Need 1200 cal friends for accountability and support

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  • lookin08902
    lookin08902 Posts: 12 Member
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    I keep my calories at 1200 or less and am having a real hard time losing.. I have a LOT to lose but I either find mysef stuck at a weight or gaining... Kept my calories under 1200 for the 10 days I have been on MFP and since I bought my jawbone up and have been exercising a lot and I am up in weight.... I honestly don't know what to do anymore.... I could use some buddies going through the same thing if anyone wants to add me...

    I'm really sorry to hear about this. I've struggled too, lost only 5 lbs in 5 weeks, but at least I see the scale change...in the right direction. The only thing I wonder is whether you're logging your food portions correctly? Or maybe, if you haven't exercised for a long time and are only just starting out, it'll take a while to catch up? DON'T LOSE HOPE. You will get there. Tell yourself it's a lifetime commitment, if not this week or next, maybe next month or the following month. If you're counting your calories right and doing exercises, it will work!

    I know there are lots of theories out there about metabolic rate, resting rate, and more. Personal trainers can help you figure all these out. If you're desperate and MFP isn't working, maybe consider getting professional help (e.g. personal trainers, etc.)?
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
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    Yes I am working out. I try and do at least something everyday and then I do strength training with dumb bells and I do cardio and dance and aerobics and walk... I do a variation or two or three for an hour 4 days a week minimum. I have to eat something small before I work out and typically eat lunch after. I suffer from insulin resistance so I have to make surely blood sugar is in in check.

    And also from reading past posts in this forum? MFP told me to eat 2200 calories a day which is stupid. It was my doctor that put me on 1200.
  • cumber1137
    cumber1137 Posts: 13 Member
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    Feel free to add me.
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
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    Thank you for your reply. I measure and weigh everything and make sure I get it entered in correctly. I am a creature of habit so I usually only vary between 3 or 4 different things for breakfast and the same for lunch.. So it's easy for me to track.
    I started an 8 week challenge that finishes up this Sunday so I have been working out for those weeks but hadn't prior to it other than walking. I was down 17 pounds in the challenge which is great but since restricting my calories to my doctors recommendations and upping the workouts I've gained... And now I'm at 15 since the beginning of the challenge...
  • lookin08902
    lookin08902 Posts: 12 Member
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    Perhaps cutting back to 1200 is too much too quickly? I've heard the body goes into starvation mode with sudden loss of calories and as a result, your metabolism goes down. I'm no expert though. I know it seems counterintuitive since your doctor told you to go to 1,200 calories, but could he/she be reacting to your frustrations? Working in healthcare, I know doctors are terrified of losing patients and do try to please them. Since 1,200 is the minimum calorie recommended for anyone (I believe), maybe he/she thought it'll be safe for you. I know others on MFP who have and continue to lose weight on 1,300 - 1,500 calorie intake.

    Sounds like you're really doing all the right things though. Keep it up! Stay motivated!
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
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    Is it really that serious? WOW.
    Way to discourage new users for sure.
    I have been on 1200 since I started and never had any problems. Stay within your calorie goal and exercise and you will lose weight. Obviously everyone is different.
    Basically your saying the whole site is wrong so what would they need it for SMH....

    Discouraging? the site IS wrong.

    MFP is a broken calculator. It lets 22 year old girls that work out 5 days a week... with 10 lbs to lose.... think that they need 1200 calories to exist. I'm sorry you don't understand my post in saying that MFP is broken, but reading isn't easy.

    Shame I caught/quoted you hating on my advice before you changed your mind.

    This guy is one of the most supportive and I'm gonna say it smartest people on this site.

    Personally, I think I'd listen to what someone who has lost ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE that's 153 lbs .

    Seriously, the man deserves a freakin' medal just for coming in to every 1200 calorie thread to try to help. Because you CAN eat more than 1200 calories, feel full, feel great and kick *kitten* at losing weight.

    He's also a big supporter of finding what works for you, he says it in the long post of knowledge that he dropped on this thread. He's learned from trial and error, as have I. I was a newbie who bought into the MFP 1200 calorie thing. Holy crap I was tired, sometimes didn't want to complete my workouts, was working out 5x a week and my weight loss did stop. I learned from him about TDEE and now I'm eating 1800, I complete my workouts and then some. I have more energy than ever. Oh yeah, and I'm losing weight.

    jlaw-okay.gif
  • albatrossmarie
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    I usually end up around 1200-1300 most days. You can friend me if you want to see a looooot of snacking :)
  • Joedusto350
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    Feel free to add me.. New on MFP and started a 1200 calorie diet on non workout days for the next 60 days.
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
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    Perhaps cutting back to 1200 is too much too quickly? I've heard the body goes into starvation mode with sudden loss of calories and as a result, your metabolism goes down. I'm no expert though. I know it seems counterintuitive since your doctor told you to go to 1,200 calories, but could he/she be reacting to your frustrations? Working in healthcare, I know doctors are terrified of losing patients and do try to please them. Since 1,200 is the minimum calorie recommended for anyone (I believe), maybe he/she thought it'll be safe for you. I know others on MFP who have and continue to lose weight on 1,300 - 1,500 calorie intake.

    Sounds like you're really doing all the right things though. Keep it up! Stay motivated!

    I really only cut back that drastic in the last couple of weeks but before I had cut down to about 1600 or so. I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance and both are working against me when it comes to losing.. I think maybe my issue is that most days I am just lot hungry even when I work out.. So I feel like I am just not eating as much at meals and most days don't come close to 1200.. I still kept my goal on here 1600 but am trying to account for her recommendations.

    I think my biggest problem is I am probably not eating enough... That's the hardest thing for me... If I could keep it as close to 1200 as possible it might be better because right now I get it right around 1000. It's hard to wrap myself around the fact that I may be eating too little to lose.. That's been a struggle for sure.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
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    Feel free to add me.. New on MFP and started a 1200 calorie diet on non workout days for the next 60 days.

    You are a man. You need more than 1200 calories. If that picture is you, it doesn't appear you are in the severely obese category which would warrant such a drastic cut.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
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    Perhaps cutting back to 1200 is too much too quickly? I've heard the body goes into starvation mode with sudden loss of calories and as a result, your metabolism goes down. I'm no expert though. I know it seems counterintuitive since your doctor told you to go to 1,200 calories, but could he/she be reacting to your frustrations? Working in healthcare, I know doctors are terrified of losing patients and do try to please them. Since 1,200 is the minimum calorie recommended for anyone (I believe), maybe he/she thought it'll be safe for you. I know others on MFP who have and continue to lose weight on 1,300 - 1,500 calorie intake.

    Sounds like you're really doing all the right things though. Keep it up! Stay motivated!

    I really only cut back that drastic in the last couple of weeks but before I had cut down to about 1600 or so. I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance and both are working against me when it comes to losing.. I think maybe my issue is that most days I am just lot hungry even when I work out.. So I feel like I am just not eating as much at meals and most days don't come close to 1200.. I still kept my goal on here 1600 but am trying to account for her recommendations.

    I think my biggest problem is I am probably not eating enough... That's the hardest thing for me... If I could keep it as close to 1200 as possible it might be better because right now I get it right around 1000. It's hard to wrap myself around the fact that I may be eating too little to lose.. That's been a struggle for sure.

    With PCOS / Insulin Resistance, you may find that lower carbs works better for you.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
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    I think my biggest problem is I am probably not eating enough... That's the hardest thing for me... If I could keep it as close to 1200 as possible it might be better because right now I get it right around 1000. It's hard to wrap myself around the fact that I may be eating too little to lose.. That's been a struggle for sure.

    I did too at first. But start off by eating netting 1200 every day and work your way up by 100 calories a day until you are at what you should be eating. Slow and steady. Give your body time to adjust and react appropriately.

    I use the TDEE-% method. I eat 1800 calories a day, do kickboxing 2x a week and c25k program 2-3x a week. I'm losing weight. My body has the proper fuel it needs. I don't worry or stress about my calorie burns because it's already figured into my calories. So when I log a workout I log it with 1 calorie burned.
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
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    Perhaps cutting back to 1200 is too much too quickly? I've heard the body goes into starvation mode with sudden loss of calories and as a result, your metabolism goes down. I'm no expert though. I know it seems counterintuitive since your doctor told you to go to 1,200 calories, but could he/she be reacting to your frustrations? Working in healthcare, I know doctors are terrified of losing patients and do try to please them. Since 1,200 is the minimum calorie recommended for anyone (I believe), maybe he/she thought it'll be safe for you. I know others on MFP who have and continue to lose weight on 1,300 - 1,500 calorie intake.

    Sounds like you're really doing all the right things though. Keep it up! Stay motivated!

    I really only cut back that drastic in the last couple of weeks but before I had cut down to about 1600 or so. I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance and both are working against me when it comes to losing.. I think maybe my issue is that most days I am just lot hungry even when I work out.. So I feel like I am just not eating as much at meals and most days don't come close to 1200.. I still kept my goal on here 1600 but am trying to account for her recommendations.

    I think my biggest problem is I am probably not eating enough... That's the hardest thing for me... If I could keep it as close to 1200 as possible it might be better because right now I get it right around 1000. It's hard to wrap myself around the fact that I may be eating too little to lose.. That's been a struggle for sure.

    With PCOS / Insulin Resistance, you may find that lower carbs works better for you.

    That's what I had originally intended on doing but the doctor ripped me apart when I mentioned low carb.. So the only carbs I do eat quinoa and brown rice and wild rice but no more than half a cup at a time. And only sprouted breads and Ezekiel bread but never more than a slice at a time and oatmeal but also no more than half a cup at a time. I very rarely eat any potatoes and if I do it's sweet potatoes. No pasta only spaghetti squash...I try to only consume low-moderate GI foods.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
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    Perhaps cutting back to 1200 is too much too quickly? I've heard the body goes into starvation mode with sudden loss of calories and as a result, your metabolism goes down. I'm no expert though. I know it seems counterintuitive since your doctor told you to go to 1,200 calories, but could he/she be reacting to your frustrations? Working in healthcare, I know doctors are terrified of losing patients and do try to please them. Since 1,200 is the minimum calorie recommended for anyone (I believe), maybe he/she thought it'll be safe for you. I know others on MFP who have and continue to lose weight on 1,300 - 1,500 calorie intake.

    Sounds like you're really doing all the right things though. Keep it up! Stay motivated!

    I really only cut back that drastic in the last couple of weeks but before I had cut down to about 1600 or so. I was diagnosed with PCOS and insulin resistance and both are working against me when it comes to losing.. I think maybe my issue is that most days I am just lot hungry even when I work out.. So I feel like I am just not eating as much at meals and most days don't come close to 1200.. I still kept my goal on here 1600 but am trying to account for her recommendations.

    I think my biggest problem is I am probably not eating enough... That's the hardest thing for me... If I could keep it as close to 1200 as possible it might be better because right now I get it right around 1000. It's hard to wrap myself around the fact that I may be eating too little to lose.. That's been a struggle for sure.

    With PCOS / Insulin Resistance, you may find that lower carbs works better for you.

    That's what I had originally intended on doing but the doctor ripped me apart when I mentioned low carb.. So the only carbs I do eat quinoa and brown rice and wild rice but no more than half a cup at a time. And only sprouted breads and Ezekiel break but never more than a slice at a time and oatmeal but also no more than half a cup at a time. I very rarely eat any potatoes and it I do it's sweet potatoes. No pasta only spaghetti squash...I try to only consume low-moderate GI foods.

    Maybe the doctor was thinking extreme like a Keto diet. It sounds like you are on the right track.
  • SusanaLdn
    SusanaLdn Posts: 121 Member
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    so many new users... so much work to be done.

    here:

    1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
    2. Make sure you eat enough.
    3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
    4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
    5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
    6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
    7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
    8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
    9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
    10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
    11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
    12. don't set time restrictions.
    13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
    14 BE PATIENT.
    15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
    16. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
    17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
    18. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

    pretty much that.

    ...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

    the typical MFP users does this:
    1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
    2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
    3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
    4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
    5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
    6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
    7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
    8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
    9. Argument ensues about who is right.

    Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

    I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

    Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

    Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

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

    this could help.

    I love you :drinker:
  • CaitMcKenzie13
    CaitMcKenzie13 Posts: 8 Member
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    My calorie goal is around 1200 as well, and I plan to adjust as necessary depending on my activity for the day.

    Anyone here is free to add me too. :)
  • MrsMadM
    MrsMadM Posts: 12
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    I'm a 1200 cal girl. Add me. I'm new here so all the help I can get the better.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,583 Member
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    I'm a 1200 cal girl. Add me. I'm new here so all the help I can get the better.
    you put your information in incorrectly when you singed up. 18 lbs to lose, you chose 2lbs per week.

    Contrary to your belief and what MFP said, you don't have to be a 1200 cal girl. Go back, change your setting to .5 lb / week.

    You're welcome.
  • Showstoppher
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    I thought that if I went below the calories that that would mean that I would lose more. I called my cousin who is a personal trainer and I asked him. He strongly encouraged against it!!! Be certain to eat the calories burned- calories to prevent muscle loss. otherwise, your body will eat the muscle that was built.
  • PapaverSomniferum
    PapaverSomniferum Posts: 2,677 Member
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