1200 calories sucks !!!

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Replies

  • kellyb234
    kellyb234 Posts: 27
    Such great replys thanks everyone , though I really have no idea what those abbreviations mean haha :S
  • metacognition
    metacognition Posts: 626 Member
    Definitely try things that are higher in protein. Legumes, hummus and whole grain crackers, etc.
  • LesaLu4
    LesaLu4 Posts: 83
    Bump
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Such great replys thanks everyone , though I really have no idea what those abbreviations mean haha :S
    BMR = Basal Metabolic Rate - the amount of calories you burn doing absolutely nothing all day, a doctor would feed you this much if you were comatose, basically the minimum your body needs to keep your organs functioning.
    TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure - your BMR plus your daily activity - work, shopping, housework, exercise.

    A lot of people find their numbers and take 20% off the TDEE for their daily goal, and you don't eat back exercise cals as they are included in your activity level. This method has worked great for me for losing the fat!

    Much guidance in the link provided in my last post and by several other people - In Place Of A Road Map. Good stuff.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    Unless someone has medical issues that they need to be eating so few calories at 1200 you are starving yourself. I've been at 1500 since before Christmas and average 1/2 - 1lb a week loss and that was with eating back my exercise calories. I've now incorporated my activity and have bumped up my intake to about 1750. You don't have to starve yourself to lose weight. Check out this site for info on the concept of eating more and there is also a group here on mfp regarding EM2LW.

    http://eatmore2weighless.com/faqs/
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    MFP has my calories set at 1350, but I take the stance of "if your body is hungry, feed it". Don't be afraid to feed your body! Make wise decisions, and don't let yourself go hungry in hopes of seeing rapid results. Do what makes you feel your healthiest and "highest functioning".
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    As other people have mentioned, 1200 calories is not sufficient for most people, unless they're right around 5' tall, and already thin-ish.

    Look at the roadmap -- You should never eat below BMR. Calculate your TDEE, and eat at 10-20% below. You'll lose weight and fat, especially if you add that to a lifting routine.

    Good luck, and eat up!


    Everyone keeps saying this. I'm 5'0, around 24-25% body fat, 120 pounds and my TDEE-20% is still 1600 calories. Just because you are small does not mean you require less calories. My BMR alone is 1285.

    Touche... Clearly that was a VAST generalization to make a point... that was further illustrated by your input :wink:
    1200 really is TOO low for most people

    It's just a caveat to cover bases. It irks me a bit when people say "unless you have a medical condition you aren't sedentary" because I have several medical conditions that affect mobility and I'm still not sedentary. But I understand the need for qualifiers. Some short people and some people with medical conditions may find that 1200 is appropriate. Most will not.
  • digitalsteel
    digitalsteel Posts: 374 Member
    I take a few tbsp of coconut oil as a supliment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_chain_triglycerides Amazing stuff.
  • kristy6ward
    kristy6ward Posts: 332 Member
    Something else you have to remember with MFP, the calories they set for you are BASE calories. If you use their set up, your deficit is already built into the calories they set for you. If you do any exercise, you are supposed to eat those calories back to maintain your set deficit, otherwise you're just building a bigger hole. Depending on how much or how little you have left to lose you could stall our your weight loss by creating too big a deficit. Do you notice that when you log exercise, your calorie goal changes? MFP expects you to eat those calories back.

    Though the problem some people run into is how accurate are the calculations for the calories you burned?
  • keepongoingnmw
    keepongoingnmw Posts: 371 Member
    I am new here. If I understand it correctly it is set at 1200 net calories, not gross calories. In a nutshell it means we are supposed to eat back calories burned. I did a bootcamp and estimated about 400 calories burned. so my net would be 1200 plus 400= 1600. Feel free to correct me like I said its how I understand it. Anyway, I will find out on Sunday if it works!
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    As other people have mentioned, 1200 calories is not sufficient for most people, unless they're right around 5' tall, and already thin-ish.

    Look at the roadmap -- You should never eat below BMR. Calculate your TDEE, and eat at 10-20% below. You'll lose weight and fat, especially if you add that to a lifting routine.

    Good luck, and eat up!



    Everyone keeps saying this. I'm 5'0, around 24-25% body fat, 120 pounds and my TDEE-20% is still 1600 calories. Just because you are small does not mean you require less calories. My BMR alone is 1285.
    Glad you posted this - I know there are a lot of people around 5' tall here who eat 1500+ calories and are doing great!

    Totally agree, please eat more, your entire body needs more nutrition!
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    I am trying to stay at the 1200 calorie goal but I feel like its not enough. I am always hungry and I don't know if it's just a subconscious thing. What are some great vegetarian friendly foods that will make my bottomless pit seem a little less bottomless :)

    it's not. your title is very correct.
  • Emmabulliemum
    Emmabulliemum Posts: 294 Member
    probably cause it isn't enough! especially if you are working out most of us need at least 1500 in reality
  • carrieliz81
    carrieliz81 Posts: 489 Member
    You are too right, 1200 calories DOES suck!!! It just does!
  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    You're a vegetarian and you finding it hard? Just what exactly are you eating...? Veg and fruit are pretty low cal and I'm finding 1200 is easy as hell.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    As other people have mentioned, 1200 calories is not sufficient for most people, unless they're right around 5' tall, and already thin-ish.

    Look at the roadmap -- You should never eat below BMR. Calculate your TDEE, and eat at 10-20% below. You'll lose weight and fat, especially if you add that to a lifting routine.

    Good luck, and eat up!

    ^^this! I'm 5'0" (151 pounds) and did not do well on 1200. Currently eating between 1500-1700 and losing inches with weight training.

    Also, there is really good info at this group.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

    Everyone keeps saying this. I'm 5'0, around 24-25% body fat, 120 pounds and my TDEE-20% is still 1600 calories. Just because you are small does not mean you require less calories. My BMR alone is 1285.
  • ApexLeader
    ApexLeader Posts: 580 Member
    if you don't have much more weight to lose you could just up your calorie intake and lose slower for sanity's sake
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    I am new here. If I understand it correctly it is set at 1200 net calories, not gross calories. In a nutshell it means we are supposed to eat back calories burned. I did a bootcamp and estimated about 400 calories burned. so my net would be 1200 plus 400= 1600. Feel free to correct me like I said its how I understand it. Anyway, I will find out on Sunday if it works!

    Yes. That is how the site sets up our calorie goals.
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    1200 calorie intake isn't for me either... while some people may be satisfied on it... I get hangry, cranky, and tired... I upped my calories to around 1550 (which is around 20%-TDEE for me) and I feel MUCH better.. and I still lose more than .5 a pound a week this way.
  • favreervaf
    favreervaf Posts: 54 Member
    That is low, and as an exercise physiologist we come across this dilemma a lot. You can increase your daily needs by working out more and increasing muscle mass. But then, 1,200 cals is low enough were it might lower your metabolism, but if small meals were spaced out correctly, it could be fine.
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    You're a vegetarian and you finding it hard? Just what exactly are you eating...? Veg and fruit are pretty low cal and I'm finding 1200 is easy as hell.

    I was wondering the same thing.

    It's about what you eat too, if you grab a 1200 bar of chocolate you will most likely be hungry, if you use that 1200 on less calorie dense foods then you will last longer.
  • Queen_JessieA
    Queen_JessieA Posts: 1,059 Member
    I am trying to stay at the 1200 calorie goal but I feel like its not enough. I am always hungry and I don't know if it's just a subconscious thing. What are some great vegetarian friendly foods that will make my bottomless pit seem a little less bottomless :)

    I hear you. I am only here at 1200 until I can get out of my walking boot and back into the gym. I only cut back because of my injury. Otherwise, I wouldn't say that 1200 is enough for anyone.
  • Queen_JessieA
    Queen_JessieA Posts: 1,059 Member
    You're a vegetarian and you finding it hard? Just what exactly are you eating...? Veg and fruit are pretty low cal and I'm finding 1200 is easy as hell.

    I was wondering the same thing.

    It's about what you eat too, if you grab a 1200 bar of chocolate you will most likely be hungry, if you use that 1200 on less calorie dense foods then you will last longer.

    Most vegetarians are carboholics. At least that is what I have seen with a couple of really good friends of mine! And here!
  • little3blue5eyed7chica
    little3blue5eyed7chica Posts: 2
    I'm vegetarian, and I know how hard it is to get filled up without gorging yourself on bread and cheese ( which is obviously no bueno). Ive become a huge fan of beans. I do lentil soup, home made vegetarian re fried beans, cuban black beans and snack on chick peas; they fill me up well, aren't high in calories, and most importantly full of all sorts of good stuff your body needs. I also highly recommend switching any white unrefined starch to whole wheat not only is it better for you it takes your body longer to break down so you stay fuller.
    Cheers
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    As other people have mentioned, 1200 calories is not sufficient for most people, unless they're right around 5' tall, and already thin-ish.

    Look at the roadmap -- You should never eat below BMR. Calculate your TDEE, and eat at 10-20% below. You'll lose weight and fat, especially if you add that to a lifting routine.

    Good luck, and eat up!

    Everyone keeps saying this. I'm 5'0, around 24-25% body fat, 120 pounds and my TDEE-20% is still 1600 calories. Just because you are small does not mean you require less calories. My BMR alone is 1285.

    ^^this! I'm 5'0" (151 pounds) and did not do well on 1200. Currently eating between 1500-1700 and losing inches with weight training.

    Also, there is really good info at this group.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

    Edited to properly place my comment under the quote not within. oops.
  • shaaziatanweer
    shaaziatanweer Posts: 1
    Are you drinking enough water?Sometimes we feel hungry and tired due to lack of enough water.Just try 5 litres of water for a week everyday:smile: and see .
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    1200 calories sucks !!!

    Yes. Yes it does.

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