Does the body really need 1,200 calories...?

christina_michelle
christina_michelle Posts: 225
edited October 6 in Health and Weight Loss
I ask this because I am home during break and am I guess a lot less active then when I'm at school walking to classes and walking to the gym, etc, etc.

I didn't eat healthy at all at school; yet, I stayed right around 138. I have come home and gone on a healthier (no where near perfect, but so much better than before) and strong workout regimen (unlike school, maybe twice a week, IF lucky) and have gained about a pound....

The thing is at school I was up from 8 am - 11pm; at home i'm up from 12:30 pm - 2:30 am; however i'm sitting around or hanging out with friends during those times except for about an hour - hour and a half when I work out.

So does my body really need 1,200 calories when its laying around for about eight - ten hours a day?

Replies

  • threeforagirl
    threeforagirl Posts: 39
    Pretty much, yep.
    Of course, you could change your activity level in your profile and it'd probably tell you exactly what you need :)
  • katcena
    katcena Posts: 326 Member
    You can best find the answer for your own body by doing a bit of research on BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and how your body works. It is different for each and every one of us based on age, gender, activity level, etc, etc.

    Here's a calculator http://www.shapefit.com/bmr.html that can tell you how many minimum calories you need a day based on your details

    Here's an article that explains the WHY of it all http://www.shapefit.com/basal-metabolic-rate.html

    I would love to just give you a short quick answer....but it really doesn't work that way. We are all a little different....I can say that the rule of thumb for women is typically never eat below 1200 calories because it is unhealthy. But, it sounds like you already know that to some degree.
  • christina_michelle
    christina_michelle Posts: 225
    I have definitely changed it to sedentary (sitting down mostly!)

    I will take a look at this shape calculator!
  • threeforagirl
    threeforagirl Posts: 39
    I have definitely changed it to sedentary (sitting down mostly!)

    I will take a look at this shape calculator!

    :)
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