800 calories a day.

Well, that depends on your age. Boys between the ages of 11 and 13 need 1,800 to 2,600 calories per day while boys ages 14 to 18 need between 2,200 to 3,200 calories per day. Girls aged 11 to 13 need 1,800 to 2,200 calories per day while those between the ages of 14 and 18 need 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Anything below that level is bordering starvation of the body.

Unless you're pretty small, no, it's not sustainable, and can be dangerous in the long run. Minimum rec for an adult is 1200. You can go 1000 if it's a highly nutritious diet. Better to go with slightly higher calories overall. If you start feeling tired or exhausted all the time, you might need to go higher. If you aren't careful you can end up seriously ill.

jennicsmi wrote: »

Is 800 calories a day healthy for any period of time? I've been doing it for about 4 days now. Headaches at first, but they've subsided. I'm not absolutely dying of hunger. I'm fine.
Tell me your thoughts, please.

Hi jennicsmi. First off I want to say congratulations on taking action to reach your goals! How many calories our bodies need is based off a number of things and when you set up your myfitnesspal account they usually ask you to enter a few things that help to find out what that amount is for you (Goals, current weight, and your activity level are big ones).

As someone earlier posted, your body needs nutrients and energy and 800 calories is very low to be carrying on for an extended period of time and could definitely be the reason you were experiencing headaches. Do you mind sharing how you came up with the idea of only having 800 calories a day?

How many calories per day did MFP give you when you set up your account? I find it hard to believe that it gave you 1200, you can eat a lot more and still successfully lose. If you are too strict to start, you could be setting yourself up for failure because you will become frustrated with the restrictions. I'm shorter, older, and lighter than you and lose quite nicely on 1700. With that cal count, I can meet my nutritional needs and fit in some treats (ice cream or beer, rarely both in the same night though), so I don't feel as if I am depriving myself.

The next year is going to pass. Think about how you want to spend it, where you would like to be, and how you can be successful at getting there. Losing weight too quickly has several disadvantages, which can include losing more muscle mass than you had wanted. The weight comes off, but what will your body composition be looking like when you get there? The only time someone should be eating 800 calories is with direct supervision of their doctor, including regular lab work to monitor for nutritional deficiencies. Even then, it should be when the medical necessity outweighs the risk. That's something to be decided between patient and doctor.

I suggest letting the site set up your calorie goal, and aim for that (not way under, but as close to that goal as possible). Give it 6-8 weeks and then reevaluate, and adjust as needed. Be patient with yourself and with the process. Read the threads that are stickied at the top of the getting started and general weight loss forums called "Most Helpful Posts." Pay particular attention to the ones on logging accurately. Be consistent, be persistent, and be patient.

jennicsmi wrote: »

Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm actually 285lbs... So, small is not the word. I'm obviously ready for a life change and don't know anything about calories.
I've been eating plenty of veggies, enough protein, fruits and whole grains, or so I thought.
I'll give 1,200 calories a day a try.. I don't want to become I'll from lack of nutrients.

Unless you are doing some dr supervised very low calorie diet, then neither 800 nor 1200 will work for you. Set MFP to lose 2 lbs per week and eat the calories it tell you. It will be a lot more than you think.

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