New here. 360lbs and doing the 1200 calorie diet. Am I nuts?

Alrighty, so more? I definitely don't want to make myself ill so I'll eat a bit more and see how it goes.

Whatever works for you. At that weight you could eat literally nothing but supplements and be fine for quite a while.

Just have to find your own pace...

Good luck!

You sir are often seen on here giving terrible advice and quite often a douche canoe to be perfectly blunt, not quite as blunt as I have witnessed you in previous threads tho.

Obviously the OP is quite overweight and didn't get there eating nothing, so your suggestion of an extremely restrictive calorie allowance based on her weight would no doubt lead to binge eating, depression, loss of LBM and possibly illness from malnutrition.

Take the advice about 1200 cals a day being perfectly sustainable then "At that weight you could eat literally nothing but supplements and be fine for quite a while."

Yes I am aware you stated "Just have to find your own pace..." but why didn't you open with eat at a reasonable deficit, gradually work in some exercise etc

Opening with eating at the lowest calorie allowance on here for someone in the OP situation is unrealistic, then telling them they could " eat literally nothing but supplements and be fine for quite a while." that is reprehensible...that is how eating disorders are sometimes started.

OP read the inks that others have provided, this is a marathon not a sprint, start gradually if you need to as there is no need to starve yourself, make sure you are getting adequate nutrients (macro,micro) decent sleep etc and when if possible start exercising at first it can be small steps such as taking the stairs, parking your further from your destination and walking further...

...start adding strength training into your exercise program it has many benefits.

the links again...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

Finally Mr Knight you use terms like "Just make sure to do it with competent, professional help." "Whatever works for you."Just have to find your own pace" but I suggest to you instead of starting at the far end of the spectrum for weight loss, why don't you instead try the methods that people have found sustainable that don't require constant medical supervision.

ETA: Yes Mr Knight you are entitled to your opinion but so am I and this was one of them.

Personally, with what I have learned in my time here, were I in your shoes I would start out somewhere in the 1500-1800 calories net per day range and see how the first month goes and then tweak from there. Net means if you are working out you should eat more to compensate for the burn and fuel your body.

If you are just focusing on diet alone, then see how the 1500-1800 per day works out for a month or so. Get plenty of protein to help maintain lean body mass as much as possible as you will burn both fat and lbm in the process. Getting enough protein and fats while filling the rest out with carbohydrates plus some form of lifting or resistance work will do the most to put the ratio in your favor.

And if you are working out, don't feel compelled to spring into insanely intense exercise right out of the gate. You are where you are and have to work with what you've got. There are lots of great lifting programs such as Stronglifts and Simple Strength as well as body weight workouts to consider with plenty of helpful information on these forums about them.

If you are patient, disciplined, and persistent you can do this while still enjoying life.

I'm 360 and my daily calorie goal is 2500, and I still lose several lbs a week.

Please don't do that. Just because you weigh a lot does not mean it's okay to punish your body like that.

Done right, it's not punishment at all. A body with that many reserves doesn't need any macros it can't derive from those reserves.

Just make sure to do it with competent, professional help.

Seriously? What is the big hoopla over 1200 calories? It's not punishment. The REAL punishment is living in a prison made of fat. Ugly, unhealthy, bulging, life-limiting and life-shortening FAT. We endure everything from humiliation to disappointment because we are FAT. Not to mention the myriad health problems that we get for dessert.

If someone has a lot of weight to lose (not a 150-pound person with 20 to go), has gotten MD approval and goes for check-ups, feels good, and seems to be handling it, what's the big deal with 1200 calories? People are not going to starve or get Beriberi! As the weight comes off, their activity level usually goes up (it becomes easier to move around). Their caloric intake can be increased, and the whole "machine" will run more smoothly.

You can't eat the foods you crave because you are trying to lose weight? Boo hoo. Here's a suggestion: Have the undertaker cut a slot in your super-sized coffin so that the pizza delivery guy can just slide the pie right in. You'll be happy with your food, and it'll be your family going "Boo hoo" -- for you. Nice thought, huh? Grow up. We're fat because we gave in to our cravings far too often. Eating is not a hobby; find something else to do with your time. It can be done.

Some people in the MFP forums could be more supportive of folks, regardless of what their PERSONAL plan is. Being fat is difficult enough. Let's not undermine each other. Calling someone's plan "crazy" is pointless and rude. Bravo to everyone here on MFP for your weight-loss efforts, whatever method you've chosen. Despite the crappy bickering that goes on here, I still thank the heavens above for all of you. You've helped me lose 62 lbs since Jan. 1. (Now y'all can shoot me, but if you don't use silver bullets, I'll be back...)

Please read the comment this was in response to (especially before posting your own rudely belittling response). The "please don't" comment was not in response to VLCD diets in general but specifically in response to the ABSURD, DANGEROUS, AND IRRESPONSIBLE suggestion that it would be okay for her to STOP EATING FOOD ENTIRELY and use supplements for "quite a while." NOT OKAY. NOT EVEN A LITTLE OKAY. MONUMENTALLY F***ED UP LEVELS OF WRONGNESS.

As for VLCD diets in general,

Do they work? Sure, as long as the patient remains on the diet.

Are deficits substantially more than -1000 / day safe over periods lasting longer than 6 months? The general medical consensus is NO. (And how many calories a day amounts to a -1000 deficit for a 360 pound person? A LOT more than 1200.)

Do reasonable calorie deficits of about -1000 / day work? They sure do, as long as the patient stays on the diet.

Which diet is the average person (much less the average super obese person) more likely to keep to over the long term, do you think?

Would ::I:: as a formerly "super obese" person follow a VLCD diet on my own initiative? No.

Are there any situations where a VLCD diet is okay for other people or where I would follow one myself? Yes ::IF:: their own doctor unreservedly advises them to, and puts them under supervision for frequent blood tests and heart exams etc.

Do I think idiots on the Internet should advise obese people to go on VLCD diets with a hand-wavy caveat "under doctor's supervision"? F*** no. Leave it to the actual medical professional who is familiar with the details of a patient's case to give extreme advice, please. Yes, being obese is unhealthy. So is having appendicitis. Ouch, my appendix hurts! Should I cut it out myself with an exacto knife? Or should I maybe get myself under a doctor's care? SEE HOW THAT WORKS?

OMG, I cracked up when I read the line about the exacto knife. I was answering the phone at work and I could not contain my laughter!

Please don't do that. Just because you weigh a lot does not mean it's okay to punish your body like that.

Done right, it's not punishment at all. A body with that many reserves doesn't need any macros it can't derive from those reserves.

Just make sure to do it with competent, professional help.

Seriously? What is the big hoopla over 1200 calories? It's not punishment. The REAL punishment is living in a prison made of fat. Ugly, unhealthy, bulging, life-limiting and life-shortening FAT. We endure everything from humiliation to disappointment because we are FAT. Not to mention the myriad health problems that we get for dessert.

If someone has a lot of weight to lose (not a 150-pound person with 20 to go), has gotten MD approval and goes for check-ups, feels good, and seems to be handling it, what's the big deal with 1200 calories? People are not going to starve or get Beriberi! As the weight comes off, their activity level usually goes up (it becomes easier to move around). Their caloric intake can be increased, and the whole "machine" will run more smoothly.

You can't eat the foods you crave because you are trying to lose weight? Boo hoo. Here's a suggestion: Have the undertaker cut a slot in your super-sized coffin so that the pizza delivery guy can just slide the pie right in. You'll be happy with your food, and it'll be your family going "Boo hoo" -- for you. Nice thought, huh? Grow up. We're fat because we gave in to our cravings far too often. Eating is not a hobby; find something else to do with your time. It can be done.

Some people in the MFP forums could be more supportive of folks, regardless of what their PERSONAL plan is. Being fat is difficult enough. Let's not undermine each other. Calling someone's plan "crazy" is pointless and rude. Bravo to everyone here on MFP for your weight-loss efforts, whatever method you've chosen. Despite the crappy bickering that goes on here, I still thank the heavens above for all of you. You've helped me lose 62 lbs since Jan. 1. (Now y'all can shoot me, but if you don't use silver bullets, I'll be back...)

Please read the comment this was in response to (especially before posting your own rudely belittling response). The "please don't" comment was not in response to VLCD diets in general but specifically in response to the ABSURD, DANGEROUS, AND IRRESPONSIBLE suggestion that it would be okay for her to STOP EATING FOOD ENTIRELY and use supplements for "quite a while." NOT OKAY. NOT EVEN A LITTLE OKAY. MONUMENTALLY F***ED UP LEVELS OF WRONGNESS.

As for VLCD diets in general,

Do they work? Sure, as long as the patient remains on the diet.

Are deficits substantially more than -1000 / day safe over periods lasting longer than 6 months? The general medical consensus is NO. (And how many calories a day amounts to a -1000 deficit for a 360 pound person? A LOT more than 1200.)

Do reasonable calorie deficits of about -1000 / day work? They sure do, as long as the patient stays on the diet.

Which diet is the average person (much less the average super obese person) more likely to keep to over the long term, do you think?

Would ::I:: as a formerly "super obese" person follow a VLCD diet on my own initiative? No.

Are there any situations where a VLCD diet is okay for other people or where I would follow one myself? Yes ::IF:: their own doctor unreservedly advises them to, and puts them under supervision for frequent blood tests and heart exams etc.

Do I think idiots on the Internet should advise obese people to go on VLCD diets with a hand-wavy caveat "under doctor's supervision"? F*** no. Leave it to the actual medical professional who is familiar with the details of a patient's case to give extreme advice, please. Yes, being obese is unhealthy. So is having appendicitis. Ouch, my appendix hurts! Should I cut it out myself with an exacto knife? Or should I maybe get myself under a doctor's care? SEE HOW THAT WORKS?

Pretty much this.

Very low cal / long term fasts diets are not perfectly safe "with some supplements". The have increased risks of depression, gallstones, metabolic disfunction, hypothyroidism, binging, etc.. And while they have a place in the educated choice one may make, it is irresponsible (and against site policy) to promote them as generally safe.

Having said that, extensive long term obesity also has some very significant health risks and taking on radical methods to achieve fast lost may make sense when considering the risks/benefit balances. It's las irresponsible to recommend that they never have a place.

Severe cutting should involve medical follow-up. In every single case.

Having said that a web site like this can provide someone like the OP insights into less severe methods, ways to retain muscle and reduce demineralization, etc risk.

Read those links, move to becoming more active, eat nutritionally varied food. Ask questions, educate yourself, make choices based on highest health benefit, long term persistence and not just quick wins.

eat 5 times a day small meals 7am(breakfast)10am(snack),1pm(lunch),4pm(snack),7pm dinner. Portion control.

Completely unnecessary.

Hi, as you can see you have some approval and disapproval from the community. Do the right thing go see your doctor and get a professional opinion, that would be the sensible thing to do. You might have underlying medical conditions that require a special diet. You can then be referred to a certified dietician than can help you achieve your goal.

Calorie restriction is the main part of losing weight, but eating according to your specific needs is as important (high blood pressure, diabetis, etc). also physical activities should be added to help you retain your lean mass as much as possible while losing weight.

Good luck and wishing you success

That's a really low calorie diet… and unnecessary for weight loss especially at your current weight. If you are careful as to what kind of food you eat… you can probably be healthy at that calorie level. But can you maintain it? Like forever? (Or at least until you get to your goal weight?) Because that's gonna be the key. Usually, the problem with going that low right off the bat is that you can't maintain it and you end up binging or worse…. giving up entirely.

I started with the same stats as you on July 5th, 2013. I am down 100 pounds. I plunked my data in to MFP and followed their recommendations. I started with 1790 calories a day and as I have lost and re-calculated my daily calorie goal has been decreased accordingly. I have re-calculated every 10 to 15 pounds lost.

Don't try and go rogue and write your own program.....I am pretty sure if either one of us had that expertise we would not have come here weighing over 350 pounds. Enter your information completely honestly and work the system for awhile. You are far from needing to tweak things, and even when you do, 1200 calories a day at our sizes is foolish, irresponsible and ignorant.

You can do this....and you can do it the way it should be done.

Well said.

You will loose plenty if you start at 2200 to 2400 calories. You will also have tons more energy and won't faint as often.

I have to say I am very proud that you decided to get healthy. I started about 6 weeks ago. I was 190lbs, down to 186lbs and I am only 5'3", and am too on the 1200 a day calories, but I learned if you eat food that are high in protein and fiber you will feel fuller longer. Try that on for size and let me know how it works for you. Good Luck on your journey.

Too many people make this weight loss a sprint not a journey to good long term health. Everyone is different listen to your body. To give you an example my wife will lose up to 5lbs a week eating healthy with low carbs in her diet and walks every day. She is over 50lbs lost and still losing as we speak. Myself i only lose 1-2 lbs per weeks i bike and weight lift after i did T-25 for 6 weeks. 30 lbs loss in just over 3 months. Start slow if you have been eating unhealthy processed foods for years start getting used to eating healthy foods all day then start reducing the calories to where you need to be to lose weight. Find some cardio you love to do you will find it then do it as often as you can. When you have that under control try to get into basic weight training. A couple tips i can tell you that works is chew your food slowly and eat 6 meals a day to speed up your metabolism. I highly recommend taking a daily vitamin,extra vitamin D and fish oil every morning with your breakfast.

I am doing this since January 2013, with 1200 cals a day. That's totally sustainable, I lost 58 lbs in 10 months, feeling no hunger at all. Now I try to maintain this, so I do the same 1200 with very few cheat days.

I would eat more and partly it's because of plateaus. When people plateau they usually up their exercise and lower their intake for a bit to get going again.

I tried eating very low cal for a while, lost some weight, and then plateaued for a year and a half because my body freaked out (I'd have normal hunger levels and reach 154 lbs, at which point I would become so hungry I could eat all day and not feel full. This happened 8 or 9 times).

I'm on 1200 and exercise cals now but if you can lose at 2000 cals, basically eating an average amount and still losing weight, that may save those pesky plateau issues in the future. Marathon not a sprint.

That said, if you're determined to go hardcore, divaslimsdown on youtube is an inspiration. Her starting weight was around 341. She still ate around 1600 though, I think.

I wish you the best .. a couple things I will sugest .. take a mult vitamin daily and also a couple fish oil tablets daily ..eat alot of fresh greens and lettuce in a big " vegetable "salad with maybe tomatos before you eat anything else in the evening .... it seems if I eat a BIG bowl of lettuce with my favorite dressing it fills me up... . I deplor fat free dressing So .I eat what ever dressing I like but I only use 2 or 3 tablespoons .leave off the high calorie extras on the salad crrotons aand and craisins ad pineapples .. after your salad maybe some lean protein chicken , fish , ect
also if you like yogurt you cant beat. light and fit yogurt for the nutritional value 12 gr of protein and only 80 calories ..