1200 Calorie Diet
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ridiculous59 wrote: »The OP hasn't told us how old she is and that makes a big difference. I'm an older female (61). When I enter my stats into mfp, indicate that I am sedentary, and that I want to lose 1 pound per week, I am given 1200 calories. That's it. No more.
I choose, however, to "move" every day and eat half my calories back. Guess how much I've been consistently losing? 1 pound per week. (I only eat half my calories back because I know that often burns are over rated, plus it gives me some room for error when weighing and measuring my food).
And my base maintenance calories are only 1500. Still not a lot to work with.
Yeah, but at that point it's MFP telling you that you're trying to loose too fast and to knock it back some. A pound a week is a lot if you're not actively obese. That's where it bottoms out. To meet that goal you probably would have to eat LESS and it won't let you.2 -
ridiculous59 wrote: »The OP hasn't told us how old she is and that makes a big difference. I'm an older female (61). When I enter my stats into mfp, indicate that I am sedentary, and that I want to lose 1 pound per week, I am given 1200 calories. That's it. No more.
I choose, however, to "move" every day and eat half my calories back. Guess how much I've been consistently losing? 1 pound per week. (I only eat half my calories back because I know that often burns are over rated, plus it gives me some room for error when weighing and measuring my food).
And my base maintenance calories are only 1500. Still not a lot to work with.
I don't think anyone is arguing that 1,200 isn't an appropriate goal for some people, especially if one includes additional calories when extra activity is done. It's the blanket statement that women shouldn't eat more than 1,200 that is the issue. For many women, 1,200 wouldn't be enough calories.5 -
You have to do what works for you you. It may take a while to find the balance. It takes patience, perseverance, studying your own data, challenging phony diet “rules”.
I’m 58, female, 5’7” and active.
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I am quite obese and she probably means well but she's one of those doctors. By that I mean if I go to the doctor for anything she says...well if you weren't overweight. We'll definitely have to discuss the calories. I'm not sure 1200 is enough. I've been doing WW and that's kinda worked when I use it properly.
Okay, yeah, you have a crappy doctor, find a new one. This has been my experience with PCPs as well - no matter what my actual complaint was, every visit I was just told to lose weight, end of story. I've only ever had specialists give a damn about whatever I needed to see them for.4 -
I love MFP! I'm a retired RN and need to lose some weight. I put in my specs and received a 1280 cal level to lose 1 lb a week. I had to increase my protein intake to recommended level, then I started dropping 1 lb a week. I couldn't believe how on target MFP is in my case.The amount of food is enough for me. I don't feel deprived or starving. I plan meals and snacks in the morning to stay within parameters. I have seen members tell hungry feeling members to go up 100 calories a day, wait a day or two, and then go up again if needed. So put in your specs and tell the program whether you want to lose or maintain. I bet it will be pretty close to what you need.8
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It is possible your doctor said that, and medical schools don’t teach much about weight loss, however, as a health care provider myself I know for a fact that many patients twist the words their provider tells them.
I had a patient just yesterday who had been told by multiple people that he had liver disease and this was well documented. Yesterday when I mentioned it to him again, he said no one ever told him he had liver disease. They do this all the time. Claim we said things that we didn’t say or claim we never told them something that we clearly did.
Many people, probably most, can lose weight eating substantially more than 1200 calories per day. It depends on many factors.7 -
It is possible your doctor said that, and medical schools don’t teach much about weight loss, however, as a health care provider myself I know for a fact that many patients twist the words their provider tells them.
I had a patient just yesterday who had been told by multiple people that he had liver disease and this was well documented. Yesterday when I mentioned it to him again, he said no one ever told him he had liver disease. They do this all the time. Claim we said things that we didn’t say or claim we never told them something that we clearly did.
Many people, probably most, can lose weight eating substantially more than 1200 calories per day. It depends on many factors.
In addition to people who claim they never heard things (which I'm sure does happen a lot), there are also people who just don't do a good job of processing at the doctor's office. My husband usually has an outstanding memory, but he has medical anxiety and for important stuff he has to get written notes or I'll go with him to chat with the doctor as well. Otherwise, he'll just blank out on really important stuff. Fortunately, he knows this happens so he's able to plan for it and let his doctors know what he needs.9 -
janejellyroll wrote: »It is possible your doctor said that, and medical schools don’t teach much about weight loss, however, as a health care provider myself I know for a fact that many patients twist the words their provider tells them.
I had a patient just yesterday who had been told by multiple people that he had liver disease and this was well documented. Yesterday when I mentioned it to him again, he said no one ever told him he had liver disease. They do this all the time. Claim we said things that we didn’t say or claim we never told them something that we clearly did.
Many people, probably most, can lose weight eating substantially more than 1200 calories per day. It depends on many factors.
In addition to people who claim they never heard things (which I'm sure does happen a lot), there are also people who just don't do a good job of processing at the doctor's office. My husband usually has an outstanding memory, but he has medical anxiety and for important stuff he has to get written notes or I'll go with him to chat with the doctor as well. Otherwise, he'll just blank out on really important stuff. Fortunately, he knows this happens so he's able to plan for it and let his doctors know what he needs.
This is true too. My mom is an RN too and she tends to get anxious and forget to ask questions that she has been meaning to ask. Sometimes writing things down helps.5 -
Lol. For me it’s not anxiety, it’s just stuff goes in one ear and out the other. I don’t know if it’s age or no longer giving a *kitten*, but I sincerely can’t remember what people tell me as soon as they’ve said it.2
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Just because a doctor is a doctor doesn't mean they know a lot about nutrition, weight loss and calories. A blanket statement that women shouldn't eat more than 1200 calories is factually incorrect.
Keep your doctor if you are happy with what they do for your medical circumstances but do find someone else to advise on weight loss6 -
I have had doctors in the past who do not understand weight loss and weight management. I had one doctor tell me that all he did to lose weight was go from eating 2 sandwiches at lunch to one and that was all I needed to do- ummm if only it were that simple. I went to another doctor when I had strep throat and he told me the reason I had strep throat was because I was obese- no the reason I had strep throat was because I had 2 kids at home with strep throat. That doctor kept tryint to refer me to a friend of his who sold diet supplements. My current practioner is amazing. She encourages me to make and continue life style changes, she is excited about my success and we can discuss my concerns.
Weight loss is about making changes to eating and life style. There is no one size fits all, you need to do what works for you. If WW is working when you do it then I would say continue to follow WW and really "do it." I have finally learned at age 62 that the changes I make need to be changes I can live with forever- not just until I lose weight and go off my "diet." Good Luck!8 -
I went to a doctors appointment this morning and was told to go on a 1200 calorie diet. She said women shouldn't consume more than that. How many calories do you eat? That seems low to me.
Without any additional info - I'd say find another doctor. If someone is telling you 'women shouldn't eat more than 1200 calories per day' they have no clue what they are talking about
did she really mean eat that much to be at a deficit to lose weight? Is there a medical reason for you to be on such a restrictive diet?
I am 34, 5'3", weigh between 115-120 (but usually around 116-118)....and eat 1600 on a day that I do no exercise. Easily 2,000+ if I go for a 5 mile run. And I'm sure I could probably be eating ~1700 and still not gain weight.1 -
1poundatax wrote: »I have had doctors in the past who do not understand weight loss and weight management. I had one doctor tell me that all he did to lose weight was go from eating 2 sandwiches at lunch to one and that was all I needed to do- ummm if only it were that simple. I went to another doctor when I had strep throat and he told me the reason I had strep throat was because I was obese- no the reason I had strep throat was because I had 2 kids at home with strep throat. That doctor kept tryint to refer me to a friend of his who sold diet supplements. My current practioner is amazing. She encourages me to make and continue life style changes, she is excited about my success and we can discuss my concerns.
Weight loss is about making changes to eating and life style. There is no one size fits all, you need to do what works for you. If WW is working when you do it then I would say continue to follow WW and really "do it." I have finally learned at age 62 that the changes I make need to be changes I can live with forever- not just until I lose weight and go off my "diet." Good Luck!
WOW. Talk about Fat Broken Arm Syndrome. Did he get his medical degree off the back of a cereal box? What a terrible doctor, I'm glad you found a better one.6 -
1200 calories is starvation. Who could ever maintain that?1
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dvmmcw8020 wrote: »1200 calories is starvation. Who could ever maintain that?
I was eating 1200 (plus my exercise cals) for about 3 years. No starvation involved. I'm 5'1 (and a half)" and weigh 105lb. According to MFP, my maintenance cals are 1320. Someone under 5' and a bit lighter would potentially maintain on 1200.6 -
dvmmcw8020 wrote: »1200 calories is starvation. Who could ever maintain that?
My maintenance calories are around 1450 and I still have quite a bit to lose. That’s with about 7000 steps a day. I imagine when im older or lighter, my maintenance will be even less.0 -
dvmmcw8020 wrote: »1200 calories is starvation. Who could ever maintain that?
No it isn't. It is the minimum women are recommend to consume so as to maintain health, assuming also a balanced diet.
So please, do not make up your own 'facts'.4 -
dvmmcw8020 wrote: »1200 calories is starvation. Who could ever maintain that?
I admit that some days it *feels* like it when I'm eating all the right foods but am craving all the wrong ones.
But technically and literally, no it's not starving. 0
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