1200 Calorie Diet???? Seriously???
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Well I pretty much live on fruit. All that nasty fruit sugar, I must be pretty much pickled!0
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1200 calories doesn't work for everyone but it does for me0
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Currently I'm pretty comfortable on about 1200 kcals a day. The one thing I've changed since beginning this diet (yes I call it a diet) is the no added fat thing I began with; food tastes so bland to me without any added oil, so I'm now incorporating modest amounts of vegetable based fats, like a couple of teaspoons of hemp oil with stir-fry or in sauce, or a couple of teaspoons of dairy-free margarine on potatoes and bread, or a tablespoon of egg-free mayo on my salad. I'm finding this increases my experience of satisfaction in my food. I may start to incorporate a day at the weekend where I give myself a larger calorific allowance so I can indulge a bit more, but until I feel I'm not so happy with doing things this way, I'm content to continue as I am. I will reappraise it if I get really bored or fed-up.0
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I'm on net 1200, was a bit of a struggle at first but now I feel really good, because it's forced me to choose healthier options that have less sugar and fat, so I'm now eating much more protein and veg. If I exercise I often have 200-400 calories left over.0
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totally agree with you!!! you can eat a lot on 1200 cal. I am not gonna over stuff myself just cuz someone thinks it is not enough
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Awesome, more 1200 calorie police. Honestly, OP you're not helping anyone and you and everyone else who criticize peoples diets which may consist of a 1200 calorie intake just come off as elitist pricks. Let people eat what they want and they'll eventually discover a calorie intake that works for them.0
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I set my calories at 1200, but I use a body media arm band and it adjusts my calorie burn based on real data from my body. I aim for a 1000 calorie deficit right now. After I get under 200 pounds I won't try for such a large deficit.
Anyway, my point is that I use myfitnesspal to track my calories, but I am following the plan outlined on the bodymedia site. So while my MFP calorie level is set to 1200, I usually eat closer to 1800 calories after bodymedia makes the adjustments to my exercise calories... that usually leaves me netting right around 1200, sometimes a little less... either way I ignore it because what I am paying attention to is my deficit as listed on bodymedia.com .
I also cycle my calories and deficit... and go by averages. So one day it may look like I'm starving myself, and the next it may look like I'm overeating, but when you look at the end of the week averages provided by bodymedia, I've actually stayed in a healthy range.
Because I know how my diary probably looks to others, I try not criticise other peoples choices without knowing all the facts. I do generally recommend though that a person's intake should be 1200 or more if I'm asked, otherwise I keep my opinions to myself.0 -
I really do agree. I found out my BMR is 1600+. Just knowing that ended my forever spiraling off of diets. I then chose to have lifestyle change instead of a diet. it's an awful lot slower but the weight is staying off and I'm making changes for the rest of my life.
Interestingly enough...I have a friend who started this program...started eating more and lost weight.0 -
No one says it cant work for someone. They say it cant work for everyone. Hope this helps.
The people who follow a 1200 calorie diet usually aren't telling other people to follow it. They are defending themselves against the continuous attacks that it's unhealthy. They know what works for them. Besides, 1200 calories is not a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD). If the food is nutritionally balanced, it's enough food for anyone who seriously wants to lose weight. Should you be training for a marathon while eating relatively few calories? No. But most people here who are having trouble losing weight are eating far more calories than their activity level supports.1 -
New dude arrives and has all the solutions starting with lemon water and low fat dairy?
In for the lolz.
Lowfat cheese is the saddest thing in the world.
Give me real cheese.
Pass the brick!!0 -
I think saying a 1200 calorie diet is starving is a bit of a broad statement. I am only 5'1. I can not eat as much as someone who is 5'10 and lose weight. I do fine eating 1200 calories and my exercise calories.
THIS^^0 -
EXACTLY! As a Registered Dietitian, and Personal Fitness Trainer, I could not agree more.0
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I'm fairly new to this forum and am really surprised at how many people on here are starving themselves to lose weight. Weight loss is not a sprint its a marathon. Its something that should happen over time, not within a few weeks. Weight loss is more than just limiting your caloric intake. Its a combination of eating clean and healthy ( I hate the word diet) and exercising on a daily basis. Starving yourself is not a healthy way to lose weight and by limiting your caloric intake to 1200 or so calories is doing just that. Not only is it unhealthy, but its a process that you will never stick to because its not natural and uncomfortable to do. So lets be serious and talk about how to lose weight realistically.
I would first ask yourself, "why do I want to lose weight?' Is it for appearance? Is it to be more healthy? Is it to be able to make it up that flight of steps without getting tired? Once you understand your own reasoning you can then move forward and begin your weight loss journey, because after all that's what it should be, a journey not a short trip. Once you've realized your goal and the reason for it you need to make the biggest decision of all, and that's to commit to yourself and commit to achieving your goal of losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.
So now you've made the decision to put your health first; now what? Lets start with your eating habits. What do you eat? When do you eat it? and how often are you eating? Your body is a very complex machine but by following some simple rules about eating, you can have it running very efficiently. Follow these few simple rules and you'll see and feel the difference in your energy level.
-Start every day with an 8oz. glass of lemon water
-Monitor your portions- you should be eating small portion meals throughout the day rather than one, two or three large portioned meals a day
-Drink water, all day long
-Focus on lean proteins like chicken, turkey, salmon etc. and I don't mean processed cold-cuts...
-Focus on eating fresh vegetables, steamed when possible
-Limit unnecessary condiments i.e. mayonnaise, oils, salt etc.
-Limit, but don't restrict carbohydrates. Complex carbs are needed by your body
-Dairy is ok but in limited portions and should be kept to low fat dairy. Greek yogurt is a good choice.
-Fresh fruit should be kept to 1 or 2 pieces a day. Its high in sugar and you should be limiting your sugar
This si just a guide to go by. Your food intake should be directly related to your physical activity. Exercise is key but that's a whole other topic....
Why didn't you also write 'Watch Dr. Oz" on there? It appears that you have a lot of other myths to perpetuate, why not that one too?
I'm SO glad you know better than my dietician and Doctor. Now I don't need to pay them for safe weight loss anymore!!0 -
It really differs for everyone. For some people it's even hard to get to 1200 because they're small. I'm 5'5 and I eat between 1200-1500 a day depending on my exercise. And I'm never starving. Some days I'm a little hungrier them normal but that's not anything weird. Half the people on here don't go into starvation with 1200. But most people also don't weigh their foods which means they are most likely eating over 1200. So why does it matter if it's between 1200-2100? It all really depends on the persons body. Some to better losing weight with 1200, some with 1800. So what? Just eat right and exercise and you'll get it done as long as you eat in moderation. You're going to give new people the wrong idea if they read this and don't actually read the comments.0
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This.......
Everyone has a right to do what works for them. Just because you don't agree with it or don't understand it, doesn't make it bad. Each person on here has a different set of goals, different eating and exercise habits and a different lifestyle. What works for you might not work for someone else.0 -
I approve of this0 -
Mine is set to 1000 but I eat much mnore than that b ecause I eat back my exercise calories. I am five feet and I average probably eating 1500 a day with eating back the calories. I wonder if the people who say they only eat 1200 are not eating back their calories or counting those.0
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Very interesting...I have been with a personal trainer for the last 11 months , 3 times per week. You have reiterated exactly what she has been saying to me about nutrition, even down to the glass of lemon water in the morning. My problem is that I work 110% in the gym doing Crossfit exercises etc and have made good progress, but then sabotage myself in the "kitchen". Why is that you say? Not sure really, poor food planning, addicted to carbs? I am 5'2", 125 lbs , 58 yrs old. Pretty active. Any thoughts?0
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For the comments on page 1:
( Fresh veggies???? really???? hard to get, expensive esp since it has been proven that canned/frozen are just as good for you
"If you can't grow your own produce and eat it within hours of harvesting, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can be every bit as good for you as fresh ones, and in some cases even better." That being said a lot of my family is in the trucking business either driving or getting loads etc...and I know for a fact "fresh" items are picked early, boxed put on a truck and travelled great distances all the time ripening in the truck then it gets to a warehouse, dropped off within 24hours then re packed into a truck then shipped again to the stores where it sits in the truck for another period of time to get off loaded into another warehouse then it's put on the shelves...over ripe and a lot of the nutrients gone...and rotting on the shelves...ick)
My comment :
Fresh produce works for me better than canned-yes it may take awhile to reach the sellers, but if you can't grow your own, take advantage of local farmer's markets when available. Also, there is a LOT of info on the web right now about a harmful ingredient common in a majority of canned foods, BPA. Google it or read articles like this:
http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2013/07/bpa_in_canned_food.html
I have recently read that frozen vegs are a great choice because they are frozen within a short time of harvest which increased the preservation of most nutrients. I guess you just have to pick what fits your lifestyle.
I think the OP had decent foundation advice to start tailoring to your individual needs. No one set of rules works for everybody. Amazing how rude and sniping some people can be.1 -
I'm not eating 1200 calories a day, but by your logic, the 20+ lbs that I've lost since July eating pizza, pastries, ice cream, and other bad foods for me on a modified IF schedule, while maintaining a caloric deficit must be a complete fluke. *shrugs*. The only lemon water I drink is when I do a fresh juice and have lemon in my fresh juice.0
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You need to do more research and not rely on a blog or opinion about saturated fat or cholesterol.......this is 80's dogma that never seems to die.
That was a tough one for me too.
>Yes lean proteins are most recommended, however loin and round cuts of beef or pork are lean too. There is lean hamburger out there, and ways to decrease fat in prep and cooking. Lunch meats are FINE to eat. Just in moderation due to sodium levels.
Why would you try to avoid eating fat? I thought we moved past that whole 90s low-fat = good mentality.
And yet lunch meats are fine?
I stopped reading there. I'm sure the rest of it was awesome though.
Avoiding the unhealthy fats in meats is why you go with lean meats. Many meats are naturally high in saturated fats so as a Dietitian we recommend to go with lean cuts, trimming fat off meat, and healthier ways of prepping and cooking it for weight loss. Lunch meats or ok to eat because they are usually higher in sodium than in fat, especially if you stick with the leaner lunch meats. Even meats from the Deli are processed like lunch meats so yes the best meat is straight from the animal and lean. If you want to have some lunch meat turkey for a sandwich once and while It will not hinder your weight loss, nor will it hurt you any.
If you are watching sodium intake then limit your lunch meats and avoid ham altogether. Regardless of what you read, or see, or hear the bottom line is your weight is a result of the balance between food (calories in) and activity (calories out). If we want to change our weight, we need to tip the balance in favor of fewer calories in and more calories out.
"Unhealthy fats" in meats? What is wrong with dietary saturated fats???
Oh. Wait. Is this because we're still preaching the lipid hypothesis as gospel (and correlating consumption w/ blood markers)?Lunch meats or ok to eat because they are usually higher in sodium than in fat, especially if you stick with the leaner lunch meats
Huh?
I first read this as it was okay because the higher sodium offset the fat, but reasoned you couldn't possible be saying that. Having re-read it a few times, I'm...still confused.
But let's not lose sight of the primary topic...which is "lean meats". Why are you opposed to eating fat/saturated fat? Have humans always had a health problem with eating fat? Do you also advise against consuming organ meats? Does the way the animal has been raised change your answers to any of these questions?
I see how that statement can be confusing. I was referring to the reasons we recommend to avoid lunch meats. Its more from the sodium than fat, so if you are going to chose a lunch meat go for a lean lunch meat, but watch your sodium intake if that is a concern.
I'm not opposed to eating fat per se. Many saturated fats are unhealthy fats and CAN lead to high cholesterol levels; more so Triglycerides than LDL and total Cholesterol. There is still research going on that is showing that the type of saturated fat plays a role like medium chain versus long chain. For weight loss decreasing fat and increasing fruits and veggies is a better way to go. We do get some natural fats in our foods, however the majority of added fats-saturated & trans fats are unhealthy and not needed in our diet. Unsaturated fats are healthy for us and help to protect again build ups of plaque. I only advise against organ meats with certain medical conditions like gout. The way animals are raised does not change my recommendations. Whether a chicken is free range or caged does not change the fact the their egg yolk will hold all the cholesterol and fats of the egg.
The key, other than lean meats, is moderation and balance. if our calories in are balanced with our calories out then you can eat all the fatty foods you want. The concern becomes on the medical side versus weight loss side at that point. but again its different for every person, if you have a strong family history of heart disease then eating lean means and low fat can help to prevent you having heart disease-its not a for certain prevention-but its a step in that direction.1 -
You make some good points.
Wishing you continued success in your journey to a new you!:drinker:0 -
Very interesting...I have been with a personal trainer for the last 11 months , 3 times per week. You have reiterated exactly what she has been saying to me about nutrition, even down to the glass of lemon water in the morning.
Maybe never ever ever take nutritional advice from a personal trainer, all they are qualified to do is count up to 10 and then backwards down to 1.0 -
Omg hahahahahaha!0 -
Everyone has a right to do what works for them. Just because you don't agree with it or don't understand it, doesn't make it bad. Each person on here has a different set of goals, different eating and exercise habits and a different lifestyle. What works for you might not work for someone else.
Everyone has a right to do what they want...
...but that doesn't mean that everyone is equally right.
Just because everyone can have an opinion doesn't mean that objective truth doesn't exist, even in something so seemingly subjective as diet.1 -
Only you can figure out your equation to weight loss. I personally like having steaks and eating ice cream and cake. I know I can eat more calories if I eat leaner protein and limit some of my sugar calories and some days I do just that (change my macros). For the most part I really don't give a crud about eating what some call clean, or trying to run a marathon, but if you do and it translates into what you want, go for it. I don't mind eating less calories and eating what I like. I know how many calories I can eat of x food to lose weight. I know it because I track it and analyze it through an easy system. I also know what my mental and spiritual program does to my overall health and weight loss and is a lot more important for me than the foods I eat or the exercise I do. My mental and spiritual program comes first.
Who gives a crud about how good I think I look if I am still an a%%. That is where I need the most improvement..0 -
I have been on a 1,200 calorie per day diet for 8 months (with an ocassional splurge day).
Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter0 -
The only reason that over hydrating would be bad for you is if you have kidney failure, or not urinate. Normal functioning kidneys are able to process the fluids take on by the body. Everyone's body is different and while some may loose a steady/2 lbs per week on 1200 cal diet others may need to decrease or increase depending on their body's demand. not loosing weight on 1200 cal diet + exercise could mean a lot of things not one specific reason such as the body going into starvation mode. Check in with your doctors because thyroid problems can cause difficulty in weight loss and can also cause rapid weight loss. Your body may also have hit plateau. The human body is a quick learner for example 1 month ago you run 5 miles and eat 1200 cal and loose a steady 2lbs per week and the next month the scale won't move, it may mean that you need to switch up your exersice from running 5 miles and adding weight lifting to it.
I personally don't exercise much but I do eat 1200cal a day sometimes less because I tend to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits and notice that my eating habit have change drastically, I get full way easier probebly because of the fiber on all that fruits and veggies. I do eat pizza but instead of eating five slices I have a slice and a side salad and a fruit for dessert, I also eat pasta but I use the vegan pasta which has basically 30cal in a cup and I do eat meatballs but turkey meat balls and instead of using bread crumbs I use zucchini and carrots. I eats Mac and cheese but use (broccoli + vegan macaroni) and non fat milk and vegan cheese. Oolong tea and green tea also is great I drink it 30 min after meal or with my meal and it gives me energy and relax me, remember stress = cortisol release--> cortisol can make the body harder to loose weight because it regulates the metabolism of fat and carbs. Nways everyone has a different way of doing things and if you think that eating that is bad for you then by all means don't do it. In the end it's your body and do what makes you happy.1 -
I feel like a lot of people seem to miss the point that MFP suggests a 1200 NET calorie intake and that really seems to be based more for people who are more sedentary with their day to day activities. Obviously, if you're working out you need to fuel your body. So much of this is just common sense.0
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