1200 calories-- healthy or health disaster??

shellybythesea
shellybythesea Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
I joined MFP about four weeks ago. I am very petite but have gained some jiggle over the winter, since the only exercise I enjoy is swimming. I wanted to take charge of my eating so I could return to and then maintain a healthy weight despite my sedentary life style. MFP set me at 1200 calories and I've been quite comfortable (yes, even enjoying!) eating around 1200-1300 per day.

But today I was reading an article by Skinny Mom (I really love her recipes). She was describing a day in her 1500 calorie diet. At one point she made a comment that basically said, "1200 calorie diets are starvation, and that's a thing of the past. Everyone knows that." And I was thinking, WHAT? No one told me that!!

Sure enough, I do some research on google and what do I find? Lots of articles bashing a 1200-calorie diet! (I didn't even know 1200 was such a common goal!) Some people say it's too close to starvation to be healthy for your body, others say its already starvation level and you might as well be scarfing down the pizza instead. A lot more people just don't seem sure.

Like I said, I've felt very comfortable with the amount I am eating. I have a very flexible meal schedule. I just eat when I'm hungry, and by the time I've finished my allotment of calories for the day, I don't have any hungry feelings. On the rare occasion I feel hungry at night, I just make sure I get enough protein and drink enough water the next day, and I don't have any more problems.

I also feel like I'm roughly eating the same volume I did before I started watching my diet. Since I'm eating healthier things, a lot more vegetables and a lot less processed foods, I find I feel full on fewer calories. However, here's where my question comes in. My stomach feels like it's getting enough. BUT IS MY BODY SECRETLY STARVING?

I definitely don't want to starve myself-- you gain weight without the benefit of eating a lot? That sucks! But the articles also said that a calorie deficit will leave you feeling tired. I am typically a low-energy person, from an inactive lifestyle and anemia, but if anything I think I feel more energetic than I did when I started dieting.

I am 5'3 and I started at about 115 lbs. I don't own a scale, but if I had to estimate, I'd say by appearances I think I've lost 2 lbs. Like I said, I've been doing this for about four weeks. So, are my results slow because I am being healthy and gradual, or am I not losing much weight because I am starving? I occasionally let myself go over, but never more than 100. Nearly every day, I am right around 1200 calories. Just FYI, I looked up the healthy BMI chart, and my height is considered healthy unless I get under 105 pounds.

I am interested in whatever articles you can lead me to, particularly if they involve actual empirical evidence. I'd also like to hear your opinions.

Replies

  • Forty6and2
    Forty6and2 Posts: 2,492 Member
    1200 calories is ok for some people and not ok for others. It all depends on your stats (height, weight, goal weight, etc) as you do not want to have too large of a calorie deficit. I hate that people think 1200 is the golden limit for everybody. It's not, many suggest that you stay above 1200 as a means to ensuring your body has the nutrients it needs.

    Also, MFP tends to put people on 1200 calories when they state that they would like to lose 2 lbs per week. This is not a healthy rate for people who have less to lose, as you want to lose at a lower rate when you are closer to a healthier goal weight.
  • afortunatedragon
    afortunatedragon Posts: 329 Member
    You are 5'3" and weight 115 pound. That makes a BMI of 20.3.
    Why exactly do you want to lose weight?
    Not that it is my business actually, I'm just curious.

    If you feel good with eating 1200 cals a day without wanting to bite of the next tree bark, go for it.
    I think it is not enough, but there are other, better advisors here :wink:
  • allotmentgardener
    allotmentgardener Posts: 248 Member
    Different people have different views. It works for me (and I still eat pizza). When I get to maintaining weight naturally I will be upping the calories.
    If you are happy with it then carry on. If you start getting tired, constant hunger, etc then up the amount a bit.
  • shellybythesea
    shellybythesea Posts: 3
    For someone as short as I am, 115 is a pretty average size. I don't feel fat, but I know I'm not quite skinny either. Keep in mind that I have very little muscle tone. So basically, I'd like to lose weight because I'd like to be in my best health and, yes, not jiggle in my swim suit this summer.
  • shellybythesea
    shellybythesea Posts: 3
    I actually listed my weight loss goal as 1 lbs per week, not 2.
  • afortunatedragon
    afortunatedragon Posts: 329 Member
    For someone as short as I am, 115 is a pretty average size. I don't feel fat, but I know I'm not quite skinny either. Keep in mind that I have very little muscle tone. So basically, I'd like to lose weight because I'd like to be in my best health and, yes, not jiggle in my swim suit this summer.

    Then I suggest instead of losing weight via calorie restriction, buy some dumbells and start lifting.
    You might not lose an ounce, but your mirror will tell you quite a story :wink:
  • Nice2BFitAgain
    Nice2BFitAgain Posts: 319 Member
    For someone as short as I am, 115 is a pretty average size. I don't feel fat, but I know I'm not quite skinny either. Keep in mind that I have very little muscle tone. So basically, I'd like to lose weight because I'd like to be in my best health and, yes, not jiggle in my swim suit this summer.

    If you goal is more health focused and you want to firm things up - you are already at a healthy weight. Losing more weight won't make the jiggle go away. you need to firm up. Look in to body weight exercise sine you are just starting out. Sounds to me like you need to tone rather than lose.
  • 120by30
    120by30 Posts: 217 Member
    After reading your stats and your goals, I'll echo what some others have said - sounds like you need some strength training. If I were you, I would change my goal to losing a half pound per week and make sure my activity level is NOT set on sedentary. (Unless you literally sit on your rear end all day) Lifting weights will do wonders for your body. Even though you may gain a few pounds, the visible difference will be remarkable. Just don't get impatient. It takes time.

    As far as eating 1200 calories being dangerous.....I don't know that it is. I just know that it isn't for me. I get hangry. Seriously. I average 1500 now and get along with everyone much better. If you choose to keep eating 1200, just make sure you're eating back exercise calories and keep a check on your nutrients. MFP makes that easy to do if you log accurately. Good luck getting the jiggle gone! ????

    ETA: if you choose to start strength training, be sure to take measurements before starting and track your progress that way. Don't take your scale too seriously when lifting.
  • Bounce4
    Bounce4 Posts: 288 Member
    If it ain't broke don't fix it :)

    If 1200-1300 calories work for you - it works.

    I agree with those that say exercise works for toning, not weight loss.
  • KettyLoyd
    KettyLoyd Posts: 51
    There are many advantages of 1200 calorie diet. Because during 1200 calories you will be eating less calories at a time than average calorie burn a day this results in weight loss. And I feel that having calories less than 1200 would be dangerous for the body because it leads to starvation. And I think your are fit enough, in my opinion you don’t need to go for more than 1200 calories diet.
  • 2013sk
    2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
    I hate seeing 1200 calories on here.....(Huffs)

    Work out your BMR & TDEE,

    If your exercising, eat more to fuel your workouts
  • Nedra19455
    Nedra19455 Posts: 241 Member
    I'd put yourself at 0.5 lbs per week or maintenance mode. You're supposed to switch to 0.5 lbs per week when you have less than 10 lbs to go to get to your goal weight. Since you are only 10 lbs from being at an unhealthy (too low) BMI, you shouldn't be trying to lose 1 lb per week.

    Honestly, I'd put yourself in maintenance mode and work on toning your muscles. You'll need enough calories to actually build stronger muscles and if your issue is feeling "jiggly" then toning and building your muscles is what you want to work on. It will get you firmer while maintaining a healthy weight.

    Good luck!

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