Any ladies on 1200 cals
madameb80
Posts: 18 Member
I'm on day 2 and doing great. Exercising plenty but not chomping the extra cals. What kinda meals are you having during the day. And do you split the cals over B /L/D ?
Love to hear from you xx
Love to hear from you xx
2
Replies
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1,200 is generally considered to be the lowest a woman should go. If you are "exercising plenty," you will probably want to consider that as a factor in your calorie needs at some point.
I was close to 1,200 when I was at the end of my weight loss (I was about 1,300, I believe), but I was eating back exercise calories to ensure I met my nutritional needs, kept my energy up, and avoiding unnecessary muscle loss.
I usually had a light breakfast and lunch and had most of my calories for dinner because that's my personal preference.8 -
This is where I'm concerned MFP has me at 1200 cals I've had so far today 800 cals in food yet to have my tea so got 400 to play with yet I've burned over 500 cals due to exercise logged by the two classes I did at the gym. So will my body think hang on I'm surviving on 300 cals of food until she feeds me. (Currently drying hair lol)0
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I would only eat back 1/4-1/2 of the exercise calories since these are typically overestimated (unless you were using a HRM with chest strap)6
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This is where I'm concerned MFP has me at 1200 cals I've had so far today 800 cals in food yet to have my tea so got 400 to play with yet I've burned over 500 cals due to exercise logged by the two classes I did at the gym. So will my body think hang on I'm surviving on 300 cals of food until she feeds me. (Currently drying hair lol)
MFP gave you a goal of 1,200 based on the assumption that you would be eating back any additional calories you burnt through exercise.
If you truly did burn 500 calories through exercise, you're basically asking your body to run all functions on 700 calories a day. For one or two days, this won't be an issue. But it's way too low to maintain health, energy, and muscle if you do this regularly.12 -
How much weight do you have to lose?
Do you have MFP set to lose 2 pounds a week? That may be too aggressive unless you really have a lot to lose. Try setting it to 1 pound or a half pound a week and see what happens to your calorie goal. And you should be eating at least a portion of your exercise calories back.2 -
But also, to answer your question, I go with a small breakfast, small lunch, and large dinner, but that's just my personal preference and it works with my lifestyle. Figure out what's best for you as far as meal spacing and timing.2
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I'm at 1,300 but I eat back most of my fitbit adjustment unless I truly didnt do anything all day, then I just eat to 1,300 and call it a day. So on the days I go for a two hour walk, or spend the day hiking I can eat anywhere from 1,400- 1,800 calories. Im set to lose 1.5 lbs a week, on average I'm losing 1.8 so I could eat my entire adjustment back and im positive I would still be losing.
you need to be eating back at least a portion of your exercise calories or else you are not eating enough and cannot maintain this long term.
But as for your original question I used to split them up throughout the day but I never had enough left for dinner or a snack afterwards and wasnt satisfied. I started only having coffee in the morning and I dont miss having breakfast at all, some days I dont have lunch either and just have a big dinner and then a snack. Its up to you how you want to split up your calories, meal timing doesnt matter for weight loss. I dont consider this fasting or anything, I prefer not to label it as anything, I take it day by day and go by how I feel.4 -
Well the calories burned are what my fitbit told me and boy I felt like I burned them. I have 1.5 stone to lose AGAIN. Ideally I would like 2lbs a week as I have a holiday coming up. I get mixed messages as ppl on here have told me not to eat the calories gained from exercise. I've got 400 to have for my late dinner which will take me to 1200 physically eating during the day and I'll eat into a smidge of the extra allocated due to exercise. What do you think? It's all blooming confusing wish I wasn't exercising it's giving me a headache lol0
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Hi, that's my calorie limit too, happy for you to add me if you want
I usually eat about 300 calories for breakfast and the same for lunch which means I can have a nice big dinner with my partner. Sometimes I eat back exercise calories and sometimes I don't, depends if I want a little extra 3 -
georgyporcupine wrote: »Hi, that's my calorie limit too, happy for you to add me if you want I usually eat about 300 calories for breakfast and the same for lunch which means I can have a nice big dinner with my partner. Sometimes I eat back exercise calories and sometimes I don't, depends if I want a little extra
How do I add you. I used to use MFP years ago and just reinstalled it this week. Lol x0 -
Well the calories burned are what my fitbit told me and boy I felt like I burned them. I have 1.5 stone to lose AGAIN. Ideally I would like 2lbs a week as I have a holiday coming up. I get mixed messages as ppl on here have told me not to eat the calories gained from exercise. I've got 400 to have for my late dinner which will take me to 1200 physically eating during the day and I'll eat into a smidge of the extra allocated due to exercise. What do you think? It's all blooming confusing wish I wasn't exercising it's giving me a headache lol
People who are telling you not to eat any of the calories burnt through exercise are ignoring how MFP sets your calorie goal and giving you advice that doesn't set you up for long term success. Some people do eat back just a portion to account for potential over-estimation. I started eating back 50% of them and then when I saw I was still losing more than my goal each week, I began eating them all back.
My advice would be not to listen to people who recommend that you under-eat.11 -
1200 right here
Feel free to add me!2 -
I'm at 1200. I have B/L/D and the calories are pretty even. Depending on my weight loss I eat part or all of my exercise calories back. I'm very accurate, however, with my exercise calories.2
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My goal is 1260 but I eat back my fitbit adjustment calories. I've tried sticking to <1300 a day and it just isn't sustainable for me. I'm 5'6, 155 lbs, and average 1400 - 1500 calories a day depending on exercise.2
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georgyporcupine wrote: »Hi, that's my calorie limit too, happy for you to add me if you want I usually eat about 300 calories for breakfast and the same for lunch which means I can have a nice big dinner with my partner. Sometimes I eat back exercise calories and sometimes I don't, depends if I want a little extra
How do I add you. I used to use MFP years ago and just reinstalled it this week. Lol x
I've added you! For reference, click on username and a window will appear, click on username again and the add friend option will be on the next window
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Well the calories burned are what my fitbit told me and boy I felt like I burned them. I have 1.5 stone to lose AGAIN. Ideally I would like 2lbs a week as I have a holiday coming up. I get mixed messages as ppl on here have told me not to eat the calories gained from exercise. I've got 400 to have for my late dinner which will take me to 1200 physically eating during the day and I'll eat into a smidge of the extra allocated due to exercise. What do you think? It's all blooming confusing wish I wasn't exercising it's giving me a headache lol
Do you mean a literal headache or a figurative one because of the math/advice? If you actually get headaches from exercising, that's a very good indicator that you aren't eating enough to fuel your body. 2lbs/wk is probably too aggressive for only 21 pounds. A much more reasonable goal is 1 pound, 1.5 if you really push it. It's likely that your current deficit is 1200 because that's the lower limit that MFP will recommend.
I feel like it's important at this point to tell you to manage your expectations and PLEASE DON'T GET DISCOURAGED WHEN YOU DON'T LOSE TWO POUNDS IN A WEEK. Unless you are very tall and/or very active, it's unlikely that your maintenance calories are in the 2200 range if you are only 21 pounds overweight. It may not be physically possible for you to lose two pounds a week at any safe deficit.
With regards to your goal of an upcoming holiday - I know that the desire to lose it all quickly is a strong one, but try to re-frame that. The closer you get to your goal, the slower weight loss will be no matter what you do and trying to rush through it will just continue to leave you frustrated and likely confused about why your body isn't doing what you think it should. Be patient. Every pound lost, no matter how long it takes you, is a victory and if you start sustainable habits now, you will be lighter in time for your holiday, even if you're not quite where you want to be.4 -
This is where I'm concerned MFP has me at 1200 cals I've had so far today 800 cals in food yet to have my tea so got 400 to play with yet I've burned over 500 cals due to exercise logged by the two classes I did at the gym. So will my body think hang on I'm surviving on 300 cals of food until she feeds me. (Currently drying hair lol)
No your body won't hang onto anything (starvation mode myth). In fact your body will burn existing lean muscle mass if it needs to. Unfortunately when we lose weight we don't just lose fat, so you want to fuel your workouts for a large % of fat loss.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/761810/the-starvation-mode-myth-again/p1
1200 is a common calorie limit because it's the lowest DEFAULT minimum. 1200 is "assigned" when you are very petite and sedentary, elderly and sedentary, or your weekly weight loss goal is very aggressive.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »1,200 is generally considered to be the lowest a woman should go. If you are "exercising plenty," you will probably want to consider that as a factor in your calorie needs at some point.
I was close to 1,200 when I was at the end of my weight loss (I was about 1,300, I believe), but I was eating back exercise calories to ensure I met my nutritional needs, kept my energy up, and avoiding unnecessary muscle loss.
I usually had a light breakfast and lunch and had most of my calories for dinner because that's my personal preference.
Not everyone is the same. I get 1200 per day and lose better on 1000-1100 calories per day. I lose much slower eating 1200 per day and rarely eat them all. I also can not eat my exercise calories back.4 -
perkymommy wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »1,200 is generally considered to be the lowest a woman should go. If you are "exercising plenty," you will probably want to consider that as a factor in your calorie needs at some point.
I was close to 1,200 when I was at the end of my weight loss (I was about 1,300, I believe), but I was eating back exercise calories to ensure I met my nutritional needs, kept my energy up, and avoiding unnecessary muscle loss.
I usually had a light breakfast and lunch and had most of my calories for dinner because that's my personal preference.
Not everyone is the same. I get 1200 per day and lose better on 1000-1100 calories per day. I lose much slower eating 1200 per day and rarely eat them all. I also can not eat my exercise calories back.
Losing slower is not a bad thing. This is not a race. You need to eat enough to get basic adequate nutrition.3 -
People go crazy telling others they HAVE to eat their exercise calories back. I never eat them all. Im always under. On weekends I dont even count. Im still losing weight. Because I don't just go by what has worked for others. Everyone is different and if you are not hungry or feeling weak, you DON'T have to eat more just to fit a number which should be a guide.Listen to your body.4
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Thank you for all your advice and tips peeps. I'm only on day 2. I chomped into 200 cals of my exercise cals and when I submitted the diary for the day it seemed ok. The headache I was referring to was a figure of speech for how confusing counting calories can be haha. I lost 6 stone with SW kept 4 off. Now I'm counting I'm shocked at how many cals I was consuming in a day.0
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My calorie limit is 1200 also and I eat back almost all of my Fitbit adjustment. I've only been on MFP for 7 days, but I've lost 2 1/2 lbs.2
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SuzySunshine99 wrote: »Losing slower is not a bad thing. This is not a race. You need to eat enough to get basic adequate nutrition.
^All of this.0 -
I'm on 1200 and eat back exercise calories, losing 2lbs a week. In fact, knowing I'm eating the calories back is my biggest motivation to exercise! I think that's ultimately the goal, to keep it sustainable and promote long term healthy habits. But you don't have to eat them if it works for you.3
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I'm 1200. I almost always eat all of that and half my exercise calories . It comes off super slow, but it comes off. I'm about 3 lbs from my goal of 15 lbs .2
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I'm 1200 also but doing the keto diet...I've done 2 calculators and 1 says 1149 and the other 1129 or something. what's up with that? I just put 1200 as my goal. I just put 0 calories for workouts. But I'm on day 1 this time around [ugh...].0
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perkymommy wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »1,200 is generally considered to be the lowest a woman should go. If you are "exercising plenty," you will probably want to consider that as a factor in your calorie needs at some point.
I was close to 1,200 when I was at the end of my weight loss (I was about 1,300, I believe), but I was eating back exercise calories to ensure I met my nutritional needs, kept my energy up, and avoiding unnecessary muscle loss.
I usually had a light breakfast and lunch and had most of my calories for dinner because that's my personal preference.
Not everyone is the same. I get 1200 per day and lose better on 1000-1100 calories per day. I lose much slower eating 1200 per day and rarely eat them all. I also can not eat my exercise calories back.
That's why I said "generally." There are some people for whom 1,200 or lower is an appropriate goal, but most women find that (when logging accurately) they can eat more and still lose weight.3 -
I'm on 1200 too but I'm also a nursing mom so I give myself extra calories/day. Just trying to make sure I don't go overboard too much and my biggest thing is getting more exercise. On here now bc my 2mo old is quiet and my 20mo old is passed out on my lap lol. But we'll get out this afternoon since the weather's so nice! The weight came right off after my first baby but this time around it's not falling off as easy. Before I saved most of the calories for dinner, but right now while I'm adjusting to watching what I eat again & my husband has been working so many side jobs he doesn't get home til late, I have a big breakfast with my daughter, a decent lunch, then see where I'm at for dinner. Also trying to drink more water so I keep feelin full and don't want to eat as much.... only on my second day back here but I know I'll lose the weight much easier while I'm still nursing. Again, my biggest issue is exercising more. While I'm still nursing though I'll give myself something more like 1700-2200/day though0
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1200 here as well and I've found it pretty easy to keep it in check for the past few months. I have a protein shake in the morning, usually a sandwich or leftovers for lunch and I cook every night so I can really keep a handle on what I'm feeding my family. Generally my lunch and dinner are similar calorie wise and I'll have fruit or something in between breakfast and lunch if I'm hungry. My biggest struggle is staying hydrated.0
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I've been on 1200 calories a day for about 2 weeks or so now. I eat back my workout calories. Right now, I am eating a smoothie of 5 strawberries, half a banana, and 4 tbsp of light vanilla yogurt with water for consistency, somtimes with a slice of cinnamon bread in the morning. Sometimes I do oatmeal instead (1 packet of Quaker instant flavor). If I'm a tad hungry by 10, I will ear one graham cracker. For lunch, I do 5 strawberries, .25 cup blueberries, 3 stalks celery, 1 tbsp peanut butter or hummus, and a protein of some sort (usually deli meat). I will sometimes add in a roll, cheese, or granola bar. By this time, there is between 400 and 600 calories left for supper. This just depends a lot on what is at home.
I only run a mile consistently for exercise, but have begun also doing abdominal workouts and other things.
MFP is set at to lose 1.5 pounds per week. I am doing about that every week (really haven't been on it long enough to know for sure). I do have a very active job that has me walking 3 to 4 miles a day (according to a pedometer on my phone, so don't know how completely accurate that is). I don't eat my work calories back. If I get hungry, I either drink water or eat something with few calories that will tide me over until the next meal.
I'm hitting right around 1200 a day. If I go over 100 or so, I don't freak about it. The one main thing I do, is just be concienscious of what I put in my body. I am 5' 3.5" and 137 pounds. My goal is 130, so I am getting close to that magic number. I also didn't begin at 1200 calories. At first, I logged the food I regularly ate (about 2100). Then I cut it back to 1800 after a week or so. Then after a couple weeks, to 1400. I stayed here for a month or so and then down to 1200. I won't go lower than this, but by slowly lowering my count, I have been able to not feel as hungry.2
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