1200 cal is NOT enough

veg56kg
veg56kg Posts: 93 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I see a lot of people on here do not know how much to eat. 1200 is practically the amount for a small child. 1200 calories was my lunch yesterday, not a days worth of intake! I don't want to hear any excuses like "I'm never hungry" or that you cant find any high calorie foods that are healthy.

My diet is heavily plant based. Even if my foods are not high calorie, I eat frequently and that adds up!

Furthermore, if you can't meet a simple calorie goal you shouldn't even be exercising and causing further damage to you body.
1200 calories isnt like a universal number that is meant for everyone (or anyone really) if you want to know how much you should really be eating calculate your BMR and then add calories based on your activity level OR calculate your TDEE which I highly recommend.

It seems most of you want quick and instant results but under eating isnt the way to do it. Permanent and HEALTHY results that you can sustain are going to take time, effort, and certainly a hell of a lot more food.
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Replies

  • Meerataila
    Meerataila Posts: 1,885 Member
    It's true you're supposed to eat exercise calories back if you're set at 1200 calories and you're even supposed to eat back calories from your job if you are remotely mobile on it or even trips to the store.

    Taller people, younger people, people with a lot to lose, people with a good amount of muscle mass, and of course active people need more calories.

    But me? No. I need around 1200, with a little back from the little bit of exercise I get. Otherwise, I simply wouldn't lose weight. My maintenance is only around 1400 now on any day I don't get my butt out of my chair and at least go for a walk.
  • janatarnhem
    janatarnhem Posts: 669 Member
    I'm sorry to contradict you, but one size does not fit all.
  • veg56kg
    veg56kg Posts: 93 Member
    That was my point so how are you contradicting me? Basically what I am trying to say is that most people should not be eating so little, especially people around my height and weight.
  • LifeWithPie
    LifeWithPie Posts: 552 Member
    Your post is both condescending and patronizing.

    How about you do your own thing and let everyone else do theirs. Whether it's the right way or the wrong way, it's really got nothing to do with you. Everyone on here is a grown up.
  • skinka_och_gurka
    skinka_och_gurka Posts: 5
    I think the 1200 is BS. I did it and just lasted 3 days. On the 3rd night I was opening the fridge more frequently than ever :D

    I now decided that I dont care how long it will take, I will eat 1800 calories a day and exercise 3-5 times a week. The weight will come off slowly, but it will be worth it. I lost so many years trying to eat like a mouse, now I will live normal and in peace with my mind and body.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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  • Casstevens133
    Casstevens133 Posts: 142 Member
    1200 cals on a sedentary day is ample for me and I eat plenty! Diary is open if you want to take a look. However I do eat back some of my exercise calories as well.
  • Meerataila
    Meerataila Posts: 1,885 Member
    That was my point so how are you contradicting me? Basically what I am trying to say is that most people should not be eating so little, especially people around my height and weight.

    Keyword most. Title would have been accurate if it read "1200 cal is NOT enough for most adults"
  • snoringcat
    snoringcat Posts: 131 Member
    Well I don't really give a what you think. I happily eat 1200 a day (+ eating back some from exercise), don't feel hungry and have energy for at least 3 runs & 2 bike rides or long walks a week.

    Edit: I see you are 5' 8" ,around 130lbs and only 19 yrs old?? Well my stats are very different - I'm 5' 3" and 51 yrs old. When I'm down to my target, I will then increase to a maintenance level.
  • janatarnhem
    janatarnhem Posts: 669 Member
    That was my point so how are you contradicting me? Basically what I am trying to say is that most people should not be eating so little, especially people around my height and weight.

    Funny that, in your OP, you mentioned nothing about your height or your weight.... You generalised for the rest of MFP, that is not acceptable!
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    In
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  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I'm sorry to contradict you, but one size does not fit all.

    This.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Why not?

    Under any circumstance?

    Do you have a scientific basis for your belief - research studies and so on? Or is it a religious thing?

    Me, sure I much prefer eating more food and am lucky enough that I can lose weight (slowly) on 2750 calories (before cardio, which is always eaten back).
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I see a lot of people on here do not know how much to eat. 1200 is practically the amount for a small child. 1200 calories was my lunch yesterday, not a days worth of intake! I don't want to hear any bull**** excuses like "I'm never hungry" or that you cant find any high calorie foods that are healthy.

    My diet is heavily plant based. Even if my foods are not high calorie, I eat frequently and that adds up!

    Furthermore, if you can't meet a simple calorie goal you shouldn't even be exercising and causing further damage to you body.
    1200 calories isnt like a universal number that is meant for everyone (or anyone really) if you want to know how much you should really be eating calculate your BMR and then add calories based on your activity level OR calculate your TDEE which I highly recommend.

    It seems most of you want quick and instant results but under eating isnt the way to do it. Permanent and HEALTHY results that you can sustain are going to take time, effort, and certainly a hell of a lot more food.

    Quoting OP in case she edits it or it gets edited by mods and other posters have no idea what's going on.
  • lemonsnowdrop
    lemonsnowdrop Posts: 1,298 Member
    I'm 5'1 and 112 pounds. I do quite well on 1270 calories a day. Just because something doesn't work for one person doesn't mean it won't work for another. Speak for yourself, but not for me.

    ETA: And this is to lose half a pound a week, so I'm definitely not looking for quick results.
  • whatyouwill
    whatyouwill Posts: 71 Member
    I see a lot of people on here do not know how much to eat. 1200 is practically the amount for a small child. 1200 calories was my lunch yesterday, not a days worth of intake! I don't want to hear any bull**** excuses like "I'm never hungry" or that you cant find any high calorie foods that are healthy.

    My diet is heavily plant based. Even if my foods are not high calorie, I eat frequently and that adds up!

    Furthermore, if you can't meet a simple calorie goal you shouldn't even be exercising and causing further damage to you body.
    1200 calories isnt like a universal number that is meant for everyone (or anyone really) if you want to know how much you should really be eating calculate your BMR and then add calories based on your activity level OR calculate your TDEE which I highly recommend.

    It seems most of you want quick and instant results but under eating isnt the way to do it. Permanent and HEALTHY results that you can sustain are going to take time, effort, and certainly a hell of a lot more food.


    The only man who ever reached me, was the son of a preacher man
  • earthboundmisfit
    earthboundmisfit Posts: 192 Member
    I do fine on 1200 calories a day. But everyone's different.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    You may find it interesting to put some facts in to an online calculator. For a shorter woman in her fifties, 1200 is more than a recommended intake.

    Your first post is pretty black-and-white, what do you base it on and what was your motive for posting it?
  • Maryaly40
    Maryaly40 Posts: 551 Member
    when I read what people on this site eat or don't eat most often my mind screams buIIsh#t!! People make the mistake of listening to other folks, like the OP, about EAT MORE!!! And then they wind up gaining! We know our own bodies, keep your EAT MORE nonsense locked up tight because it's misleading for some.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    When I started losing weight after my second baby I was eating 1200 calories and I was fine. I lost weight and I wasn't starving. I did it for a year until I joined MFP and realised I could eat a little more! Although after a year of exercising loads I had perhaps increased my metabolism and could eat more anyway, and I had 2 mobile kids to chase after, not just one, so more calories were being burned!

    I'm losing weight after my third baby now, and I eat around 1650 calories a day, but I expect my net calories are below 1200 most days as I burn loads just taking the kids out all the time, not to mention the 5 gym sessions/classes I do a week. I don't need more than I'm eating.

    If you're sedentary and just do a desk job, then 1200 calories is plenty for a woman.
  • UsernameisNick
    UsernameisNick Posts: 49
    1200 is perfectly fine for many people. Sounds like you have a case of teenager superiority complex.
    Calm down and worry about yourself. Those that eat 1200 will customize their own weight loss plans based on personal needs and situations
  • DeWitch
    DeWitch Posts: 34 Member
    WOW - why does everyone have to be so nasty about her post or any that they don't agree with?
    That is one of the reasons I left WW (plus the fact that they STILL try to sell you their garbage foods).
    The first day I was there I posted one comment about the site and the sarcasm, nasty remarks and just plain meanness was unbelievable.
    Oh! I am not saying that her comment was not a bit condescending, I would just not even bother responding to something like that.
  • lemonsnowdrop
    lemonsnowdrop Posts: 1,298 Member
    WOW - why does everyone have to be so nasty about her post or any that they don't agree with?
    That is one of the reasons I left WW (plus the fact that they STILL try to sell you their garbage foods).
    The first day I was there I posted one comment about the site and the sarcasm, nasty remarks and just plain meanness was unbelievable.

    Um, did you read her OP? It was full of judgmental nonsense, saying that basically anyone eating 1200 calories is looking for quick results which are unsustainable and that they're "doing it wrong".
  • DeWitch
    DeWitch Posts: 34 Member
    WOW - why does everyone have to be so nasty about her post or any that they don't agree with?
    That is one of the reasons I left WW (plus the fact that they STILL try to sell you their garbage foods).
    The first day I was there I posted one comment about the site and the sarcasm, nasty remarks and just plain meanness was unbelievable.
    Oh! I am not saying that her comment was not a bit condescending, I would just not even bother responding to something like that.

    Um, did you read her OP? It was full of judgmental nonsense, saying that basically anyone eating 1200 calories is looking for quick results which are unsustainable and that they're "doing it wrong".
    Yes, I did, and I think she is just trolling to tell you the truth (probably trying to make all us fatties jealous with her ab shot;)
    Now my nastiness is coming out and I try not to do that.
    My point is "DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS" cuz they thrive on it :)
  • drunkbambi
    drunkbambi Posts: 26 Member
    1200 might be too little for some or just enough for others. I'm 19, 5'3, currently 127.8, and if i don't do any extra exercise my TDEE (according to my fitbit) is 1340. Everyone's different.

    Listen to your body. It will tell you if you need more food, less food, more water, or even if you need a completely different diet. Trust it.
  • feliscatus84
    feliscatus84 Posts: 80 Member
    Well I am only 5'3" if I ate 1800 calories a day I'd gain weight. It's not that simple for shorties like myself. I'd love to eat 1800 calories a day but it's virtually impossible unless I work out hard everyday. Which I don't. Not everyone lives the same way. Although I don't recommend anyone going under 1200. I like to stay around 1300-1400.
  • stephyy4632
    stephyy4632 Posts: 947 Member
    your missing a lot of fact`s in your OP ( age , how tall you are , how much you have to loose to be in a healthy range and so on).

    I myself am 34 , F ,5`5 tall , have had 2 kids in less than 2 years time and have ruffly 30ish pounds to loose and while I do eat more than the "1200" per day ( I eat 1390 + almost all my exercise cal`s each day back ) I do know many people that are just fine and very healthy active on 1200 a day ( one size dose not fit all when it comes to weight loss my dear )
  • veg56kg
    veg56kg Posts: 93 Member
    I said "1200 calories isnt like a universal number that is meant for everyone"
  • oksanatkachuk
    oksanatkachuk Posts: 149 Member
    Your post is both condescending and patronizing.

    How about you do your own thing and let everyone else do theirs. Whether it's the right way or the wrong way, it's really got nothing to do with you. Everyone on here is a grown up.

    ^This. Nobody asked ur advise on this subject.
  • Janette3x4
    Janette3x4 Posts: 135
    It's true you're supposed to eat exercise calories back if you're set at 1200 calories and you're even supposed to eat back calories from your job if you are remotely mobile on it or even trips to the store.

    Taller people, younger people, people with a lot to lose, people with a good amount of muscle mass, and of course active people need more calories.

    But me? No. I need around 1200, with a little back from the little bit of exercise I get. Otherwise, I simply wouldn't lose weight. My maintenance is only around 1400 now on any day I don't get my butt out of my chair and at least go for a walk.



    This ↑ I eat 1400-1500 after activity, with a net of 1200. I am maintaining right now with hypothyroidism. Not everyone is the same!
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