Lowest allowable net calories

jat9277
jat9277 Posts: 10
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
This is probably a very basic question and one I SHOULD know the answer to, but find myself unsure. I know that many experts recommend a woman consuming no fewer than 1200 calories/day to avoid entering a starvation mode and sabotaging weight loss efforts. However- is this 1200 BEFORE or AFTER exercise? For example, if I consume 1200 calories, but then workout and burn 500 calories (for a net calorie intake of 700) is this ok or is this too low? Do I need to aim for 1200 NET calories minimum?
I would appreciate your help here.
I noticed that on my first week here I lost 2.8 lbs while consuming about 1600 calories per day prior to exercise, but lately I've tried to keep my consumption to 1200/day irregardless of exercise (which I do) and have stalled. I suspect I may be eating too few calories but am unsure...

Replies

  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    AFTER excercise.

    If you've stalled, I would highly recommend you return to 1,600 calories a day.

    1,200 calories does not work at all for me. I have had my metabolism tested and my BMR is 1,625.
  • Melbel85
    Melbel85 Posts: 240 Member
    You are supposed to eat your exercise calories back. 700 is too low of a caloric intake, it will put you straight into survival mode.
  • cckeimig
    cckeimig Posts: 194 Member
    1200 before you take exercise into consideration. Be sure to drink the water and eat back your exercise calories, otherwise you will definitely stall, from what I've learned, anyhow.
  • suediet55
    suediet55 Posts: 27 Member
    I think its 1200 NET - on your home page
  • Schwiggity
    Schwiggity Posts: 1,449 Member
    1200 for women. I believe between 1500-1800 for men.
  • svgarcia
    svgarcia Posts: 592 Member
    AFTER excercise.

    If you've stalled, I would highly recommend you return to 1,600 calories a day.

    1,200 calories does not work at all for me. I have had my metabolism tested and my BMR is 1,625.

    Where do u get tested
  • jat9277
    jat9277 Posts: 10
    Wow! Thanks so much for the quick replies! I really appreciate the input. I suspected it was after exercise but was afraid to eat too much. I'm encouraged by your replies.
  • kbeach08
    kbeach08 Posts: 184 Member
    I just asked this question to my friends on my page.... Well boy have I been doing it wrong! lol Well now we Know right? :wink:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    What they all said... Aim to NET at least 1200.

    Plus a lot of it is personal trial and error to see what works best for YOU. Eating the lowest amount you can is most likely not the best, safest or even fastest way to lose weight and be healthy. I lost more while eating more, and it's been mostly fat loss, not losing lean body mass. And I was happy and had more energy while eating more. Especially the last few weeks, when I've been aiming to only lose a half pound a week, so I've been netting up to 1500... I've noticed a huge difference in my strength and endurance. I don't struggle with crunches. And I can do "manly" pushups instead of girlie pushups. :smile:

    Food is good. :heart:
  • ay3am
    ay3am Posts: 1
    you need to eat at least 1200 a day after exercise. and thats just the minuim. you can google websites that helps determine what's the best calorie intake is for you after you exercise for your weight loss goal. the one I use is below:


    http://www.loseweightfit.com/weight-loss-calculator/

    i highly recommend that you use this as a guideline for your weightloss because it is based on age and gender and it also ask how much weight you want to lose within a certain amount of days. if your goal is a risk to your health it will give you a very clear warning!

    hope this helps!
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    AFTER excercise.

    If you've stalled, I would highly recommend you return to 1,600 calories a day.

    1,200 calories does not work at all for me. I have had my metabolism tested and my BMR is 1,625.

    Where do u get tested

    I got tested through my Kaiser insurance ($175)
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