STOP Under-Eating Folks!!

marygee1951 · May 2013

I haven't been around here at MFP for long - but one thing I've learned from all the reading I've done here, is that you won't lose more weight if you undereat!!

Why go hungry?
Why put yourself in starvation mode?
Why set 1200 calories as your goal - and even then under-eat?
Why don't you eat your exercise calories?
Why don't you plan ahead?

I see so many posts:
I'm starving!!
I'm eating 1200 calories and not losing - what should I do?
I haven't lost in six weeks - help!!
I'm eating 1200 and exercising 6 days a week for 3 hours a day and not losing??!!
I want chocolate!!
Help me - I'm going to binge!!
I hate veggies!!

Read, Ask Questions, Listen and Learn!!
It's not rocket science.
It's not a race.
It's not a diet.

I'm taking it slowly. I have an appointment with my nutritionist next week, and expect to post another loss.
Don't know if it will be two pounds, five pounds or ten - I only weigh once a month - so I'm confident it will be a loss because I've been eating pretty much on target - over a little bit a day here or there - but not over by much and only two or three days this month.
I'm not hungry; I'm not starving myself; I eat foods I like and enjoy.
I don't get support from SO - but I come here and get it.
I plan ahead.
I work my plan. :blushing:
Life happens - if I have a bad day, I don't agonize over it.
I know it's not going to happen overnight.
I'm happy!

Go with the flow! :flowerforyou:

Don't worry - be happy! :bigsmile:

SkinnyGirlPending · May 2013

Don't tell other people what to do. People will eat however they want. You assume a lot about people.

ken_hogan · May 2013

One thing I've learned also is that the starvation mode thing is a myth, but depends on who you ask or what you read.

ken_hogan · May 2013

Don't tell other people what to do. People will eat however they want. You assume a lot about people.

And this.

wanttoloseweight4 · May 2013

excuse me? i eat 1200 calories and lose weight just fine everyone is different not everyone needs to eat 2000 calories to lose weight!

MercenaryNoetic26 · May 2013

I ignore all "starving" complaints and the "binging" ones that follow. Don't worry about them. They don't worry about you. :noway:

Lysander666 · May 2013

Eating is a very personal thing. This is why a lot of people don't open their diaries [myself included]. A lot of these people are trying to hold on to - or break - lifetimes habits. It's not easy.

I had a relatively easy ride with weight loss. Others may not, and the mental strain could be quite tough, depending on their reasons for having to lose. People will just do things their own way for something like this.

herblackwings39 · May 2013

excuse me? i eat 1200 calories and lose weight just fine everyone is different not everyone needs to eat 2000 calories to lose weight!

This is true. You probably also aren't one of the people who is constantly having issues and posting for advice then not taking it...which, I think was part of the OP's point. Not everyone can eat a high calorie amount and lose, but when you're doing 1200 and netting 500, not losing, exhausted, and always hungry something is wrong.

Contrarian · May 2013

Your post is very sensible. Thank you.

wanttoloseweight4 · May 2013

seriously to many people on here think there so much more informed about weight loss then anyone else! i ignore people who tell me im gonna shut my metabo down 1200 calories is fine for someone my size!

ggxx100 · May 2013

Starvation mode is a term that is abused on here...True starvation mode is in fact, when your body is actually starving (i.e. feeding on internal organs after it has burned through all else to survive). Look it up...it's not a magical occurrence as soon as you eat less than 1300 calories.

That being said, the 1200 mark is mainly about macros. It seems very difficult for the average adult to get the proper nutrient needs with such a small amount of calories.

I couldn't function on 1200 calories, but I cannot comment on other's intake as I don't know their height, weight, lifestyle, and activity level. Everyone is different, so it's best to focus on what works for you and how you're eating in order to get to your goal.

wanttoloseweight4 · May 2013

excuse me? i eat 1200 calories and lose weight just fine everyone is different not everyone needs to eat 2000 calories to lose weight!

This is true. You probably also aren't one of the people who is constantly having issues and posting for advice then not taking it...which, I think was part of the OP's point. Not everyone can eat a high calorie amount and lose, but when you're doing 1200 and netting 500, not losing, exhausted, and always hungry something is wrong.

i agree with that if thats the case then yeah you should be eatting more but i eat 1200 sometimes a little more becasue i work out so much and i more a lot of energy so if people are complaining they must be eating way less then what they say they are

PartyKardy · May 2013

You never know what the proper calories are for people. I happen to be very short, so my calories are set at 1400 currently, who knows that may change but because of my height thats a proper amount for me to eat and I don't feel hungry.

I have lost 37lbs, and am still losing consistently, everyone's body is different.

ThickMcRunFast · May 2013

Your post makes a lot of sense

prepare to have hangry people yell at you over it.

MrsBioChem · May 2013

Some people eat 1200 calories a day because their TDEE is only 1520. So... a 320 calorie deficit; 0.45 lbs a week loss; TDEE - 20%.

Also, your body is going to use calories no matter what you eat. It adjust to you level of fitness, and to some extent nutritional intake, as to how it uses those calories. Most marathoners put on weight in the season. Just saying.

luly727 · May 2013

All of above ^^. Everyone is differant..Speaking only from my experience, always was overweight..2 yrs ago I set out to lose weight and I did it. I lost 55 lbs and was down to a size 8-10 jeans..I set my own goals and I set my way of eating. I didnt starve myself BUT i didnt go over 1200 cal a day.. I didnt go to the gym every single day, lift weights etc. I did what I COULD DO, I walked when I could around the block, did go to a gym a few times etc. AND it worked for me..
Not everyone is the same. If I eat chocolate ( my addiction) or a donut or whatever, I CAN NOT STOP at 1, and then thats it for me, I fall off the wagon with the "oh what the hell attitude" So i have to do what I know works for me and keeps me in control of my situation...
Please dont group everyone the same, not everyone can or will lose weight the same way. No all plans work for all people.

This site is for support and motivation and information..Peace out

Jewels_in_the_rough · May 2013

I'm 5'3 and 150lbs. 1200 to me is going to be a lot different than 1200 for someone who is much taller and weighs much more than me. The only way I lose weight is if I eat between 1200 and 1300 calories a day. I've tried upping calories and it just didn't work. At all. And 1200 calories from lean meat, vegetables, etc is going to go a lot farther for me than 1800 calories of junk, just because I 'need' extra calories. I'm not hungry. I'm losing at a decent pace. I control my cravings. If eating more works for you, awesome, enjoy. But everyone's body is not the same. Please realize this and stop assuming you know what is best for everyone.

wanttoloseweight4 · May 2013

Some people eat 1200 calories a day because their TDEE is only 1520. So... a 320 calorie deficit; 0.45 lbs a week loss; TDEE - 20%.

Also, your body is going to use calories no matter what you eat. It adjust to you level of fitness, and to some extent nutritional intake, as to how it uses those calories. Most marathoners put on weight in the season. Just saying.

my tdee put me at eating 2000 a day to loe weight becasue i workout so much but all that was happening was me gaining once i dropped my cal intake down i was losing everyone is differernt we shouldnt judge people either way!

lisa9803 · May 2013

I agree with this post to some extent. It's probably more for the people who complain and look for advice, but then don't take the advice they are given. To the person who said starvation mode doesn't exist, you are wrong. It does exist. And people automatically think that eating a lot means high-calories - it doesn't. I can eat a HUGE salad with spinach, steak, veggies, and consume less calories that a measly pizza pocket, and be much more full. It's about what you eat, and how you are feeding your metabolism than about the amount of calories you consume.

Stress also causes weight gain, so why stress about how many calories you're eating, when the stress alone will cause you to gain weight?? Doesn't make sense to me.

I agree - don't worry be happy....and healthy

musicmint · May 2013

Don't tell other people what to do. People will eat however they want. You assume a lot about people.

I agree lol

Lochlyn_D · May 2013

excuse me? i eat 1200 calories and lose weight just fine everyone is different not everyone needs to eat 2000 calories to lose weight!

I agree with you. My doctor has put me on a diet of 1200 calories a day and it is the only thing that is worked for me and I've tried a lot of "diets".

Eating 2000 or even 1500 makes me feel fat and heavy and bloated all day long. I have no energy with that many calories. I just end up sitting on the couch and playing video games.

At 1200, I have energy to clean house and go for walks. It's a lifestyle I can see maintaining for myself, whereas eating more than that is something I have to force myself to do.

Annerk1 · May 2013

excuse me? i eat 1200 calories and lose weight just fine everyone is different not everyone needs to eat 2000 calories to lose weight!

This! The smaller a person is, the less calories they need. We all have different bodies and different needs. I'm losing two pounds a week and seldom go over 1000 calories a day. It works for me. I eat clean, I work out. I don't need as many calories to function as someone twice my weight.

I don't eat 2000 when I'm not trying to lose. I'd be obese in three months!

I don't go hungry, just the opposite. I couldn't finish my dinner last night. Personally I think a lot of people need to learn to stop eating when they are full instead of always cleaning their plate.

beyondjupiter · May 2013

So funny because someone posted something very similar to this and everyone was like YEAH!! and now someone else posts it and everyone is like UM NO!

[img]http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad263/strawberryturtle/GIF Album/tumblr_lm1uxuLml31qh9y1d.gif[/img]

MzManiak · May 2013

I only take offense to this because every website people have given me to determine my needed calorie intake gives me between 1200-1300 calories. I still eat 6 times a day, usually. If I'm still hungry, I will eat more. If I work out, I will eat more. If I'm over or under by a bit, no big deal. It's just a guideline. I really don't understand why you get so upset at others for the way they eat or exercise... Do they get all upset at you?? If someone on your friends list is complaining about being hungry, tell them to eat. Maybe give them a low cal, high protein, snack idea.... If it annoys you this much, delete them. Every one is here to better themselves. No one deserves to be put down and made to feel like even when they try to make themselves better and healthier, they still aren't doing it right.

wanttoloseweight4 · May 2013

excuse me? i eat 1200 calories and lose weight just fine everyone is different not everyone needs to eat 2000 calories to lose weight!

This! The smaller a person is, the less calories they need. We all have different bodies and different needs. I'm losing two pounds a week and seldom go over 1000 calories a day. It works for me. I eat clean, I work out. I don't need as many calories to function as someone twice my weight.

thank you! i hate when i see people attack people for eating less then 2000 calories im only 5 foot if i ate that i would be huge!

CristinaL1983 · May 2013

So funny because someone posted something very similar to this and everyone was like YEAH!! and now someone else posts it and everyone is like UM NO!

[img]http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad263/strawberryturtle/GIF Album/tumblr_lm1uxuLml31qh9y1d.gif[/img]

Quoting because this gif is awesome!!

neandermagnon · May 2013

Your post makes a lot of sense

prepare to have hangry people yell at you over it.

^^^ this!

I don't understand why people are so quick to defend 1200 calorie diets against the advice "you know, the vast majority of people can eat more than that and still lose weight, and lose it more easily without the risk of bingeing, and actually maintain their goal weight more easily when they get there". but they are. maybe they enjoy self-deprivation.

a small minority of people, e.g. short, small framed, sedentary older women, will find that 1200 cals/day is the right amount to lose on, because their TDEE may be very low. But it worries me when 20 somethings who are doing loads of exercise are eating only 1200 cals/day

wanttoloseweight4 · May 2013

Your post makes a lot of sense

prepare to have hangry people yell at you over it.

^^^ this!

I don't understand why people are so quick to defend 1200 calorie diets against the advice "you know, the vast majority of people can eat more than that and still lose weight, and lose it more easily without the risk of bingeing, and actually maintain their goal weight more easily when they get there". but they are. maybe they enjoy self-deprivation.

a small minority of people, e.g. short, small framed, sedentary older women, will find that 1200 cals/day is the right amount to lose on, because their TDEE may be very low. But it worries me when 20 somethings who are doing loads of exercise are eating only 1200 cals/day

im short and small framed but i workout a lot im in my 20s and i eat 12-14 a day and im not hungry so i dunno why you feel like everyone needs to eat more then that and i dont binge if i want something i eat it i just eat a smaller portion of it!

Lincolnlady217 · May 2013

I haven't been around here at MFP for long - but one thing I've learned from all the reading I've done here, is that you won't lose more weight if you undereat!!

Why go hungry?
Why put yourself in starvation mode?
Why set 1200 calories as your goal - and even then under-eat?
Why don't you eat your exercise calories?
Why don't you plan ahead?

I see so many posts:
I'm starving!!
I'm eating 1200 calories and not losing - what should I do?
I haven't lost in six weeks - help!!
I'm eating 1200 and exercising 6 days a week for 3 hours a day and not losing??!!
I want chocolate!!
Help me - I'm going to binge!!
I hate veggies!!

Read, Ask Questions, Listen and Learn!!
It's not rocket science.
It's not a race.
It's not a diet.

I'm taking it slowly. I have an appointment with my nutritionist next week, and expect to post another loss.
Don't know if it will be two pounds, five pounds or ten - I only weigh once a month - so I'm confident it will be a loss because I've been eating pretty much on target - over a little bit a day here or there - but not over by much and only two or three days this month.
I'm not hungry; I'm not starving myself; I eat foods I like and enjoy.
I don't get support from SO - but I come here and get it.
I plan ahead.
I work my plan. :blushing:
Life happens - if I have a bad day, I don't agonize over it.
I know it's not going to happen overnight.
I'm happy!

Go with the flow! :flowerforyou:

Don't worry - be happy! :bigsmile:

With all due respect, your post comes off a little sanctimonious and snarky! If people who post whining and complaining about their lack of progress bother you ignore them, block the user or don't read the forums-as you say, it isn't rocket science!

I agree with other posters who have said what works for some may not work for others, 1200 calories a day has worked rather well for me and I am not hangry, hungry or angry! I do what works for me, work at it everyday, plan ahead/pre log meals to ensure I get the right amount of nutrients and hit my macros. I am only 5 ft tall and I workout three times a week on my TRX Tension Straps and go for walks outside when I feel like it, I used to go downstairs and hit the treadmill, but I find it very boring and I would rather workout in other ways, I am going to try yoga in the fall for instance.

I wish you all the success in the world, but please don't assume you know what works for everyone, I don't want to see anyone hurt or deprive themselves in their quest to get healthy and fit either, but everyone has a different lifestyle and needs and some just haven't found what works for them yet!

You do you, and I'll do me that way we can both be happy!

neandermagnon · May 2013

Starvation mode is a term that is abused on here...True starvation mode is in fact, when your body is actually starving (i.e. feeding on internal organs after it has burned through all else to survive). Look it up...it's not a magical occurrence as soon as you eat less than 1300 calories.

"starvation mode" is not a scientific term, and so there is no scientific definition of "starvation mode" - I personally hate the term because it's very misleading, and also very abused. People say the most ridiculous things like "if you don't eat every 3 hrs your body goes into starvation mode" or they claim that starvation mode will halt weight loss completely even though calories in don't equal calories out, etc. But there is "adaptive thermogenesis" and the body has various responses to insufficient food intake that kick in long before it starts digesting its own internal organs.

Here's a really good article clarifying it: http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2012/12/starvation-mode-revisited.php

Additionally, long before any metabolic changes take place in the body, bingeing and excessive hunger is what makes a lot of people screw up their diets if they eat too little. these are basic survival responses from eating too little, that kick in pretty early on, and make compliance to a diet of insufficient food very difficult. What I don't understand is why people put themselves through such difficulty when a) they don't have to and b) it's healthier not to and c) when advised of this they attack the ones doing the advising rather than realising this is information that may actually make their lives a whole lot easier.

BTW I totally agree re no magic number, how many calories someone needs to eat depends on their size and lean body mass. Eating too big a deficit is the problem, not any particular number. I have no idea why 1200 cals/day is thrown around as a magic number, because someone who is big with a high lean body mass would risk the problems described in the above article at a considerably higher number of calories than 1200. And some very small, sedentary, older people will be just fine on 1200 cals/day and this may be the perfect number for them to lose weight at a slow and sustainable rate.

neandermagnon · May 2013

Your post makes a lot of sense

prepare to have hangry people yell at you over it.

^^^ this!

I don't understand why people are so quick to defend 1200 calorie diets against the advice "you know, the vast majority of people can eat more than that and still lose weight, and lose it more easily without the risk of bingeing, and actually maintain their goal weight more easily when they get there". but they are. maybe they enjoy self-deprivation.

a small minority of people, e.g. short, small framed, sedentary older women, will find that 1200 cals/day is the right amount to lose on, because their TDEE may be very low. But it worries me when 20 somethings who are doing loads of exercise are eating only 1200 cals/day

im short and small framed but i workout a lot im in my 20s and i eat 12-14 a day and im not hungry so i dunno why you feel like everyone needs to eat more then that and i dont binge if i want something i eat it i just eat a smaller portion of it!

I don't really care what you as an individual choose to do when you have all this information about metabolism and how much you should eat for your size and activity levels. However there are a lot of people out there who simply do not know that they can eat more and have a much easier time losing weight, and actually be healthier and find maintenance a lot easier.

Anyway, if you're here to defend eating 1200 calories a day and how it's worked for you, go right ahead and do that. I will carrying telling people that the vast majority can eat considerably more than that and still lose weight, because it's true.

STOP Under-Eating Folks!!

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