1200 calorie diet
iglooweb
Posts: 3 Member
42 Male. Starting at 216 and my goal is to loose 36 lbs. 180 by the end of the year. Lower calorie intake than is recommended on MFP. Anyone think this is a bad idea? I've been on this for 1 week now and am struggling especially at night. Thinking of upping this to 1500 and having an extra 300 calories at night to curve the cravings.
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Replies
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Yes, I think it's a bad idea. I'm a petite woman and lose on more calories than that. The winner gets to eat the most and still lose.0
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Yes, bad idea! Use whatever is set for you. Calories equal energy and you need them. As you loose weight your alloted calories will decrease with weight loss. If you exercise eat back only half or less because mfp seems to be pretty lenient with those. Good luck and you can do it! I've lost 55lbs following this method.0
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Omg I would be eating my arm off on 1200!
The thing is, if you try to lose weight quickly and with too low calories, you gonna get hungry....then grouchy....then eventually your gonna stuff your face. I'm a 5'8" woman, under 200 pounds and I eat 1500-1600 a day. I lose about a pound to pound in a half a week. Slow, but I'm ok with that because I'm not hungry, I can still go out to dinner with family and friends, eat dessert, pizza and drink some wine or craft beer occasionally. I eat back half my exercise calories. I just refuse to be miserable and hungry and deprived. You should definitely up your calories to at least 1500 maybe you could increase to more, take your time, you'll have a better chance of success if you do. 
good luck!! 0 -
Yes its a bad idea...why not the the recommended MFP allowance you will definitely feel better for it, and you will less likely go off the rails.0
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I'm 5ft 2 female, 125 lbs and sedentary - and I lose weight on 1500+
I was on a 1200 calorie plan for a few months and I felt ill, weak, miserable - and my skin was breaking out. You need to eat more than this.0 -
Myfitnesspal recommended 1200 calories for me.
I am 28, around 150lbs, and 5ft 6 inches. I work an office job so i'm sat on my bum alot. I dont go hungry on 1200. On an average day I might have belvita breakfast biscuits for breakfast, a chicken salad with dressing for lunch, then a jacket potato with beans and cheese for dinner. Some nuts and grapes to snack on in between. For me it has really helped my acne and my energy levels.
I don't think it is sensible to go for a lower than MFP recommended. This is just what I was recommended. For anyone who is struggling to lose on their recommended intake, maybe you should go through the registration again, be sure that you are being honest about your activity levels. Also, if you do go 1200 be sure that if you go to the gym, you eat a bit extra so it still equals out at 1200!|
L x0 -
42 Male. Starting at 216 and my goal is to loose 36 lbs. 180 by the end of the year. Lower calorie intake than is recommended on MFP. Anyone think this is a bad idea? I've been on this for 1 week now and am struggling especially at night. Thinking of upping this to 1500 and having an extra 300 calories at night to curve the cravings.
If u start too low then u r working towards failure(sorry but it's the truth).. when u start any diet or eating pattern u need to ask ur self can u sustain this for the rest of ur life if the answer is no then don't do it otherwise u 'll end up gaining more weight. I am 188lb go to gym 3 times a week (weight no cardio) my weekly calories intake last week was 14000 (2000 daily Avg )n lost 2.2lb last week on this intake so u can definitely eat more. I wud say up ur calories to atleast 1800-2000 daily Avg. Weigh ur self after a week to see how much u lost then adjust from there but never starve ur self coz it does not work longterm.
Have a look at my post in getting started '10 lessons I learnt from my past mistakes ' might find it useful.
Best of luck
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Yes. Bad idea. The fastest that would be realistic for most people would be more like 2lb/week for your 1st 10lb then 1lb/wk for the last 25 =30 weeks. 13 weeks isn't realistic. You will lose LBM and fat. If you want to lose 36lb of fat while preserving as much LBM as you can, you need a different plan.0
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Only thing that will happen with this, especially with males, is that you'll loose mostly muscle, since your body will for good reason, will think you're starving. You'll be what a lot of people are who do this, skinny, but with a high fat percentage.DON'T DO THIS. It isn't a race. That's why people fail at these crash diets.0
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Myfitnesspal recommended 1200 calories for me.
I am 28, around 150lbs, and 5ft 6 inches. I work an office job so i'm sat on my bum alot. I dont go hungry on 1200. On an average day I might have belvita breakfast biscuits for breakfast, a chicken salad with dressing for lunch, then a jacket potato with beans and cheese for dinner. Some nuts and grapes to snack on in between. For me it has really helped my acne and my energy levels.
I don't think it is sensible to go for a lower than MFP recommended. This is just what I was recommended. For anyone who is struggling to lose on their recommended intake, maybe you should go through the registration again, be sure that you are being honest about your activity levels. Also, if you do go 1200 be sure that if you go to the gym, you eat a bit extra so it still equals out at 1200!|
L x
You're a woman with an aggressive weekly weight loss goal......that's WHY MFP gave you 1200. It's not about your current size or activity level anymore (1200 is a default) it's about "I want to lose XX pounds per week"
OP - is male, so you're right.....that's a big difference. No way should an average height adult male eat just 1200. MFP's default here is 1500.
Really aggressive weekly weight loss goals make it harder for your body to support existing lean muscle mass. For a lower body fat % .....eat more.0 -
Myfitnesspal recommended 1200 calories for me.
I am 28, around 150lbs, and 5ft 6 inches. I work an office job so i'm sat on my bum alot. I dont go hungry on 1200. On an average day I might have belvita breakfast biscuits for breakfast, a chicken salad with dressing for lunch, then a jacket potato with beans and cheese for dinner. Some nuts and grapes to snack on in between. For me it has really helped my acne and my energy levels.
I don't think it is sensible to go for a lower than MFP recommended. This is just what I was recommended. For anyone who is struggling to lose on their recommended intake, maybe you should go through the registration again, be sure that you are being honest about your activity levels. Also, if you do go 1200 be sure that if you go to the gym, you eat a bit extra so it still equals out at 1200!|
L x
I like this post. It is an honest opinion with no superficial suggestions.
I do not agree with TeaBea's post. Lecordy clearly mentioned that she is following goals set by MFP app.
TeaBea's criticism is unnecessary and misdirected.0 -
Terrible idea, you shouldn't lose that fast. Your goal is pretty ambitious. I've just lost the weight you want to lose (215-170) at 2 pounds per week. MFP suggested 1810, about 1750 gets logged. Exercise accounts for another 150 per day burn, I don't eat that back.
Best wishes on your journey!0 -
42 Male. Starting at 216 and my goal is to loose 36 lbs. 180 by the end of the year. Lower calorie intake than is recommended on MFP. Anyone think this is a bad idea? I've been on this for 1 week now and am struggling especially at night. Thinking of upping this to 1500 and having an extra 300 calories at night to curve the cravings.
Yes, I think it's a bad idea. Eat the calories MFP gives you. Weigh and log your food consistently. Lift weights to maintain your muscle mass. Eating that little, you will lose way more muscle than you want. You need to give your body the fuel it needs. Take care of yourself and good luck!0 -
42 Male. Starting at 216 and my goal is to loose 36 lbs. 180 by the end of the year. Lower calorie intake than is recommended on MFP. Anyone think this is a bad idea? I've been on this for 1 week now and am struggling especially at night. Thinking of upping this to 1500 and having an extra 300 calories at night to curve the cravings.
If u start too low then u r working towards failure(sorry but it's the truth).. when u start any diet or eating pattern u need to ask ur self can u sustain this for the rest of ur life if the answer is no then don't do it otherwise u 'll end up gaining more weight. I am 188lb go to gym 3 times a week (weight no cardio) my weekly calories intake last week was 14000 (2000 daily Avg )n lost 2.2lb last week on this intake so u can definitely eat more. I wud say up ur calories to atleast 1800-2000 daily Avg. Weigh ur self after a week to see how much u lost then adjust from there but never starve ur self coz it does not work longterm.
Have a look at my post in getting started '10 lessons I learnt from my past mistakes ' might find it useful.
Best of luck
Great advice. Thanks0 -
Everyone thank you. I have increased my intake to 1800 per day and added 30 minutes of walking everyday. I've never done well at the gym so I'll stick to walking and throw in a jog here and there. The 1500 was way to difficult and the truth is grouchy and angry doesn't help my cause. I did loose about 4 lbs that first week but seemed to taper off. Now since this posting i have lost another 2 lbs. Maybe this is for another entry but how do you all feel about having a cheat day at least once a week where I don't count and just eat what makes me feel good?0
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Everyone thank you. I have increased my intake to 1800 per day and added 30 minutes of walking everyday. I've never done well at the gym so I'll stick to walking and throw in a jog here and there. The 1500 was way to difficult and the truth is grouchy and angry doesn't help my cause. I did loose about 4 lbs that first week but seemed to taper off. Now since this posting i have lost another 2 lbs. Maybe this is for another entry but how do you all feel about having a cheat day at least once a week where I don't count and just eat what makes me feel good?
Cheat days are a personal preference thing. I naturally tend to have days where I end up eating up to my maintenance calories, so I guess I have unplanned cheat days. But it works better for me to just find ways to fit the foods I love in every day, that is how I am learning to eat this way and maintain my weight loss for the rest of my life. I try to keep ideas like being good or cheating out of my diet.
And even if you do a cheat day or meal, you should still log your food. What's the point of logging 6 days a week, but then not logging on day 7 and not knowing if you ate back all the progress you made? In my opinion, one of the best "side effects" of logging here is learning. Learning what foods I overeat, what foods make me feel full, what foods make me want more food, what foods make me happy. Just something to think about
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Everyone thank you. I have increased my intake to 1800 per day and added 30 minutes of walking everyday. I've never done well at the gym so I'll stick to walking and throw in a jog here and there. The 1500 was way to difficult and the truth is grouchy and angry doesn't help my cause. I did loose about 4 lbs that first week but seemed to taper off. Now since this posting i have lost another 2 lbs. Maybe this is for another entry but how do you all feel about having a cheat day at least once a week where I don't count and just eat what makes me feel good?
I have cheat days, Tuesday's are my day. But I still track what I am eating.0 -
Myfitnesspal recommended 1200 calories for me.
I am 28, around 150lbs, and 5ft 6 inches. I work an office job so i'm sat on my bum alot. I dont go hungry on 1200. On an average day I might have belvita breakfast biscuits for breakfast, a chicken salad with dressing for lunch, then a jacket potato with beans and cheese for dinner. Some nuts and grapes to snack on in between. For me it has really helped my acne and my energy levels.
I don't think it is sensible to go for a lower than MFP recommended. This is just what I was recommended. For anyone who is struggling to lose on their recommended intake, maybe you should go through the registration again, be sure that you are being honest about your activity levels. Also, if you do go 1200 be sure that if you go to the gym, you eat a bit extra so it still equals out at 1200!|
L x
I like this post. It is an honest opinion with no superficial suggestions.
I do not agree with TeaBea's post. Lecordy clearly mentioned that she is following goals set by MFP app.
TeaBea's criticism is unnecessary and misdirected.
TeaBea isn't criticizing Lecordy's calorie goal. TeaBea is talking about whether a man should eat 1,200 -- 300 calories below the minimum recommended for men.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Myfitnesspal recommended 1200 calories for me.
I am 28, around 150lbs, and 5ft 6 inches. I work an office job so i'm sat on my bum alot. I dont go hungry on 1200. On an average day I might have belvita breakfast biscuits for breakfast, a chicken salad with dressing for lunch, then a jacket potato with beans and cheese for dinner. Some nuts and grapes to snack on in between. For me it has really helped my acne and my energy levels.
I don't think it is sensible to go for a lower than MFP recommended. This is just what I was recommended. For anyone who is struggling to lose on their recommended intake, maybe you should go through the registration again, be sure that you are being honest about your activity levels. Also, if you do go 1200 be sure that if you go to the gym, you eat a bit extra so it still equals out at 1200!|
L x
I like this post. It is an honest opinion with no superficial suggestions.
I do not agree with TeaBea's post. Lecordy clearly mentioned that she is following goals set by MFP app.
TeaBea's criticism is unnecessary and misdirected.
TeaBea isn't criticizing Lecordy's calorie goal. TeaBea is talking about whether a man should eat 1,200 -- 300 calories below the minimum recommended for men.
It's all good, I know people get passionate about weight loss! It's good that everyone here wants others to succeed, and also defend each other in discussions!0 -
Everyone thank you. I have increased my intake to 1800 per day and added 30 minutes of walking everyday. I've never done well at the gym so I'll stick to walking and throw in a jog here and there. The 1500 was way to difficult and the truth is grouchy and angry doesn't help my cause. I did loose about 4 lbs that first week but seemed to taper off. Now since this posting i have lost another 2 lbs. Maybe this is for another entry but how do you all feel about having a cheat day at least once a week where I don't count and just eat what makes me feel good?
Male, 43. Started at 263, goal to get to 200. Started with a very aggressive loss goal/pace - and was actually beating it, but was grumpy, miserable and a pain to be around. Made it about 3 1/2 weeks and then started binging at night and "beating myself" up for failing (at an unsustainable goal). Changed my goal/pace to a less aggressive one, upped my daily calorie goal (but still at a deficit), having success more times than not, feeling better, feeling better about myself, AND still losing weight. Have to remind myself that it's a marathon and not a sprint.
Sounds like you had a similar revelation. My $0.02 on cheat days: Personally, I try not to have them (just my personality, as they can turn into the plural) but when I do, I log it. It's all just "data," and it's helpful for me to see how my body reacts to changing conditions/stimuli.
Best of luck, brother!0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Myfitnesspal recommended 1200 calories for me.
I am 28, around 150lbs, and 5ft 6 inches. I work an office job so i'm sat on my bum alot. I dont go hungry on 1200. On an average day I might have belvita breakfast biscuits for breakfast, a chicken salad with dressing for lunch, then a jacket potato with beans and cheese for dinner. Some nuts and grapes to snack on in between. For me it has really helped my acne and my energy levels.
I don't think it is sensible to go for a lower than MFP recommended. This is just what I was recommended. For anyone who is struggling to lose on their recommended intake, maybe you should go through the registration again, be sure that you are being honest about your activity levels. Also, if you do go 1200 be sure that if you go to the gym, you eat a bit extra so it still equals out at 1200!|
L x
I like this post. It is an honest opinion with no superficial suggestions.
I do not agree with TeaBea's post. Lecordy clearly mentioned that she is following goals set by MFP app.
TeaBea's criticism is unnecessary and misdirected.
TeaBea isn't criticizing Lecordy's calorie goal. TeaBea is talking about whether a man should eat 1,200 -- 300 calories below the minimum recommended for men.
It's all good, I know people get passionate about weight loss! It's good that everyone here wants others to succeed, and also defend each other in discussions!
Are you advocating that members ignore minimum intake levels needed to meet minimum nutrition levels?
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I tried 1200 and was continually hungry and grouchy… Upped to 1700-1800 and the weight is starting to come off, albeit slowly! I am starting to do gentle exercise and only log half the MFP suggested calorie burn as I think they way overestimate it… I need to get back to weight training but was put off by the guys at the gym hogging the mirrors and equipment - so will probably do it at home. I think cheat days are fine as long as you log the calories, you can always cut back extra one day to make up for it so that the calls balance out of the week. Good luck!0
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