1200 Calorie Diet???? Seriously???

I think it's pretty ridiculous all the bashing of the OP when he seems TO have a clue. I don't agree with the 1,200 calories being a problem. As others have said, it all depends on the person and size. I have my goal set at 1,200, but normally end up around 1,500. His other tips, however, are great. I think it's MORE scary that a lot of people on here think it's perfectly okay and "healthy" to continue eating crap foods like white bread, white rice, candy bars, etc.....provided they're losing weight. Losing weight does NOT mean you are healthy. Being skinny does NOT mean you must be a healthy person. What you fuel your body with determines how healthy you are. The OP is encouraging a clean diet. What's wrong with that?? I have an aunt who is both a personal training and a nutritionist, as well as her husband being a nutritionist and managing a heath food store. I'm sure many of you would (apparently) be jumping down their throats for giving you good, solid advice that you just didn't like.

Yes, you can lose weight eating 1,200 calories of junk food. But if you actually care about your health, maybe you'll consider what people like the OP have to say.

bump to read later

I think it's pretty ridiculous all the bashing of the OP when he seems TO have a clue. I don't agree with the 1,200 calories being a problem. As others have said, it all depends on the person and size. I have my goal set at 1,200, but normally end up around 1,500. His other tips, however, are great. I think it's MORE scary that a lot of people on here think it's perfectly okay and "healthy" to continue eating crap foods like white bread, white rice, candy bars, etc.....provided they're losing weight. Losing weight does NOT mean you are healthy. Being skinny does NOT mean you must be a healthy person. What you fuel your body with determines how healthy you are. The OP is encouraging a clean diet. What's wrong with that?? I have an aunt who is both a personal training and a nutritionist, as well as her husband being a nutritionist and managing a heath food store. I'm sure many of you would (apparently) be jumping down their throats for giving you good, solid advice that you just didn't like.

Yes, you can lose weight eating 1,200 calories of junk food. But if you actually care about your health, maybe you'll consider what people like the OP have to say.

:flowerforyou:

Exactly what I was thinking! Hehe...I wish I had all the answers like she does.

My daily goal is 1200 and I find it hard to get that many calories in daily! And I am not starving and I feel like I'm eating all the time. I don't eat back calories from walking 5 miles a day and/or the days I work out (3-4 times a week).

Yes, well, appetite is controlled by hormones, and if you under-eat or over-eat, you throw those hormones out of whack, hunger (or lack of) isn't always an indicator of whether or not you are eating the proper amount.

If you are petite, then this is probably okay, but for the average person, 1200 is just the bare minimum. Age also factors in.

I wish I was 6ft.... then I'd be skinny lol.

My daily goal is 1200 and I find it hard to get that many calories in daily! And I am not starving and I feel like I'm eating all the time. I don't eat back calories from walking 5 miles a day and/or the days I work out (3-4 times a week).

Someone should write a sticky for all these people. Seriously.

Someone has, but it had little/no effect.

I suspect it is because there are simply so many defenders of the drastic approach and fellow travelers of the suffering path that it reaches no one.



NOTE: I am *not* saying that 1200 is wrong for *everybody*. There are some for whom it is absolutely the "right" answer. I am, however, saying that it is not right for many (and perhaps most) of the people who insist that it is. Further, I discount the opinions of those who are so adamant that it is "right" based on their personal experience of less than at least several months.

Based on my goals my calorie goal here was set to 1260, with what I add, I tend to come under and still feel full. The only reason I would actually go over is where I have a craving, but I'm not really hungry for it, it's just the taste. I don't think it's starving yourself if you're eating the right foods. I remember being part of another fitness site when I was 13/14 and it told me to eat 800 calories a day and that my ideal weight was 6-7 stone based on my height. Looking at that makes me think it was a pro-ana site under the illusion of being a fitness site.

(You've been here for four years. Maybe try the program as it's designed and eat to the number of calories suggested? Also, given that you're 19, I'm going to assume that you probably need *more* than 1260 calories.

Wait, you've been here for four years and you're just now 19? :huh:)

My daily goal is 1200 and I find it hard to get that many calories in daily! And I am not starving and I feel like I'm eating all the time. I don't eat back calories from walking 5 miles a day and/or the days I work out (3-4 times a week).

Someone should write a sticky for all these people. Seriously.

Someone has, but it had little/no effect.

I suspect it is because there are simply so many defenders of the drastic approach and fellow travelers of the suffering path that it reaches no one.



NOTE: I am *not* saying that 1200 is wrong for *everybody*. There are some for whom it is absolutely the "right" answer. I am, however, saying that it is not right for many (and perhaps most) of the people who insist that it is. Further, I discount the opinions of those who are so adamant that it is "right" based on their personal experience of less than at least several months.

Why don't you assume that this is a thread for people who know their calorie needs?

Seriously, this thread was created in October of 2013 and it still has the power to piss me off. Not all of us are young, tall, athletic males who enjoy excessive gym time.

For instance, I'm a short old woman with the habits of a well-rested, comfy sloth, and 1200 calories is more than sufficient for my weight loss needs.

I agree, Meerata. Though any time you defend a low-cal diet here you're opened up to all kinds of insults-- 'hangry', lazy, lying, stupid, 'having issues with eating', old, weak, misinformed. Which is ironic since the MFP diet IS a low cal diet.

It's easier to fling insults than to discuss like adults or to be tolerant of others' choices, for some.

NOTE: I am *not* saying that 1200 is wrong for *everybody*. There are some for whom it is absolutely the "right" answer. I am, however, saying that it is not right for many (and perhaps most) of the people who insist that it is. Further, I discount the opinions of those who are so adamant that it is "right" based on their personal experience of less than at least several months.

I just wanted to thank you for this little bit of your post.

You're welcome. :flowerforyou:

Why don't you assume that this is a thread for people who know their calorie needs?

Because IMHO most of the people who say they *need* to be at 1200 calories to make progress toward their goals simply do not...and given a choice between progress at a calorie amount greater than 1200 calories and progress at no more than 1200 calories, I believe success and optimal health are more likely with the former.

This site and Scooby and every other site I've ever run across says that if I want to lose weight, even at a glacier pace, I need to be at 1200 calories or less.

Or I could go for a brisk 3 hour jog carrying Jillian Michaels on my back. Every. Single. Day. Then I might be able to up my calories by what? Around 300?

This site and Scooby and every other site I've ever run across says that if I want to lose weight, even at a glacier pace, I need to be at 1200 calories or less.

Or I could go for a brisk 3 hour jog carrying Jillian Michaels on my back. Every. Single. Day. Then I might be able to up my calories by what? Around 300?

If your TDEE is low, as a sedentary person with little LBM (due to size, or other conditions) then yes, you will lose slowly. And yes, you will need to be more active.
However, 3 hours of running is well above 300 cals above baseline. And it's also counter productive for a variety of reasons.