1200 cals a day?!

I would do whatever works best for you!

Ding Ding Ding Ding.

Doing "whatever works best for you" to lose weight now can have unintended health consequences later on down the road. Which is what people are trying to educate you on. Right now the priority is lose this weight STAT, not caring about any consequences. Same reason people take other unhealthy measures like <insert fad very low cal diet or magic pill of the day here>.

shhh... this guy has it figured out already. We can give him the same advice later when he isn't happy with how things are going.

I've been losing weight for 14 months. I think if my metabolism was about to shut down it probably would have happened already.

I would do whatever works best for you!

Ding Ding Ding Ding.

Doing "whatever works best for you" to lose weight now can have unintended health consequences later on down the road. Which is what people are trying to educate you on. Right now the priority is lose this weight STAT, not caring about any consequences. Same reason people take other unhealthy measures like <insert fad very low cal diet or magic pill of the day here>.

shhh... this guy has it figured out already. We can give him the same advice later when he isn't happy with how things are going.

I've been losing weight for 14 months. I think if my metabolism was about to shut down it probably would have happened already.

Didn't you say you only net 1200 once or twice a week? I really don't think you are eating at 1200 then. I'm sure if you look at your weekly you are in a pretty decent spot. If I were you I wouldn't tell people you eat at 1200...you probably eat more like 1500.

I would do whatever works best for you!

Ding Ding Ding Ding.

Doing "whatever works best for you" to lose weight now can have unintended health consequences later on down the road. Which is what people are trying to educate you on. Right now the priority is lose this weight STAT, not caring about any consequences. Same reason people take other unhealthy measures like <insert fad very low cal diet or magic pill of the day here>.

shhh... this guy has it figured out already. We can give him the same advice later when he isn't happy with how things are going.

I've been losing weight for 14 months. I think if my metabolism was about to shut down it probably would have happened already.

Didn't you say you only net 1200 once or twice a week? I really don't think you are eating at 1200 then. I'm sure if you look at your weekly you are in a pretty decent spot. If I were you I wouldn't tell people you eat at 1200...you probably eat more like 1500.

I never even said that.

I've just responded negatively to the lecturing nature of the people on the site.

Never said that I eat 1200 every day. Actually said the opposite a whole bunch of times.

I would do whatever works best for you!

Ding Ding Ding Ding.

Doing "whatever works best for you" to lose weight now can have unintended health consequences later on down the road. Which is what people are trying to educate you on. Right now the priority is lose this weight STAT, not caring about any consequences. Same reason people take other unhealthy measures like <insert fad very low cal diet or magic pill of the day here>.

shhh... this guy has it figured out already. We can give him the same advice later when he isn't happy with how things are going.

I've been losing weight for 14 months. I think if my metabolism was about to shut down it probably would have happened already.

Didn't you say you only net 1200 once or twice a week? I really don't think you are eating at 1200 then. I'm sure if you look at your weekly you are in a pretty decent spot. If I were you I wouldn't tell people you eat at 1200...you probably eat more like 1500.

I never even said that.

I've just responded negatively to the lecturing nature of the people on the site.

Never said that I eat 1200 every day. Actually said the opposite a whole bunch of times.

I'm not attacking you! lol I think this thread is just bogus.

I would do whatever works best for you!

Ding Ding Ding Ding.

Doing "whatever works best for you" to lose weight now can have unintended health consequences later on down the road. Which is what people are trying to educate you on. Right now the priority is lose this weight STAT, not caring about any consequences. Same reason people take other unhealthy measures like <insert fad very low cal diet or magic pill of the day here>.

shhh... this guy has it figured out already. We can give him the same advice later when he isn't happy with how things are going.

I've been losing weight for 14 months. I think if my metabolism was about to shut down it probably would have happened already.

Didn't you say you only net 1200 once or twice a week? I really don't think you are eating at 1200 then. I'm sure if you look at your weekly you are in a pretty decent spot. If I were you I wouldn't tell people you eat at 1200...you probably eat more like 1500.

I never even said that.

I've just responded negatively to the lecturing nature of the people on the site.

Never said that I eat 1200 every day. Actually said the opposite a whole bunch of times.

I'm not attacking you! lol I think this thread is just bogus.

most 1200 calorie threads are.

It took me a few weeks, but I was able to reprogram my body into eating smaller portions at each meal. That, for me, has been key. My breakfast is usually some granola bars or greek yogurt and coffee. I'm usually around 200 calories for that. For snacks, I treat myself to a chocolate rice krispie treat (100 calories). For lunch, I try to do salad or all veggies twice a week. No matter what, I keep lunch under 500 calories. I usually eat a regular dinner (600-800 calories, depending on meal). Then, I exercise, burning between 300 and 600 calories a day. I do have cheat days, but I try to maintain my good eating habits anyway. It has taken a few months, but I have adapted to the lower calorie needs and change in diet. You just have to find your groove.

Okay, I went to Scooby's site and this is what I got:
BMR = 1617
TDEE = 2506
Daily calories = 2005

So, based on that I should be eating 2005 calories a day total. That is, if I wrote down all of my calories on a sheet, they should total 2005 and I should still lose 1 pound a week. (Yes, this includes 60 minutes of walking 3-5 times a week, but I do not add in those calories).

I think it is because I am freaking out at that many calories, but that may be the reason? I lost weight years ago using Weight Watchers and that was because we did points - never calories, so I don't even know how many calories I was eating with Weight Watchers. I had lost 70 pounds with WW and put back on 50, and now have 46 pounds of those to lose.

So, that makes sense? I know we are all individual, I think I just need to get it into my head that eating that many calories is okay. I knew when I first posted I was wrong with my BMR and TDEE. I should have checked my numbers first. I'm not really that dumb.....or am I? Ugh.

Thanks to any and all who want to help. If you want to send me a friend request, I'd be more than willing to accept. Thanks!

Laura

Sounds like a great *starting point* which is all these online calculators can give you. Use that number for 6-8 weeks...weigh and measure EVERYTHING...and monitor your results. If you like the direction and magnitude of your change at the end of the 6-8 weeks, keep using it. If you're losing too quickly...(yes, this is a thing)...then add a hundred calories or so. Too slowly? Then subtract a hundred calories or so. Then run another 6-8 week session at the new number.

The *secret* to a successful weight loss strategy IMHO is finding the biggest calorie number at which you make satisfactory progress. With that, you won't be overly hungry all the time, you'll have optimal energy, you're more likely to preserve LBM, and you'll just plain old feel better about, well, everything. Finding the smallest calorie number at which you can survive yields a different quality of life.

Best of luck.

Okay, I went to Scooby's site and this is what I got:
BMR = 1617
TDEE = 2506
Daily calories = 2005

So, based on that I should be eating 2005 calories a day total. That is, if I wrote down all of my calories on a sheet, they should total 2005 and I should still lose 1 pound a week. (Yes, this includes 60 minutes of walking 3-5 times a week, but I do not add in those calories).

I think it is because I am freaking out at that many calories, but that may be the reason? I lost weight years ago using Weight Watchers and that was because we did points - never calories, so I don't even know how many calories I was eating with Weight Watchers. I had lost 70 pounds with WW and put back on 50, and now have 46 pounds of those to lose.

So, that makes sense? I know we are all individual, I think I just need to get it into my head that eating that many calories is okay. I knew when I first posted I was wrong with my BMR and TDEE. I should have checked my numbers first. I'm not really that dumb.....or am I? Ugh.

Thanks to any and all who want to help. If you want to send me a friend request, I'd be more than willing to accept. Thanks!

Laura

Sounds like a great *starting point* which is all these online calculators can give you. Use that number for 6-8 weeks...weigh and measure EVERYTHING...and monitor your results. If you like the direction and magnitude of your change at the end of the 6-8 weeks, keep using it. If you're losing too quickly...(yes, this is a thing)...then add a hundred calories or so. Too slowly? Then subtract a hundred calories or so. Then run another 6-8 week session at the new number.

The *secret* to a successful weight loss strategy IMHO is finding the biggest calorie number at which you make satisfactory progress. With that, you won't be overly hungry all the time, you'll have optimal energy, you're more likely to preserve LBM, and you'll just plain old feel better about, well, everything. Finding the smallest calorie number at which you can survive yields a different quality of life.

Best of luck.

All of this too^^^^^^^^

If I can add my thoughts on this. While you read this, keep in mind that 30 years ago, I was 120kg! I dropped to 85kg and have been between 85 and 90kgs with between 10 and 12% BF, ever since. I understanding dieting and the frustrations of losing weight.

You need and must know your BMR and then your TDEE. This is not only for sports enthusiasts. Losing weight needs to be a slow(er) process. If you are eating too few calories per day to drop weight quickly, what do you imagine the end results will be? You've been hungry for 4 or 5 months, and now you want to "reward" yourself. You'll most likely eat a bit more than you should slowly, but before you know it, you'll be right back where you were. The yo-yo effect has begun. Personally, I want everyone to be happy, healthy and fit!

To quote Emma-Leigh's website, your BMR is the number of calories you need to need to consume to maintain your body if you were comatose (basically if you sat and did nothing all day - literally nothing!)

TDEE is based upon a number of factors and the Katch-McArdle method or formula is considered the most up-to-date and accurate. Once you know your TDEE, you can easily subtract a percentage (15% for example) to loose weight.

So, if your TDEE is 1700, why not try eating 1500kcal per day rather than the painful 1200? While it will be slightly slower to lose the weight, keeping it off will be much easier. Why? Referring back to the second paragraph, above. While those 4 or 5 months might mean 5 or 6 with 1500 kcal, you are less likely to want to jump off the wagon and binge eat. When you're eating only a fewer amount of calories versus a lot fewer, it's more comfortable and less work. Once you hit your desired weight, slowly increase your calories back to your TDEE and keep it there. Plus going from 1200 back to 1700 is a huge increase.

Since I am lifting weights, my TDEE is 3100kcal per day. When I want to cut down, I don't drop to 2500 or 2300, I'll go down to 2800 for three weeks then 2600 for three weeks, then slowly back up. It truly is easier and much more comfortable.

I hope this helps with some frustration some are encountering.

MFP has calculated 1200 calories per day for me. I am okay with it on the days that i exercise because I eat back some of the calories earnt but on any rest days I must admit I do struggle. I dont really have enough calories left to have a decent meal this evening, and I like to eat plenty of fruit so I will go out for a good walk later to earn some more calories. I am going to have to look into this BMR and TDEE that everyone is talking about, not sure how to work it out will probably try good old Google