1200 Calories

My TDEE, is 2560, too bad I have no idea what that means

Assuming that estimate is a good one*...(and remember, it *is* an estimate), a good starting point would be ~1975 (which is your TDEE - 20%. (Note, that would be the calorie limit each day regardless of exercise activity as that is already a component of the TDEE.)

If I were you, I would take a couple of weeks to ease my calories up to this amount...then track consistently and eat at this level for 4-6 weeks. Then reevaluate your progress to determine what tweaks, if any, need to be made the that number. Losing too quickly? Bump it up a hundred or so. Not losing quickly enough? Knock it down a hundred or so.

Also, take measurements. The tape measure is a better indicator of scale weight anyhow. And speaking of scale weight, don't be alarmed if you stop losing or even gain a pound or two in the first week or so. That happens. Just be patient and trust the process.


ETA: where the 1975 came from.

* I'm not saying it's wrong, but that "feels" a little high. I'm sure others will chime in with their opinion on it soon enough. (They always do. =P )

ETAM: Ah, just read you're a nurse...which would be a significant factor in the TDEE calculation assuming you are active during the day.

The jump start plan is just that - made to jump start your weight loss.

I was just using that as an example of how I'm eating 1200 calories a day and NOT starving, since so many people on this board think 1200 calories isn't enough to keep someone alive :laugh:

its really the point you are missing.

Enlighten me, O' enlightened one

about 10-15% of the healthy female population can eat 1200 or below and be healthy. the largest study into basel metabolic rates confirms this. so there is an 85-90% chance that its not enough in any case.

furthermore without knowing more about the OP, especially height, one could not ascertain her caloric needs.

also of note is that she is a nurse, which would increase her caloric needs due to her physically demanding job, which if not logged/accounted for, would push her net calories even lower.

in conclusion, yeh, anyone can eat 1200 calories for a week or two to jumpstart their diet, but for the long term, 15% or less count do this in a healthy manner.

the defence rests.

if you cant stick to 1200 calories without starving, dont do it! some people can, some cant. i eat 1200 a day, but i feel good with that... you dont want to suffer, because you will just end up giving up... maybe take another look at your goals vs. your needs... good luck to you!

Well I'm on a 1200 cal a day I lose 1-2 Pds a day...buttttttt I also take Qysemia. Which makes a 1200 cal diet a walk in the park. To each its own.

what? nooooo...

It seems that MFP recommends 1lb a week weight loss for everybody, and for many of us this will mean 1200 calories net. You might find that you get a higher number if you change the weight loss goal to 1/2 lb a week.

Personally, I found it difficult to keep to 1200 calories, so I changed my goal to 1/2 lb a week and that worked well.

Do have a look at the other methods too. I prefer to calculate my TDEE and have a deficit from that because I prefer having the same calorie goal each day, but some people prefer to use the MFP system and have more calories if they do more exercise. Both systems work!

Edit: Make sure you've set your activity level for your job correctly too. MFP asks for your activity level before exercise - if you're a nurse you'll probably be quite active. If you put yourself as sedentary MFP won't give you enough calories. I certainly couldn't eat 1200 calories and do a day on the wards!

and 1200 cal is too few u will gain and go into starvation mode

No u will not if u eat lower than 1200 u will....

like many people have said previously it all depends on you, MFP has worked out my calories to 1200 a day im doing ok on it and I dont eat healthy but if you do feel like you are getting really tired and drained after couple weeks then up the calories by 100 and see how you are

I've been doing around 1200 but exercising which helps add calories. I find I'm hungry on days my food intake didn't have great food, other days, I have lots of fruit and veggies and even pizza and I'm okay.

It really depends on your age, metabolism, etc. If it's not working, you can tweek it.

As others have said, it works for some and not others. I started on 1200 and didn't find it bad at all, but I wasn't eating cr*p and if I exercised, I'd eat most or all of the calories back.

BUT I am a 5'3" female, I sit on my bum most days at work and I'm 44 - other people might not find it suits them and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who genuinely is feeling hungry eating this amount of calories.

Having said all that, I went up to 1300 a month back as I missed having a biscuit with my cup of tea and I'm still losing, just not as fast as I was but I can live with that as it's a long haul to my goal weight.

For me personally, I find it pretty doable to stay under 1200 per day. I just make sure to use veggies and fruits to keep myself full all day. I ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a bagel for lunch, a lean cuisine for dinner, plus the fruits and veggies, plus some seeds/pretzels/other decent snacks and an occasional dessert. Just look for low calorie foods that you wouldn't mind eating large amounts of like carrots or cucumbers, and then eat smaller portions of the higher calorie foods.

I agree it is very doable. The first two weeks were very hard, I had headaches and was tired but it could of been also that I gave up caffeine at the same time. After the two weeks it's just like normal. You just have to look for food that is low in calories but also that fills you up. Try vegetables, greek yogurt (fills you up more than regular yougurt), fruits (apple with peanut butter the best), and lean meat. If you exercise you get more calories to eat. I normally eat all of my calories back and I have currently lost 19 pounds.

Also had a doctor's appointment and he is very happy with me because I am more healthy (my thyroid seems to be controlled Yayy)

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My first reaction is to try the TDEE method, personally I think you are low on the calorie range.... However, if you feel the 1200 calories is sufficient for you, I would change the type of healthy food you are eating. You should look into more dense calories.

My TDEE - 20% (which is the calculation to lose weight), is 1743, and I struggled to get there. I started adding things like beans, nuts (my personal preference is pistachios or cashews) and eggs. All very filling and good healthy foods, but slightly higher in calories (just slightly). They keep me full and give me the extra kick I need for calories.