Feeling so tired on 1200 cals

lucylpd
lucylpd Posts: 16
in Food and Nutrition
I've recently gone back on a diet. I lost 21lbs and felt great but have had a break, eating at maintenance of 1600 - 1800 but with quite a few binges (3000 calories plus) along the way. I've gained back 9lbs and would like to lose that.. But I am feeling so tired and fatigued on 1200 calories! I don't know why this is as I have a sedentary desk job and only exercise occasionally ( walks etc ). I don't know what to do - I find myself getting hunger pangs at around 9pm.

Replies

  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    What math resulted in your 1200 calorie intake?
  • writergeek313
    writergeek313 Posts: 390 Member
    Please don't start duplicate threads in different forums.
  • BamaBreezeNSaltAire
    BamaBreezeNSaltAire Posts: 966 Member
    Need more information such as height, current weight, male/female. Chances are 1200 isn't enough but it really depends on your other statistics. You need to figure out your TDEE and BMR to figure out what your true maintenance is and what your cut should be.
  • aliu00
    aliu00 Posts: 61
    Add more protein to your food. Also ,you can take some b-complex for energy. I am taking the active formed b-complex. It gives me energy especially in the afternoon.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    MFP is quite notorious for setting calorie goals FAR too low, regardless of height and weight. For example, it told me to eat 1200, and my BMR (the bare amount of calories I need to LIVE) is 1280. And I am extremely tiny, only 5 feet. So unless you are smaller than me, or bedridden, it is almost a CERTAINTY that you are eating too little. (This can result in lean muscle loss, chronic fatigue, metabolism damage, and bingeing due to over-restriction.)

    Go to

    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    and enter your height/weight/activity level.

    Subtract 10-20% from the number it calculates for you, and that is the number of calories you should be eating a day in order to lose weight. With this method you do not eat back your exercise calories, as they are already figured into your daily goal.
  • ChristinWrites
    ChristinWrites Posts: 119 Member
    MFP is very generous with handing out that 1200 number. I am very small - not quite 5'2, 40 years old and I have a desk job. I do exercise daily (which will also give you energy by the way) and my BMR is 1400 according to several other calculators. 1200 is extremely low for most people - even small people. I started off with the 1200 thing, but bumped it up because I was feeling lousy on only that much. You also should make sure your 1200 or whatever calories are filled with the proper balance of nutrients.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    MFP is quite notorious for setting calorie goals FAR too low, regardless of height and weight. For example, it told me to eat 1200, and my BMR (the bare amount of calories I need to LIVE) is 1280. And I am extremely tiny, only 5 feet. So unless you are smaller than me, or bedridden, it is almost a CERTAINTY that you are eating too little. (This can result in lean muscle loss, chronic fatigue, metabolism damage, and bingeing due to over-restriction.)

    Go to

    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    and enter your height/weight/activity level.

    Subtract 10-20% from the number it calculates for you, and that is the number of calories you should be eating a day in order to lose weight. With this method you do not eat back your exercise calories, as they are already figured into your daily goal.

    It is not usually MFP, it is the information people put in. I will agree the sedentary setting is very low, most people here would fall under lightly active at least but most people choose sedentary.

    OP - I suspect you both chose sedentary and a 2lb a week goal. WIth 13 pounds left to lose, your goal should be closer to .5lb a week, which will increase your calorie limit. I would bump it up to lightly active and choose a lower weight loss goal.

    Also it is important to remember that even if you get a 1200 calorie goal, MPF still expects you to log exercise and eat those calories back. So even those who get 1200 with the proper information (which is very few people), will usually eat more unless they are not working out at all.
  • littlekitty3
    littlekitty3 Posts: 265 Member
    Eat more food. I used to do that crap and it left me feeling like crap.
    I eat over 2000 cals now and my abs are flatter than on 1200.
  • McGuireTO
    McGuireTO Posts: 18 Member
    When I'm hungry late at night, I have a protein shake - water and two scoops of a slow digesting protein powder. If that doesn't work I go to sleep, I can't eat if I'm not awake.

    But that's what works for me. 1200 is very low. Weight loss is a marathon, not a journey, and I know how impatient you can be and how you can want immediate results. Don't starve yourself of the nutrition you need just to eat 1200 kcal, if that is too low.

    It's important to eat to your macros - that will help promote the hormone balance that makes weight loss easier

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