1200 Calorie

Here is the problem a lot of us have with the 1200 calorie goal. For the vast majority of people it just isn't accurate. If you are very short/small/sedentary, it may be right for you. Those of us who have been here for a while, we have seen these threads over and over again, and we have seen these people fail and quit over and over again. If you are around here still in October, you will not see much in the way of 1200 calorie threads, those who start there either, quit or raise their calories. The ones who do succeed at 1200 are the very few that it actually is accurate for. All of you new people, do yourselves a favor, don't take advice from people who haven't had any success themselves. Take advice from those who have actually accomplished something. Everyone, please read this post......http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants. It explains everything you need to know to find your true numbers. If after doing this, the calculations give you 1200, then most on here will support you. If you just blindly follow a 1200 calorie diet because "MFP said so", you won't get much support except from others who blindly follow it too. Read, read and read some more. Learn your true numbers. If you don't know your BMR and TDEE, or don't even know what that means, you need to know that before you can even set an accurate goal. And lastly, losing 2 pounds per week is pretty tough unless you are very obese. Good luck to you all. And just in case you missed the link earlier......http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Egg Whites, grilled chicken breast, spinach, light and fit greek yogurt, Fiber One 80 calorie Chocolate Cereal, Fiber One 90 calorie snacks, Nature Valley granola thins, tuna fish, non-sweetened apple sauce, turkey pepperoni, Morning star Veggie Crumbles, blueberries, cucumbers, and lots of water have been my go-tos.

Why do people always tell people doing 1200 calories to "eat more food" before they ask them their height?

The MFP website puts shorties like me at 1200, in case people didn't know that; and scooby puts people of my height and lower at LESS than 1200.

MFP seems to put almost everyone at 1200. I am a 5' 10" male, and if I went by MFP's numbers I would be at 1200 which is considered generally insufficient to provide minimal nutritional needs for a male. At that level of calories men will lose a bunch of muscle with the fat. Since MFP almost seems to default to 1200 for pretty much everyone, including males of average and even above average height people tend to say eat more. Add to that many of the people on 1200 don't eat back even a portion of their exercise calories, and that means most, albeit not all, people on 1200 are not eating enough.

In your case, you probably told it 2LBS a week loss?

Eat more food. :flowerforyou:

OHHHHH Yes.....MANGA!!!!!!

really is this called for?

No. It's not.

Before jumping on the eat more food bandwagon, I see you're 46 and female. How tall are you, and if you don't mind, what's your weight? Or, conversely, calculate your TDEE/BMR at one of the online sites and then folks will suggest foods. if you use iifym.com they'll tell you how much of each macro to eat based on what you tell them (standard, low carb etc...) and from there we can better advise you.

Please do know your BMR. You may find you have better long term success if you eat above it. Given your age, it's possible your BMR is less than 1200.

Also, how much do you want to lose, and how aggressively did you tell MFP you want to lose it?

Sorry, just felt given the "eat more" posts, it would be best to have more info about you.

signed: 48 5'6", 136 and bmr is 1333.

^^this^^ all of it:flowerforyou:

You will go through some hunger pains, but that's expected when you're trying to lose weight. Drink lots of water and chew gum.

I disagree. Hunger pains (pangs?) are not expected when you are trying to lose weight. MENTALLY you may want to eat more, but actual hunger pains? Means you probably aren't eating enough. (Ok, I'll admit that in the first couple of weeks, as your belly is getting used to less food you may feel that hunger, but once you get used to it...nope, shouldn't feel actual hunger if you are eating enough)

The original phrase was, indeed, hunger pangs. As in: a strong desire or need. Weird eh?

Before jumping on the eat more food bandwagon, I see you're 46 and female. How tall are you, and if you don't mind, what's your weight? Or, conversely, calculate your TDEE/BMR at one of the online sites and then folks will suggest foods. if you use iifym.com they'll tell you how much of each macro to eat based on what you tell them (standard, low carb etc...) and from there we can better advise you.

Please do know your BMR. You may find you have better long term success if you eat above it. Given your age, it's possible your BMR is less than 1200.

Also, how much do you want to lose, and how aggressively did you tell MFP you want to lose it?

Sorry, just felt given the "eat more" posts, it would be best to have more info about you.

signed: 48 5'6", 136 and bmr is 1333.

Which means you should at least be eating 1,333. MOAR THAN 1,200.

I think you are stuck on that mantra without engaging the brain.

I've just started using MFP and the calories (according too MFP) 1200 as well before exercise. I'm inly a few days in but I am finding vegetable omelettes, salads with lean protein, beans and pulses are great. Seafood like prawns and calamari are good as long as you grill them.

Good luck

I started MFP today & have been allocted 1200calories too. I need to lose about 4 stone but am only 5ft & have a sedentary job sitting down most of the day. I only get to the gym once a week & I am 62 yrs old. 1200 does seem low but even so it said I would only lose about 1 pound a month.

Oh lordy here we go again...........

:I

Why do people have to be so hard on someone they know nothing about? You don't know anything to be doing that to her.. how rude! people come here for support. My god look at my diary you all will probably go into cardiac arrest!
I had people come at me with their daggers when I first started here too.. Don't mind them any attention. Listen to the ones that actually want to help you and ask the questions, and truly care.. The other ones that say eat more without saying anything, they are what I call TROLLS.

Btw. I am a lap band patient and am under a dr's care, and ordered to keep it 6-800 calories...

Oh, how I agree with you. I find boards on some sites are full of bullies. They want to be mouthy when not face to face and can be down-right rude and hurtful. Lots of people with a weight problem suffer from depression, including myself, and hurtful remarks can put them in a very dark place.
If you can't be nice, don't post a reply.

yumm.... this has me hungry now

Why do people have to be so hard on someone they know nothing about? You don't know anything to be doing that to her.. how rude! people come here for support. My god look at my diary you all will probably go into cardiac arrest!
I had people come at me with their daggers when I first started here too.. Don't mind them any attention. Listen to the ones that actually want to help you and ask the questions, and truly care.. The other ones that say eat more without saying anything, they are what I call TROLLS.

Anxiously awaiting a "people are meanies" thread from you...

It would be constructive if the members gave advice and not just say 'eat more'. Maybe they mean to keep her calories up and exercise more or she will fail on just 1200 calories? I think, explanations are needed. BTW, MFP has set my calories as 1200 calories!!!!!

Celery is excellent full of fiber. Supposedly has a negative calorie effect Try eating a handful of stalks before each meal. Also roasted red peppers on the side with each meal is great. One poached egg in the morning really helps. Research has said people who eat one whole poached egg in the morning tend to eat 400 less calories a day.

I, too, am hanging around 1200 calls. I'm a nurse and that is what I know best. I will certainly gage my hunger and energy levels.
We eat a LOT of salad, so many things you can add to lettuces!! And lean proteins … eggs, steak, fish, chicken breast, cottage cheese … just watch your portions

OP - Please be aware that there are a lot of people who like to shout down the idea of anyone eating less calories than them!

As others have stated it's a good idea to know what your body needs as 'crash' dieting doesn't work long term. If however, like me, 1200 cals is reasonable for you in order to maintain a slow and steady weight loss, I wish you luck. Maybe if you filled out your profile a little more people would have more to go on and tailor their advice better.

I found that hearty soups and lots of veggies help, avoid sugar whenever you can as it's high in calories and doesn't fill you up.

I had a skiing holiday over Christmas in a catered chalet and despite loads of excercise I put weight on which I blame on the desserts (although the wine may not have helped)! Feel free to look at my diary for ideas.

(your diary is closed right now)