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People are eating too few calories
Tabbeobit
Posts: 1 Member
in Debate Club
Having gone through both periods binging and periods of starving as well as working with many health professionals in recovery I've learnt a lot about how the body functions. Personally i think part of the problem with people diets and physiques today is a result of both overeating AND undereating. Hearing so many people eating 1200-1500 calories a day sickens me. And that's because i used to eat like that and i was miserable. my body was unwell and everything inside was messed up. I now eat twice that amount and my weight has decreased, my muscle mass has increased noticeably, my mood has improved, and my energy levels are through the roof.
I want to hear what other people think about this because honestly i believe eating any less ( as an average woman) than 1800 calories, yes even to lose weight, is too little. I want to hear others peoples opinions on this
I want to hear what other people think about this because honestly i believe eating any less ( as an average woman) than 1800 calories, yes even to lose weight, is too little. I want to hear others peoples opinions on this
82
Replies
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You're making a tremendous generalization based on your personal experience. In the context of weight management there is no "average woman". Calories required to lose, maintain or gain weight will vary significantly based on height, weight, activity level, goals and many other factors. I'm a firm believer in the idea of eating the maximum possible while still achieving your goals, but you can't put an arbitrary number out there that applies to everyone.70
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I would gain weight at even 1,800 calories a day, sadly. (I'm in my 50s and have thyroid issues, so my metabolism has slowed down a lot.) I just don't need a lot of food anymore, but the things I eat are always high in nutritional value. I feel great.29
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You're making a tremendous generalization based on your personal experience. In the context of weight management there is no "average woman". Calories required to lose, maintain or gain weight will vary significantly based on height, weight, activity level, goals and many other factors. I'm a firm believer in the idea of eating the maximum possible while still achieving your goals, but you can't put an arbitrary number out there that applies to everyone.
Exactly this!
I have five years of data that says I will gain on 1800 calories a day. In fact, I have gained on that much while running a small bulk (200 calories) at the same time I was relatively sedentary and working long hours from home in front of a computer. Before that, I was maintaining on 1600 a day with meticulous logging. No medical issues; I'm just small and not as active as some outside intentional exercise.
ETA: I feel great, have plenty of energy and eat well.30 -
You're making a tremendous generalization based on your personal experience. In the context of weight management there is no "average woman". Calories required to lose, maintain or gain weight will vary significantly based on height, weight, activity level, goals and many other factors. I'm a firm believer in the idea of eating the maximum possible while still achieving your goals, but you can't put an arbitrary number out there that applies to everyone.
Exactly this!
I have five years of data that says I will gain on 1800 calories a day. In fact, I have gained on that much while running a small bulk (200 calories) at the same time I was relatively sedentary and working long hours from home in front of a computer. Before that, I was maintaining on 1600 a day with meticulous logging. No medical issues; I'm just small and not as active as some outside intentional exercise.
ETA: I feel great, have plenty of energy and eat well.
I'm a smaller sedentary older woman. My base maintenance calorie allowance is 1230 without exercise. I try to get enough daily activity to push my goal up to 1500. I would love to be able to eat 1800 and still maintain
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Out of curiosity, OP, what are your stats (height/weight/age/sex)?15
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Having gone through both periods binging and periods of starving as well as working with many health professionals in recovery I've learnt a lot about how the body functions. Personally i think part of the problem with people diets and physiques today is a result of both overeating AND undereating. Hearing so many people eating 1200-1500 calories a day sickens me. And that's because i used to eat like that and i was miserable. my body was unwell and everything inside was messed up. I now eat twice that amount and my weight has decreased, my muscle mass has increased noticeably, my mood has improved, and my energy levels are through the roof.
I want to hear what other people think about this because honestly i believe eating any less ( as an average woman) than 1800 calories, yes even to lose weight, is too little. I want to hear others peoples opinions on this
There's no one size fits all in regards to calorie requirements. An individual's stats and activity level are going to dictate their calorie requirements. I know women who can lose weight eating 1800 calories...like my wife...but she's also an avid runner. A more or less sedentary female is not likely to lose weight eating 1800 calories...that's right around maintenance for a lot of women I know.
In most cases I'd say that 1200 is unnecessarily aggressive...most women I know do well on 1400-1500 to lose about 1 Lb per week if they're not doing a lot of exercise. I think the bigger issue is when people substantially cut calories in their diet and then do a bunch of exercise on top of that without properly fueling that activity.10 -
i would also gain if I ate that much. i have.
I am a couch potato at heart7 -
There are so many factors in play for weight maintenance, loss or gain. An 1800 calorie diet would have me gaining unwanted weight. I have a small frame and 1200 calories per day is maintenance for me. I work out 45 minutes, combination of cardio and weights. At age 30 the same regimen would have helped me lose weight. Now at age 61, I'm much more careful. Good health is more important than the number on the scale. I wish all of you good health and long lives.15
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I would say that I eat between 1200-1300 calories on a daily basis and have since lost 20 lbs, with still planning to lose about 5 more lbs. I do not feel miserable, in fact I feel very healthy and have maintained a good muscle ratio. Every individual is different. What works for others, many not work for you and that is okay. Age and metabolism plays a big part in that. I'd maintain my weight at about 1600 calories per day...definitely gain with 1800 calories.7
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I personally maintain around 1800 as well, but I'm also about 5'8" and quite a bit more active than average. I would not be able to maintain at 1800 if I didn't workout. I'm only ever really hungry if my schedule is thrown off (like a work meeting that pushes my lunch back over an hour unexpectedly) and I do not have a general sense of fatigue. I do not think it's unreasonable for a smaller person to maintain at closer to 1500 calories and feel good there. How tall are you, and how active? We're all so different, there is no "one size fits all" number for every person.5
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sure, if n=122
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I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?14 -
I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...8 -
I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...
I'll be fine letting it stand as a rhetorical question, if that turns out to be the case
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I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...
I'll be fine letting it stand as a rhetorical question, if that turns out to be the case
I view it (almost) as a form of privilege. I can see how it would be hard to imagine maintaining on 1600 or 1800 calories per day if you're a tall, fit, fairly active guy, for example. Doesn't change the reality for those of us who do, though!
ETA the almost because I know TDEE can be increased with activity, so if I want to eat more I can move more
That didn't make me taller, though. Unfortunately. 16 -
I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...
I'll be fine letting it stand as a rhetorical question, if that turns out to be the case
I view it (almost) as a form of privilege. I can see how it would be hard to imagine maintaining on 1600 or 1800 calories per day if you're a tall, fit, fairly active guy, for example. Doesn't change the reality for those of us who do, though!
ETA the almost because I know TDEE can be increased with activity, so if I want to eat more I can move more That didn't make me taller, though. Unfortunately.
I checked my privilege at the door.
I can fix that:
14 -
I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...
I'll be fine letting it stand as a rhetorical question, if that turns out to be the case
I view it (almost) as a form of privilege. I can see how it would be hard to imagine maintaining on 1600 or 1800 calories per day if you're a tall, fit, fairly active guy, for example. Doesn't change the reality for those of us who do, though!
ETA the almost because I know TDEE can be increased with activity, so if I want to eat more I can move more That didn't make me taller, though. Unfortunately.
Yeah, I mean I could change my lifestyle and become very active and probably get up close to 2000 cal maintenance, but I'm pretty happy with the activity level I'm at right now and think losing at 1500ish calories was fine. I guess this is a nice change from all the "it's EASY to eat 1200 calories, go ahead and do it!" threads.14 -
I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...
I'll be fine letting it stand as a rhetorical question, if that turns out to be the case
I view it (almost) as a form of privilege. I can see how it would be hard to imagine maintaining on 1600 or 1800 calories per day if you're a tall, fit, fairly active guy, for example. Doesn't change the reality for those of us who do, though!
ETA the almost because I know TDEE can be increased with activity, so if I want to eat more I can move more That didn't make me taller, though. Unfortunately.
I checked my privilege at the door.
I can fix that:
I'm sorry, were you talking...?
5 -
I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...
I'll be fine letting it stand as a rhetorical question, if that turns out to be the case
I view it (almost) as a form of privilege. I can see how it would be hard to imagine maintaining on 1600 or 1800 calories per day if you're a tall, fit, fairly active guy, for example. Doesn't change the reality for those of us who do, though!
ETA the almost because I know TDEE can be increased with activity, so if I want to eat more I can move more That didn't make me taller, though. Unfortunately.
Yeah, I mean I could change my lifestyle and become very active and probably get up close to 2000 cal maintenance, but I'm pretty happy with the activity level I'm at right now and think losing at 1500ish calories was fine. I guess this is a nice change from all the "it's EASY to eat 1200 calories, go ahead and do it!" threads.
That is true!2 -
I maintain at just under the mid-point of the healthy weight range for my height (5'4) at @ 1750 calories. I am lightly active. When I was losing, I ate 1500 cals and lost 0.5lbs per week.
Height, weight, and activity level all affect calorie needs. Perhaps your stats aren't as average as you think they are?
Not sure if the OP will be back to tell us...
I'll be fine letting it stand as a rhetorical question, if that turns out to be the case
I view it (almost) as a form of privilege. I can see how it would be hard to imagine maintaining on 1600 or 1800 calories per day if you're a tall, fit, fairly active guy, for example. Doesn't change the reality for those of us who do, though!
ETA the almost because I know TDEE can be increased with activity, so if I want to eat more I can move more That didn't make me taller, though. Unfortunately.
I checked my privilege at the door.
I can fix that:
I'm sorry, were you talking...?
He's just trying to help you get back to your original height.
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I’m 55, 5’2”, and work out almost every day for an hour and I definitely would not lose weight eating 1800 calories a day.4
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Having gone through both periods binging and periods of starving as well as working with many health professionals in recovery I've learnt a lot about how the body functions. Personally i think part of the problem with people diets and physiques today is a result of both overeating AND undereating. Hearing so many people eating 1200-1500 calories a day sickens me. And that's because i used to eat like that and i was miserable. my body was unwell and everything inside was messed up. I now eat twice that amount and my weight has decreased, my muscle mass has increased noticeably, my mood has improved, and my energy levels are through the roof.
I want to hear what other people think about this because honestly i believe eating any less ( as an average woman) than 1800 calories, yes even to lose weight, is too little. I want to hear others peoples opinions on this
If we were all you, this would be 100% true.
Trouble is, we're not you . . . not at all, not in terms of calorie intake needs, not in terms of what makes us miserable, not with respect to other people's calorie-intake choices being sickening (WTflippiedip?).
I appreciate your concern, but my weight, muscle mass, mood and energy levels are fine, thank you. I'm glad to hear yours are good, too - sincerely.
I don't like to see people lose weight unhealthfully fast, say in excess of 0.5-1% bodyweight per week, depending on circumstances. How many calories they need, in order to do that, is very, very individual, and I don't see why I should judge that side of it. YMMV.
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Considering that it appears my maintenance (exclusive of exercise) is around 1500... kind of not a good fit for me. Realistically, even eating back half my exercise calories, I'm usually coming in around 1700 now to lose 1/2 lb per week. And I'm not cutting any further.3
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Having gone through both periods binging and periods of starving as well as working with many health professionals in recovery I've learnt a lot about how the body functions. Personally i think part of the problem with people diets and physiques today is a result of both overeating AND undereating. Hearing so many people eating 1200-1500 calories a day sickens me. And that's because i used to eat like that and i was miserable. my body was unwell and everything inside was messed up. I now eat twice that amount and my weight has decreased, my muscle mass has increased noticeably, my mood has improved, and my energy levels are through the roof.
I want to hear what other people think about this because honestly i believe eating any less ( as an average woman) than 1800 calories, yes even to lose weight, is too little. I want to hear others peoples opinions on this
For me, outside of surgery, eating 1200 calories a day does make me miserable. I am 5'5.5'' and a woman. Naturally I seem to only be able to lose around 1.5 lbs a week with heavy exercise and around 1800-2200 calories. I am not unwell eating 1200 calories but I definitely do not enjoy it.1 -
Personally at 1,800 cal/day I am losing about 2.5 lbs/wk steadily - but I also am 5' 10.5" and weigh well over 300#. I even allow myself a cheat day once a week and have still lost 45# in 18 weeks and 2 days. Don't hate, people - even having lost that 45 lbs I'm still 339 lbs. My current goal is 267 lbs to get to a BMI of 39 so I can get both hips replaced. (Actually I only need to get to 272#, but you know doctors always weigh you with your clothes on, so I want to leave a 5# cushion.) After I recover fully from the hip surgeries, both knees are next - I've been very fat a very long time, exacerbating my osteoarthritis.
As far as the OP's comment, after a certain weight even I will have to drop to 1500 cal/day, maybe less, to continue to lose weight and then to maintain, so I too think the OP's comment is a vast overgeneralization.18 -
Personally at 1,800 cal/day I am losing about 2.5 lbs/wk steadily - but I also am 5' 10.5" and weigh well over 300#. I even allow myself a cheat day once a week and have still lost 45# in 18 weeks and 2 days. Don't hate, people - even having lost that 45 lbs I'm still 339 lbs. My current goal is 267 lbs to get to a BMI of 39 so I can get both hips replaced. (Actually I only need to get to 272#, but you know doctors always weigh you with your clothes on, so I want to leave a 5# cushion.) After I recover fully from the hip surgeries, both knees are next - I've been very fat a very long time, exacerbating my osteoarthritis.
All the more proof there is no one-size-fit-all calorie guide Sounds like you have a long road ahead, but hopefully the results are worth it! 5 -
Have a feeling the noob OP asking these questions is not as 'innocent' as it may appear. I'm having deja-vu, here.10
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snickerscharlie wrote: »Have a feeling the noob OP asking these questions is not as 'innocent' as it may appear. I'm having deja-vu, here.
On MFP? NEVER!
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Another one-post wonder with misguided opinions.
What a surprise...9 -
I completely disagree. There is not a "one size fits all" when it comes to calorie intake. Height, weight, activity level, medical issues, etc can be a factor in determining how many calories you should take in and what your end goal is. I have been following a 1200-1400 calorie meal plan since April 2018 and have never felt better! I'm full after each meal, I have way more energy than before....I feel amazing. 1200-1400 calories a day isn't for everyone, but it works perfect for me!3
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