Maintenance Calories (I'm not eating this much)

If you continue eating at a deficit, it depends on the size of the deficit. But generally speaking, you will be unhealthy. You will likely lose lean mass (muscle), have hair/skin issues, fatigue, and a slower metabolism. You can also encounter weight regain, menstruation issues, arrhythmias, and permanent organ damage (ie to the heart, kidneys, liver, etc).

no, if you are eating 1200 to lose weight, you reach your goal weight, like the way you look and feel and want to stay at that weight you need to eat more to maintain that weight. Getting how many more calories right can be tricky, many people either continue losing weight for a while or suddenly gain a little when they up their calories...which is best done slowly

Even if I am eating healthy food that gives me all the nutrients etc that I need? If you can be well nourished at 1200 cals while trying to lose weight, why can't you keep being well nourished at 1200 cals while maintaining your weight? I don't understand why I would need to add in another 600 calories.

Because you won't "maintain" that weight if you are still at a deficit. Eventually you will run out of fat stores to draw from and the body will have nothing left to burn for energy but lean tissue - muscle, hair, skin, nails, etc. Including heart tissue.

Thank you, catcrazy and ladyhawk00. I understand now Let's say though, hypothetically, that I could maintain on 1200 calories. Would I still need to increase my calories?

It all depends on what calories you are actually eating, if you are losing on 1200 calories you could not maintain on the same figure...if you are eating way below that figure not only will you be messing up your metabolism you are also risking long term health problems (bone density, fertility problems, muscle deterioration which includes heart problems) and also finding your maintenance level will take longer as your body has become used to living on much less.

So, out of curiosity today I had a look at what my maintenance calories will be once I reach my goal weight (provided that weight doesn't change, which it invariably will). And all I can say is… Wow. I’m not eating that much. No way in hell. So my question is; what happens if you eat at a ‘calorie deficit’ for your whole life? Obviously you will not keep losing weight until you disappear off the planet, so why do you have to increase your calories once you reach your goal? Won’t you just get fat again?

Don't worry about it. As you weight goes down you calories needed to maintain will go down too. The calories you are looking at are maintenance calories to maintain your current weight.

Ok, please help me understand. I just don't get the calories and deficit stuff. What am I supposed to eat (calories wise) to lose weight???

If you eat right around what MFP suggests for you (in your food log), you'll be fine. There is a built-in calorie deficit based on your weight, lifestyle, and how much you want to lose per week.

If you exercise, MFP adds those calories into your food log. So, for instance - when I'm CRAVING chocolate, I do one extra workout that day (20min) and get enough 'extra' calories to have my 80cal cup of cocoa & more calories to spare. I still meet my goal of losing 2lbs+ each week & I feel GOOD in the mornings! I've lost inches off my arms and calves. I'm now busting fat inches on my thighs, upper arms & other areas.

The reason I'm on MFP is because its SO GOOD at figuring your caloric intake goals & exercise goals - use the tools provided and don't go stir-crazy trying to figure the rest out. As long as you're feeling good, losing where you want to lose & not starving, you're good to go.

Hope this helps!

Ok, please help me understand. I just don't get the calories and deficit stuff. What am I supposed to eat (calories wise) to lose weight???

How tall are you?