I don’t understand how some people stick to 1200 calories per day diet,
Replies
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Cutaway_Collar wrote: »1200 calories is self-induced starvation.
It is not as simplistic as numbers. The key is to eat healthy meals and exercise regularly. I consistently eat 2100 calories a day while my limit is 1800... but my lifestyle is very active.
I eat 1000-1100. I have yet to feel "starving". I eat very healthy meals. I just choose lower calorie options. Honestly, it's been relatively easy for me. I don't get any symptoms at all. I feel very energized actually. For some people it is as simplistic as numbers and it works for them. It is not self-induced starvation. It's what needs to done to be healthy again.4 -
eliciaobrien1 wrote: »Cutaway_Collar wrote: »1200 calories is self-induced starvation.
It is not as simplistic as numbers. The key is to eat healthy meals and exercise regularly. I consistently eat 2100 calories a day while my limit is 1800... but my lifestyle is very active.
I eat 1000-1100. I have yet to feel "starving". I eat very healthy meals. I just choose lower calorie options. Honestly, it's been relatively easy for me. I don't get any symptoms at all. I feel very energized actually. For some people it is as simplistic as numbers and it works for them. It is not self-induced starvation. It's what needs to done to be healthy again.
Not starving here. 1000-1200. Feeling better than ever.2 -
You get used to it. On 1200, you have to be smart about your choices and I think that's how most of us cope, we don't have room for bad choices. I do low carb and generally feel great and always full. I did slip up and currently powering through carb withdrawals, plus being back on 1200 cals, plus time of the month. I feel like hell, I won't lie haha2
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anechka1981 wrote: »I don’t understand how some people stick to 1200 calories per day diet, plus exercising and not eating these calories back.
I can barely stick to 1,500 calories intakes, that is to take in to count that I eat back those calories that I loose in the gym.
After 3-4 days of 1,500 calories per day, I start to experience headache, because my body just starting to fed up. I start to have sleeping problems. It's physical uncomfort, so my body reacts to it physically. I make sure I eat dinner at around 8, and go to bed around 10-11 pm, so I don't go to bed hungry, but then I can get up in the middle of the night from hunger. These problems only go away when I start to consume more calories. Sometimes I don’t feel hunger itself, I just feel light in head, during a day or night. If it happens at night, my sleep become very light. So, I'm either can't fell sleep for hours, or keep awaking from every noise. Sometimes, I have to go downstairs at night, and eat something, otherwise I won’t fell asleep till morning. And I have to get up for work at 6 am. My body stops feeling discomfort only when I start to comeback to my normal calories intake - 1,700-1,800. But this is not enough for me to loose weight. This is my normal allowance to maintain the weight that I have now. I'm only 5,2 and 145 pounds. It feels like I’m in the hell circle. I end up going to work hungry, and sleepy. As a result, ending up in absolutely horrible mood. I've always been a healthy eater, but trust me it is possible to gain weight from healthy food as well.
How does anyone cope with their low calories intake?
How long have you been doing this and experiencing issues? One week? A few months? A year?
If 1700-1800 is maintenance for you and your goal is 1500 then you must be aiming for around .5 lb loss per week. Are you losing at that rate?
Do you get enough protein, fats and fiber? Generally those things help a person to feel satisfied. Try prelogging your food to make sure you hit your goals better.
Are you drinking enough water? Sometimes people confuse thirst for hunger. If you have had enough calories try drinking a glass of water instead of eating.
Have a small snack immediately before bed maybe.
Are you ovulating or about to start your period? http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10359984/women-menstrual-cycle-weight-and-fitness-matters/p1
Did you change your intake of something like caffeine?
Have you been eating or drinking something new?
Do you have a medical condition?
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It takes discipline. It's all about making exceptional choices in your food, planning and food prep is a must. I eat about 1100 calories a day and do not eat back my exercise calories. It's getting into your mindset to loss weight and nothing is going to stop you.. You can do it.. Started at 186 June 6 and down to 163.4 yesterday almost at my 1/2 way mark . Don't get discouraged just try to slowly reduce your calories while trying different meals that fill you up.3
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LounMoun. Yes, I try to have balanced division between protein, fat and carbohydrates. However, the percentage of good carbohydrates is higher then fat and protein intake in my diet. I just don't like that much meat, especially chicken or turkey.. I usually have carbohydrates in my breakfast: two brown breaded toast with eggs, or some fruits or berries with oats. I also have sometimes natural yogurt for a snack. About 20 g fat per pot per day (or handful of any nuts - talking about good fat) It the day time, it depends on what I want, it can be carbohydrate meal, like buckwheat porridge. Or some piece of meat with whatever vegetable that have at canteen at work. By evening I always have vegetable and fish (salmon and cod), or some seafood. I've read someone wrote yesterday that they eat as many vegetables as possible. And this is exactly what I did yesterday. I've cooked twice as more cod the usual, and twice as more veggies. . Two very large chunks of cods, and lots of asparagus, green beans, and broccoli. (the only veggies that I like) . I ate them until I felt super full,.. and it worked! I went to bed, slept like a baby, woke up without hunger.
The only minus, I'll become a bankrupt with this type of diet. These veggies cost a lot! Especially asparagus. If anyone can give me an idea what other vegetables I can eat? Obviously not potato. I also eat endless amount of tomatoes and cucumbers, but they like water to me. Doesn't matter how many I eat, I just don't satisfy my hunger.1 -
I cope because I only burn 1400 in the first place and I'm prediabetic. It's not easy, but I have various tactics I learned from the nutritionist, like large portions of low cal vegetables, and high protein foods, to make it easier.1
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P1NKWARR10R wrote: »P1NKWARR10R wrote: »I have been getting 900 to 1100 calories a day and cardio 4x a week, strength 3 x week. It takes a lot of discipline.
This is sad......your lean muscle mass is fueling your workouts.
Why is it sad?
If you've lost that much strength it means you aren't eating enough to fuel your workouts and you're using your lean muscle mass .... aka.... your muscles are being eaten away as a fuel source. 1200 calories is way to low for 99% of people especially if active and weight training. MFP is a terrible source to use to give you an accurate calorie goal to eat to. I suggest using muscle for life or bodybuilding.com to find your calorie and macro settings3 -
"I don’t understand how some people stick to 1200 calories per day diet,"
I don't either. I wonder how many long time maintainers there are.1 -
"I don’t understand how some people stick to 1200 calories per day diet,"
I don't either. I wonder how many long time maintainers there are.
AND MFP gives me a 1200 calorie goal and that's only losing 1.5lbs a week when I want to be losing 2. I'm 5'3". So why are you on a site when you disagree with their methods?
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Well it's like... personal motto here: nothing worthwhile is easy. I don't expect life to be fair. I just look for ways to acclimate. That's why I hired a nutritionist when I started this whole thing. Her strategies made it workable. If I had just tried to bungle my own way through it I am sure I would have been FUBAR after 30 days.1
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It was painful, but when I began the weightloss process, I wasn't able to move much aside from house to car and car to work due to health issues. I didn't want to wait until I could be more active again, so 1200 calories it was. Looking back, from my current calorie and activity level, it seems almost impossible to do again so I hope the need never arises!0
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It is also probably what you are eating as opposed to the calories. When I started losing weight, I decided to go low carb. When eating more low carb options, I stayed fuller longer and could go to bed knowing I was not going to wake up in the middle of the night hungry. With more protein and fat consumed, and less carbs, your body gets more of the fuel you need to sustain. I know calories are important, but eating low carb first allowed me to lose a lot more weight in the beginning. I have lost over 160 pounds over a 5 year period and kept it off. The moment I incorporated more higher carb foods into my diet, my weight soared. Lean protein, green leafy veggies, and water are great as a start. Just my two cents worth.3
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I'm older. I'm not as hungry. I could actually eat less.1
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@eliciaobrien1 because I like it. It makes for interesting discussion and keeps me focused. I'm skeptical of 1200 cals.1
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What I want to know is why I am not losing weight on 1200 calories and I have been exercising 3x per week? I also try not to eat any carbs after 3:00.1
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anechka1981 wrote: »I don’t understand how some people stick to 1200 calories per day diet, plus exercising and not eating these calories back.
I can barely stick to 1,500 calories intakes, that is to take in to count that I eat back those calories that I loose in the gym.
In addition to all the answers already here, there is another possibility to consider. LOTS of people will swear they are eating 1200 calories or less and it's easy and they're not hungry. And that's because they aren't really eating 1200 calories. They are eyeballing portions, they are using inaccurate entries in the database, they are not logging everything, and they are really eating more like 1500 or more calories. 1200 is not enough for the vast majority of people, except already smaller, lighter, sedentary women - and it's a bit easier for them because their bodies need less in the first place.
Don't get caught up in what other people say they do, because you have no idea how accurate they are being. Start out by setting your goal to half-a-lb per week, use a kitchen scale, and focus on getting enough protein, fat, and fiber (eating more veggies can really help bulk out a meal without eating lots of calories). If after 3-4 weeks of that you are still struggling, get a checkup with some blood work to make sure there isn't a medical reason. If after 3-4 weeks you are feeling better and you have the hang of it, increase your goal to 1 lb per week and slowly work your way down to that new calorie goal.
Good luck :drinker:6 -
What I want to know is why I am not losing weight on 1200 calories and I have been exercising 3x per week? I also try not to eat any carbs after 3:00.
Look up your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure).....add in exercise. That is an estimate of your maintenance calories.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
Either your maintenance (including exercise) is close to 1200 calories and weight loss will be painfully slow, or you are eating more than you think/burning less than you think, or you are losing weight.....but you are carrying (temporary) water weight. Many reasons for water weight.....time of month, sore muscles, sodium.
Are you measuring solids with a digital food scale, and liquids with a measuring cup? Carbs have nothing to do with it.1 -
I think that it really helps to see a registered dietitian. They can take a look at your meal diaries and help you to determine where you can make changes to better fuel your body for the amount of activity you are doing, your goals, etc...
Don't listen to people who tell you "you just need to do it". Find someone who can help you to reach your goals in a way that doesn't make you physically ill. What works for one person may not work for someone else.2 -
"I don’t understand how some people stick to 1200 calories per day diet,"
I don't either. I wonder how many long time maintainers there are.
I lost on 1200 plus exercise calories, and maintain on similar.
I started Jan 2009. I would count that as long term.
The 1200 needs to be put into context.
A shorter, older, lighter woman can generally (not universally) handle a base of 1200 cals, probably only 200-400 cals under her maintenance, better than a taller, younger, heavier woman where 1200 is probably 750-1000 under her maintenance.
I think it is more the size of the deficit, rather than 1200 cals being a problem.
(Admit my bias being small)
Cheers, h.3 -
1200 calories are not enough for most people. We have pretty much the same measurements; when i was 145lb, (i'm 52) I was losing 2lb a week eating 1800 calories. So, it's not impossible. If your body needs that much, then it is probably best to give it that much. Even with being short (and female), we could be burning a lot more calories than we expect. I don't know your age, but if your young, it's possible that your body is still growing, and about to have another growth spurt and thus needs that amount to function.
My advice, eat 1800 calories a day, increase your daily activity, and exercise. Give it a few weeks, and you'll probably find that you start losing weight! And if after a month the scale hasn't budged, you can start cutting back slowly, by 100 calories a day etc., or you can increase the amount you exercise.
Also, type of food does have an impact. It's not always as simple as energy in=energy out. There's a lot of other factors we couldn't hope to measure. For instance, some people have a higher count of a certain bacteria in their stomachs, that means even if they eat the exact same as someone else, their body actually absorbs less calories and less nutrients than someone else. Someone might have genetics that give them a high metabolism even if they have little muscle. Someone may 'burn a little hotter' than some people and burn more calories simply producing heat. There really is no easy equation.
On most online calculators, my total daily expenditure of calories is put at about 1700, sometimes as low as 1500, but when I actually got it measured at the gym by one of the trainers, and this is also only an estimate, it put me at burning roughly 2500 calories a day. And considering that at that point I was losing a solid 2lb a week, eating 1800, then it probably was right.
Either way, health comes before weight loss. If your body can't cope with that, and it can't, than don't push it. Certainly not without seeing a doctor. You just might have to look at different ways, which may be eating the same amount but with different, healthier food, or eating the same amount but increasing your exercise, or probably doing both. But i'm pretty sure you will lose weight at 1800.0 -
Biggest question would be what sort of food are you eating. All calories aren't good calories and biggest issue for a lot of people is feeling satisfied after eating.2
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anechka1981 wrote: »I don’t understand how some people stick to 1200 calories per day diet, plus exercising and not eating these calories back.
I can barely stick to 1,500 calories intakes, that is to take in to count that I eat back those calories that I loose in the gym.
It would largely come down to how much of a deficit this amounts to. For some of us, this would amount to less than a 200 calorie deficit on a non-exercise day (FYI- I definitely eat them back, and often eat above the 1200 net for a significantly smaller average deficit).. in this case, it's hard because you have to forego the tasty tempting things, not because of actual hunger (as long as you choose your foods somewhat wisely).
ETA: (I'm 4'10" & 115 lbs with a desk job).1 -
nads_ayoub wrote: »I'm really new to weight loss and nutrition but I'm consuming 80g of protein and 60g of carbs and 27g of fat. I know that's more than required amount of protein needed for a day and just a little lower on the carb and fat allowances recommended for daily intake. So how is it unhealthy? All advice welcome as I really need to learn more about this. Thanks
Google your BMR - calories burned if you stayed in bed all day. It's more than 800.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
Your body can't/won't get everything it needs from fat stores. Overweight people (not obese people) on very low calorie diets shed a much higher % of lean muscle mass than is necessary. Ask yourself, do you want the number on the scale.....or do you want a lower body fat %? In the end, you may weigh less, but not have a lower your body fat %......does this sound like healthy weight loss?
Your heart is a muscle. 800 calories is unsafe. Morbidly obese PATIENTS may be prescribed very low calorie diets....but they have a medical reason for fast weight loss.....an upcoming surgery for example. These patients get help - vitamin injections (not pills) - blood pressure monitoring. This is not something you should be attempting on your own.4 -
ETA: Post I was responding to got deleted. And the poster above me did a better job with their reply than I did so, deleting mine.0
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I think we sometimes focus too much on calories and not on macros. I used to think same and eat atleast 2000 calories to be satisfied. But since I have started to push atleast 35% protein in my daily diet, i can’t even finish my planned calories of 1290 a day because I am full.
I have learned that I never ate enough protein and consumed lots of hidden sugar and sodium in my diet. Now sugar and sodium are my number one check items then protein. Except some fruits and green veggies I don’t touch anything without ample protein as a whole meal.1 -
@Middlehaitch. I agree you're a long time maintainer. There seem to be a few. Don't say specifically.1
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anechka1981 wrote: »LounMoun. Yes, I try to have balanced division between protein, fat and carbohydrates. However, the percentage of good carbohydrates is higher then fat and protein intake in my diet. I just don't like that much meat, especially chicken or turkey.. I usually have carbohydrates in my breakfast: two brown breaded toast with eggs, or some fruits or berries with oats. I also have sometimes natural yogurt for a snack. About 20 g fat per pot per day (or handful of any nuts - talking about good fat) It the day time, it depends on what I want, it can be carbohydrate meal, like buckwheat porridge. Or some piece of meat with whatever vegetable that have at canteen at work. By evening I always have vegetable and fish (salmon and cod), or some seafood. I've read someone wrote yesterday that they eat as many vegetables as possible. And this is exactly what I did yesterday. I've cooked twice as more cod the usual, and twice as more veggies. . Two very large chunks of cods, and lots of asparagus, green beans, and broccoli. (the only veggies that I like) . I ate them until I felt super full,.. and it worked! I went to bed, slept like a baby, woke up without hunger.
The only minus, I'll become a bankrupt with this type of diet. These veggies cost a lot! Especially asparagus. If anyone can give me an idea what other vegetables I can eat? Obviously not potato. I also eat endless amount of tomatoes and cucumbers, but they like water to me. Doesn't matter how many I eat, I just don't satisfy my hunger.
We go with bags and bags of mixed veggies ... frozen and then steamed.
There's also nothing wrong with potatoes ... one of the meals we have now and then is a large baked potato or two medium potatoes, topped with flavoured tuna or chicken and light cheese, and sometimes a bit of salad.
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1200 and I eat back exercise calories. I go over sometimes by 100 or 200 so my weight loss is slow - 2# a month for the past 8 months. I'm not going over because I'm hungry, just because I like sweets.0
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At your weight and height you should only be at a 250 per day deficit at this point. This 1200 calorie idea is not always the answer. It's also not wise to not eat back some calories. I do not recommend eating back the calories that MFP says you are burning because those numbers are ridiculous, but eat a little more if you exercised. Especially if you are "starving". But watch your macros too. Too many carbs and not enough protein can make for more hunger. Shoot for 40% carbs 30% fat and 30% protein. This will help you feel more satiated. Make sure you aren't losing too much more than about a half pound per week. No need to be so aggressive at this weight. Take care of your health not just your size.
As for veggies have you tried salads with tasty fat free dressings like Kraft Lite Italian or Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette? Top them with roasted chicken breast for a lean protein and a filling meal.
A fun protein alternative is string cheese or fat free laughing cow cheese minis.
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