1200cal/day really works.

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Replies

  • Beata375
    Beata375 Posts: 68 Member
    CONGRATS on your loss! I'm sorry people are being rude and snarky. It's happened to me as well. I don't post much... BECAUSE theres a clique of know-it-all's that are "experts" in their own heads on this message board and they forgot what the word encouragement means and how everyone has to start somewhere...

    Congrats on your loss!
  • marilou0511
    marilou0511 Posts: 591 Member
    Hi BELINDAJUMO! Great that you are excited on your weight loss! Congrats!:flowerforyou:

    I read there's a lot of people upset with the 1200 cals you are on. My company's health insurance offers us wellness coaching. And guess what my health coach (from a major medical insurance company in the US) told me I should be eating to lose weight! 1200-1300cals! This is based on my height (short) and age (older). So there you are, a certified nutritionist advising me to eat at 1200 cals and she's aware of my health issues including diabetes!! At this point, can't do it because I'm just too hungry at that range. And hunger triggers over-eating for me.:ohwell:

    Oh, and I've stopped exercising lately due to problems I will be discussing with a podiatrist.
  • belindanjumo
    belindanjumo Posts: 109 Member
    Hi BELINDAJUMO! Great that you are excited on your weight loss! Congrats!:flowerforyou:

    I read there's a lot of people upset with the 1200 cals you are on. My company's health insurance offers us wellness coaching. And guess what my health coach (from a major medical insurance company in the US) told me I should be eating to lose weight! 1200-1300cals! This is based on my height (short) and age (older). So there you are, a certified nutritionist advising me to eat at 1200 cals and she's aware of my health issues including diabetes!! At this point, can't do it because I'm just too hungry at that range. And hunger triggers over-eating for me.:ohwell:
    Oh really? There we go! So definitely nothing wrong with what am doing especially since I haven't gotten any hunger pangs and its the second week now. I eat snacks between 3 meals like fruit and all. geez some people are just know it all. I do take good advice when given in a constructive manner though. Thanks for the update!
  • 2spamagnet
    2spamagnet Posts: 60 Member
    It's science - it doesn't matter if you believe it to be true or not. If you have too large a deficit, not enough protein and don't use your muscles then your body WILL take energy from them. Even with all this it will still take some - the goal is to minimise the damage.

    So you can do it... If your deficit is not "too large"... Which is subject to debate (what is "too large".)

    Get at least 0.8 grams of protein/lb of body weight, do strengthening exercise, and you will maintain (or even grow) your muscle while losing fat. You will be fine with the plan you have.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    I can't believe you have that many people hating on your weight loss. Y'all act like she gain 4 pounds.

    If she hadn't said "you should do it" in the opening post, things would be different. I would never have commented; to each their own. However, recommending it to others based on one week; NO. Some of us are SICK of seeing unhealthy eating promoted because it does NOT work for the long term nor for optimal health. Some initial quick weight loss, that includes water and muscle, sure... Is that what you want to cheer on? Is "under-eat to lose weight fast" what you want the young women of this generation to learn (just like the previous 3 or so generations)? Not me.
  • arathena720
    arathena720 Posts: 449 Member
    1500 I maintain, 1200 I lose. I don't exercise. It works for me and the small amount (less than 20) of weight I need to lose. Everyone acts like you're going to die if you only eat 1200.
  • belindanjumo
    belindanjumo Posts: 109 Member
    For those of you who were keen to know how much I would lose on the second week, I lost4.4lbs. Yes I did! And the fun is, I took some of your advice and wasn't that strict on myself like the week before. I wasn't under 1200cals everyday. So now tell me, is it still water weight or just fat? I am over the moon though
  • Brainless64
    Brainless64 Posts: 27 Member
    Can't judge success after one week. Come back when you have been at your goal and on maintenance for at least a year.

    Bit harsh
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    For those of you who were keen to know how much I would lose on the second week, I lost4.4lbs. Yes I did! And the fun is, I took some of your advice and wasn't that strict on myself like the week before. I wasn't under 1200cals everyday. So now tell me, is it still water weight or just fat? I am over the moon though

    Water, fat and muscle.
  • belindanjumo
    belindanjumo Posts: 109 Member
    For those of you who were keen to know how much I would lose on the second week, I lost4.4lbs. Yes I did! And the fun is, I took some of your advice and wasn't that strict on myself like the week before. I wasn't under 1200cals everyday. So now tell me, is it still water weight or just fat? I am over the moon though

    Water, fat and muscle.
    really? Lol
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    For those of you who were keen to know how much I would lose on the second week, I lost4.4lbs. Yes I did! And the fun is, I took some of your advice and wasn't that strict on myself like the week before. I wasn't under 1200cals everyday. So now tell me, is it still water weight or just fat? I am over the moon though

    Water, fat and muscle.
    really? Lol

    Why is that funny? -Even with a small deficit, enough protein and lifting/resistance work some muscle loss is inevitable. It will be less water than the first week and possibly up to equal amounts of muscle and fat.

    You asked is it water weight or just fat - I answered.
  • KnM0107
    KnM0107 Posts: 355 Member
    For those of you who were keen to know how much I would lose on the second week, I lost4.4lbs. Yes I did! And the fun is, I took some of your advice and wasn't that strict on myself like the week before. I wasn't under 1200cals everyday. So now tell me, is it still water weight or just fat? I am over the moon though

    Water, fat and muscle.
    really? Lol

    Any time you lose weight it is a combination of water, fat and muscle... Especially since you are not exercising and eating so little. Strength training and a smaller deficit can maximize the amount of muscle you can maintain while in a deficit, of course this doesn't mean you will not lose any muscle. You didn't lose 4.4 pounds of just fat in one week...
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    snap :flowerforyou:
  • eblakes93
    eblakes93 Posts: 372 Member
    This thread is still going?
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    This thread is still going?

    That is what happens, when an OP is so determined to prove science wrong. :flowerforyou:
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    I just lost 4lbs in one week eating 1200cals a day. No exercise. I just want to say it really works. You should try it! Just one week and see the difference. Now am eager to get on with my weight loss. I wasn't losing any weight at first because of my diet. Now I can do and so can you!


    that's the calorie count MFP is recommending me to eat so thanks for the post i have more hope it will work

    This is why these threads are detrimental.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    I can't believe you have that many people hating on your weight loss. Y'all act like she gain 4 pounds.

    If she hadn't said "you should do it" in the opening post, things would be different. I would never have commented; to each their own. However, recommending it to others based on one week; NO. Some of us are SICK of seeing unhealthy eating promoted because it does NOT work for the long term nor for optimal health. Some initial quick weight loss, that includes water and muscle, sure... Is that what you want to cheer on? Is "under-eat to lose weight fast" what you want the young women of this generation to learn (just like the previous 3 or so generations)? Not me.

    Well said!!
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    For those of you who were keen to know how much I would lose on the second week, I lost4.4lbs. Yes I did! And the fun is, I took some of your advice and wasn't that strict on myself like the week before. I wasn't under 1200cals everyday. So now tell me, is it still water weight or just fat? I am over the moon though

    You are losing muscles sweetheart. If you don't want to lose muscles, you have to eat and do resistance training. You will not bulk up like the Hulk... Just open your eyes around here and look... do you see ANY women looking like the Hulk around here?? :noway:
  • Joe_pat
    Joe_pat Posts: 17
    Congratulations !! This time everyone wanna make reduce their weight and your idea would help them.
  • candiceh3
    candiceh3 Posts: 379 Member
    Congrats on losing more water, fat and muscle. If you are eating lower sodium, or lower carbs, then you lost a stack of water weight.

    You simply cannot lose 4.4 lbs of fat in a week unless you had a deficit of 15400 calories in a week. That's a deficit of more than 2000 per day.

    Sorry, but you just ain't a special snowflake.
  • stackhead
    stackhead Posts: 121 Member
    I can't believe you have that many people hating on your weight loss. Y'all act like she gain 4 pounds.

    If she hadn't said "you should do it" in the opening post, things would be different. I would never have commented; to each their own. However, recommending it to others based on one week; NO. Some of us are SICK of seeing unhealthy eating promoted because it does NOT work for the long term nor for optimal health. Some initial quick weight loss, that includes water and muscle, sure... Is that what you want to cheer on? Is "under-eat to lose weight fast" what you want the young women of this generation to learn (just like the previous 3 or so generations)? Not me.

    This has said it better than I could. No one is criticising your loss, well done. What we are criticising is the way you promoted your method which is suitable for a minority of people isn't suitable for the majority long term.
  • candiceh3
    candiceh3 Posts: 379 Member
    nvm
  • DapperKay
    DapperKay Posts: 140 Member
    I did 1200 for a good 3 months and it worked VERY well ... BUT I felt like crap most of the time, got lethargic and couldn't do much in the gym.

    Luckily it was the summer warm months but when autumn rolled around I felt FREEZING, I was eating hardly anything.

    I am a 26 year old man who goes to the gym 3 times a week and lifts, so yeah, didn't work for me.

    Upped it slowly to 1600-1800 (give or take). Now feel warm, happy, motivated, can do MUCH more in the gym AND I'm still losing weight at a very good pace.

    If the recommendation is to stick to 1200 for a short period to give you a head start, then yeah why not, if you are mentally strong. I did it and it helped me shed some 15kgs. But that should only be for a short period of time. People should ideally understand their BMRs, activity levels, TDEE and measure progress from there.
  • Pugwash4x4
    Pugwash4x4 Posts: 24 Member
    I've been on 1000 cals per day for 3 months (under doctor supervision) and have lost 62lb.

    I'm using it to shift enough weight so I can exercise without putting strain on my joints (although I do walk the dog and work in the garden so I am physically exercising).

    I feel great- am in ketosis, but have plenty of energy and feel much better than I did 4 months ago.

    For me Sugar is the Enemy and works like a drug- I found it harder to give up sugar than I did smoking, drinking or anything else I might have once partaken.

    Chemically sugar and alcohol are VERY VERY similar, and it shouldn't be a surprise if in a few years we work out that the white powdery substance that we are all addicted to is as, if not worse for us, than alcohol.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    For those of you who were keen to know how much I would lose on the second week, I lost4.4lbs. Yes I did! And the fun is, I took some of your advice and wasn't that strict on myself like the week before. I wasn't under 1200cals everyday. So now tell me, is it still water weight or just fat? I am over the moon though


    I'm glad you are still happy with your loss.

    I'm even more glad to read the bolded part. This thread has had some effect, and probably for the better (you see for yourself that you don't have to be under 1200 to lose), and maybe others will see this as a possibility.

    Now, to answer the question … It's most likely some of each (edit: and muscle, too, since you didn't include that in your possibilities). As long as you're okay with that, carry on.

    But let's please not try to imply that everyone should try a 1200 calorie diet. It may be suitable for some, but for many others there it's not necessary, and for some may be dangerous.
  • belindanjumo
    belindanjumo Posts: 109 Member
    Congrats on losing more water, fat and muscle. If you are eating lower sodium, or lower carbs, then you lost a stack of water weight.

    You simply cannot lose 4.4 lbs of fat in a week unless you had a deficit of 15400 calories in a week. That's a deficit of more than 2000 per day.

    Sorry, but you just ain't a special snowflake.
    Am not seeking to be a special snowflake hun. Am trying to lose weight. I wrote in my quote that I took some people's advice and didn't eat 1200cals only everyday, but i still managed to lose 4lbs first week and now 4.4lbs second week, so maybe its water, or fat or muscle. I have alot of the above and so losing some for NOW is ok by me
  • AniaFi
    AniaFi Posts: 18
    Good for you! Crossing my fingers for hitting the final goal :)
    I decided to reduce my daily intake 2 weeks ago and have been now on 1200 - 1400 kcal, but I excersise to boost my methabolism.

    I hope you are eating back those exercise cals.
    Can't believe one can be so sour... LOL
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    just ignore the negativity. I don't even respond to or directly acknowledge those who try and sell the idea that 1200 cals doesn't work. my ticker shows otherwise. at the end of the day, your the one on your scale, your the one in the mirror, not them. if you find it works for you, great, stick with it, and for those who feel a higher calorie count works best for THEM... great for them! 1200 is not a dangerous amount of calories, it can actually be very filling if good food choices are made, and is very successful for many people. keep your protein high, strength train, cardio... make it work, forget about the end of the world your going to die starvation mode anti 1200 crowd!

    as for being sedentary with kids... today is veterans day, all 5 of my kids are home... its almost noon here, and im still in bed drinking my coffee... sure, my youngest is 8, but even when they were younger, in a child proof home, I could easily sit for hours at a time while they climbed on me like a jungle gym, sat with me as I read to them, or watched Disney movies with them...I don't think attacking her for claiming to be a sedentary mother of twins makes any sense... not everyone is out at the park, riding bikes, and going to baby yoga... still doesn't make them a bad parent...
  • RachelRuns9
    RachelRuns9 Posts: 585 Member
    just ignore the negativity. I don't even respond to or directly acknowledge those who try and sell the idea that 1200 cals doesn't work. my ticker shows otherwise. at the end of the day, your the one on your scale, your the one in the mirror, not them. if you find it works for you, great, stick with it, and for those who feel a higher calorie count works best for THEM... great for them! 1200 is not a dangerous amount of calories, it can actually be very filling if good food choices are made, and is very successful for many people. keep your protein high, strength train, cardio... make it work, forget about the end of the world your going to die starvation mode anti 1200 crowd!

    as for being sedentary with kids... today is veterans day, all 5 of my kids are home... its almost noon here, and im still in bed drinking my coffee... sure, my youngest is 8, but even when they were younger, in a child proof home, I could easily sit for hours at a time while they climbed on me like a jungle gym, sat with me as I read to them, or watched Disney movies with them...I don't think attacking her for claiming to be a sedentary mother of twins makes any sense... not everyone is out at the park, riding bikes, and going to baby yoga... still doesn't make them a bad parent...


    you aren't a poster child for 1200 a day if you eat 4000 on sundays.
  • belindanjumo
    belindanjumo Posts: 109 Member
    just ignore the negativity. I don't even respond to or directly acknowledge those who try and sell the idea that 1200 cals doesn't work. my ticker shows otherwise. at the end of the day, your the one on your scale, your the one in the mirror, not them. if you find it works for you, great, stick with it, and for those who feel a higher calorie count works best for THEM... great for them! 1200 is not a dangerous amount of calories, it can actually be very filling if good food choices are made, and is very successful for many people. keep your protein high, strength train, cardio... make it work, forget about the end of the world your going to die starvation mode anti 1200 crowd!

    as for being sedentary with kids... today is veterans day, all 5 of my kids are home... its almost noon here, and im still in bed drinking my coffee... sure, my youngest is 8, but even when they were younger, in a child proof home, I could easily sit for hours at a time while they climbed on me like a jungle gym, sat with me as I read to them, or watched Disney movies with them...I don't think attacking her for claiming to be a sedentary mother of twins makes any sense... not everyone is out at the park, riding bikes, and going to baby yoga... still doesn't make them a bad parent...
    Wao thank you so much for the encouragement. :flowerforyou:

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