1200 Calories or Less! Please Read!

AlyssamR6712
AlyssamR6712 Posts: 114 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been seeing alot of message board posts asking if it is okay to eat 1200 calories or less. THIS IS NOT OKAY. let me repeat. IT IS NOT OKAY TO EAT 1200 CALORIES OR LESS.

People will say they see results. Yes this is true. SHORT TERM you will see lots of weight loss. LONG TERM when you decide to start eating normal you will gain all your weight back or if you CONTINUE to eat 1200cals or less a day forever you will eat up all your muscle and destroy your body.

I am 4'11" starting weight 160. I've lost 31 lbs eating a 1400-1700 diet. 14/1500 on days i don't workout and around 1700 on days that i do. FOOD IS FUEL. people hear me say this all the time on MFP, EAT MORE TO LOSE MORE. Yes it will take alot more time than you want, but it will last. This is a lifestyle change. NOT A DIET. if you EAT CLEAN and EXCERSIZE REGULARELY you will see the results you are looking for in time, and they will be there to stay.

I am not a nutritionist (yet) but i have a lot of knowledge on the subjuct and am very passionate about it. When i get out of the service i will be going to school for nutrition. Please let me know if you have ANY questions. or just want some advice. like i said i am not a professional but i am here to help.

Please read the article below if you still have your doubts. Thank you.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/518807-negative-side-effects-of-eating-less-than-1-200-calories-a-day/


15188748.png
Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
«134567

Replies

  • _EndGame_
    _EndGame_ Posts: 770 Member
    I'm constantly telling people 1200 calories is too little, but the people who see results from it tend to not listen. I guess it's a case of each to their own. I personally usually have between 1000-1200 calories just for my dinner, around 300 for breakfast and perhaps upto 400 in snacks. I.E Fruit, small bar of chocolate, crisps, ect.

    If I could eat 1200 calories and feel full, however, I wouldn't stuff my face just for the sake of it.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Livestrong is a content farm. No thanks.
  • selfepidemic1
    selfepidemic1 Posts: 159 Member
    I eat 900 calories a day, I physically cannot eat anymore. Chill out
  • JustMeee333
    JustMeee333 Posts: 233
    Who cares what anyone else is doing? What matters is what YOU are doing and that it works for YOU.
  • KeepGoingKylene
    KeepGoingKylene Posts: 432 Member
    thank you!
    unfortunately these people won't all listen to you
    its so frustrating!
    i just end up deleting them if they are on my friends list, i can't motivate and support someone who doesnt eat.
    my favorite are the people who say they physically can't eat more, makes me LOL
  • Siansonea
    Siansonea Posts: 917 Member
    I've been averaging 1200-1350 a day for two months. I've lost 13 of the 17 pounds I wanted to lose. I feel fine. Problem?

    I'm also in my forties. I'm 5'8" and currently weigh 139 pounds, I started at 152.5 on September 1. As you get older, your body becomes more efficient at burning calories. That means that you need fewer calories each day to maintain your weight than you did when you were in your 20s. So if you eat like you did in your 20s, you'll gain weight.

    I don't plan on "going back to how I was eating before" OR continue to eat at a calorie deficit after I reach my goal weight. So yeah, chill with your blanket statements. :smokin:
  • selfepidemic1
    selfepidemic1 Posts: 159 Member
    thank you!
    unfortunately these people won't all listen to you
    its so frustrating!
    i just end up deleting them if they are on my friends list, i can't motivate and support someone who doesnt eat.
    my favorite are the people who say they physically can't eat more, makes me LOL

    I do a high fat diet, I have up to ten carbs a day. I am satiated and I cannot eat anymore. If you tried the same diet you would get it. Stop making assumptions about someone just because you think you know everything. There are hundreds of lifestyles and it is entirely up to those people on what they eat.
  • awise19
    awise19 Posts: 154 Member
    I have been eating 1200-1500.. Depending on if I work out or not for almost a year, and I have literally no issues. My body feels great, I have more energy than I ever did before.



    Bump because this is gonna get super funny too....
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    i ate 1200 calories a day, with 1 high calorie day every OTHER saturday, and i lost 95 pounds in that 11 months. now i am on maintenance, eating an average of 2000 calories per day for the last couple months, and still have continued to slowly lose. under 1200? maybe not such a good idea, but eating the minimum recomended amount for a woman of 1200 per day is not a bad thing for those who can do it. if you dont like the idea of 1200 a day, great for you, dont do it... but a post slamming those who have reached great success on that amount, and are now doing fine on maintenance... seems to me like you are just looking to argue!
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/475726-very-low-calorie-diets-and-metabolic-damage
  • greenmonstergirl
    greenmonstergirl Posts: 619 Member
    Who cares what anyone else is doing? What matters is what YOU are doing and that it works for YOU.

    THIS!
  • Charloo1990
    Charloo1990 Posts: 619 Member
    i ate 1200 calories a day, with 1 high calorie day every OTHER saturday, and i lost 95 pounds in that 11 months. now i am on maintenance, eating an average of 2000 calories per day for the last couple months, and still have continued to slowly lose. under 1200? maybe not such a good idea, but eating the minimum recomended amount for a woman of 1200 per day is not a bad thing for those who can do it. if you dont like the idea of 1200 a day, great for you, dont do it... but a post slamming those who have reached great success on that amount, and are now doing fine on maintenance... seems to me like you are just looking to argue!
    well said :smile:
  • LAW_714
    LAW_714 Posts: 258
    I eat 900 calories a day, I physically cannot eat anymore.
    You can't eat 2/3 cup of peanut butter in the space of 24 hours?
  • Rage_Phish
    Rage_Phish Posts: 1,507 Member
    good thing this thread was made
  • selfepidemic1
    selfepidemic1 Posts: 159 Member
    I eat 900 calories a day, I physically cannot eat anymore.
    You can't eat 2/3 cup of peanut butter in the space of 24 hours?

    Why would I? You know there are a type of people who live on very low calorie intakes and just eat the most nutritious parts of foods. I have a high fat diet, I don't NEED peanut butter, I eat by my means. I don't exercise and my job is me usually sitting down. Just because other people cannot eat 900 calories doesn't mean I shouldn't.
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    The article you site has this to say...


    Minor Side Effects
    Eating less than 1,200 calories per day will send your body into starvation mode.


    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/518807-negative-side-effects-of-eating-less-than-1-200-calories-a-day/#ixzz2jEcNX7ij
  • Tuili
    Tuili Posts: 34 Member
    I try really hard to eat enough calories a day. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. If I get busy with work, I forget to eat and I'm not just gonna stuff myself with calories for the sake of getting over the daily calorie count (which for me is 1750). I did the Shred Diet and learned to eat several small meals during the course of the day, for me it takes effort to eat enough (of the right foods). I don't eat potato chips, candy, or high calorie snacks any more, so I find that I have to eat even more of the good foods to get my calorie count in, which I find difficult. I prefer eating smaller meals it makes me feel better about eating, I don't feel stuffed, which makes me feel "fat". Its a work in progress which takes time. I'm beginning to adjust to more days with enough calories.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    This might not end well.....
  • Barbonica
    Barbonica Posts: 337 Member
    Wow, maybe you should try spell-check??? Just sayin', since apparently this is a judgmental thread... :grumble:
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    From the link I posted
    This isn't an argument for people to start following VLCD as most will fail miserably. Once you factor in the psychology aspects of them, they're just not right for most long term fat loss plans. In addition, the lower your energy intake is, the more careful you have to be about nutritional adequacy. Meaning it becomes very easy to shortchange yourself of particular facets of nutrition, which can ultimately tap into "health."
  • gr34t
    gr34t Posts: 15
    Sorry, but that's just silly. Similarly silly as the article the OP mentioned.

    1200kcal is an artificial number largely based on strictly controlled lab tests that has nothing to do with real life. And anyone who doesn't see that it matters whether you're female and 5'2" at a weight of 100lbs or 6' at a weight of 220lbs or even male, to figure out your "starvation mode trigger", needs to stop distributing false and/or far too unspecific information.

    Don't believe the 1200kcal starvation mode myth. Eat as little as you feel physically comfortable with (not talking about how hungry you are). If you are not for more than two or three days, eat more. It is that easy.
  • LAW_714
    LAW_714 Posts: 258
    I eat 900 calories a day, I physically cannot eat anymore.
    You can't eat 2/3 cup of peanut butter in the space of 24 hours?

    Why would I?

    You said couldn't not wouldn't.

    See the difference?
  • LadyBugLex17
    LadyBugLex17 Posts: 146 Member
    thank you!
    unfortunately these people won't all listen to you
    its so frustrating!
    i just end up deleting them if they are on my friends list, i can't motivate and support someone who doesnt eat.
    my favorite are the people who say they physically can't eat more, makes me LOL

    I do a high fat diet, I have up to ten carbs a day. I am satiated and I cannot eat anymore. If you tried the same diet you would get it. Stop making assumptions about someone just because you think you know everything. There are hundreds of lifestyles and it is entirely up to those people on what they eat.

    10g carbs per day? :indifferent:
  • FP4HSharon
    FP4HSharon Posts: 664 Member
    I'm sorry, I wasn't told Nutrition Police were a part of MFP...:-)

    1. The Live Strong article says eating LESS than 1200 is bad, not 1200 "OR" less.
    2. Calorie levels are based on a lot of things...current weight, desired loss per week, height, etc. So there's nothing wrong w/a person w/a small frame, & maybe not so much to lose to be at 1200. I've always been at 1200 from the time I was 154 to my current weight of 124.5, It hasn't "destroyed" my body, in fact, I'm in the best shape of my life, strength, endurance, & blood work.
    3. Intermittent Fasting (alternating 500 cal days w/a "normal" minimum on other days) research has shown that this type of dieting is actually beneficial health-wise for men, as well as obese women. Although once a woman is not obese, or isn't obese to start with, it has negative effects.
    4. While you may have good intentions, trying to say that everybody is the same, or it's a one-size-fits-all world, doesn't come across well & usually makes people wonder if the person is selling something....or just bossy. :-)

    I'm really glad you found something that worked for you...it doesn't mean the only way to success for EVERYONE else is the way YOU personally did it.
  • Saraisamom
    Saraisamom Posts: 26 Member
    I eat 900 calories a day, I physically cannot eat anymore. Chill out

    You should probably see a doctor if you can't physically eat more than 900 calories.
  • Liss_Bee
    Liss_Bee Posts: 187 Member
    ~rolls eyes~ Why would MFP give calorie counts of 1200 if it didn't work? And to force yourself to eat a spoon or whatever of peanut butter just to get in those extra calories is just crazy... I listened to all the jabber of people on this site saying others are not eating enough or not eating the right food or blah blah! Just do what YOU want, only YOU know how your body reacts to the calories and types of food you are taking in. Everyone is so preachy here. =S
  • LadyBugLex17
    LadyBugLex17 Posts: 146 Member
    From the link I posted
    This isn't an argument for people to start following VLCD as most will fail miserably. Once you factor in the psychology aspects of them, they're just not right for most long term fat loss plans. In addition, the lower your energy intake is, the more careful you have to be about nutritional adequacy. Meaning it becomes very easy to shortchange yourself of particular facets of nutrition, which can ultimately tap into "health."

    Exactly. For long term, it's not a good idea.
  • Cindyinpg
    Cindyinpg Posts: 3,902 Member
    thank you!
    unfortunately these people won't all listen to you
    its so frustrating!
    i just end up deleting them if they are on my friends list, i can't motivate and support someone who doesnt eat.
    my favorite are the people who say they physically can't eat more, makes me LOL

    I do a high fat diet, I have up to ten carbs a day. I am satiated and I cannot eat anymore. If you tried the same diet you would get it. Stop making assumptions about someone just because you think you know everything. There are hundreds of lifestyles and it is entirely up to those people on what they eat.

    10g carbs per day? :indifferent:
    I've had 10g of carbs just reading this thread.
    popcorn2.gif
  • KeepGoingKylene
    KeepGoingKylene Posts: 432 Member
    ~rolls eyes~ Why would MFP give calorie counts of 1200 if it didn't work? And to force yourself to eat a spoon or whatever of peanut butter just to get in those extra calories is just crazy... I listened to all the jabber of people on this site saying others are not eating enough or not eating the right food or blah blah! Just do what YOU want, only YOU know how your body reacts to the calories and types of food you are taking in. Everyone is so preachy here. =S

    The argument is people eating less than 1200. Also MFP tells you 1200 but expects you to eat back your calories as well. If someone eats 1200 and doesnt exercise then fine.
  • LadyBugLex17
    LadyBugLex17 Posts: 146 Member
    thank you!
    unfortunately these people won't all listen to you
    its so frustrating!
    i just end up deleting them if they are on my friends list, i can't motivate and support someone who doesnt eat.
    my favorite are the people who say they physically can't eat more, makes me LOL

    I do a high fat diet, I have up to ten carbs a day. I am satiated and I cannot eat anymore. If you tried the same diet you would get it. Stop making assumptions about someone just because you think you know everything. There are hundreds of lifestyles and it is entirely up to those people on what they eat.

    10g carbs per day? :indifferent:
    I've had 10g of carbs just reading this thread.
    popcorn2.gif

    LOL! :bigsmile:

Categories