1200 Calories - How Long?

valbar61
valbar61 Posts: 183 Member
edited September 26 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been on 1200 calories for the past 3-1/2 months and was wondering how long this is healthy? I am still losing but at a much slower pace. Maybe 1-2 pounds/week.

I have read that maybe increasing my calories for a short time may jump start my metabolism.

Please share your experience!

Replies

  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    1-2 lbs a week is a fabulous amount to lose. If you would like, I don't see any harm in increasing by 100-200 a day for a week or two to see how that effects you. Some bodies can lose weight well with 1200 calories, other bodies don't lose weight at all there. Myself, I need a bit more than that to even feel alive most days. If I eat too little I get headaches, grouchy, tired... all the bad stuff! Eating even just 150 more calories each day had really helped me feel better, and in feeling better I lost more weight too! (what a nice bonus :smile:)

    There is not hard and fast information to apply to all people. Give different things a try and see what works best for you. You are doing so great already!
  • thomalr6180
    thomalr6180 Posts: 94 Member
    I am curious too.
  • dd_salas
    dd_salas Posts: 57 Member
    you are correct. My doctor said that increasing your calorie intake can help you to get past a plateau, especially if you are exercising a lot. 1-2 pounds is the normal rate to lose once you get past the initial 10% of fat; my doctor said that once we lose that first 10% of our body fat, we are getting into really old fat - fat that we have been carrying around for 5+ years!! The longer we have been carrying it, the more stubborn it is. Keep at it, you're doing great!!!!
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Might help to read these threads about how to determine a healthy, realistic deficit -

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits
  • valbar61
    valbar61 Posts: 183 Member
    you are correct. My doctor said that increasing your calorie intake can help you to get past a plateau, especially if you are exercising a lot. 1-2 pounds is the normal rate to lose once you get past the initial 10% of fat; my doctor said that once we lose that first 10% of our body fat, we are getting into really old fat - fat that we have been carrying around for 5+ years!! The longer we have been carrying it, the more stubborn it is. Keep at it, you're doing great!!!!
    Could you please explain the intial 10%? Is it 10% of your start weight?
  • Ravencjw
    Ravencjw Posts: 18
    The doctor told me to eat 1500 to 1800 calories a day to stay at a health metabolic rate...I usually stay around 1500 or under I seem to loose a little better. When I plateau I raise my calories for a short time and then go back down again...Every person is different and you just have to find your happy place...I know that sounds corny...lol...Before I got ill I was keeping to a 1500 calorie intake and exercising at least 4 times a week and seemed to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week... I always remind myself to exercise a little extra when I eat a goody of some kind. Don't forget to splurge once in while or you will get tired of your diet..I know they don't call them diets anymore they are life changes...lol...I still think of it as diets..lol...Every person is different...we just have to remember what calorie intakes are good for one person might not be for another...Sorry I seem to ramble...maybe I answered you question in a round about way...good luck...and please talk to a nutritionist to help set your diet...take care ....Cindy
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    you are correct. My doctor said that increasing your calorie intake can help you to get past a plateau, especially if you are exercising a lot. 1-2 pounds is the normal rate to lose once you get past the initial 10% of fat; my doctor said that once we lose that first 10% of our body fat, we are getting into really old fat - fat that we have been carrying around for 5+ years!! The longer we have been carrying it, the more stubborn it is. Keep at it, you're doing great!!!!
    Could you please explain the intial 10%? Is it 10% of your start weight?

    Yes, this reference is usually talking about 10% of your body weight at the start. It's a decent guideline, but depends a lot on where you start from, how long it takes you to lose that 10%, and your diet in general (and cal levels specifically.)
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    I am still early on this current weight loss trip. In the past I often did it wrong, eating less and less and finally losing faith and gaining it all back.
    What I am learning here is to keep your body guessing. I roam about by as much as 500-600 under my current 1750 or hit close to it and everywhere in between. Also depends on how I feel, I will not go through this again with the up and down weight! It is going DOWN and staying there!!
  • valbar61
    valbar61 Posts: 183 Member
    Thanks Everyone!
This discussion has been closed.

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