Friend suggests 1200 calories. Is this too little?

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Replies

  • evayna
    evayna Posts: 66 Member
    I'm 5'2" and MFP set me at 1200 cal., once I found a balance in what I was eating I stopped feeling hungry. I think it's realistic if you are my size, but otherwise no.
  • reginaminer
    reginaminer Posts: 10 Member
    MFP set me at 1400 and I've lost 18 lbs in a month by religiously (and honestly) logging my food and reducing my carb intake. And, like others, I don't fret on a daily basis if I'm under/over that sometimes. If I'm within a couple hundred of my goal it's fine. Good luck!
  • hound9395
    hound9395 Posts: 1 Member
    Take your body weight. Multiply it by 14-17. 14=sedintary 17=super active. And that's your maintaince calories. Subtract 500 from it and you will lose 2 pounds per week. Keep macros at 50% carbohydrates 30% protien and 20% fat. Your welcome.
  • oolou
    oolou Posts: 765 Member
    edited January 2016
    The best way forward when starting out is to go with the MFP recommendation and then after a month adjust the daily goal according to your level of success. I.E. if you haven't lost enough to satisfy you on the MFP recommendation, then increase your calorie deficit further by eating less and/or exercising more. Of course, also making sure you keep it within the recommended guidelines so you don't damage your health.
  • BoaRestrictor
    BoaRestrictor Posts: 194 Member
    hound9395 wrote: »
    Take your body weight. Multiply it by 14-17. 14=sedintary 17=super active. And that's your maintaince calories. Subtract 500 from it and you will lose 2 pounds per week. Keep macros at 50% carbohydrates 30% protien and 20% fat. Your welcome.

    500x7=3500, or one pound a week. If you want to loose 2 pounds a week you'd have to eat at a 1000 calorie deficit. 1000x7=7000, or two pounds a week. Not saying anyone should do this just pointing out your math is wrong.
  • Talan79
    Talan79 Posts: 782 Member
    JanetYellen wrote: »
    If I could only eat 1,200 cals a day, I would get so hungry I would google: how to cook my cats
    I'm 5'2.

    I'm also 5"2, 1200-1300 was even too low for me.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    hound9395 wrote: »
    Take your body weight. Multiply it by 14-17. 14=sedintary 17=super active. And that's your maintaince calories. Subtract 500 from it and you will lose 2 pounds per week. Keep macros at 50% carbohydrates 30% protien and 20% fat. Your welcome.

    No thanks.

    This doesn't even take age into account. Or height.

    Use MFP to calculate your goals.
  • Nachise
    Nachise Posts: 395 Member
    I am 64 and just barely 5'4", if I stand really, really straight. My nutritionist set me at 1220 to lose weight, with no eating back calories. It can be done, but it doesn't leave any room for eating crap or processed food. Considering my fitness level, I don't consider myself old. After our recent blizzard, I found I can shovel snow with the best of them.
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  • tbirk
    tbirk Posts: 25 Member
    My sister and mom can eat 1200 calories a day, but I cannot! I do not have that kind of will power. I stick to about 1500 net calories per day. This obviously means the weight loss is a little slower, but I find it way more bearable. Start cutting back slowly, so start with 1600. If you can manage that, then try 1500. If you think you can do 1200, then go for it. If not, as long as you're cutting calories, then you should be losing weight.

    Best of luck on your weight loss journey!
  • trjjoy
    trjjoy Posts: 666 Member
    I snack plenty on 1200-odd a day. It's enough food AND you get to eat more when you exercise. I only struggle when my boyfriend cooks so I have decided to cook more often.
  • marylovesnini
    marylovesnini Posts: 41 Member
    edited January 2016
    I'm 5 ft and I also got 1200 from MFP at a 1 pound a week. I workout 4-5 days a week, take my vitamins and I make the most of every food I put in my mouth I meal prep on Sunday measure almost everything I eat, so far I'm doing pretty good losing steady :)
  • trjjoy
    trjjoy Posts: 666 Member
    Go for food that fill you up. Soups do an amazing job. I'm actually making a spicy butternut soup right now! Snack on low-calorie foods like cucumber, cauliflower, and broccoli. I am a big believer in egg and veggie muffins. They pack a punch but contain relatively little calories. And don't forget about proteins such as eggs and pulses. They're cheap, they're nutritious, and they're yummy.

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