Curious about the derisive comments about 1200 calories

grenadared
grenadared Posts: 4 Member
edited November 9 in Motivation and Support
Hello all,

I'm not really new to MFP - been logging my food and exercise for several months, but have not been active in the "community". I've been thinking I could use the added support, so have been reading the posts before I commit to opening my diary and asking for friends and so forth. There seems to be major hate for posters who are trying to stay within 1200 calories. MFP has determined that in order to create even a slight deficit, I need to stay under 1200. (I'm 4'11") I do understand that I gain calories through exercise which I do eat back.

I guess what I'm worried about is opening myself up to you guys and having people jump all over my *kitten* because I've been given a computerized goal of 1200 net calories. Maybe there is more to this that I don't understand? If there is, I'd like to know before I join the "community".

Thanks.

Replies

  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    edited December 2014
    If you are petite and female, 1200 calories can often be the amount you need to lose weight. I'm 5'1.5" and 56 (metabolism slows as we age), and my BMR is only 1136, below the "magic" 1200. If I didn't work out at all, 1200 would not even create a deficit for me. The reason people get upset at people eating 1200 is that often younger, taller people, often female, will set this as a goal, become very hungry and frustrated and then not be able to sustain that level. Often, you'll see posts by 18 year old girls who are 5'8" saying that they are at 1200 so they can get down to 110 lbs., which is borderline ED behavior. However, for shorter older women, 1200 might be the "sweet spot" to lose or even maintain.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    edited December 2014
    One reason it happens is that people fail to consider context.

    Another thing to note is that you're not eating 1200 calories. You are eating 1200 calories plus calories burned during exercise which can be significantly higher than 1200 calories. But if you say in the forums that you are eating 1200 calories people will almost always take that as true without looking at your actual calorie intake by checking your food diary.

    Another thing that COULD be happening is that people are giving you blunt advice but you are taking it as a personal attack when it's not.

    Another thing that COULD be happening is that people are just being rude because it's the internet and they don't have to be accountable in this particular format.


    Some things to note:

    - If you're not using a food scale and logging meticulously you are probably eating more than 1200 calories anyways.
    - Most people who think they eat 1200 calories eat way more and their rate of change in weight indicates this.
    - One solution for you would be to not discuss your calorie intake when you visit the forums. That way, nobody has an opportunity or reason to be rude to you about your calorie intake since it's then not part of the discussion.

    That's my opinion on this topic.
  • flabassmcgee
    flabassmcgee Posts: 659 Member
    edited December 2014
    Because 1200 isn't the magic number for everyone. MFP churns out that number as almost a default when someone chooses "sedentary" or "lose 2 pounds a week" instead of the suggested ".5-1 lb per week." It doesn't take into account your age, height, weight, normal activity level, exercise frequency and intensity, etc.

    As the above poster started, that number may be good for her given her BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), age, weight and height. Although I wouldn't recommend eating barely 100 over the BMR to be fair. You could eat more and still lose!

    Weight loss is better and more easily sustainable when you come up with the highest number of calories you can costume and still lose weight, right? Why restrict to the point of starvation?

    Here's a helpful link: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/974889/in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet
  • grenadared
    grenadared Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks, Rosebette. This makes me feel better. I'm 54 and female, so I guess I don't need to be worried about any negativity regarding my daily goal. :)
  • grenadared
    grenadared Posts: 4 Member
    @ furioushummingbird - Very helpful link. Lots of good information - thanks
  • grenadared
    grenadared Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks for the tips, SideSteel.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    edited December 2014
    I agree that being quite petite a goal around 1200 is likely to be reasonable, but make sure you are close to that! Like others have stated, try to figure out what is the most you can eat and still lose at a reasonable pace. That is likely to be the most sustainable, and if your weight loss stalls you will have room to reduce calories a bit. I'm heavier and taller, but have been surprised that my weigh loss did not slow at all when I increased from a goal of 1500 per day to 1800 per day, and then again to a goal of 2300, and I'm still able to lose. After the holidays I will go back to eating 1800-2200/day and stay there as long as I can!
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    grenadared wrote: »
    I guess what I'm worried about is opening myself up to you guys and having people jump all over my *kitten* because I've been given a computerized goal of 1200 net calories. Maybe there is more to this that I don't understand? If there is, I'd like to know before I join the "community".

    MFP like any other internet forum - no matter what you do, you're going to get people crapping all over you.

    Good luck!


  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Like you and Rosebette ( hi), I am older and smaller.
    61yo, 61in tall, with a BMR of 957 and a sedentary maintenance goal of 1200. I have been maintaining for about 4yr. That is pretty accurate for me to maintain on without any exercise.
    I exercise 5x60 a week and average a 200 cal burn which I eat back at maintenance. If I wanted to lose it would have to be a very slow 100cal a day deficit derived from only eating back half my calories.
    I find if I want to mention my 1200 a day, I need to put it in context so folk don't think I am 18yo, 5'10 and trying to lose 20lb in a month.
    Have a look at my profile, and friend me if you wish.
    Cheers, h.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Since you're shorter and older, you don't need so many calories to run your body. A lot of the people who are set to 1200 often come in with not much weight to lose, choose sedentary because they work a desk job and they don't factor in after-work activities, and go with two pounds a week. I didn't even know 1200 was an option when I started ( but I was also ~250 pounds).

    Do your 1200. You're good.
  • Cindy4FunFit
    Cindy4FunFit Posts: 2,732 Member
    Hi, I am 5'1", 45 & looking for friends around five feet with open diaries to share. Our calorie needs are typically below average. Please any like-heights who are open to share, friend me as well.
  • kristen6350
    kristen6350 Posts: 1,094 Member
    I think it's all about being realistic. My Mom and a friend of her's that needs to lose a lot and it lucky if she's 5'0 are wanting to start in the NEW YEAR (even though it's totally clique and I asked them "why wait?"). I explained to Mom that her calorie range of 1350 is appropriate for a 5'4" woman of her weight. Now, her friend will have to eat 1200 and eat 1/2 her exercise calories back to lose because of her height, even if she has a lot to lose.

    Now they are both totally mad at me because I'm 5'11 and have a goal of 1600 - but those are the breaks. I get to eat more, but get bothered by short people to reach things in grocery stores. It's a burden. LOL
  • Cindy4FunFit
    Cindy4FunFit Posts: 2,732 Member
    Kristen6350, can you hand me those peas....?
  • kristen6350
    kristen6350 Posts: 1,094 Member
    Sadly it's mostly cereal. I can't believe how many little older ladies climb the shelves to get their bran flakes. I swear one day one of them is gonna fall and break a hip and I won't be around to help. LOL
  • MegE_N
    MegE_N Posts: 245 Member
    kristen6350 wrote: »
    I think it's all about being realistic. My Mom and a friend of her's that needs to lose a lot and it lucky if she's 5'0 are wanting to start in the NEW YEAR (even though it's totally clique and I asked them "why wait?"). I explained to Mom that her calorie range of 1350 is appropriate for a 5'4" woman of her weight. Now, her friend will have to eat 1200 and eat 1/2 her exercise calories back to lose because of her height, even if she has a lot to lose.

    Now they are both totally mad at me because I'm 5'11 and have a goal of 1600 - but those are the breaks. I get to eat more, but get bothered by short people to reach things in grocery stores. It's a burden. LOL

    Not a short person here but I'm rather fond of this method. I take MFP's 1200 calories and then I burn 600 a day, eat back usually 100-300 and call it good.

    Granted, I don't STAY on 1200 calories. I alternate - one month 1200, the next month 1500. I really don't recommend going right down to 1200 calories to start, even for petite folks. It can be really hard. It took me months to get comfortable at that level, and even then the comfort doesn't last, which is why I alternate.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    1200 is fine IMO as long as you eat back exercise calories, but a lot of people don't, and that's when it's just not healthy.
  • lohkin
    lohkin Posts: 43 Member
    Cindy4FunFit wrote: »
    Kristen6350, can you hand me those peas....?
    This made me laugh bc I did this earlier in the week (I am 4'11") and the nice young man explained to his son, as they walked away, that short people need to eat well too.
  • acmailahn
    acmailahn Posts: 1 Member
    Hi! I am 5'2", just turned 62 and was wondering the same about 1200 calories. Your comments have been helpful.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    One reason it happens is that people fail to consider context.

    Another thing to note is that you're not eating 1200 calories. You are eating 1200 calories plus calories burned during exercise which can be significantly higher than 1200 calories. But if you say in the forums that you are eating 1200 calories people will almost always take that as true without looking at your actual calorie intake by checking your food diary.

    Another thing that COULD be happening is that people are giving you blunt advice but you are taking it as a personal attack when it's not.

    Another thing that COULD be happening is that people are just being rude because it's the internet and they don't have to be accountable in this particular format.


    Some things to note:

    - If you're not using a food scale and logging meticulously you are probably eating more than 1200 calories anyways.
    - Most people who think they eat 1200 calories eat way more and their rate of change in weight indicates this.
    - One solution for you would be to not discuss your calorie intake when you visit the forums. That way, nobody has an opportunity or reason to be rude to you about your calorie intake since it's then not part of the discussion.

    That's my opinion on this topic.

    Awesomeness!
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