1200 calories

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/body-burn-fat-hungry-2823.html
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/abel-james-hunger-dieting-for-weight-loss/

These are two articles that explain that your body holds onto fat as a reserve if you starve it... that was my point. After a long period of time... yes it will let it go, but the bodies initial response to hold onto it.

jacksonkris8 wrote: »

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/body-burn-fat-hungry-2823.html
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/abel-james-hunger-dieting-for-weight-loss/

These are two articles that explain that your body holds onto fat as a reserve if you starve it... that was my point. After a long period of time... yes it will let it go, but the bodies initial response to hold onto it.

I had no idea how misinformed I was until I came here to mfp. There are a lot of knowledgable folks on here that have helped me to see that the majority of information out there is bunk in terms of weight loss. Actual scientific studies prove this "starvation mode" as is used in most "diet" websites is not the whole truth as we are led to believe.

I guess we just do what works for us. I know that i am never starving and what i do works for me... i guess that is what it comes down to...

Ok. Got it. Thanks!

lynnethomas_218 wrote: »

I am also doing 1200 but I'm very confused about the additional calories required when working out. I do between 30-50 minutes of Tae Bo each day and do increase calories to accommodate that. However in 48 days I weigh 2 pounds more than when I started. How accurate are the calorie counts when it comes to exercise here??? I'm not noticing a big difference in my clothes either. I also enjoy a glass of wine most nights. I'm not giving up because I feel so much better but I should be down 10-15 lbs. by now. Does anybody have any solution to this? I am 58 years old. Thanks

Hey Lynne,

Exercise is so important for building and maintaining muscle (especially as you get older), and for feeling well, but the calorie counts on here are guesstimates at best, and don't account for age/metabolism/fitness level. I'm sorry to say that it's nearly impossible to exercise the pounds away, especially because the more you do a particular kind of exercise, the more used to it your body gets, and therefore the fewer calories you burn. That's right, the better you get at Tae Bo, the FEWER calories you'll burn. But that doesn't mean it's a waste of energy! So I'd focus on how the exercise makes you feel, rather than how much food you think you're working off. And if working out leaves you starving, build more of your meals around fatty protein sources (like fish), nutrient dense veggies (dark greens) and complex carbs (whole grains). Those are the food groups that'll give you the best return on your investment, and leave you with the most sustainable energy to get through a workout.

Your body is your best guide on this. So if eating more on days you work out hasn't resulted in weight loss, keep it around 1200-1300 every day no matter how much exercise you do. And switch up your workout routine so you're always challenging yourself.

I also recommend keeping the wine to 1-2 nights a week as a treat... not all calories are created equal, and drinking alcohol, which the body processes as pure sugar (and turns into pure fat), isn't doing you any favors. This is the hardest part of dieting for me, but it's also the change that makes the biggest difference.

And yes, it sucks so hard. But every time you're feeling deprived or frustrated just remember it's not forever. The choice you make today NOT to have whatever thing you're craving (that will sabotage your progress!) is one step closer to having it, guilt-free, once you hit goal.

You can do it!!