Will 1200 calories put me in starvation mode?

0liviamarie · March 2013

I'm sedentary

ElizaRoche · March 2013

no

taso42 · March 2013

RainHoward · March 2013

you're dead already. it's started. your body is eating your muscle, then it's gonna start on the bone.

Umm. No.

remarkyllek · March 2013

I am sedentary and have never been a person to voluntarily work out. I have been seeing a dietitian and she told me to stay between 1200 and 1400 per day. I have been doing that for 2 months with very little exercising (I have a bulged disk in my back) and I have lost 18 pounds in 2 months. I have kept between 1200 and 1400 everyday and I am doing fine.

JanaCanada · March 2013

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

babydiego87 · March 2013

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:

Windi38 · March 2013

maybe if you are a man and really tall...

but in general, women do just fine on a 1200 calorie diet, especially if they are sedentary.

angelsingin4jc · March 2013

It won't necessarily, but it CAN! Honestly, I think it's too low even for the shortest of people. MFP tells my mom to eat 1200 cals a day because she's 5'2.5" and doesn't have a ton to lose. However, she loses more when she eats 1400 or so and exercises. (She's also 46 and her metabolism isn't as fast as someone in their 20's or 30's.) She was frustrated when she wasn't seeing progress eating 1200 and I advised she shoot for a NET of 1200, but eat over 1200. She feels better and isn't hungry all of the time. Don't be afraid to eat more calories as long as you're exercising. Besides, when you exercise, you need more food. Just make sure to make healthy choices and balance your nutrition as much as possible! Good luck!

Alofrog · March 2013

Remember to keep your diet balanced too!

BrainsOnGains · March 2013

I find eating 1200 calories of just carbs (bread, beer, white rice and potatoes) works well, with a multivitamin.

CoderGal · March 2013

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/572503-why-you-should-eat-more-a-lion-s-tale

Not having a healthy life style is not a reason to not have a healthy diet. You need about 2000 calories to get all of the nutrients a adult women needs according to the RDI/Health Canada/FDA.

ktownchik2005 · March 2013

I think it depends on the person. You have to remember that we're all different and have different needs. So what works for one person may not work for another. My advice would be to try it out and see how it works before you make a judgement. I'm currently on the 1200 plan and honestly most days I don't even reach that much. And I've lost 39lbs in a little over 3 months. A lot of this is trial and error to find what works best for you personally. Wish you lots of luck:)

thecanface · March 2013

Not necessarily, as starvation mode is a overused/abused terms. But there is a high probability that it will hinder your long term success.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/922076-plateau-time-again

i highly recommend reading every single one.

RainHoward · March 2013

I am sedentary and have never been a person to voluntarily work out. I have been seeing a dietitian and she told me to stay between 1200 and 1400 per day. I have been doing that for 2 months with very little exercising (I have a bulged disk in my back) and I have lost 18 pounds in 2 months. I have kept between 1200 and 1400 everyday and I am doing fine.

Oh no You DID ent!. Dietitians are quacks who know nothing about nutrition. Idiots on MFP say so so it must be true.

Unknown · March 2013

This content has been removed.

Kelley528 · March 2013

It didnt do it to me. I am 5'4 and lost the first 30lbs eating 1200 cal. I didnt feel starving or hungry and had 3 balanced meals and 3 snacks.

People have their own opinions about what is right and what is wrong. Most people offer their opnions without any knowledge or experience behind them. They just think they know whats right. Go by what is right for you and what works for your body. If you feel hungry all the time and your are not losing any weight then 1200 prob isnt right for you. I lost between 1-2lbs a week. if 1200 calories really starves people then I dont think I would have had such success. My body plateaued at 30lbs then I swiched up to 1460 as I was nearer my goal. Lost the past 6 lbs at a much slower rate but still losing. And guess what, I'm not starving.

Maridinger · March 2013

No it wont. Ive lost around 55 pounds eating 1200 calories and working out 3-4 days a week, I started in Sept of 2012. However, there have been weeks where I didnt work out at all due to time management issues. You can do it, but its hard. I find that Id rather workout a little more to eat a little more. I have plateud(sp?) so I upped my calories to 1800-2200 for a few weeks then dropped back down to 1200 and the weight started coming off again.

babydiego87 · March 2013

I am sedentary and have never been a person to voluntarily work out. I have been seeing a dietitian and she told me to stay between 1200 and 1400 per day. I have been doing that for 2 months with very little exercising (I have a bulged disk in my back) and I have lost 18 pounds in 2 months. I have kept between 1200 and 1400 everyday and I am doing fine.

Oh no You DID ent!. Dietitians are quacks who know nothing about nutrition. Idiots on MFP say so so it must be true.

MFP degrees >>>>>>>

k8blujay2 · March 2013

I don't know about starvation mode, but it might make you hangry.... at least it does me. As long as you are getting your nutrients and don't feel deprived, why not.

Terpnista84 · March 2013

Eating 1,200 PLUS exercising will cause you to lose muscle mass. Of course you will get smaller but it may not be coming from the sources you would like. If you eat 1,200 calories and are sedentary I think you would be okay. But if you are exercising too it won't hurt to eat more, it will only help you in the longrun,.

trogalicious · March 2013

lemme guess, you signed up... set it to 2lbs loss?

How much are you trying to lose anyway?

da_bears10089 · March 2013

i understand that there is debate on whether 1200 calories is too low or not... BUT if you can figure our what your numbers are in regards to BMR and TDEE and you can eat MORE than 1200 and still lose weight steadily, why wouldn't you?

hannah1011z · March 2013

you're dead already. it's started. your body is eating your muscle, then it's gonna start on the bone.

Umm. No.

NOT REALISTIC DUDE. AM I the only one that came accross bad too?

xoxsashaxox · March 2013

I did 1200 calories for a few months to kickstart my weightloss and i didnt go into starvation mode lmao. American people in particular believe people need so many calories and a rediculous amount of food to be healthy, when in reality the leanest healthiest people not only excersise daily but eat so healthy even after having 3 meals a day plus snacks they only make it to about 1200-1500 calories a day (for women). Your height also comes into play. at 1200 calories a day i am 120 pounds at 5'5.

BlueInkDot · March 2013

Again: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

BlueInkDot · March 2013

Not necessarily, as starvation mode is a overused/abused terms. But there is a high probability that it will hinder your long term success.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/922076-plateau-time-again

You rule so hard, taso.

roobe18 · March 2013

"Starvation Mode" is basically a myth. If it were true, people wouldn't die from starvation. It is possible that eating less than 1000 calories will slow down your matabolism a bit, but you will still lose weight. For example, if you expected to lose 1 lb a week on 1500 cals, and 2 lbs a week on 1000 cals, then you would likely expect to lose 3lbs a week on 500 cals but actually you would only lose something like 2.4lbs on 500. So bottom line, you'll still lose, just not as fast as you might expect for such restricted calories. But you have to ask yourself. If "starvation mode" is such a scary thing and it makes you supposedly gain weight, then why does the medical community (and not just a few quack Dr's, but MOST of the medical community) put people on VLCDs of 800 cals or less for drastic weight loss? How are people so successful with weight loss surgery where they're eating only 500-800 cals a day? I have been eating approx 800 cals for two months now and have been very successful. I feel great and haven't had any problems. I take plenty of multi vitamins to ensure I'm not losing out too much nutritionally. I must admit though, I haven't lost weight as fast as I would have thought. I've had weeks were I've lost nothing. But I've had weeks like that on every other diet I've ever been on.

Now, all that said, do I reccomend that diet for everyone? No. Especially if you don't think it's something you can maintain for a significant amount of time. But if you don't feel like eating over 1200 calories every day, don't worry that some big bad fat monster is going to come and pack you with pounds. Dont stuff yourself with food just because you feel like you have to hit a magic number of 1200 when you're really not in the mood to eat anything more.

hannah1011z · March 2013

I am sedentary and have never been a person to voluntarily work out. I have been seeing a dietitian and she told me to stay between 1200 and 1400 per day. I have been doing that for 2 months with very little exercising (I have a bulged disk in my back) and I have lost 18 pounds in 2 months. I have kept between 1200 and 1400 everyday and I am doing fine.

Oh no You DID ent!. Dietitians are quacks who know nothing about nutrition. Idiots on MFP say so so it must be true.

So we should listen to a guy with responses like yours? Oh my, I think ill take my chances with the doctors and nutritionalists that have their degrees and facts

RunHardBeStrong · March 2013

Not necessarily, as starvation mode is a overused/abused terms. But there is a high probability that it will hinder your long term success.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419136-what-am-i-doing-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/419393-need-serious-help-please
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/420759-gaining-weight-on-a-low-carb-diet-please-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/421412-so-fed-up-there-has-to-be-an-easier-way
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/446248-why-am-i-gaining-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/447513-disillusioned
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/448803-not-loosing-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/454374-gaining-with-scrict-diet-and-workouts
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/455392-no-results-at-all-despair
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457566-why-cant-i-loose-weight-or-inches
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/457037-feeling-disheartened
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/467001-why-1200-c-a-day-and-still-no-weight-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480698-assistance-please-this-is-getting-ridiculous
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/480186-tiredness
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/487729-the-scale-wont-move
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/493331-i-need-some-straight-up-advice-on-this-dieting
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/503342-mfp-lied-help
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/509836-i-can-t-seem-to-lose-any-weight
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/517635-what-is-wrong-with-me
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/526497-1000cal-day-diet-daily-work-out-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/552142-giving-up
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/557832-why-am-i-not-loosing-weight-help-im-doing-everything-i
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/585081-help-working-out-and-eating-1200-calories-no-change
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/589043-sick-of-trying-with-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/665625-could-someone-look-at-my-logs
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/668039-why-haven-t-i-lost-weight-in-2-weeks
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/680195-helppppp
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/705854-hair-loss
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713154-900-calories-a-day
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/713967-not-seeing-any-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/721909-1200-every-day-and-no-change-demotivated-completely
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/739340-1200cal-daily-for-3-weeks-and-havent-lost-a-single-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854231-calorie-problem
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/854236-stuck-fat
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/867360-i-m-scared
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/873449-need-advice
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890176-not-losing-with-1200-calorie-plan
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/892991-4-weeks-dieting-and-haven-t-lost-1-pound
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/901715-anybody-busting-their-butts-and-seeing-no-results
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905033-why-am-i-not-losing
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/905493-daily-600-net-calories-no-weight-lost-what-s-wrong
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/922076-plateau-time-again

i highly recommend reading every single one.

Me too!

meredith1123 · March 2013

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865024-1200-and-why-it-won-t-work

How weird! When it's worked perfectly fine for me. :drinker:

Seems to work just fine for me..... although not when i was MUCH bigger. You have to slowly decrease as weight is dropped but ive got 5 pounds left to lose and if i eat 1200 cal and still exercise four days a week... i lose no problem.

just sayin..

Will 1200 calories put me in starvation mode?

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