So how bad is it really to eat below 1200 calories?
kiela64
Posts: 1,447 Member
So how bad is it really to eat below 1200 calories? I’m 5’2, obese - currently 175lbs - and fairly inactive. I was trying to be more active but lately my knees are maxed out by the stairs at the subway. I also can’t swim now due to a toe infection 😞 it’s so gross. I’m really limited with activity and what I can control is taking care of these issues as best I can, and my calorie intake.
I haven’t been aiming for below 1200, the calorie goals I was given by MFP (several pounds ago though, I should probably check again) were: 1420cal for a 1lb/week loss rate. On my weight tracking app my overall rate of loss is 0.85lb/week. I’m pleased with my progress. If I was comfortable with my higher calories I would stay there.
It’s just certain days where I get home from work and I’m exhausted and not hungry, but I’ve hit say 1100cal, I don’t push it. I just go to bed. I don’t eat below 1000, but in the past couple weeks I’ve definitely had some days between 1000-1200.
My weekly average is usually around goal, 1300-1500. I tend to eat more/have a maintenance day on Sunday because I have date night and unlike my SO I get massive headaches if I skip breakfast. And we both like food 😛
I just wondered if that was really so bad? I’m sensitive to under eating but I find usually if I’m getting home after 8 I don’t want to spend more time to eat because I’m just so tired!
I haven’t been aiming for below 1200, the calorie goals I was given by MFP (several pounds ago though, I should probably check again) were: 1420cal for a 1lb/week loss rate. On my weight tracking app my overall rate of loss is 0.85lb/week. I’m pleased with my progress. If I was comfortable with my higher calories I would stay there.
It’s just certain days where I get home from work and I’m exhausted and not hungry, but I’ve hit say 1100cal, I don’t push it. I just go to bed. I don’t eat below 1000, but in the past couple weeks I’ve definitely had some days between 1000-1200.
My weekly average is usually around goal, 1300-1500. I tend to eat more/have a maintenance day on Sunday because I have date night and unlike my SO I get massive headaches if I skip breakfast. And we both like food 😛
I just wondered if that was really so bad? I’m sensitive to under eating but I find usually if I’m getting home after 8 I don’t want to spend more time to eat because I’m just so tired!
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Replies
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I wouldn’t worry too much if the weekly average is high enough
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If you average it out at the end of the week and come out at your goal calories (or an approximation of them) then you're fine. In fact, many people plan to eat that way so that they can eat more on specific days. It's only if you're continually under eating then it becomes a problem.6
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People who don't count calories (and maintain a healthy weight) also eat below 1200 from time to time. This is completely normal. The important thing is not to do it on a regular basis.
Watch your weekly average.8 -
That’s fine. It is perfectly normal to have some days where you eat more and some less. If you are using the app, you can see a chart that will show you what you are averaging for the week. I use it so I can balance say going out to eat with my mom and still keep my weekly average at what it needs to be for my goals. :drinker:
It’s only when you are constantly (like everyday for extended periods of time) under eating that it becomes a problem.2 -
I also have an occasional day or two under 1200. I try to glance back st the end of those days to make sure I met my own nutritional goals. This sometimes results in me drinking a glass of skim milk or eating one more vegetable at the end of the day. For what it’s worth, I am 5’1”, over 50, and my starting weight was over 170 ( I didn’t own a scale for the first month). My diary is open and you are welcome to poke around. My current weight is 153.4 lbs. I mention this since my starting stats seem similar to yours. The only exercise I did at first was walking. Mostly indoor walking. And only when I felt like it.4
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It's fine to go by a weekly goal instead of a daily goal. As long as you're hitting your weekly goal and you feel well on days you eat less (i.e., you aren't dizzy, nauseous, etc.) then I wouldn't worry about it.2
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Its not unhealthy AS you are hitting your mfp goal, by the end of the week. Your weight loss is on target and your listening to your body. Calorie cycling in this way is allowing you the flexibility to enjoy your date night, while still losing weight in a healthy manner. Its also setting up new habits, that will help you succeed once you reach maintenance. As long as your not going under 1,000 calories on any day and not suffering/feeling unwell on those lower days.
Then you have nothing to worry about, continue with your plan, as it's working well for you.3 -
I agree that since you're weekly average is 1300-1500 this isn't really a problem. I do find if I have more than a couple of low days like that in a row I start to get hangry.1
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gebeziseva wrote: »People who don't count calories (and maintain a healthy weight) also eat below 1200 from time to time. This is completely normal. The important thing is not to do it on a regular basis.
Watch your weekly average.
I guess the reason I’m asking is that I’m doing it regularly, like 3-4 days each week?0 -
Wendyanneroberts wrote: »Its not unhealthy AS you are hitting your mfp goal, by the end of the week. Your weight loss is on target and your listening to your body. Calorie cycling in this way is allowing you the flexibility to enjoy your date night, while still losing weight in a healthy manner. Its also setting up new habits, that will help you succeed once you reach maintenance. As long as your not going under 1,000 calories on any day and not suffering/feeling unwell on those lower days.
Then you have nothing to worry about, continue with your plan, as it's working well for you.
Thank you! That’s reassuring 😁0 -
emmamcgarity wrote: »I also have an occasional day or two under 1200. I try to glance back st the end of those days to make sure I met my own nutritional goals. This sometimes results in me drinking a glass of skim milk or eating one more vegetable at the end of the day. For what it’s worth, I am 5’1”, over 50, and my starting weight was over 170 ( I didn’t own a scale for the first month). My diary is open and you are welcome to poke around. My current weight is 153.4 lbs. I mention this since my starting stats seem similar to yours. The only exercise I did at first was walking. Mostly indoor walking. And only when I felt like it.
The only ones I usually worry about are protein & fibre. I do try to at least get close to my goal.
Your stats are similar! I started at 205 though lol. 😬 I’ll do that! I really would like to be active but it’s just not an option at the moment 😞1 -
I get 1200 per day and if I don't reach that amount then I don't sweat it. If I work out at any point that day I do try to eat some back though and won't go hungry on purpose of course. I'm only 4'11 and weigh 155 right now
I'm miserable as far as knee problems and getting out of breath easily so I'm taking baby steps with exercise. But it's definitely possible to lose weight without ever exercising. I've done it in the past. I was younger at the time but I did it. 4 -
perkymommy wrote: »I get 1200 per day and if I don't reach that amount then I don't sweat it. If I work out at any point that day I do try to eat some back though and won't go hungry on purpose of course. I'm only 4'11 and weigh 155 right now I'm miserable as far as knee problems and getting out of breath easily so I'm taking baby steps with exercise. But it's definitely possible to lose weight without ever exercising. I've done it in the past. I was younger at the time but I did it.
Knee problems suck!!! It takes away so many options 😞
Thank you!0 -
I do 1200 a day and I try to get close. But if I don't, I don't worry about it, although MFP sends me a message telling me that I am probably not eating enough. It usually happens on days when I eat fish and vegetables for dinner. I am also having a problem with workouts, because of my knees and a lower back problem. I just figured out I have to slow down a bit,.
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Your average rate of loss also gives us a lot of important information here. If you are eating under 1200 on some days AND you are losing too quickly, that's a huge red flag. However, if you are eating under 1200 on some days and continue to lose at a reasonable, safe rate, that's a very different scenario.9
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Do what you want to do, don't worry about what other people say.15
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Your average rate of loss also gives us a lot of important information here. If you are eating under 1200 on some days AND you are losing too quickly, that's a huge red flag. However, if you are eating under 1200 on some days and continue to lose at a reasonable, safe rate, that's a very different scenario.
This. For most people, 1-200 calories falls within the margin or error when it comes to accurate logging. Your loss rate tells the true tale.
No one maintaining their weight hits the perfect maintenance number every day... they'll eat less some days, & more others. The goal is to keep the average within a reasonable range.3 -
If you average +1200/day for the week, going under 1 day isn't a problem.1
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Get your minimum protein in. Consequences won’t show up for weeks (weak nails, thinning hair).1
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Your average rate of loss also gives us a lot of important information here. If you are eating under 1200 on some days AND you are losing too quickly, that's a huge red flag. However, if you are eating under 1200 on some days and continue to lose at a reasonable, safe rate, that's a very different scenario.
Yeah, I suck at math but I've lost about 30lbs since the beginning of April. SW: 205, CW: 171 (today). I've used Happy Scale since the end of April, and it's given me that average rate of loss at 0.85lb/week. My "current" rate of loss is right now 1.7 because I go up and then drop and idk. I don't really know why they're different? I can share the chart, either there or MFP (I log my weight in both just because I do no real reason other than I like the graphs lol) if that would help?If you average +1200/day for the week, going under 1 day isn't a problem.
Not one day, like 2-4 days. Each week varies.Get your minimum protein in. Consequences won’t show up for weeks (weak nails, thinning hair).
Yeah I've usually hit that. That's why I don't get headaches or feel unwell. I find if I get that I function ok. I could eat 1600cal but if I don't hit about 70g of protein I still feel weird. It definitely explains some of my overeating and still feeling like I didn't eat "enough"
Edited to add images:
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Yeah, I suck at math but I've lost about 30lbs since the beginning of April. SW: 205, CW: 171 (today). I've used Happy Scale since the end of April, and it's given me that average rate of loss at 0.85lb/week. My "current" rate of loss is right now 1.7 because I go up and then drop and idk. I don't really know why they're different?
They are different because weight loss isn't linear.1 -
If you are morbidly obese, it is fine, but smaller sizes should lose weight slower and eat more.0
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If you are morbidly obese, it is fine, but smaller sizes should lose weight slower and eat more.
I would respectfully disagree. If you are morbidly obese, it may be necessary to eat less than 1200 on average, but then you should be doing it under a doctor's care with the help of an RD. While losing weight rapidly, I would think it's even more important to make sure you are giving your body enough nutrition and protein, which can be difficult to do on so little food.15 -
Looking at your charts it appears you are eating less during the week to eat a bit more on the weekend for the most part but still staying close to your calorie goals over the week. There are many who look at calories over a week instead of a day. They eat 100-200 calories less from Monday to Friday so they have extra for the weekend when they are more likely to go out for a meal etc. If this is naturally how you prefer to eat there is nothing wrong with it.4
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Lillymoo01 wrote: »Looking at your charts it appears you are eating less during the week to eat a bit more on the weekend for the most part but still staying close to your calorie goals over the week. There are many who look at calories over a week instead of a day. They eat 100-200 calories less from Monday to Friday so they have extra for the weekend when they are more likely to go out for a meal etc. If this is naturally how you prefer to eat there is nothing wrong with it.
Thank you! It’s working for me atm.0 -
shenanigans_ wrote: »Do what you want to do, don't worry about what other people say.
This. I used to do Weight Watchers and know for a fact they were allowing me somewhere between 1000-1100 per day because I used them along with this site for about three months. I always came up right around 1200 on here but on their site my points would add up to more so I'd have to cut back on calories to make it lower on Weight Watchers points and then end up around 1000-1100 per day according to this site. That lasted 3 months and I switched to MFP and stuck with it. I do lose a lot slower on MFP because I can obviously eat less than 1200 cals per day and I lost faster when I did. It certainly won't hurt you and if you aren't hungry then you don't eat. It all evens out.
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