what is too low?

livnlifeloud
livnlifeloud Posts: 1
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
I am 18 years old and almost 200 pounds at 5ft 8in. I have alot of weight to loose and lately have been focusing on fruits veggies and almond milk with one acctual meal for lunch. this is working hunger wise and i acctually crave less but i am often at 1000 calories or less. I have alot to loose but i don't want to hurt my body along the way. the site says that i should be eating 1200 cal a day but less is doing it for me, i know what too much is but what is too little? opinions please!

Replies

  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    the whole 1200 cals thing is a myth. its just some random number someone came up with and its caught on like its fact. mostly the truth is if you dont eat enough you tend to be hungry and will binge more and hence eat more calories and gain weight.

    so..from there...what you should do is go on your BMR..i suggest using the formula on the basal metabolic rate wiki page.
    from there you can lower to lose weight. remember 3500 cals ='s one pound. so i would start off at lowering by 500 a day from your BMR with activity level. so from there you'll have wiggle room to lower when you stall..it happens to everyone, we all plataeu.

    just remember to switch things up every few months..from your calories to your exercise to keep you from stalling.

    you techincally can eat 800 calories a day, as this is what many obesity experts and bariatric doctors put their clients on. but i wouldnt suggest this to you, as you are not super obese. just think of it this way..if you feel hungry eating at a certain range, then eat more. if you feel full and satisified at 1000 cals a day..then fine stay at that..but do as i suggest above..go down from your BMR to give yourself wiggle room for later.
  • rosec005
    rosec005 Posts: 67 Member
    1200 calories a day is what I was told the lowest anyone should ever go - by my physician and 2 of the pharmacists I work with (so no, sorry, I don't think it's just a number someone came up with) because that's what you need to be getting the nutrients your body needs. The fact that your body slows your metabolic rate when stressed (ie not eating enough) is pretty obvious if you look at the people who have been stranded with only 3 days of food and have lived for 3 weeks, or if you don't believe them ask any anorexic (constantly being cold and having extremely low body temperatures are pretty obvious signs). If you do believe you're getting all the nutrients you need, I'd suggest meeting with a dietician.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I agree that everyone has a different thresh hold. Here's what I consider a good guideline: If your way of eating is close to something you can see yourself maintaining for the rest of your life, it's probably about right. But if it's something that you can only manage until the weight is gone, it's too little.
    The whole point is to change your lifestyle and habits so that you are healthier overall. The weight may not come off as fast, but you want it to stay off. When you reach your goal you'll be able to add in a bit more, but you can't go back to how you were eating before or your body will go back to how it was before.

    Also remember that there is more to a healthy diet than the amount of calories. Make sure you are not depriving yourself of needed nutrients. Fruit and veggies are an excellent source for most, but don't ignore the body's need for calcium, protein, iron, and sodium (yes, our body needs a certain amount of sodium to survive). Find the right balance and you can build a new lifestyle and feel great about yourself for a long time.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    I am 18 years old and almost 200 pounds at 5ft 8in. I have alot of weight to loose and lately have been focusing on fruits veggies and almond milk with one acctual meal for lunch. this is working hunger wise and i acctually crave less but i am often at 1000 calories or less. I have alot to loose but i don't want to hurt my body along the way. the site says that i should be eating 1200 cal a day but less is doing it for me, i know what too much is but what is too little? opinions please!

    Why don't you go with what MFP suggest. It works for most people.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories