for those people who MFP have their net calories @ 1200...

my goal is 1,200 calories.
i have trouble reaching it though! its like even if i already ate so much, my intake only ranges at 900-1100. so i grab any food in the fridge to increase my intake.
i don't eat my exercise calories. i can't even....:grumble:

MMMmmmm this is quite controversial isnt it.

My calorie goal is 1200 calories and I try to stay on or just under that. I dont exercise tho - or rather I dont exercise specifically as in go to step classes or work out etc. I obviously do exercise during the day but that is what I would normally do, ie, climb stairs instead of take the lift, walk to the bus stop, housework etc. My job is sitting typing all day so I dont get a lot of exercise from that. I would say that 1200 is very hard to keep to and choices are limited. I have lost 5lbs since starting this about 10-12 weeks ago, which doesnt sound a lot but I didnt have an awful lot to lose. However although I've only lost 5lbs it is noticeable and I have dropped a dress size so that is a plus.

When I eat exactly 1,200 calories, there's no way I can also work out - except do some light walking. If I eat 1,400 calories I have more engery to burn off 200 by walking fast. So, ya, I eat my exercised calories Everyone's body is different than the other person- what works for one person may not work for you.

MMMmmmm this is quite controversial isnt it.

I have yet to see a topic on this subject that DIDN'T end with someone berating another over "starvation mode' or too few calories.

On a side note, My MFP goal is 1200, and yes I use my exercise calories if I want to. It my motivation for working out... I work out therefore, I can eat more. and if we're being honest here, I personally find that if I don't work out and or eat back cals... I"M STARVING!!!

I did just start trying to do the zig zag thing that I found on the website freedieting.com Not sure how it works yet as I've only been zig zaggin since monday. So we'll see.

I have had 1200 net cals since starting MFP in August. It's worked for me. I started out at 136 and today I am at 119. A few weeks I had some decent drops in weight but for the most part it's been a lb a week to a half a lb a week. I stay close to the 1200 but on exercise days I do eat a little more. If I'm hungry I eat. No problems with starvation mode or anything like that. I'm on the smaller side so I don't think my body requires a ton of food and for me 1200 is easy to accomplish with the right choices.

Tracy

For me, the more often I am below my net the more and faster I lose. The days I exercise I do eat some exercise calories back but not all of them. I was trying the advice of eating them all back but it did not work and I didn't lose anything! So i tried eating some and not all and it has worked for me!

I exercise so I can eat more. I ALWAYs eat them back.

Sometimes I do - sometimes I dont. If I feel hungry then I will if i dont then i wont. Its what ever works for you!

at the moment my cals are set to 1200 to lose 1.2lb a week and I still have 60+lbs to go
I do now eat exercise calories as I get nearer to target I will do more exercise (I am due an operation in the new year-so exercise at present is difficult)and not eat them all back and or reduce the number of lbs a week to lose

I have had my calories set at 1000 for most of the time I have been on MFP (since last May) I have been loosing an average 2.5 # per week. I was exercising 1-2 hours per day and not eating any exercise calories, For the last two weeks I tried exercising 3 hours per day and I stopped loosing weight, so apparently, for me anyway, there is a point of diminishing returns after 2 hours of exercise per day. I am healthier than I have been in years. When I started my quest for health I was in constant pain and had trouble walking half a mile. I am no longer handicapped by pain and I can now easily walk a hour at 3.5 MPH. The MFP 1200 calories is an average amount that may be too little for some people or too much for some. I advise everyone to try various levels to find where they actually are. I tried 1200 for a while when I first found MFP and stopped loosing weight (I had been at 1000 before finding MFP). I went back to 1000 and started loosing again... I wish MFP did not use the phrase "starvation mode" because medically that means loss of lean body mass and that doesn't happen until you reach 5-6% body fat, what MFP is talking about is metabolic slow down, which to totally different. (That's what happened to me when I upped my exercise, I certainly didn't LOOSE muscle mass.)

Yes, eat your exercise calories, because MFP already has your goals set with weight loss taken into account.
EAT UP - lol

1200 a day and yes, I eat most of my exercise calories.

After three months, I've gotten used to smaller portions and lighter choices (more or less) and I've gradually upped the exercise a bit. To start with it was 15 min of walking and I needed every extra calorie! Nowdays I easily do 300 calories on the stationary bike just pedalling in front of the TV, so I can leave one or two hundred calories uneaten.

My weight loss has slowed down with holiday social events and all the food and drink that they entail, but I'm keeping on, keeping on!

Iv noticed that everyone seems to be saying they are managing to stay under there calorie goal just thought I'd say it's worse to eat less than ur target calories you should either eat bang on 1200 or a little over as your body stores fat when you eat under as you are sending your body into starvation mode meaning it will take longer to lose the weight and your weight continue to plato

sorry I dont agree, yes in theory if you eat far less than your allocation but this isn't what this is about.

Slightly less or certainly if you've been extensively excercising is ok.

Im no expert - and not the type of person who is going to say THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD OR MUST BE DOING. (Like so many experts here have already done!).

Since you asked for personal experiences - here is mine...

I have been on 1200 calories since I joined in May. Ive lost 54pounds (23.5kgs) and during this time I have had 2 International holidays and an Interstate long weekend away. I have recorded one gain only during this time - after a week in Samoa drinking beer to celebrate my 30th birthday.

I exercise 6 times a week - a mixture of cardio (I now run 6kms at least twice) and weights. I eat between 1160-1260 every day (except for a few Christmas parties of late!!), - and fll my diet with fruit, vegetables and lowfat dairy. I eat bread for breakfast, rice for lunch and sometimes a potato for dinner. I am not starving hungry, most of the time I am actually not even hungry. I certainly dont get the shakes or massive tummy rumbles and I think this is because of what I chose to 'spend' my calories on - good healthy, holesome food. I still drink at least once a week, and I still enjoy pizza (homecooked) and eating out too (just better choices). Ive also adapted some recipes - like low fat banana/raspberry muffins and rum balls - so they are within a reasonable calorie option. (oh I have had 2 or 3 occasions within this time where i have gone to 2000 calories, and I havent tracked whilst on holidays, just FYI - I think these are my treats and there for my enjoyment!)

I dont eat back my exercise calories. Instead I have a banana either before or after a workout depending on the time. I drink all my water and ensure I am always rehydrated. Im sure my weight loss will slow soon - and I dont expect to continue dropping 1-2kgs in a week or fortnight forever.

I guess what I am saying is you need to figure out what works for you. MFP offers guidelines, and there are many, hundreds, even more - people who will jump on here ad tell you what you should be doing. I listen to advice, but I honestly dont care. Its all your personal choice. I think the people on here should be supportive, but its noone's business to tell you what to do - or what to eat, or when to do it. I get a bit fed up from time to time at all the directions offered - and I will admit - I wonder if they follow their own advice - do they practice what they preech? Anyway - if you're really after scientific proof, or expert advice, I think there are better places to get it. So my last words - use this time to get to know your body and what its saying. Once you do - you've learnt the best thing - youve learnt how to make this a lifestyle change.

Feel free to friend me if you like. Here to support and encourage

My net calories are 1200, I was eating lower cals and i didnt lose but then MFP gave me advice to eat almost all my 1200 cal and it def worked i also try and eat more if i have had a great workout and i have def lost more this way!