starving at 1200 calories
lovebug7686
Posts: 8 Member
Hello. I have been on a 1200 calorie diet for 6 weeks now (but started here a few weeks ago to help track) and I have lost the same 3 pounds. My doctor seems to think that due to genetics (my entire family is obeses except my dad) are playing a role and that my bodyis comfortable at my current weight (about 15 pounds higher than it has ever been and I am not happy). All blood work and tests are normal, no thyroid problems etc. I work out 5-6 days a week, do not eat my excercise calories and I am confused because I have always been told calories in calories out and you lose. My Dr is now saying that 1200 calories does not mean a thing if you are nto eating the rigth calories and she thinks my body is in starvation mode...anythoughts? And any resources on where to find the "right" 1200 calorie diet? I am 35 and had my last baby 18 months ago...hormones are now normal (no longer nursing)...
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Replies
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You are not eating enough...try the 1400-1600 fluxuation of calories. Be sure to get plenty of protien, and by all means, eat! You need to feed the muscle.0
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eat your exercise calories.0
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eat your exercise calories.
^This0 -
cant see your diary..but DONT DRINK YOUR CALORIES0
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Gym instructor told me that when ur working out you should be on at least 1500cals.0
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Eat more than 1200 calories a day, eat a mix of fruits, veggies, complex carbs, and lean protein, and eat your exercise calories.0
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You are not eating enough...try the 1400-1600 fluxuation of calories. Be sure to get plenty of protien, and by all means, eat! You need to feed the muscle.
THIS!! not everyone is the same and not everyone can lose weight effectively at 1200...i can't...ive upped mine to 1560 and im losing now...and let' shope it stays this way
ps. i eat back at least half my exercise calories.0 -
I'd have to agree with the above posters...1200 cals is likely not enough for you. Use the numbers that MFP suggests (maybe add more protein since you work out alot) and you should do better.0
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That's 1,200 NET, correct. After logging your workouts you're taking in MORE than 1,200 is that right?
I got to my goal with 1,260/day. I was never hungry because I was eating every 2-3 hours and eating a lot of healthy whole foods. Food that is not processed helps keep you fuller longer. Also, I was taking in 300-500 more calories per day than the 1,200 but I was on average meeting that 1260 NET.0 -
Here is my opinion - Set yourself a calorie range rather than an exact number. So instead of 1200 set a range say between 1200-1500. Never go below and try not to go over that range. Gives you more flexibility. Also, try updating your nutrient balance to 40 carb - 30 protein - 30 Fat...the carb level on MFP is really a high % (IMO) and you probably need more protein. The 40/30/30 ratio is a good one to start with and then adjust as needed.
As far a exercise calories, I say eat some but not all. Include it in your calorie intake "range".
Keep it up!0 -
Gym instructor told me that when ur working out you should be on at least 1500cals.
That does not work for everyone. I'm at my goal weight and I'm 5'6" (135-136 lbs). My maintenance cals to stay this weight are 1660, my goal when losing was 1,260 NET.
However, on days I worked out I was taking in 300-500 cals more than the 1260. That was my NET but if you mean 1500 NET that would not have made sense for me because that's only 160 below my maintenance cals. Every person is different.0 -
Hello. I have been on a 1200 calorie diet for 6 weeks now (but started here a few weeks ago to help track) and I have lost the same 3 pounds. My doctor seems to think that due to genetics (my entire family is obeses except my dad) are playing a role and that my bodyis comfortable at my current weight (about 15 pounds higher than it has ever been and I am not happy). All blood work and tests are normal, no thyroid problems etc. I work out 5-6 days a week, do not eat my excercise calories and I am confused because I have always been told calories in calories out and you lose. My Dr is now saying that 1200 calories does not mean a thing if you are nto eating the rigth calories and she thinks my body is in starvation mode...anythoughts? And any resources on where to find the "right" 1200 calorie diet? I am 35 and had my last baby 18 months ago...hormones are now normal (no longer nursing)...
Eat your exercise calories back because a SEDENTARY person needs 1200 calories - an ACTIVE person needs more. You want to (I assume) lose fat ..... but keep your existing muscle. With only 1200 calories ..... your body is going to burn whatever it available (including muscle).
The "right" calories your doctor is talking about ...... protien, complex carbs, and good fats. Stay away from processed foods with all the simple carbs and bad fats. Make all your calories count and you should not be starving.0 -
cant see your diary..but DONT DRINK YOUR CALORIES
Love your profile pic! Lol0 -
Well yeh true. Don;t think i thought that out properly before i posted lol cause i think rly the gym instructor was probs basing it on me.0
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make your dairy visible, then we can accurately *kitten* what your nutrients are. My baby is 21 months, and I was 180 lbs after giving birth (c-section and breastfeed too), by July 2010 I was 135lbs. It comes down to nutrients type and not overestimating your fodd and exercise.0
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Eat your exercise calories back because a SEDENTARY person needs 1200 calories - an ACTIVE person needs more. You want to (I assume) lose fat ..... but keep your existing muscle. With only 1200 calories ..... your body is going to burn whatever it available (including muscle).
And if you have a desk job or any type of job other than something active you are, indeed, sedentary. I workout nearly every day or do something active. I'm at a desk 40 hours/week and that makes me sedentary despite being active outside of work.0 -
i have heard of alot of people having this problem!!! up your cals for a couple of weeks. keep close track and see what happens. i agree try 1400-1600. within 2 weeks you should see a difference if that is the case0
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If you've been at that level for 6 weeks and you're still hungry I would take that as a sign you aren't eating enough. You've had plenty of time to adjust!0
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i'm 42 years old, 5'2 and weigh 220 lbs.
I lost 27 lbs -and gained back 23 when i stopped doing this:
1. 1500 calories a day
2. no pop, not even diet
3. took the sugar out of my coffee, then the cream was skim milk and now its just green tea in the morning.
4. 5-6 SERVINGS of fruits and veggies a day
5. 3 litres of water a day
6. 3 servings (4-6oz) of lean protein a day.
7. no more boxed frozen crap. it's real or no deal.
8. the usual - no white stuff - rice, pasta, bread are at a minimum (1-2 servings a day ) and are ALWAYS whole wheat/brown etc.
9. moved my *kitten*.
10. stopped mentally beating the crap out of myself.
Hope this helps you !!0 -
Be sure that you are actually eating what you are listing. DO NOT estimate what one cup or one easpoon is. Do it right and you will loose guaranteed. Most likely you are not accurately reporting what you are eating.0
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i have heard of alot of people having this problem!!! up your cals for a couple of weeks. keep close track and see what happens. i agree try 1400-1600. within 2 weeks you should see a difference if that is the case
YES, but the 1600 might be too high. I'm telling you guys that my maintenance cals are 1660 and I'm at my goal weight of 135-135 (5'6"). You can't suggest a number to someone without knowing what MFP gives them in order to lose the lb/week. If I was NET 1600 during the months I was losing I would not have lost anything. Everyone is different.0 -
I work out 5-6 days a week, do not eat my excercise calories
You answered your own question. EAT YOUR EXERCISE CALORIES.My Dr is now saying that 1200 calories does not mean a thing if you are nto eating the rigth calories and she thinks my body is in starvation mode...0 -
You already have a ton of good advice, but you're right, you are starving yourself at 1200 calories. Eat more GOOD foods, eat whole, eat raw, you cannot overeat on fresh raw veggies.
Have oatmeal with protein in the morning, a spinach salad with turkey/egg and cheese, nuts and seeds (calorie-dense!! it's NOT rabbit food!), and a balanced dinner with 4oz lean meat, quinoa or whole grain rice, a steamed veggie.
Get lots of protein, yogurt, cottage cheese, lean meats, protein powders, nuts, eggs, whole grains.
Obese or not, losing weight will happen if you just track what you eat, don't OVEReat, and move.... move every day, whether it's walking, doing strength exercises, or some form of cardio (even light jump rope or elliptical). I would say watch that your calories dont' go OVER a certain amount, like 2200, and that the calories you do get are good ones. Don't starve yourself girl. 0 -
What is your curren weight and goal weight?
What is your activit level?
1200 sounds way too low if you onyl have 20lbs to go --- you settings should be to lose 1/2 lb a week at that point.
1200 is too low for most people but for some reason people think it's some magic number
** EDIT and wow at all the people giving you other numbers wihout even knowing your stats.0 -
You will not STARVE yourself at 1200 NET calories.
For me, I was 1260.
Let's say it was a day I burned 500.
I actually ATE 1,760 on those days. Show me someone that's starving at 1,760. I was eating every 2-3 hours and eating healthy whole foods and not a lot of processed foods.
If you are starving at 1200 chances are you're taking in LESS than 1200 NET. Even at 1/2 hour on the elliptical would bring you BELOW the 1,200 NET.0 -
cant see your diary..but DONT DRINK YOUR CALORIES
There is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking your calories.
I drink 2-3 proten shakes a day and they keep me feeling full all day.
I cant imagine NOT drinking them.0 -
make your dairy visible, then we can accurately *kitten* what your nutrients are. My baby is 21 months, and I was 180 lbs after giving birth (c-section and breastfeed too), by July 2010 I was 135lbs. It comes down to nutrients type and not overestimating your fodd and exercise.
Not sure how I do that (still really new to this site)...I tend to have to do cardio workouts because I cannot for the life of me figure out how to hit 1200 calories and stay under on carbs and protein. It seems if I hitmy calories I am WAY over on carbs and protein and if I stay under my carb and protein I am WAY under on calories. I do eat a lot of veggies, fruits (yikes the carbs) and I salads. I was 211 pounds when my daughter was born. I am down to 156 but I would like to get back to 145 where my body is comfortable and a size 6. I am a curvy girl (blessed with the hourglass shape) so I have never been at the 125 goal weight set by the Dr. I once got to 127 after being relaly sick and I was a siz 0 and looked like I was on my death bed. So I am happy to get to 145 and be healthy...0 -
Please don't feel guilty about eating fruit. I once saw a scientist say "show me someone that got diabetes from too many strawberries and I'll eat my hat"0
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Be sure that you are actually eating what you are listing. DO NOT estimate what one cup or one easpoon is. Do it right and you will loose guaranteed. Most likely you are not accurately reporting what you are eating.
I measure EVERYTHING and I usually over estimate when I track. My husband thinks I am a measuring spoon/cup freak! LOL I don't even let him prepare my lunch for me any more because he guestimates what 2 TBS of dressing for my salad looks like. I make sure I am getting the right serving sizes.0 -
i'm 42 years old, 5'2 and weigh 220 lbs.
I lost 27 lbs -and gained back 23 when i stopped doing this:
1. 1500 calories a day
2. no pop, not even diet
3. took the sugar out of my coffee, then the cream was skim milk and now its just green tea in the morning.
4. 5-6 SERVINGS of fruits and veggies a day
5. 3 litres of water a day
6. 3 servings (4-6oz) of lean protein a day.
7. no more boxed frozen crap. it's real or no deal.
8. the usual - no white stuff - rice, pasta, bread are at a minimum (1-2 servings a day ) and are ALWAYS whole wheat/brown etc.
9. moved my *kitten*.
10. stopped mentally beating the crap out of myself.
Hope this helps you !!
I like this advice, and I'm not even the one who posed the original question! Thanks!
Also, to the original poster---how does anyone survive on 1200 calories a day??? That was the only thing I wasn't crazy about on MFP--their suggested calorie goals--way too few for me! I looked to several other sources, and figured out how much I really needed, and then custom-set my calorie goal here. I'm glad the site allows that option. So far, it's working nicely. When I've lost some, I will re-calculate and go from there. Best of luck--hang in there!
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