOU CAN DO IT!
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    I am in the 190s with goal weight at 140. I sometimes feel that 1200 cals is too low for a beginner and being that I have been sedentary.
    As embarrassing as it is to say my, past diet has been upwards of 1800-2000 cals or more depending on my mood, etc.
    Should I be eating more around 1400-1500 cals to lose 1-2 lbs a week? 1200 cals right off the bat seems like starvation...
    Help!?!

    go with 1400-1500. absolutely.

    1200 is almost always too little except for extenuating circumstances. How tall are you and what's your age? We can do the calculations.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    ^^ YES!!!! Best thread on this topic I've ever seen.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    I am in the 190s with goal weight at 140. I sometimes feel that 1200 cals is too low for a beginner and being that I have been sedentary.
    As embarrassing as it is to say my, past diet has been upwards of 1800-2000 cals or more depending on my mood, etc.
    Should I be eating more around 1400-1500 cals to lose 1-2 lbs a week? 1200 cals right off the bat seems like starvation...
    Help!?!

    go with 1400-1500. absolutely.

    1200 is almost always too little except for extenuating circumstances. How tall are you and what's your age? We can do the calculations.


    Totally agree - 1400-1500 (or even more if you begin working out)
  • anjiemr
    anjiemr Posts: 41 Member
    I'm 5'5". A body builder friend said 1200 was too low for me and that I should be 1500-1600 with exercise.
    I think I will start with the go between at 1400.

    Thanks y'all :-)
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