Is it necessary to reach at least 1200 calories a day?

Calichick94
Calichick94 Posts: 41
in Health and Weight Loss
Recently I read that if one consumes less than 1200 calories a day then our bodies go into starvation mode. The thing is I'm forcing myself to reach 1200 cal. When I first started using fitnesspal I was eating about 900-1100 calories a day and I was full and ok with that. I exercise about 3-5 times a week burning 500-600 calories. And at times I'd eat maybe 50-100 of my "exercise calories". Recently I set fitnesspal to 1290 cal instead of 1310. I rarely go over that. Also I feel the difference in my clothes and when I look in the mirror but my weight hasn't changed. I'm aiming for fat loss and not weight loss. Losing the weight or fat is happening slowly and at times it's discouraging. My goal is to lose 20-30 pounds.

But is it true that if I eat 1200 cal then that will help with the fat loss? Is that maybe the reason why it's been happening so slowly?

Should I just stick to eating when I'm hungry and not have to force myself to reach 1200 cal?

Thank you,
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Replies

  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    For most people, yes you do need to reach 1200. If you are very short and petite you could possibly eat that low and not suffer from it, but there are very few adults that can't eat more than 1200 calories per day and still lose weight.

    What is your height and age? What type of diet do you follow? How much fat do you typically eat in a day?
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    I'm a 19 year old female. My height is about 5"3 ish. I've been logging for over 3 months and I haven't went over my total fat. The goal is 43g and my consumption ranges anywhere between 20-40g. I don't really have a certain diet to follow. I'm eating smaller portions and healthy food.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Eating under 1200 and then not eating back your exercise calories is a wonderful way to fail at your weight loss goal. I would try to net at least 1200, which means you need to be eating more like 1700-1800 a day (on workout days anyway).
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I'm a 19 year old female. My height is about 5"2 ish. I've been logging for over 3 months and I haven't went over my total fat. The goal is 43g and my consumption ranges anywhere between 20-40g.

    The reason I asked about fat is that often when people say they have trouble reaching 1200 calories it's because they've cut fat too low. Fat has more calories than carbs and protein so it's a good way to up your calories without eating much more food.

    If you need to lose weight, then you were eating more than 1200 calories per day at some point. Why do you think you can't hit that goal now?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Sooo much wrong here...


    Let's see...

    1) yes, you should be eating more than that. My guess is that some more calorie dense foods would do you well - full fat dairy, red meat, fish, nuts, etc. Do you absolutely need to? Hard to say... depends on your expectations.

    2) your body needs fat. It's crucial for a variety of basic needs/functions. No, eating fat won't make you fat.

    3) You said you can feel your clothes fitting differently and can see changes in the mirror. Isn't that the point? Why do you care what the scale says.

    4) You don't owe anyone anything. But a little searching and you probably could have answered your own question. But you're 19, so you probably feel entitled to our help/attention.


    .
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    I'm 5'2 and eat between 1600-1900 calories. Yes you need to eat more than 1200 calories. Good luck.
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    Okay I'll start doing that. I just don't understand how I'm supposed to lose weight by eating more.
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    It's not that I can't but honestly I'm not even that hungry so I'm basically just eating to reach that number. I thought it was best to eat when you're hungry not just eat for the sake of eating.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Okay I'll start doing that. I just don't understand how I'm supposed to lose weight by eating more.

    Just because you don't understand doesn't mean it's not true. Do you understand advanced principles in physics?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    It's not that I can't but honestly I'm not even that hungry so I'm basically just eating to reach that number. I thought it was best to eat when you're hungry not just eat for the sake of eating.

    It's an issue of being healthy vs losing weight. You'll lose the most weight the fastest if you don't eat anything at all, but that doesn't mean it's the best thing for your overall health.

    Many people have unhealthy relationships with food. So eating when they are healthy or "listening to their bodies" is a terrible thing to do. People often have to force themselves to do certain things (eat more, eat less, eat different, etc) just to correct bad habits.
  • DenyseMarieL
    DenyseMarieL Posts: 673 Member
    Eat when you feel hungry. Make smart food choices. Stay away from processed foods. Workout a few times a week. The rest will sort itself out.
  • Ximana
    Ximana Posts: 26
    Coconut water and milk could help to keep you hydrated and adding healthy fats to your diet

    You sound very health conscious so you could try making veggie or tofu stir frys and soups with

    Coconut milk, water and even a little oil

    Fats won't necessarily make you fat as they are essential

    To a healthy diet
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
    I'm a 19 year old female. My height is about 5"3 ish. I've been logging for over 3 months and I haven't went over my total fat. The goal is 43g and my consumption ranges anywhere between 20-40g. I don't really have a certain diet to follow. I'm eating smaller portions and healthy food.

    I'm 5'3", 42 years old, and I average 1700 calories per day at maintenance level of 110 pounds. I would eat your full 1200 calories as much as possible, *especially* if you are working out that much!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    It's not that I can't but honestly I'm not even that hungry so I'm basically just eating to reach that number. I thought it was best to eat when you're hungry not just eat for the sake of eating.

    It's a tricky thing learning to read your body's signals. If you feed your body too little, over time it may reduce hunger pangs even when it needs food. This is a response designed to prevent constant hunger during times of famine. If you stop giving it enough food, it will consume what it has available to make up the rest. Fat for energy, muscle for protein, bones for calcium, etc.
  • ncnesbi
    ncnesbi Posts: 7 Member
    hahahah
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Peanut butter sammich and a glass of milk.

    Seriously, most people have a BMR of more than 1200. This means basal metabolic rate, it is the amount of calories they would feed you if you were in a coma, just so your heart, organs, breathing, etc can function. It is not enough for an active young person.

    Unless you are very obese, do not eat less than your BMR. It is not healthy for you, and you can do damage to your metabolism and hormones which makes it even more difficult to lose weight down the road.

    Look for "calorie dense foods" which will boost your calories a bit, but won't be a lot of volume of food to eat.
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
    It's a tricky thing learning to read your body's signals. If you feed your body too little, over time it may reduce hunger pangs even when it needs food. This is a response designed to prevent constant hunger during times of famine. If you stop giving it enough food, it will consume what it has available to make up the rest. Fat for energy, muscle for protein, bones for calcium, etc.
    Bingo! I finally started to listen to this advice and began eating at around 1300 calories....and finally lost those pesky last 8 pounds! It's strange, but it works.
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    I have read several posts. But to be honest I'm actually scared to consume more calories and gain weight and now that I'm back in school I won't have that much time to exercise except maybe 2-3 times a week. I just needed reassurance that even though on the days I won't workout I should still consume at least 1200 cal.
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    Thanks for everyone's help! :)
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    It's not that I can't but honestly I'm not even that hungry so I'm basically just eating to reach that number. I thought it was best to eat when you're hungry not just eat for the sake of eating.
    How did you get overweight?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I have read several posts. But to be honest I'm actually scared to consume more calories and gain weight and now that I'm back in school I won't have that much time to exercise except maybe 2-3 times a week. I just needed reassurance that even though on the days I won't workout I should still consume at least 1200 cal.

    I suggest you do some searching/reading to educate yourself a bit. I'm not trying to be an *kitten*, but you have a very unhealthy mindset about all this. There is a certain balance you should try to find between eating enough cals to be healhty and feel good and still losing weight. What you are doing may work in the short term, but you are setting youself up for trouble down the road. Very very very few people have good results long term with 1200 calories.
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    I was thin until I hit puberty then I started gaining weight. I've always ate healthy but my portions were probably larger, and rarely ate junk and almost never ate fast food.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    I was thin until I hit puberty then I started gaining weight. I've always ate healthy but my portions were probably larger, and rarely ate junk and almost never ate fast food.
    So you were able to eat 1200 cal before but can't now????
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    Yes, I definitely will. And no you don't sound like an *kitten*. I appreciate all your help. :)
  • Calichick94
    Calichick94 Posts: 41
    I never logged before so I don't know exactly how much I used to consume.
  • melindafritz1976
    melindafritz1976 Posts: 329 Member
    YES !!!!!!!!!!!!
  • MzManiak
    MzManiak Posts: 1,361 Member
    I have read several posts. But to be honest I'm actually scared to consume more calories and gain weight and now that I'm back in school I won't have that much time to exercise except maybe 2-3 times a week. I just needed reassurance that even though on the days I won't workout I should still consume at least 1200 cal.

    Yes, you should. As a matter of fact, I'd guess you should actually be around 1300, without exercise. Look, from personal experience... I'm 5'1", was 113lbs when I started out, just wanted to lose the last bit of baby weight... Ate at 1200 calories (I have a desk job and rarely found time for the gym)... I lost all the weight in a month. 8 pounds down.. but I still looked about 3 months pregnant. Wtf? Had my body fat measured... It had increased in percentage. Even though I lost all the weight, I still looked the same. I had lost muscle mass. Not fat. Huge bummer! Raised my calories to 1450 and ate back my exercise calories. Gained a few pounds at first, but body fat went back down. Looked and felt a whole lot better. (Hello, almost flat tummy!) I love food. Food is not the enemy. If I stuck to 1200 for much longer, I'd have quit. Better to have a healthy relationship with food, and fuel your body. Now I'm at 1750, maintaining.
  • silken555
    silken555 Posts: 478 Member
    My TDEE-20% is 2000cals per day. I exercise 3-5 times per week unless I have a fibromyalgia flare-up. I eat whatever I want in moderation making sure to keep to my food within calorie goals. I live an average if 1-2lbs per week. I'll be adding lifting to my exercise to lose fat% as soon as my book gets delivered.

    You have to properly fuel your body to lose weight. Look up 'In place of a road map short n' sweet' in the forums to find your TDEE. You'll be much happier for it I think...good luck.
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    I had the exact same problem as you, only I'm older. I was barely eating 1200 calories and exercising heavily. I stopped losing weight until I started eating more. Slowly add some more calories like others have said, healthy fats like oils, nuts, nut butters, full fat dairy, etc. You'll be surprised. BUT add the calories slowly, about 100 per day per week so you don't shock your body.

    Figure out your TDEE and BMR. Go to http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    If you only have a little weight to lose set your goals at TDEE - 15% and don't eat back your exercise calories. Healthy weight loss is 0.5 - 1 lb/week unless you are very obese.

    When I was in your shoes my hair started falling out and I felt horrible, no energy, grumpy all the time, I was miserable. Now I eat 2050 cal/day and am steadily losing, I have boundless energy and my hair is growing back.

    Good luck.
  • jparks341
    jparks341 Posts: 216 Member
    This post may be of help for your question. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
    Good luck.

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