Do I stay on 1200 cals per day

Off topic but still important... jojo19812018 your cat is a little sweetie. Just remember like you, the cat needs healthy food. Make sure you only use dry food (kibble) as a supplement and feed mostly canned or raw if the cat will tolerate it. Their health is just as important as ours. This Veterinarian is one of many who encourage cat owners to stay away from dry food, preferably at all costs. The feeding of these obligate carnivores is exceptionally important if we want them to live long, healthy lives and only need to go to the vet for annual check ups after age 5. Dry food is inappropriate for cats except as a treat.

Regarding your weight loss you will likely see a drop off in the amount you lose weekly as there is always a plateau period. Sometimes when calories are restricted to 1200 per day the loss is mostly water and a little muscle. I agree that you may not need to adjust the amount but adjust the percentage of carbs unless it is already low. Just remember quick weight loss usually comes at a cost so slow and steady is the key. If you are not doing so already, start resistance (weights preferably) training or increase the amount of what you are already doing.

Dilvish wrote: »

Off topic but still important... jojo19812018 your cat is a little sweetie. Just remember like you, the cat needs healthy food. Make sure you only use dry food (kibble) as a supplement and feed mostly canned or raw if the cat will tolerate it. Their health is just as important as ours. This Veterinarian is one of many who encourage cat owners to stay away from dry food, preferably at all costs. The feeding of these obligate carnivores is exceptionally important if we want them to live long, healthy lives and only need to go to the vet for annual check ups after age 5. Dry food is inappropriate for cats except as a treat.

Regarding your weight loss you will likely see a drop off in the amount you lose weekly as there is always a plateau period. Sometimes when calories are restricted to 1200 per day the loss is mostly water and a little muscle. I agree that you may not need to adjust the amount but adjust the percentage of carbs unless it is already low. Just remember quick weight loss usually comes at a cost so slow and steady is the key. If you are not doing so already, start resistance (weights preferably) training or increase the amount of what you are already doing.

My vet disagrees with you on the dry food. Both of my cats have eaten dry food all their lives - one is 14 and one is 9 and both are very healthy. The older one does get wet food when her allergies act up (seasonal) to help with hydration.

Additionally, there is not always a plateau. I lost consistently and never went more than a week without losing. In my experience, usually a "plateau" is actually getting lax on portion sizes (i.e. not weighing and measuring food).

ETA to add the cats

Dilvish wrote: »

Off topic but still important... jojo19812018 your cat is a little sweetie. Just remember like you, the cat needs healthy food. Make sure you only use dry food (kibble) as a supplement and feed mostly canned or raw if the cat will tolerate it. Their health is just as important as ours. This Veterinarian is one of many who encourage cat owners to stay away from dry food, preferably at all costs. The feeding of these obligate carnivores is exceptionally important if we want them to live long, healthy lives and only need to go to the vet for annual check ups after age 5. Dry food is inappropriate for cats except as a treat.

Regarding your weight loss you will likely see a drop off in the amount you lose weekly as there is always a plateau period. Sometimes when calories are restricted to 1200 per day the loss is mostly water and a little muscle. I agree that you may not need to adjust the amount but adjust the percentage of carbs unless it is already low. Just remember quick weight loss usually comes at a cost so slow and steady is the key. If you are not doing so already, start resistance (weights preferably) training or increase the amount of what you are already doing.

How in the world did this thread turn into woo about both cat nutrition and weight loss?

My cat is on a prescription dry food because she had an extremely serious, life threatening illness a few years ago. She's healthy now and will be 12 in the spring. I'll continue to feed her according to her vet's recommendations, and I suggest others do the same for their pets.

There is no evidence to indicate that eating 1200 calories means you are losing "mostly water and a little muscle." If you are in a calorie deficit, you will lose fat. Nearly all people would be in a calorie deficit if they ate 1200 calories per day. You might also lose water and/or muscle, but that depends on things like hormonal fluctuations, strength training, etc. There is no reason why OP needs to adjust carbs besides personal preference or a doctor's recommendation.

The good advice in this post is that resistance training is beneficial for nearly everyone, unless you are under a doctor's orders regarding specific types of exercise you can or cannot do. It's not required for weight loss, but it is definitely a good thing for muscle retention and general fitness.

Anyway, have another picture of me and my best buddy:

I wish more threads went in this direction.

If anyone keeps hamsters aim for a food mix with 18-20% protein, preferably from animal sources! Or supplement with delicious mealworms!

Also have a cat who eats god knows what, he tours the neighbours and is hella fat.

I'm just here for the cat pics

This is a purrfectly wonderful thread!

Abby is my 14-year-old OldLadyGirlCat toothless wonder. Doesn't stop her from wolfing down her dry food, and making a play for my cereal. (Her attitude is that if it's in a bowl, and it crunches, it must be Abby Treats.)

She only weighs about 9 pounds, but her floof is tremendous.