The big 1200 vs. 1500 calorie debate!

What works for me may not work for you and vice versa, our bodies are not one size fits all and neither are our nutritional needs.

I feel at my best when I keep to 1300-1400 calories a day, regardless of how active or inactive I was. I tried eating back calories and just felt bloated and overstuffed. So I've gone back to what had me lose 55 pounds in 6 months. For me, it's all about maintaining a certain number of calories.

If I go under? My body lets me know because I get light headed, I start to see spots, and I get a headache. I have problems with blood sugar levels so the up and down of the calories just doesn't work for me.

Sooooo, glad to see other people who understand this!! What works for one does NOT work for all! Everybody needs to spend less time on here talking about what they read and what worked for so and so and find out what actually works for them! I personally gained weight when I ate back my exercise calories and it just led me to so much frustration. I aim for 1400-1500 a day regardless of my exercise and that is what works for me! Wish I could eat back all those calories but it just does not work for me!

i agree ­wit u that people shouldnt follo­w others advice mindlessly but still its useful to c ho­w things work 4 others as u can give it a try in case wat ur doing is not working.

Bump!

Interesting. My endocrinologist told me I wouldn't lose until I got down to 1200-1300 calories because of my IR. I think that formula for normal people will work. It just doesn't for me. As proven by the fact from October-May I lost 3 pounds. THREE. Despite using the BodyMedia arm band, tracking what I ate, working out with a trainer 2x's week and three days on my own and putting my body in a 500-1000 caloric deficit EVERY SINGLE DAY...my weight didn't start dropping until I took it to 1280-1300 cals. And now it's melting off of me.

What does IR stand for?

Bump . . .
Sigh . . . still trying to figure out my best daily intake.

Me too!! I haven't figured it out yet, but I'm thinking it's way more than 1200. For me, it's been really difficult to even get to the 1200 because of my high calorie burn workouts. But, I'm aiming for 1300 - 1400/day this week and we'll see what happens. Bad part is I work out late and there's no way I can eat back 1000 calories burned!

veganbaum & thomalu,


Here is a website that should help you figure out what your daily caloric needs are. Make sure you incorporate your workouts into the multiplier. This will also allow you to be proactive and eating your workout calories throughout the day. Below is an example of mine. I weigh 195, 12% body fat, 71 inches and male. My lifestyle is fairly sedentary (i work at a desk) but I workout 6 days a week for about 45-60 minutes. This puts me as moderately active. This means, I eat 3000 calories a day regardless if I workout or not. It's an easier approach for those who workout at night like myself. I have a 33% decrease to my overall body fat (was 18% not I am 12%). Weight loss is around 20 ish lbs but have only tracked when i was about 202 lbs. This is a very effective approach and keeps your metabolism is high. I eat 7 times a day or more, practically every hour.

Sedentary (little or no exercise, desk job) 2308
Lightly Active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk) 2644
Moderately Active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk) 2981
Very Active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk) 3317
Extremely Active (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.) 3654


http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

And for those who actually want to understand the science of your Basal Metabolic Rate, here is a reference. I bet when most of your run the numbers you will be surprised on how you are not eating enough.


http://www.shapefit.com/basal-metabolic-rate.html


BTW, for those who believe 1200 is a great number, look at all the threads that are written about people plateau'd. I bet you can't find one that says I eat 2000+ calories and can't lose weight. Everyone I have seen is a person who eats 1200-1500 calories and having issues losing weight. Simply put, if you want to look like an athlete, you have to eat and train like one.

Interesting. My endocrinologist told me I wouldn't lose until I got down to 1200-1300 calories because of my IR. I think that formula for normal people will work. It just doesn't for me. As proven by the fact from October-May I lost 3 pounds. THREE. Despite using the BodyMedia arm band, tracking what I ate, working out with a trainer 2x's week and three days on my own and putting my body in a 500-1000 caloric deficit EVERY SINGLE DAY...my weight didn't start dropping until I took it to 1280-1300 cals. And now it's melting off of me.

What does IR stand for?

Insulin resistance I guess

Hi, my name is Jeane and my body is in starvation mode. One point I have to disagree on is the point on gaining weigt while on starvation mode - yes you do. I was eating 400 calories a day and found myself gaining weight and not able to lose it. I consulted a nutritionist, after testing, was told to lose weight I add to start eating 1500 calories a day. That was very hard for me. I tried increasing my calories, but all I did was gain weight. I tried to go to 1300, but still wasn't losing so went back down to 600 calories which was not the thing to do and that didn't work either. Yesterday I started a 1500 diet plan and hope it works. Apologies for the lengthy reply.

bump