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1200 cal is NOT enough
Replies
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EDIT: (Although I would be a little hesitant to agree with 1200 calories AND a net lower than that? I mean trust your dietitian. She clearly knows more than I do. :-*)
Yeah, I think the dietitian could be wrong here too. I think you should definitely eat back your exercise calories as long as you calculated your calorie burn correctly. I don't believe your dietitian sounds familiar with MFP.
I saw someone talking about feeling weak and shakey. I agree, if you feel weak and shakey, up your calories. I have a friend that has her deal set for 1,000 net goal and eats more on weekends. She is only 5 ft tall and post-menopausal, so her hormones also make it tough to lose. Her fitbit thing tells her to eat less that 1200 too because she doesn't burn that much compared to tall people. So far, she is fine with this. - Not directed at OP, since you clarified what you meant. Just saying in case someone reads this later.0 -
Huh, well I'll let my certified diabetes educator, who is also a registered dietician with the Cleveland Clinic, know that she doesn't know what the hell she's talking about then, because she has me on 1,200 calories a day, and I am not to eat back my exercise calories. Perhaps you should educate yourself before you go spouting off about these things, as you clearly do not know it all.
I would get a second opinion from a medical professional... like a doctor, *especially* if diabetes is involved. :flowerforyou: Sure OP doesn't know it all but neither does your "registered dietician". I have come to find that a lot of people are "certified" in various fields but are the furthest thing from experts. 1200 and not eating back seems really low. When I did see my doctor she thought I was crazy for attempting it- I was supposed to NET 1200.
It's possible they feel it's more important to get some of the extra weight off of you for insulin regulation (they tried this with my mother) but I don't think that could be a long term diet...?0 -
EXCUSE ME!
I had not read it to the end before I suggested and then I saw it and changed it before I even read yours!
what a bunch of "jump on everyone" nasties here - just like I said in my first reply to the original post
Oh, I also re-edited to put the name of the person who I was responding to so I am not lying that I first edited it before your post0 -
I was successful at getting in shape by concentrating on what I was doing, not lecturing others on what they should be doing. 1,200 calories fine for some people.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.0 -
The OP is right. All these people disagreeing with her for all the wrong reasons. Some of you saying "im fine on 1200 calories" You are damaging your body. Like the OP said, figure out your bmr and tdee. If you cant lose on more than 1200 calories then you are eating more than you think.
Or you are a shorter older less active woman for whom 1200 is the right amount and you are eating what you think and you are not damaging your body at all.0 -
I would get a second opinion from a medical professional... like a doctor, especially if diabetes is involved. Sure OP doesn't know it all but neither does your "registered dietician". I have come to find that a lot of people are "certified" in various fields but are the furthest thing from experts. 1200 and not eating back seems low. When I did see my doctor she thought I was crazy for attempting it.
It's possible they feel it's more important to get some of the extra weight off of you for insulin regulation (they did this with my mother) but I don't think that could be a long term diet...?
Agreed!0 -
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.
Some find 1,200 calories enough others don't. Furthermore, 1,200 calories is the value set by MFP. To each their own and if it is working for them, more power to them. I had no problem with 1,200 calories and I'm sure other smaller women have not problem with it either. I did calculate my BMR and TDEE too.0 -
Or you are a shorter older less active woman for whom 1200 is the right amount and you are eating what you think and you are not damaging your body at all.
I have already stated this. Multiple times.0 -
Tagging for reference0
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Some find 1,200 calories enough others don't. Furthermore, 1,200 calories is the value set by MFP. To each their own and if it is working for them, more power to them. I had no problem with 1,200 calories and I'm sure other smaller women have not problem with it either. I did calculate my BMR and TDEE too.
I stated this multiple times already, and I don't trust MFP for my calculations.0 -
I was successful at getting in shape by concentrating on what I was doing, not lecturing others on what they should be doing. 1,200 calories fine for some people.
I already addressed this and corrected myself.0 -
WHAT SHE SAID;)As entertaining as this has been, maybe we should start debating something else.0 -
EXCUSE ME!
I had not read it to the end before I suggested and then I saw it and changed it before I even read yours!
what a bunch of "jump on everyone" nasties here - just like I said in my first reply to the original post
Over sensitive much?0 -
My son lost 65 lbs on 1200 calories a day for 14 weeks. He's 6'1". He also was exercising about 8 hours a day (this was at a spa). Then he came home and upped his caloric intake and lost an additional 55 in about a year. He's still alive and healthier than ever. Not sure how 1200 calories was not enough. I think it's a good way to kick start your program.0
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The OP is right. All these people disagreeing with her for all the wrong reasons. Some of you saying "im fine on 1200 calories" You are damaging your body. Like the OP said, figure out your bmr and tdee. If you cant lose on more than 1200 calories then you are eating more than you think.
And you are sure about that?0 -
My son lost 65 lbs on 1200 calories a day for 14 weeks. He's 6'1". He also was exercising about 8 hours a day (this was at a spa). Then he came home and upped his caloric intake and lost an additional 55 in about a year. He's still alive and healthier than ever. Not sure how 1200 calories was not enough. I think it's a good way to kick start your program.
WHAT
1200 calories a 6'1 AND exercising that much? Not healthy whatsoever. Good thing he upped his intake, congats on his weight loss I guess0 -
I have already stated this. Multiple times.
My comment was replying to the post I quoted, not actually to you.0 -
And you are sure about that?
I disagree with the last sentence but all i was saying is to eat enough, and if 1200 isnt enough for you it can be very damaging0 -
This thread was interesting to read
I just got back into using myfitnesspal and never really read the threads until a friend told me about this.
At the end of the day, people need to just do what is best for them. That's all.0 -
If you're eating back exercise calories and your small enough to where 1200 is enough for you I see nothing wrong with that.
Hmm, 19 years old and knows it all! Unless your are extremely brilliant, you aren't old enough to have any credentials to make any of your advice credible. I see no scientific studies backing your position. Quite frankly, I wouldn't accept your attitude from my own kids who are considerably older than you. How about you do you and I'll do me and let everyone else do what they want to do?0 -
1200 is the minimum someone should be eating unless they're under the supervision of a doctor (or are very short).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 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.
The way my doctor sets calorie goals for his patients is to use BMI to find a healthy goal weight, then multiply that by 10.
Looking at this BMI chart: http://www.shapeup.org/bmi/bmi6.pdf
1200 calories could be a healthy goal for someone below 5'7", though extrapolating I think that for someone below 4'6" that would be too much.
To lose weight, ignore net calories. Don't eat back what you exercise.
To maintain weight, you might need to eat back some.
Here's a post I did about setting goals, both weight and calorie: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/setting-goals-6670450 -
As per GoKaleo would say...STFU and eat the damn food.
And 1200 calories is basically what you would eat if you were in a coma and being tube fed just to keep you alive.0 -
WOW Peraverde - did you used to be one of the backbiters at WW?0 -
Some find 1,200 calories enough others don't. Furthermore, 1,200 calories is the value set by MFP. To each their own and if it is working for them, more power to them. I had no problem with 1,200 calories and I'm sure other smaller women have not problem with it either. I did calculate my BMR and TDEE too.
Please stop perpetuating this myth that all small women have to eat like birds. I fell for that too often. I'm just shy of 5'2 and 1200 was NOT enough for me based on the amount/kind of exercise I was doing.
If you're over 50, under 5'4 and sedentary or lightly active it's probably fine. Otherwise, it's not. I notice all the people who are defending it are in the beginning of their diets or what looks to be based on the amount they lost.
I have never met a person who was athletic or super fit (not talking about skinny fat, I'm mean fit like OP) who only ate 1200 calories a day. Have you?0 -
Hmm, 19 years old and knows it all! Unless your are extremely brilliant, you aren't old enough to have any credentials to make any of your advice credible. I see no scientific studies backing your position. Quite frankly, I wouldn't accept your attitude from my own kids who are considerably older than you. How about you do you and I'll do me and let everyone else do what they want to do?
If you don't agree you don't have to comment. I swear everyone wants to use the 'age thing' as an argument.0 -
That tells me you made too big of a change too quickly from what you were previously consuming.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
It's best to drop no more than 1000 cal per day, without going under 1200 total calories.
Unless you're in the height range where being 120 lb is a healthy goal weight, why would you be eating so little?
And now you've set your healthy goal weight at 180?? So you must be at least 6' tall.0 -
1200 is the minimum someone should be eating unless they're under the supervision of a doctor (or are very short).
The way my doctor sets calorie goals for his patients is to use BMI to find a healthy goal weight, then multiply that by 10.
Looking at this BMI chart: http://www.shapeup.org/bmi/bmi6.pdf
1200 calories could be a healthy goal for someone below 5'7", though extrapolating I think that for someone below 4'6" that would be too much.
To lose weight, ignore net calories. Don't eat back what you exercise.
To maintain weight, you might need to eat back some.
Here's a post I did about setting goals, both weight and calorie: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/setting-goals-667045
1200 is the minimum someone? Isn't this what I JUST got yelled at for because a statement like that ignores a persons height, weight, gender, age. 1200 IS NOT a universal number.0 -
As per GoKaleo would say...STFU and eat the damn food.
And 1200 calories is basically what you would eat if you were in a coma and being tube fed just to keep you alive.
Or it is what you would eat if you were a shorter older not very active woman trying to lose weight.0 -
Please stop perpetuating this myth that all small women have to eat like birds. I fell for that too often. I'm just shy of 5'2 and 1200 was NOT enough for me based on the amount/kind of exercise I was doing.
If you're over 50, under 5'4 and sedentary or lightly active it's probably fine. Otherwise, it's not. I notice all the people who are defending it are in the beginning of their diets or what looks to be based on the amount they lost.
I have never met a person who was athletic or super fit (not talking about skinny fat, I'm mean fit like OP) who only ate 1200 calories a day. Have you?
I love all of your comments!! I could learn a lot from you. You know how to pose an argument. I agree with everything you just said ^^^0 -
EDIT: (Although I would be a little hesitant to agree with 1200 calories AND a net lower than that? I mean trust your dietitian. She clearly knows more than I do. :-*)
This is a good thread for you, OP, because you will be ahead of the game in how to think about people that don't fit the average. My net is lower than 1200, because I don't eat back exercise calories, because MFP puts your minimum at 1200 no matter what. On the same day that MFP tells me to eat 1500, Fitbit is saying 1100 (with everything logged.) I don't stick to one particular plan anymore, I just try to stay within maintenance, so I eat more if I'm hungry and I eat less if I'm not. The weeks I eat more on average, I tend to maintain (and gain a little water weight.) The days I stick close to Fitbit, I lose, but still less than a pound a week.
Everyone is netting a calorie deficit when losing weight, that's just how weight loss works. Many of your patients will have varying circumstances, and after a while these differences won't sound so extreme. Right now, I'm not overweight, but my doctor thinks shedding some pounds will help with my medical issues. I don't have a number goal, my goal is to figure out where my body feels its best and stop there (or gain back a few to get to what seemed like the right maintenance number.) But if I eat 1500 calories regularly, losing even a small amount of weight will take a very long time. I know you have clarified all this, but since we are on the net topic, netting less than 1200 still isn't that big of a deal for some people. But you're right-it's not necessary for most.0
This discussion has been closed.
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