1200 cals a day?!
Replies
-
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.0 -
Hello....
I'm on 1200 calories a day.... most of the time, I do just fine on it... I eat pretty much what I want, and have only done minimal walking so far for excersise. And I've been encouraged by the fact that if I even think I'm going over my calories, I put my walking shoes on. I've lost 15 lbs in about 4 1/2 weeks. I'm loving myfitnesspal....
0 -
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 1500.0 -
Hello....
I'm on 1200 calories a day.... most of the time, I do just fine on it... I eat pretty much what I want, and have only done minimal walking so far for excersise. And I've been encouraged by the fact that if I even think I'm going over my calories, I put my walking shoes on. I've lost 15 lbs in about 4 1/2 weeks. I'm loving myfitnesspal....
If you read the post at all you would realize that anyone can lose weight initially at 1200. But check back in, in July and tell me how your progress is going.0 -
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.0 -
But this attitude that a lot of people have on here that they know what is right for everyone....that's just not reality. People have different goals and there are a lot of different healthy ways to get weight loss accomplished.
1200 is not right for most people, it is a default minimum. If this person were 5'0 and had 75+ pounds to lose, then I would not say don't eat 1200. For THIS OP, it is not reasonable, or necessary. And the goal should be not just accomplishing the weight loss but doing it in a HEALTHY way.0 -
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.0 -
I'm not attacking you! lol I think this thread is just bogus.
LOL yeah I know.
My message in this thread was simple - eat healthy, you won't crave, and it will be easy to limit your calories.
I never endorsed ANY kind of calorie restriction. Just said if you eat healthy it is easy to stay under 1200 calories for ONE day if you need to.
I think my message was a pretty good and basic one, but somehow I got deemed the poster boy for unhealthy dieting in this thread, and I got all the lectures that came with it, so I kinda got an attitude lol.0 -
most 1200 calorie threads are.
I'm not attacking you! lol I think this thread is just bogus.0 -
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!
Laura0 -
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.0
-
Thanks much! 2000 calories a day it is with my 4-5 days a week of exercise burning 600 calories. I'm going to give it a shot.
Appreciate all the support and advice!
Laura
I know, it's not rocket science..............0 -
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.0 -
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).
Yes that's right, eat around 2,000 but don't eat more for exercise (unless you go run a marathon or do something way more vigorous than your normal routine.)
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.
No, not dumb, it is just as you said, with Weight Watchers you didn't need to know those numbers. With MFP here, they do use the term BMR, but the setup is a bit confusing in that it allows you to input numbers that aren't necessarily appropriate or healthy, and too many people get the default minimum of 1200 (and the eating more for exercise confuses people too). So unless people read the forums or talk to people on their friends list, they may not ever get educated on these things.0 -
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^^^^^^^^0 -
I have 1200 calories a day. I personally find that I could easily eat more but can perfectly manage on 1200! All just about getting a good balance with your 3 meals a day. I tend to have something like 2 crumpets for breakfast with a pint of water and then drink water/peppermint tea at work if I get peckish before lunch. For lunch I tend to have a bulky tuna or chicken salad and a banana afterwards. For dinner I just make sure I use up all my remaining calories before going to the gym! I also make sure I try and eat my food slower/chew more and it fills me up more. I don't burn a huge amount at the gym (2-300 cals when I go usually) as I don't think I have enough cals a day to burn much more. I think everyone has their own way of making it work but this is mine x 0
-
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.0 -
TommyJensen - a male should never eat below 1600 calories a day.
Why is that? I exercise twice a day (weight lifting in the morning and jogging in the evening) and eat 1200-1300 a day with no problem.
I'm 200lb, 5'9, 23 year old male. I'm tired of being fat.0 -
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 0
-
I love It!0
-
I changed my daily to 1400. I like this amount because it equates to approx 28 points if you were on Weight Watchers. And when I go to the gym it gives me the extra calories to use or maybe even bank a few for the weekend.0
-
Just to add a little something to my above post.
Based upon a 30 years-old woman, 166cm (5'4") and 70kgs (155 pounds), with 30% BF. No exercise and a desk-type job.
BMR is 1435 and TDEE is about 1725. Based on that, if the daily caloric goal was 1450 or 1500, this is a caloric deficit and weight would be lost at a more comfortable pace.
Food for, ...uh, thought. 0 -
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
MFP gave you the lowest default number based upon "I want to lose XX pounds per week"
If you put in a too aggressive goal.....MFP defaulted to the minimum. 1200 may or may not be appropriate for you.....BMR is helpful in determining this. Here's a calculator
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
BMR is the # of calories your body would use if you stayed in bed all day
TDEE (maintenance) = BMR + activity level + exercise0 -
Why is that? I exercise twice a day (weight lifting in the morning and jogging in the evening) and eat 1200-1300 a day with no problem.
I'm 200lb, 5'9, 23 year old male. I'm tired of being fat.
A 23 years-old Man, 5'9", 200lbs, who exercises twice everyday, would have a BMR of 1750 and a TDEE of 3000.
1200kcal per day is way too low. If you ate 2500 or 2600, you'd be fine and be in a caloric deficit. Why aren't you losing weight? I don't know. I'd like to look at your food diary, but you have it as private. You say you are doing weight and cardio every day. Too much! Entirely too much. I would recommend that you train with weights three or four days a week - at most. Keep cardio limited to two days per week. Your muscles need rest. Eating will boost your metabolism. Provided those calories are good calories and not junk. If you are keeping a food diary, you must be honest with it and yourself.0 -
The thing is....I don't need help. I've lost 90 pounds without any suffering whatsoever and my weight loss has actually accelerated as I've moved forward. What I am doing is working for me.
The only point of my post was that if you stop eating foods that make you crave, if you just eat healthy, it is easy to keep your calories down. I'm not here to be the calorie police. I can see we have plenty of those here.
You have already clarified that you aren't on 1200 daily calories (on average). So there's a good chance you're eating "enough" calories not to have any significant side effects. For your sake, I hope so.
That said, those you are railing against don't necessarily have a problem with your approach (because beyond indicating you eat more than 1200 calories, you really haven't divulged your approach). I am a little troubled by your nonchalant views on losing LBM (and that you used the word "toned"), but hey, different strokes and all that.
Our...okay, *my*...problem is with people thinking that they *need* to be at 1200 to see any results and *starting* there. There truly are people for whom 1200 is the right answer. I have no qualms with that. My problem is with those who preach that others should start at 1200 and that there are no consequences of too great of a deficit. (Oh, I have a problem with those who say that building muscle is easy and that they can do it at 1200 calories too.)
There is an optimal way to do this (IMHO) and I choose to spend some of my time in the forums preaching that message: find the *most* calories you can eat while still making satisfactory progress towards your goals. The benefits are many.
ETA: I recommend discounting the personal anecdotes of those who are "just fine on 1200" who are actually eating 1200 (based on weighing and measuring) who have been at it for less than two or so months. It takes time for some of the consequences to manifest. The boards are full of posts from those doing "just fine" who drop out of the game after a couple of months when they stop doing "just fine"...until they come back later and are once again "just fine" for a couple of months. It's a vicious cycle.0 -
Why is that? I exercise twice a day (weight lifting in the morning and jogging in the evening) and eat 1200-1300 a day with no problem.
I'm 200lb, 5'9, 23 year old male. I'm tired of being fat.
Too little food paired with too much exercise for that amount of food creates excess Cortisol. Excess Cortisol will prevent weight loss and long term damages health.0 -
...and you're gonna have an issue if you try to eat more than that from here out.
Not if he continues to stay discipline and stay on track. If he lets up and gets fat, then thats his fault and he deserves it for not being disciplined.0 -
A 23 years-old Man, 5'9", 200lbs, who exercises twice everyday, would have a BMR of 1750 and a TDEE of 3000.
1200kcal per day is way too low. If you ate 2500 or 2600, you'd be fine and be in a caloric deficit. Why aren't you losing weight? I don't know. I'd like to look at your food diary, but you have it as private. You say you are doing weight and cardio every day. Too much! Entirely too much. I would recommend that you train with weights three or four days a week - at most. Keep cardio limited to two days per week. Your muscles need rest. Eating will boost your metabolism. Provided those calories are good calories and not junk. If you are keeping a food diary, you must be honest with it and yourself.
How can I take it off of private mode? I didn't know it was on private sorry0 -
The thing is....I don't need help. I've lost 90 pounds without any suffering whatsoever and my weight loss has actually accelerated as I've moved forward. What I am doing is working for me.
The only point of my post was that if you stop eating foods that make you crave, if you just eat healthy, it is easy to keep your calories down. I'm not here to be the calorie police. I can see we have plenty of those here.
You have already clarified that you aren't on 1200 daily calories (on average). So there's a good chance you're eating "enough" calories not to have any significant side effects. For your sake, I hope so.
That said, those you are railing against don't necessarily have a problem with your approach (because beyond indicating you eat more than 1200 calories, you really haven't divulged your approach). I am a little troubled by your nonchalant views on losing LBM (and that you used the word "toned"), but hey, different strokes and all that.
Our...okay, *my*...problem is with people thinking that they *need* to be at 1200 to see any results and *starting* there. There truly are people for whom 1200 is the right answer. I have no qualms with that. My problem is with those who preach that others should start at 1200 and that there are no consequences of too great of a deficit. (Oh, I have a problem with those who say that building muscle is easy and that they can do it at 1200 calories too.)
There is an optimal way to do this (IMHO) and I choose to spend some of my time in the forums preaching that message: find the *most* calories you can eat while still making satisfactory progress towards your goals. The benefits are many.
ETA: I recommend discounting the personal anecdotes of those who are "just fine on 1200" who are actually eating 1200 (based on weighing and measuring) who have been at it for less than two or so months. It takes time for some of the consequences to manifest. The boards are full of posts from those doing "just fine" who drop out of the game after a couple of months when they stop doing "just fine"...until they come back later and are once again "just fine" for a couple of months. It's a vicious cycle.
[/quote]
perfectly stated! I couldn't agree more.0 -
Why is that? I exercise twice a day (weight lifting in the morning and jogging in the evening) and eat 1200-1300 a day with no problem.
I'm 200lb, 5'9, 23 year old male. I'm tired of being fat.
Because even with the weight lifting, you're going to lose muscle mass and lower your metabolism. This is what my fiance did... He lost over 100lbs, and now he's put 40 back on and gains weight eating stupid small amounts of food because his metabolism is screwed to all hell. Oh, and also the consequences for testosterone, cortisol, and various other hormones. Eat more.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 395K Introduce Yourself
- 44K Getting Started
- 260.6K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.2K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.7K Fitness and Exercise
- 444 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.2K Motivation and Support
- 8.2K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.3K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.9K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions