1200 Calorie Goal?
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Also at 1200 calories. I try to do high protein to keep me full longer. So far, it has not been a struggle (Thank the Lord). If I’m hungry at the end of my calories, I eat something healthy! So some days I end up around 1300 cal.
What helps me is to log everything the night before (I pack a lunch for work) and then the next day I just eat what I’ve prepared and logged. So far, so good for me!
Feel free to add, I’ve got an open diary.3 -
Feel free to add me ( I don't know how to add people yet) I previously lost 36kgs using mfp on a 1200 daily calorie goal unfortunately I gained it all back so I'm here for round 2 haha0
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Hey, I’d love to connect. I also was given a goal of 1200 Cals without exercise. I’ll be getting back to the gym soon after a few months off. 1200 cals seems low to me so I upped it to 1600, is that a bad idea? Just never went down to 1200 cals esp once I start working out again that seems really low.0
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LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »I'm just wondering how many of you including the OP actually need to be eating as little as 1200 cals a day. Usually it's only applicable to those who are very petite/ older...
It's about sustainability. If you can't consistently eat those few calories then how will you stick to it? And thus begins the yo yo dieting cycle - proved by all the returning posters who are back for the nth time here to tackle their weight loss.
Btw I am petite, lost 20lbs+ eating 1700-1800 cals a day/ 0.5 lb a week. And the best thing :- I haven't regained, this is year 5 at maintenance for me.
I share your thoughts that many, many people don’t need to go as low as 1200 to lose, and that what they may not realize is that choosing an aggressive rate of loss may result in loss of lean body mass, make it difficult to sustain the deficit long enough to reach goal, and may result in actually lowering their maintenance calories in the long run thus creating a self fulfilling prophecy where you always have to eat lower cals in order to lose or maintain the loss.
I’m another petite female over 40 who opted for a modest deficit and slower rate of loss while focusing on increasing my activity level - lost the weight I wanted while eating 1600-1900 cals and my maintenance TDEE for 118 lbs is 2200 cals.
I know that because of stats that people enter, and rates of loss they think sound good when they set up profiles - MFP often spits out a 1200 cal goal and a lot of people do “fine” on that amount. It is really important to remember that MFP expects you to eat back any exercise calories, and that not as many people are as Sedentary as they think they are.
Ok, off my middle age bossy rabbit soap box.
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I think that for some, an aggressive loss for a couple of weeks can help keep up momentum and adherence. I agree that not everyone understands this and maybe stays at steep deficit for too long.
I personally like to cut quickly. In my eyes, I will lose just as much muscle being in a deficit for 5 freaking months to lose 5 pounds, rather than getting some fat off quickly and getting back to training in maintenance.
To those women who are short and light maintaining on 2200. Good for you. Many of us do not.
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It’s nice to hear someone say this.I think that for some, an aggressive loss for a couple of weeks can help keep up momentum and adherence. I agree that not everyone understands this and maybe stays at steep deficit for too long.
I personally like to cut quickly. In my eyes, I will lose just as much muscle being in a deficit for 5 freaking months to lose 5 pounds, rather than getting some fat off quickly and getting back to training in maintenance.
To those women who are short and light maintaining on 2200. Good for you. Many of us do not.
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I'm at 1200 cal (before exercise, at least!) Pretty tall too. I've had to try and change my macros a bit to try and keep me from getting toooo hungry, but mostly it's fine. Always looking for more friends so add me if you want
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I'm 5'4 and trying for 1150 calories per day (adding a bit when I exercise). It's been sustainable for me, but I've kinda had to work up to it if that makes sense3
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Yup, I can relate. My goal is actually between 1200-1300 calories a day. MyFitnessPal says it should be 1390, but I find that's too high and I don't lose anything when I eat that much. It's not a "one size fits all" situation. You can't compare yourself to others and the "recommended calorie goals" are a guideline at best. Everyone is different, you have to tweak things and see what works for you.5
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Y goal is 1200 without exercise. I would love it if you add me as a friend so to see your meals too! It is hard. I eat too much sometimes, especially because I workout a lot and hard. Then I am soooo hungry. But I always try to keep under my calories with exercise goal. But I need to loose about 10 pounds and it would be easier if I stuck to the 1200 calorie goal. I hate being 5'0"!!!
ditto 5 ft is so hard on the weight management ugh
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I’m aiming for 1200 as well, I’m 5ft2 so maintenance is only about 1450 for me. I eat mountains of vegetables! Add me as s friend my diary is open.2
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LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »I'm just wondering how many of you including the OP actually need to be eating as little as 1200 cals a day. Usually it's only applicable to those who are very petite/ older...
It's about sustainability. If you can't consistently eat those few calories then how will you stick to it? And thus begins the yo yo dieting cycle - proved by all the returning posters who are back for the nth time here to tackle their weight loss.
Btw I am petite, lost 20lbs+ eating 1700-1800 cals a day/ 0.5 lb a week. And the best thing :- I haven't regained, this is year 5 at maintenance for me.
Congrats on your success. Not everyone fits in the same mold. Finding what works as individuals is half the struggle. You had 20 lbs to lose. You were never in a situation that affected your health and possibly your mortality. Some people are up against it. I am one of them. Weight loss will likely extend my life. Without it I am not even sure about the next 5 years. Now I am only doing a 1200 calories day 2 days a week but I have figured me out which like I said is half the struggle.
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I'm on 1300 / day. Only for the first week though. (Metabolism boost I've heard) then up to about 1500 -1700 / week for 3 weeks..then cycle again. I've heard this works well from my mum but I guess we will see. Im also comparing to weight watchers right now to see which one suits me best! I work out 3 x per week . Feel free to add me as a friend 2
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I'm on 1300 / day. Only for the first week though. (Metabolism boost I've heard) then up to about 1500 -1700 / week for 3 weeks..then cycle again. I've heard this works well from my mum but I guess we will see. Im also comparing to weight watchers right now to see which one suits me best! I work out 3 x per week . Feel free to add me as a friend
You don't boost your metabolism by dropping to low calories, if anything (over time, not one week), low calories can cause metabolic adaptation which is closer to slowing it down.
A week of 1200 calories will just cause you to lose slightly more that week than the rest.4 -
Tried adding as many of you as possible thanks everyone! 0
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My goal is 1200, but on the weekends, I aim for more of a 1300/1400 range. Because weekends are when I treat myself to fancy coffee. XD
I've varied my intake over time as I've done different exercises. When I was lifting, I was at more like 1600-1700. I don't starve myself. If I'm sitting at my desk like a toothed monster waiting to gobble up the next edible thing, then I think maybe I've not eaten enough. I'll choose a healthy snack (unsalted nuts, carrots, fruit, etc) and set it in front of me. If I'm ready to devour it like a desperate woman on an island devoid of food, I know I'm hungry. If peeling the apple is "ugh work" then I know I'm more bored "hungry" and take myself out for a walk. (Or thirsty because I do not drink enough -- which is something I'm working on).
I didn't regain until I hit health issues and even then, not that much. But the health issues stopped me from reaching my original goal and so I'm back on this party bus choo-chooing my way to freedom. (shh, sounds more exciting that way).
I walk, hike, etc. On the days I'm doing strenuous exercise (not like "strenuous" when I tell myself that dancing down the hall to the lunchroom counts), I'll eat a little more.
Right now, I'm not doing much strenuous. Just walkin'. So I'm averaging about 1200...ish. It's working for me.1 -
I'm 1,290 cals. I do exercise but I do not log these workouts as it gives you calories back and I don't want to workout thinking I can have 2 cookies or something. I admit I could also exercise more.1
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I am 1200 a day, though I don’t always hit my mark. I eat low carb and no red meat. Feel free to add me, my diary is open1
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I'm 1,290 cals. I do exercise but I do not log these workouts as it gives you calories back and I don't want to workout thinking I can have 2 cookies or something. I admit I could also exercise more.
Or you could view it as fuel for your body, so that you can keep up your stamina to work out and enjoy life. If you eat 1290 and burn 300 cals in exercise that you don’t eat back, it’s the same as eating under 1000 calories. Does that sound healthy?2 -
I'm 1,290 cals. I do exercise but I do not log these workouts as it gives you calories back and I don't want to workout thinking I can have 2 cookies or something. I admit I could also exercise more.
You do realize though, that this is how My Fitness Pal is designed, right? You got a calorie deficit built in before exercise so most people do eat a portion of exercise calories back. Only a portion because exercise calorie burns are estimates (some estimates are better than others).
There is nothing wrong with eating 2 cookies if it fits within your macros. I make room for chocolate everyday. Cookies can be a part of a healthy diet. Learning moderation for ALL foods is a good tool for maintenance.2 -
Hi everybody! Im starting again, had a lil ankle injury that killed my motivation but Im determined so Im back scrolling & finding inspiration!!! My biggest struggle coming back has been getting my food back to where I want it to be... 1200 cal HEALTHY intake. I say it that way bc I have "caught myself" just not eating to make sure its only 1200 for the day. Or not logging THAT hamburger. I have made some great friends already but they arent very interactive.... Anybody wanna be friends & help a sista out? Lol!!!0
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@sassykd77 what kind of interaction are you looking for? Although I am active on here, I don’t have any friends here so I’m not really sure how it works.1
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I’m on 1200 cal too! So far lost 1kg a week. Good luck to us yeay2
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Boosting this post 1
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I'm on 1200 kcal, but between 1200kcal-1800kcal on saturdays. I'm 168cm tall. Been on it for almost 3 weeks and feeling fine, not hungry at all.. And I feel like I can still eat whatever I want, just as long as I weigh it and do a bit of planning ahead. The saturday cheat day gives me great motivation. My biggest fail when I've been trying to lose weight earlier is not eating greasy food or candy for months. With a little room on the saturdays, I can have some pizza or some candy. This is a long term thing, so I want to make this as livable as possible. Down 5kg in 2 weeks, gonna weigh again on wednesday. Feel free to add me. Don't have any fitnesspals yet. Good luck everyone :-)0
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1200 cal per day here, I also am doing a 1 or 2 500 calorie days (5-2 Diet) per week. I'm 5'0", 141lbs0
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Hi! Honestly I have sometimes problem to even reach the 1200
I am doing wave carb rotation diet and at least at the beggining of the cycle I am definitely under 1200 Feel free to add me 1 -
I am at 1220 with 15 lbs at least to go.0
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Im around 1200 as well, very petite at 5 ft. And not very active, so please add me! I log MOST my food, but dinner nightly with the family us hard, I don't want my kids seeing me weigh and measure everything. But even with that I'm losing at a steady rate.1
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