You can lose weight on less than 1200 calories...

Ebbykins
Ebbykins Posts: 420 Member
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
Yes, yes you can, but you can also be under eating to the point of starving your body of nutrition (not just the caloric aspect), and things your body needs on a DAILY basis, especially while exercising, such as calcium for your bones, healthy fats for your heart, and so much more. I just hate seeing people robbing their bodies of health in the sake to be thin...

If you exercise, your body needs food to repair the muscle properly, to build up bone density, etc etc etc, so many things. I'm not talking starvation mode. I'm talking malnourishment.
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Replies

  • ennaejay
    ennaejay Posts: 575
    **applause**
  • foodeeee
    foodeeee Posts: 50 Member
    I can't seem to lose weight if I eat more than 1200 : / Maybe I'm doing something wrong?
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    amen
  • katcena
    katcena Posts: 326 Member
    Great post!
  • sineadangele1
    sineadangele1 Posts: 97 Member
    @foodeee maybe cuz you have none to lose? from your profile pic, you look all muscle to me lol
  • Kilter
    Kilter Posts: 188 Member
    1700 -1900 seems about the norm for me plus whatever I exercise (500 calories of exercise = 500 calories of extra food I eat). I'm not losing weight super fast, but I am losing about 1.5 - 2lbs per week which I understand is a safe amount.

    If I ate any less I wouldn't have the energy to allow me to put in the workouts I do every week. I might get away with it for a week or two, but my injury rate would likely increase and my recovery would take longer between workouts.

    S
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    I agree! :drinker:
  • crazylikefox
    crazylikefox Posts: 100
    Why would anyone ever WANT to? The only people I know who eat that little are people who are overweight and trying to lose weight. The fit and normal weight people I know all eat normal looking meals. It is like the book "In Defense of Food" states: Eat food (ie, not processed foodlike product), not too much, mostly plants.
  • Ilovedrinkingtea
    Ilovedrinkingtea Posts: 597 Member
    I agree, I think netting at least 1,200 cals or more per day is the way forward xx
  • spacedebris
    spacedebris Posts: 10
    1200 calories a day isn't enough to sustain you if you exercise.
    More realistic is 1600 p. day on food, and 200+ bonus for your exercise.
    Don't worry too much about calories - just DONT EAT FATS !!!
    Loose weight slowly: 1 to 2 pounds p. week will get you there.
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    just DONT EAT FATS !!!

    :huh:
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    1200 calories a day isn't enough to sustain you if you exercise.
    More realistic is 1600 p. day on food, and 200+ bonus for your exercise.
    Don't worry too much about calories - just DONT EAT FATS !!!
    Loose weight slowly: 1 to 2 pounds p. week will get you there.

    Why do you think people shouldn't eat fats? We need fat.
  • foodeeee
    foodeeee Posts: 50 Member
    just DONT EAT FATS !!!



    I don't agree at all. Eat fats, just make sure they are healthy (almond butter, avocado, salmon, etc.). It's the processed refined crap to watch out for.
  • jetscreaminagain
    jetscreaminagain Posts: 1,130 Member
    I like my brain. I like how it functions. I like my skin to be soft and supple.

    These are two reasons I know I need to eat fats. And, admittedly, I do so happily for so many more reasons.
  • stayxtrue
    stayxtrue Posts: 1,186 Member
    I eat 1200 a day, mainly a lot of fruit and vegetables, this means I can eat lots and lots of food :bigsmile:

    I also burn anywhere between 400-1200 calories a day, this allows for me to eat a lot!!!!!!!! And I am losing weight, it fluctuates here and there, but I am also doing a lot of weights to build muscle. I am healthy! I feel great! and I drink lots of Water!

    But you need to have your nutrients in order.

    All my blood tests show that I am extremely healthy to! :)
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    Our bodies DO need fat. Just stick to MUFA'S! That's the way to go,
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I can't seem to lose weight if I eat more than 1200 : / Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

    I saw another post where you said you wanted to lose 5# of fat. I don't think you HAVE an extra 5# of fat. You look incredible!

    Check this group if your looking to increase muscle and reduce fat: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/17-women-eating-2-000-calories-per-day :smile:
  • milf_n_cookies
    milf_n_cookies Posts: 2,244 Member
    But it is also possible to get what your body needs and stay under 1200 calories, I exercise and I stay around 800 calories a day I do not eat back my exercise calories. My labs are perfect, I am losing fat without losing lean body mass, and I have lost 130 lbs.
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    Have you had your stats taken to see where your percentage of body fat is actually at? My reading told me I have 24.8% in body fat and that only leaves me with 1.27 lbs in excess. A lot less than I really thought. (thank godness):smile:
  • Ebbykins
    Ebbykins Posts: 420 Member
    But it is also possible to get what your body needs and stay under 1200 calories, I exercise and I stay around 800 calories a day I do not eat back my exercise calories. My labs are perfect, I am losing fat without losing lean body mass, and I have lost 130 lbs.

    We shall hope for your bone density's sake when you hit menopause that this is true.
  • milf_n_cookies
    milf_n_cookies Posts: 2,244 Member
    And that is why I have my labs drawn every three to four months, to make sure that I have no deficiencies or issues (it is easier to prevent them, then fix them once they happen), so far so good. If they ever show an issue I will adjust what I am doing, but for now I am happy with the results and so are my doctors and nutritionist.
  • FaithHopeBELIEVE
    FaithHopeBELIEVE Posts: 626
    On my diary today should I have paid attention to net or just stayed with total food consumed? The calculation I received for TDEE had moderate excercise 3-5 days already in the equation. What do you think?

    Oh and I'mn zigzagging so this was the lowest day. Highest day is maintenance or above.

    Anyway you know some of my background sooo any comments help.
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    And that is why I have my labs drawn every three to four months, to make sure that I have no deficiencies or issues (it is easier to prevent them, then fix them once they happen), so far so good. If they ever show an issue I will adjust what I am doing, but for now I am happy with the results and so are my doctors and nutritionist.

    Good for you!
  • jessi32678
    jessi32678 Posts: 2 Member
    i agree. i'd love to have THAT problem! lol. looking great! :)
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    On my diary today should I have paid attention to net or just stayed with total food consumed? The calculation I received for TDEE had moderate excercise 3-5 days already in the equation. What do you think?

    Oh and I'mn zigzagging so this was the lowest day. Highest day is maintenance or above.

    I go with total food consumed. This program on MFP likes to add in burned calories to your adjusted daily budget. I do not eat back burned calories. So I just record my exercise in notes so that my calorie goal is not adjusted.

    Looks like you and I have the same goal in common. Good luck to you!
  • Ebbykins
    Ebbykins Posts: 420 Member
    And that is why I have my labs drawn every three to four months, to make sure that I have no deficiencies or issues (it is easier to prevent them, then fix them once they happen), so far so good. If they ever show an issue I will adjust what I am doing, but for now I am happy with the results and so are my doctors and nutritionist.

    Good for you!

    Indeed, I'm glad your doctors are being so proactive and keeping up to date on this for you. Some people are not as fortunate to have access to regular check ups and a nutritionist to guide them on how to eat healthfully at the 1200 calorie mark, well wishes to you on your journey.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    After just a short period of time to be on the site, I notice 2 popular debate thread, as always:

    Undereating vs. eat more

    Eat vs not eat back exercise calories
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    After just a short period of time to be on the site, I notice 2 popular debate thread, as always:

    Undereating vs. eat more

    Eat vs not eat back exercise calories


    Yeah I have noticed that too. EveryBODY Is different and will respond differently. I say "find what works for YOUR body"
  • Xtina_Beba
    Xtina_Beba Posts: 218
    WELL SAID! :)
  • gizmonel
    gizmonel Posts: 24
    Ebby your right on the money! I eat low calories averaging 1200-1500 but I try and to have protein, carbs and fats in there and I also take a greens supplement.

    Each body type is different and each brain works differently thats why its so important to go by how you feel mostly but also make sure that your getting in at least the bare essential amino acids if you are working out.
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