Is this a good idea?
Replies
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Regardless of the calculators used, at 5'6", 1200 calories is not an unreasonable starting base. IF she is working out five days a week and burning X number of calories in addition to her base, she has a calorie target of up to perhaps 1800 calories or so, including the exercise calorie burn. But the 1200 calorie base is still a sustainable standard. And, when she reaches her target area, this can be adjusted to find her best maintenance range.
Naturally, her activity level, which the OP indicated was sedentary, has a big effect on what is her best calorie target. Again, however, a 1200 calorie base is a reasonable, and sustainable, starting point for her. For someone more than twice her weight, obviously the starting base would be higher.This is why I don't think the plan is necessarily unhealthy:
1. She could easily meet her macro/micronutrient needs on 1200 if she consumes nutrient-dense foods exclusively.
2. The time frame proposed (three months) is relatively short – would it not be highly unusual for the metabolic slowdown and other negative side-effects people have mentioned to occur so quickly?
3. She proposes to add exercise if/when 1200 calories are exceeded. This will initially motivate her to get into the exercise habit (as we know she will be hungry after a short while and will want to eat more). Hopefully in the process she will discover that exercise is also enjoyable and it will become a lifelong habit.
4. Of course the desired rate of weight loss can't be guaranteed, but as we know everyone loses at different rates, so she'll have to try it and see how she goes. Some people simply can't get motivated unless they set themselves a very ambitious target.
Reese and Chrys, it seems to me you are missing an important element here. Her goal is not to net 1200 calories, it is to net 1,000 or less by the end of the day. Besides trying to lose 30 pounds in a month, here is what she wrote:My goal is to consume about 1000 to 1200 calories daily. If I go over 1200 calories I have to workout for an hour.
Do you see what is going on here, and why advising her to carry on in this manner is harmful?
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Chrysalid2014 wrote: »brianpperkins wrote: »
So you did things in an unsustainable manner and gained back but still tell people that ten pounds per month is a viable option?
Losing weight slowly doesn't guarantee you'll keep it off either. We already know most people will gain back all the weight they lose.
The OP's question is about weight loss, not maintenance.
I really don't understand all the objections to the proposed 1200 calorie diet with no exercise. Plenty of people on MFP are doing 1200.
I'm beginning to realize that you pretty much only post on here to argue with logic and encourage poor choices by newbies.0 -
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asflatasapancake wrote: »I think I just landed in crazy town. How can anyone approve of this plan? Based upon what?
Based upon the idea that posters that have a pretty good handle on how to do this disapprove of this plan. Ergo, this/these poster(s) must take the other side.
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Apparently since some people eat 1200 calories on Mfp, it is healthy for all mfp members to eat 1200 calories even if they are continuing to exercise as punishment and not eating those exercise calories back. Because logic.0
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forgtmenot wrote: »Apparently since some people eat 1200 calories on Mfp, it is healthy for all mfp members to eat 1200 calories even if they are continuing to exercise as punishment and not eating those exercise calories back. Because logic.
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My goal is to consume about 1000 to 12000 calories daily . If I go over 1200 calories I have to workout for an hour."SLLRunner wrote: »Do you see what is going on here, and why advising her to carry on in this manner is harmful?
Actually, yeh. I do. She is looking to sustain a 1200 calorie daily intake. The part about going over the 1200 triggering the exercise mode to burn off the calorie intake over 1200 makes it a 1200 daily target. See?
Target 1200 calories a day (btw apeyboo, I wouldn't recommend the lower end of 1000 a day). You eat 1500 calories one day. You exercise to burn off your excess 300 calories to maintain the target 1200 calories. It's really not that complex.
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I do something like this.
If I go over I have to eat that much less the next day plus add in exercise to equal that amount. So if I am over for example today 100 cal then tomorrow I can only eat 100 calories less than normal and do my regular exercise plus burn 100 more. Keeps me from going way over because I like to eat and a day with no food is not good. If I stay on track for a certain amount of time I also reward myself with something non food. It could be new flip flops or a day out in my kayak ( rarely have the time). I however do not have my goal set at 1000 cal per day because even a little slip up would be bad.0 -
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ReeseG4350 wrote: »"SLLRunner wrote: »My goal is to consume about 1000 to 1200 calories daily. If I go over 1200 calories I have to workout for an hour.
Do you see what is going on here, and why advising her to carry on in this manner is harmful?
Actually, yeh. I do. She is looking to sustain a 1200 calorie daily intake. The part about going over the 1200 triggering the exercise mode to burn off the calorie intake over 1200 makes it a 1200 daily target. See?
Target 1200 calories a day (btw apeyboo, I wouldn't recommend the lower end of 1000 a day). You eat 1500 calories one day. You exercise to burn off your excess 300 calories to maintain the target 1200 calories. It's really not that complex.
That's what I took it to mean as well, not that she was aiming for a sub-1000 net. And I'm truly not getting this exercise-as-punishment or disordered behaviour thing that everyone keeps mentioning. To me it comes across as someone who dislikes exercise trying to motivate themselves to do a little more with the promise of more calories.
And I thought she said she wanted to lose 30 pounds by the end of the summer; that's over three months away (not a month), is it not? While that may still be an over-ambitious goal, I put that down to youthful optimism, not some kind of disordered thinking.
She didn't mention this here but I looked up her other post that someone linked to above; her current exercise plan is walking on a treadmill. Everyone has to start somewhere so I'm not dissing this at all, but it's hardly gut-busting stuff or going to burn off hundreds of extra calories every day. People in that thread advised her to cut her calories more and forget about the exercise, so I'm sure we've all confused the OP enough now that she won't be returning to read any of this anyway!0 -
FullofTrixie wrote: »I do something like this.
If I go over I have to eat that much less the next day plus add in exercise to equal that amount. So if I am over for example today 100 cal then tomorrow I can only eat 100 calories less than normal and do my regular exercise plus burn 100 more. Keeps me from going way over because I like to eat and a day with no food is not good. If I stay on track for a certain amount of time I also reward myself with something non food. It could be new flip flops or a day out in my kayak ( rarely have the time). I however do not have my goal set at 1000 cal per day because even a little slip up would be bad.
So you double ding yourself for eating over goal?0 -
pollypocket1021 wrote: »It's a great idea.
If you're an actual Hobbit. If not no. Not a good idea in the slightest.
What self respecting hobbit would do this???
I am half hobbit, and therefore I have coffee, breakfast, brunch, elevensies, lunch, tea, snack, dinner, supper, and dessert.
Hobbits know how to eat.
We really need a like button. 'Cause I like this!
Ditto0 -
forgtmenot wrote: »Apparently since some people eat 1200 calories on Mfp, it is healthy for all mfp members to eat 1200 calories even if they are continuing to exercise as punishment and not eating those exercise calories back. Because logic.
Actually, that is a pretty scary logic. ALL people on MFP are not the same height, weight, gender, etc. Thus, ALL people on MFP need to consider their own needs and physical limits when setting calorie and other health/fitness goals.0 -
=/=My goal is to consume about 1000 to 1200 calories dailysomeone who dislikes exercise trying to motivate [herself] to do a little more with the promise of more calories.0 -
FullofTrixie wrote: »I do something like this.
If I go over I have to eat that much less the next day plus add in exercise to equal that amount. So if I am over for example today 100 cal then tomorrow I can only eat 100 calories less than normal and do my regular exercise plus burn 100 more. Keeps me from going way over because I like to eat and a day with no food is not good. If I stay on track for a certain amount of time I also reward myself with something non food. It could be new flip flops or a day out in my kayak ( rarely have the time). I however do not have my goal set at 1000 cal per day because even a little slip up would be bad.
So you double ding yourself for eating over goal?
I thought the same thing...
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Chrysalid2014 wrote: »ReeseG4350 wrote: »"SLLRunner wrote: »My goal is to consume about 1000 to 1200 calories daily. If I go over 1200 calories I have to workout for an hour.
Do you see what is going on here, and why advising her to carry on in this manner is harmful?
Actually, yeh. I do. She is looking to sustain a 1200 calorie daily intake. The part about going over the 1200 triggering the exercise mode to burn off the calorie intake over 1200 makes it a 1200 daily target. See?
Target 1200 calories a day (btw apeyboo, I wouldn't recommend the lower end of 1000 a day). You eat 1500 calories one day. You exercise to burn off your excess 300 calories to maintain the target 1200 calories. It's really not that complex.
That's what I took it to mean as well, not that she was aiming for a sub-1000 net. And I'm truly not getting this exercise-as-punishment or disordered behaviour thing that everyone keeps mentioning. To me it comes across as someone who dislikes exercise trying to motivate themselves to do a little more with the promise of more calories.
And I thought she said she wanted to lose 30 pounds by the end of the summer; that's over three months away (not a month), is it not? While that may still be an over-ambitious goal, I put that down to youthful optimism, not some kind of disordered thinking.
She didn't mention this here but I looked up her other post that someone linked to above; her current exercise plan is walking on a treadmill. Everyone has to start somewhere so I'm not dissing this at all, but it's hardly gut-busting stuff or going to burn off hundreds of extra calories every day. People in that thread advised her to cut her calories more and forget about the exercise, so I'm sure we've all confused the OP enough now that she won't be returning to read any of this anyway!
You may not get it, but I have seen that lead to disordered behaviour so many times. Food is not something to be earned nor rewarded.
She asked a question, she received clear, logical answers from a community of people who are educated, and shared said education with her. She argued and defended her approach instead of learning from her question. Everyone does have to start somewhere, but don't ask questions if you don't want to hear the answers.0 -
FullofTrixie wrote: »I do something like this.
If I go over I have to eat that much less the next day plus add in exercise to equal that amount. So if I am over for example today 100 cal then tomorrow I can only eat 100 calories less than normal and do my regular exercise plus burn 100 more. Keeps me from going way over because I like to eat and a day with no food is not good. If I stay on track for a certain amount of time I also reward myself with something non food. It could be new flip flops or a day out in my kayak ( rarely have the time). I however do not have my goal set at 1000 cal per day because even a little slip up would be bad.
So you double ding yourself for eating over goal?
I guess but it keeps me accountable. I have all kinds of rules0 -
mizzlarabee wrote: »You may not get it, but I have seen that lead to disordered behaviour so many times. Food is not something to be earned nor rewarded.
In that case, there are a hell of a lot of f***ed up people on MFP, because I can't count the number of times I've seen people post that their motivation to exercise is that they get to eat more, or that they've 'earned' their chocolate at the end of the day, or that their daily [insert name of junk food] keeps them 'sane', or words to that effect.
And with that cheery thought, I'm getting the hell outta here, so good day one and all!0 -
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asflatasapancake wrote: »ReeseG4350 wrote: »forgtmenot wrote: »Apparently since some people eat 1200 calories on Mfp, it is healthy for all mfp members to eat 1200 calories even if they are continuing to exercise as punishment and not eating those exercise calories back. Because logic.
Actually, that is a pretty scary logic. ALL people on MFP are not the same height, weight, gender, etc. Thus, ALL people on MFP need to consider their own needs and physical limits when setting calorie and other health/fitness goals.
I'm pretty sure forgetmenot's comment was meant to be sarcastic.
Lol it was.0 -
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FullofTrixie wrote: »FullofTrixie wrote: »I do something like this.
If I go over I have to eat that much less the next day plus add in exercise to equal that amount. So if I am over for example today 100 cal then tomorrow I can only eat 100 calories less than normal and do my regular exercise plus burn 100 more. Keeps me from going way over because I like to eat and a day with no food is not good. If I stay on track for a certain amount of time I also reward myself with something non food. It could be new flip flops or a day out in my kayak ( rarely have the time). I however do not have my goal set at 1000 cal per day because even a little slip up would be bad.
So you double ding yourself for eating over goal?
I guess but it keeps me accountable. I have all kinds of rules
Are the rest of your rules as disordered?0 -
ReeseG4350 wrote: »My goal is to consume about 1000 to 12000 calories daily . If I go over 1200 calories I have to workout for an hour."SLLRunner wrote: »Do you see what is going on here, and why advising her to carry on in this manner is harmful?
Actually, yeh. I do. She is looking to sustain a 1200 calorie daily intake. The part about going over the 1200 triggering the exercise mode to burn off the calorie intake over 1200 makes it a 1200 daily target. See?
Target 1200 calories a day (btw apeyboo, I wouldn't recommend the lower end of 1000 a day). You eat 1500 calories one day. You exercise to burn off your excess 300 calories to maintain the target 1200 calories. It's really not that complex.
Following that line of thought, what if OP was only 8 calories over? She 'punishes' herself for going over her goal, works out an hour, and then what is she netting?
Hint: It's not 1200 calories.0 -
TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »So Op drops the question here what you all think.
Everybody says bad idea
OP start defending the idea and will go ahead with her plan
Next subject/post please.
And repeat myself ...................
And add to it
And while everybody is discussing wrong or right of this idea and OP's stats, OP never returns.
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FullofTrixie wrote: »FullofTrixie wrote: »I do something like this.
If I go over I have to eat that much less the next day plus add in exercise to equal that amount. So if I am over for example today 100 cal then tomorrow I can only eat 100 calories less than normal and do my regular exercise plus burn 100 more. Keeps me from going way over because I like to eat and a day with no food is not good. If I stay on track for a certain amount of time I also reward myself with something non food. It could be new flip flops or a day out in my kayak ( rarely have the time). I however do not have my goal set at 1000 cal per day because even a little slip up would be bad.
So you double ding yourself for eating over goal?
I guess but it keeps me accountable. I have all kinds of rules
"All kinds of rules" aren't going to help you lose and keep it off. "All kinds of rules" set you up for gaining it all back because you're no longer subject to restrictive rules once you hit target (if you even last that long).0 -
ReeseG4350 wrote: »My goal is to consume about 1000 to 12000 calories daily . If I go over 1200 calories I have to workout for an hour."SLLRunner wrote: »Do you see what is going on here, and why advising her to carry on in this manner is harmful?
Actually, yeh. I do. She is looking to sustain a 1200 calorie daily intake. The part about going over the 1200 triggering the exercise mode to burn off the calorie intake over 1200 makes it a 1200 daily target. See?
Target 1200 calories a day (btw apeyboo, I wouldn't recommend the lower end of 1000 a day). You eat 1500 calories one day. You exercise to burn off your excess 300 calories to maintain the target 1200 calories. It's really not that complex.
Nope. That is not what this thread is about. You're right, it's not that complex, but your analysis is off.0
This discussion has been closed.
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