advice please

emmawales7571
emmawales7571 Posts: 1
in Introduce Yourself
Hi everyone, ive just started a 1200 calorie diet due to being grossly overweight. 2years ago I was put on medication which dramatically changed my appetite, I ended up binge eating and have been told by dr that I am now borderline diabetic. Im 5ft 4inches and weigh a whopping 18st 5lbs,i am waiting for a gym referral but until that comes I plan to start walking and sticking to 1200 calories, since my meds were changed 3 weeks ago ive completely lost my appetite which is great cause I know feel normal again. Basically all I wanted to know is 1200 calories ok for me and to start off with small amounts of exercise..Any advice would be gratefully received thank you Emma.x

Replies

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Read this thread for everything you need to know:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • barb1241
    barb1241 Posts: 324 Member
    Emma, double check with your doctor to make sure 1200 is okay. And keep in mind if you are using MFP, the 1200 is a NET-which means calories eaten minus calories used for exercise==net. For example, if you have a 1500 calorie day and exercise 300 calories, then you net 1200. If you have a 1200 calorie day and exercise 300 calories, you only net 900 calories which is not enough to keep you healthy. And by all means, if you have not been exercising, start small. At first you will burn more calories for the smallest of exercises. as you get thinner and more fit, you will need to increase your exercise to burn the same number of calories, but you will have less weight to haul around, so it won't seem too difficult. Getting started and beginning to get in shape, and getting used to eating smaller portions of healthier food is a challenge, but once you get the hang of it, it's less difficult and you'll find activities and ways to eat that you enjoy and work best for you.

    Feel free to send me a friend request if you'd like. I have to bust my backside the next 6 months or so to get fitter again by the time I get too busy to keep proper track of food and exercise . :-0
  • ihad
    ihad Posts: 7,463 Member
    Read this thread for everything you need to know:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    This is an excellent place to start. Do check out the above thread. There is information there on setting your target, and a number of other important issues.

    The right calories for you depend on a lot of factors, so with the information provided it's tough to say. 1200 is where a lot of people default, but it's often too low to sustain, makes it more difficult to get adequate nutrition, and could affect your metabolism if you let your net calories stay too low for too long.

    For now, I particularly suggest that as you set your target, you take a long term perspective. Look to lose weight at a sustainable pace. Build new habits that will last you a lifetime. Make sure you get adequate nutrition and take care of yourself while losing weight. Walking is a great way to start. As your health improves, add in additional exercise, including some resistance work to help maintain your muscle.

    Good luck. You can do it.
  • Boogage
    Boogage Posts: 739 Member
    I think it would be a good idea to ask your Dr for advice.

    Personally, I feel that 1200 calories is very low and most people can eat more than that and lose weight especially at higher weights as you'll burn more calories doing daily things than a smaller person. Then when the weight loss stalls you'll have room to cut more calories to kickstart things again too.

    Could you try to work out how many calories you've been taking in, in a day lately and then minus 400-500 off of that if your weight has stayed the same lately or maybe a little more if you've been gaining? Or just pick a number (I would think more like 1700 or 1800 calories) and see if you lose anything over the next week or two.

    I think one of the biggest reasons that people fail to stick to diets is that they feel deprived so the more you can eat and still lose, the more likely you will be to succeed.

    I know you need to get some of this weight off quickly but your plan needs to be something you can stick to long term. Think lifestyle rather than diet.

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