When 1200 calories a day equal 0
Yanicka1
Posts: 4,564 Member
Why eating 1200 calories a day and not eating your exercise calories is a bad idea.
Ok ….I already posted about this but I will do it again. Sigh
Ok let just say that you eat 1200 calories a day and exercise for 600 calories a day. It is the equivalent of eating 600 calories a day. Do you know what need 600 calories a day to fonction?
You brain.
Since I love brains and I think they are sexy, let just give it all the 600 calories remaining. Probably that you body will try to reduce the calorie consuption of your brain a little but for this explaination, just humour me.
So now 1200-600 = 600 calories
600-600 calories to your brain = 0 freaking calories. Wonderfull !!!!
Your body has 0 calories to :
-Grow your hairs and nails
-Maintain body heat
-Make your heart pump
-Digest your food
-Divide and replace your cells
-Maintain you hormonal balance
-filter your blood by your kidneys and liver
-Doing everything that need to be done in your daily life like walking to work, keeping your cool when your *****y coworker is rude once again, when your kids want to play with you and when your SO want to get frisky
If you have a lot of weight to lose, your reserves are easily accessible, the negative impacts are negligibles. When you have a few pounds to lose, that is when the trouble start.
As an exemple, let just say that you have 1 000 000$ dollars in the bank, if you bust your budget and have to take money out of your account, It will not make that much of a difference. If you only have 1000$, each retreval will make a huge difference.
When we need to lose those last few pounds, the energy reserves are really hard to acces because for the body, those reserves are there in case of emergency. Muscle mass will be easier to acces. Muscle mass reduction = slower metabolism.
Slower metabolism = big chance of gaining weight when you eat slightly more.
Stay healthy.
Ok ….I already posted about this but I will do it again. Sigh
Ok let just say that you eat 1200 calories a day and exercise for 600 calories a day. It is the equivalent of eating 600 calories a day. Do you know what need 600 calories a day to fonction?
You brain.
Since I love brains and I think they are sexy, let just give it all the 600 calories remaining. Probably that you body will try to reduce the calorie consuption of your brain a little but for this explaination, just humour me.
So now 1200-600 = 600 calories
600-600 calories to your brain = 0 freaking calories. Wonderfull !!!!
Your body has 0 calories to :
-Grow your hairs and nails
-Maintain body heat
-Make your heart pump
-Digest your food
-Divide and replace your cells
-Maintain you hormonal balance
-filter your blood by your kidneys and liver
-Doing everything that need to be done in your daily life like walking to work, keeping your cool when your *****y coworker is rude once again, when your kids want to play with you and when your SO want to get frisky
If you have a lot of weight to lose, your reserves are easily accessible, the negative impacts are negligibles. When you have a few pounds to lose, that is when the trouble start.
As an exemple, let just say that you have 1 000 000$ dollars in the bank, if you bust your budget and have to take money out of your account, It will not make that much of a difference. If you only have 1000$, each retreval will make a huge difference.
When we need to lose those last few pounds, the energy reserves are really hard to acces because for the body, those reserves are there in case of emergency. Muscle mass will be easier to acces. Muscle mass reduction = slower metabolism.
Slower metabolism = big chance of gaining weight when you eat slightly more.
Stay healthy.
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Replies
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Thanks for posting this. People need to understand that food is not the enemy. Food is fuel.0
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Thank you for posting.
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Thanks for posting this. People need to understand that food is not the enemy. Food is fuel.
I could not agree more! This made me think of this:
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Really good points. My fear is that if they devalue themselves enough to starve themselves, they might not think much about the value and attractiveness of a smart brain.0
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Thanks for posting this information because I too was told not to include the calories burned during exercise in my daily food bank.0
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Thanks for posting this information because I too was told not to include the calories burned during exercise in my daily food bank.
Whoever told you that does not understand how this site works. You should be eating back your exercise calories. Your body needs the calories and nutrients.0 -
Thank you for posting this OP
It's so sad to see people starving themselves eating less then 1200 net/day.0 -
*standing ovation*"0
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I have a really hard time with this. When I eat back my exercise calories I feel like I wasted my time exercising (even though I know it's good for me, and I enjoy it). On weeks when I eat back my calories (and I eat REALLY healthily, I cheat maybe once a week for one meal only), I see no weight loss. Period. But when I stay around 1200ish, I see weight loss...not just weight loss, FAT loss (we have access to free body fat comp tests at my gym, so I keep myself in check).
I eat when I'm hungry, I definitely don't starve myself. I eat nutrient dense and fiber rich foods, drink a lot of water, and I don't run out of gas when exercising (and I work out pretty hard). This whole weight loss thing is a lot more complicated than it should be!0 -
Agreed!0
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I completely agree Meredith...
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I have a really hard time with this. When I eat back my exercise calories I feel like I wasted my time exercising (even though I know it's good for me, and I enjoy it). On weeks when I eat back my calories (and I eat REALLY healthily, I cheat maybe once a week for one meal only), I see no weight loss. Period. But when I stay around 1200ish, I see weight loss...not just weight loss, FAT loss (we have access to free body fat comp tests at my gym, so I keep myself in check).
I eat when I'm hungry, I definitely don't starve myself. I eat nutrient dense and fiber rich foods, drink a lot of water, and I don't run out of gas when exercising (and I work out pretty hard). This whole weight loss thing is a lot more complicated than it should be!
If you maintain your weight when eating 1200 calories a day and eating your exercise calories, I would suggest reading this : http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
(it is not exaclty the same thing but it might help)
I exercise 45 minutes a day to be healthy, I have a small calories deficite to lose weight. I do not exercise to lose weight. This is a diet mentality and not a lifestyle mentality.
You realise that you are comdemning yourself at eating 1200 calories a day for the rest of your life? How about instead of trying to lose weight as fast as possible, you try to lose the weight once and for all? I am not telling you what you should do....I have not walked in your shoes and do not know your history.....I know that for myself, a 1200 calories a day is not the life I want for myself. Life is too precious to be miserable.0 -
Thanks for posting this. So true!0
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I have a really hard time with this. When I eat back my exercise calories I feel like I wasted my time exercising (even though I know it's good for me, and I enjoy it). On weeks when I eat back my calories (and I eat REALLY healthily, I cheat maybe once a week for one meal only), I see no weight loss. Period. But when I stay around 1200ish, I see weight loss...not just weight loss, FAT loss (we have access to free body fat comp tests at my gym, so I keep myself in check).
I eat when I'm hungry, I definitely don't starve myself. I eat nutrient dense and fiber rich foods, drink a lot of water, and I don't run out of gas when exercising (and I work out pretty hard). This whole weight loss thing is a lot more complicated than it should be!
If you maintain your weight when eating 1200 calories a day and eating your exercise calories, I would suggest reading this : http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
(it is not exaclty the same thing but it might help)
I exercise 45 minutes a day to be healthy, I have a small calories deficite to lose weight. I do not exercise to lose weight. This is a diet mentality and not a lifestyle mentality.
You realise that you are comdemning yourself at eating 1200 calories a day for the rest of your life? How about instead of trying to lose weight as fast as possible, you try to lose the weight once and for all? I am not telling you what you should do....I have not walked in your shoes and do not know your history.....I know that for myself, a 1200 calories a day is not the life I want for myself. Life is too precious to be miserable.
I do have days where I eat more, and my weight loss is definitely slow. I mean 2 lbs in one week tops (usually more like 1 pound). I don't obsess or anything, I just find that I'm force feeding myself to eat more. Like I mentioned, I eat when I'm hungry and I eat until I'm satiated, and I really enjoy healthy foods, and I don't eat anything I don't want to eat. Also, my exercise isn't just for weight loss, but it's also for overall well being and I actually enjoy running as a hobby. I guess that's why this confuses me so much, because I'm totally not miserable and I'm really happy with the way I eat. I cheat too, trust me, I have those days where I say "ok I'm having enchiladas and that's that." But I just don't want to be doing myself a disservice in the long run.
Should I try to force down an extra couple hundred calories a day? Or just keep with the "eat when I'm hungry and until I'm full" mentality?0 -
I have a really hard time with this. When I eat back my exercise calories I feel like I wasted my time exercising (even though I know it's good for me, and I enjoy it). On weeks when I eat back my calories (and I eat REALLY healthily, I cheat maybe once a week for one meal only), I see no weight loss. Period. But when I stay around 1200ish, I see weight loss...not just weight loss, FAT loss (we have access to free body fat comp tests at my gym, so I keep myself in check).
I eat when I'm hungry, I definitely don't starve myself. I eat nutrient dense and fiber rich foods, drink a lot of water, and I don't run out of gas when exercising (and I work out pretty hard). This whole weight loss thing is a lot more complicated than it should be!
If you maintain your weight when eating 1200 calories a day and eating your exercise calories, I would suggest reading this : http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing
(it is not exaclty the same thing but it might help)
I exercise 45 minutes a day to be healthy, I have a small calories deficite to lose weight. I do not exercise to lose weight. This is a diet mentality and not a lifestyle mentality.
You realise that you are comdemning yourself at eating 1200 calories a day for the rest of your life? How about instead of trying to lose weight as fast as possible, you try to lose the weight once and for all? I am not telling you what you should do....I have not walked in your shoes and do not know your history.....I know that for myself, a 1200 calories a day is not the life I want for myself. Life is too precious to be miserable.
I do have days where I eat more, and my weight loss is definitely slow. I mean 2 lbs in one week tops (usually more like 1 pound). I don't obsess or anything, I just find that I'm force feeding myself to eat more. Like I mentioned, I eat when I'm hungry and I eat until I'm satiated, and I really enjoy healthy foods, and I don't eat anything I don't want to eat. Also, my exercise isn't just for weight loss, but it's also for overall well being and I actually enjoy running as a hobby. I guess that's why this confuses me so much, because I'm totally not miserable and I'm really happy with the way I eat. I cheat too, trust me, I have those days where I say "ok I'm having enchiladas and that's that." But I just don't want to be doing myself a disservice in the long run.
Should I try to force down an extra couple hundred calories a day? Or just keep with the "eat when I'm hungry and until I'm full" mentality?
You can try eating more calorie dense food, it is easy to eat a few handfull of almond (I say that and note that I have not looked at your diary) Also I would put the weight lost at 1 to 1.5 pound a week max. With all due respect, Do you really trust your body and it's signales it is giving you? You can feel full by eating a metric ton of carrot and eat carrot all day long but it does not mean it is the healthiest thing to do.0 -
I have to agree with Meridith on this.... I eat them back if i am hungry but if I am full I am not going to stuff myself, and sometimes I can't reach that calorie goal with calorie dense foods.... there is a line that goes from calorie dense foods to fattening foods, I am just NOT going to eat those to get my calories back....
I don't starve myself by any means, take a look at my diary, heck I even went out this week and had a Big Mac Meal OMG!!
but, if I keep my overall calorie consumption to around 12-1300 even if I work out.... things just seem to work better for me.
I am not going to gluten myself just to meet my calorie goals, MFP calculates I need about 2064 calories just to function/maintain, but I don't believe it, I think it's more like 1800.0 -
I think that this is a great article and explains it well :
http://voices.yahoo.com/starvation-mode-dispelling-myths-2900886.html?cat=50 -
I think that this is a great article and explains it well :
http://voices.yahoo.com/starvation-mode-dispelling-myths-2900886.html?cat=5
Oh I am not talking about starvation mode....in fact I hate that term LOL. I rather call it conservation mode.
No what I am talking about is feeding your body right, with a sufficent number of calories so in order to acheve a hleathy lifestyle and a life long weight loss and keeping as much muscle mass as possible. I understand it can be confusing :flowerforyou:0 -
This site is set up in such a way that you are eating at a calorie deficit WITHOUT exercise. Unless you are obese, you should not be shooting for a 2lb per week weight loss.
Please read through the posts in this group. Many of us have been on this site for a while and we have learned through trial and error that eating less isn't always better. I know you'll do it your own way, but we are trying to save you the trouble of learning the hard way. Take the advice or don't. It's up to you.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/457-unofficial-mfp-faq0 -
I'm sure someday's my brain only uses 100 calories, or it feels like it anyway!!0
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I "wasted my time" years ago when only ate low calorie to lose pounds, and ended up skinny fat at 130#, wearing a size 8 and sporting a muffin top and backfat rolls.
I didn't "waste my time" eating my exercise calories this time around and being a size 2 or 4 at around 130#. Same weight, and about two inches smaller all around. ( As in this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/449570-mfp-mythbusters-losing-weight-fast-exercise-calories-girl )
And I sure as hell didn't waste my time when my butt got noticeably less droopy from June to now, despite only weighing about two or three pounds less. ( As in my profile pic and this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/474504-seven-months-of-admittedly-inconsistent-strength-training )0 -
bumpy mcbump!
and just to throw my 2p's worth in... losing 1lb per week is NOT slow... its a GOOD amount of weight to lose to keep healthy and maintain the loss!!!0 -
tabinmaine and Meridith,
Your approach does work, until it doesn't anymore.
Your extremely low calorie intakes are what can eventually put your thyroid gland in such a low state that you will be placed on meds for the rest of your life. Take it from me and many many others who have done this, the quick way to weight loss is also the way to ruin your long-term health.
Eat. Way more than 1300 cals a day. If you go to school or work or take care of children, you need more than 1300 a day.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits
.0 -
bumpy mcbump!
and just to throw my 2p's worth in... losing 1lb per week is NOT slow... its a GOOD amount of weight to lose to keep healthy and maintain the loss!!!
My toughts exactly!!0 -
tabinmarie and Meridith, you are both young and therefore know best.
Your approach does work, until it doesn't anymore.
Your extremely low calorie intakes are what can eventually put your thyroid gland in such a low state that you will be placed on meds for the rest of your life. Take it from me and many many others who have done this, the quick way to weight loss is also the way to ruin your long-term health.
Eat. Way more than 1300 cals a day. If you go to school or work or take care of children, you need more than 1300 a day.
Ok, there is no need to be rude. I'm not an idiot. I eat when I'm hungry. And I have my blood work checked every few months to ensure that I'm healthy. It's taken me one month to lose 5 lbs, and it's slowing, so I don't think I'm going overboard or anything. Obviously, I don't know everything, as I legitimately asked for advice. I work full time and have a 5 year old. I eat several times a day. I eat nutrient dense foods, and I eat until I'm full. I'm actually eating as I type (Eat Raw Super Cookies---they are delicious). Also, I said before, there are days where I do eat more than that. All in all, I want to be healthy, and the # on the scale isn't really that important as long as my BMI is in good shape. I have a relatively low BMR (in the 1400s range) as my job is pretty much sedentary. I have no interest in losing weight over night.
My whole question before was should I eat if I'm not hungry just because I have only had 1200 or 1300 calories that day? And keep in mind, that my calories might actually be more (and burning less) because I don't measure every bite I take and the exercise calories that MFP puts are probably a little higher than the actual burn.0 -
Another on the side of eat more. You'll do what you will, but as someone who's been here more than a month, I need to tell you the people chiming in about eating more know what they're talking about. They've been there. Me too. I eat more, get stronger,faster and slimmer. And way happier when I eat enough, which for me is 1700 plus exercise.0
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tabinmarie and Meridith, you are both young and therefore know best.
Your approach does work, until it doesn't anymore.
Your extremely low calorie intakes are what can eventually put your thyroid gland in such a low state that you will be placed on meds for the rest of your life. Take it from me and many many others who have done this, the quick way to weight loss is also the way to ruin your long-term health.
Eat. Way more than 1300 cals a day. If you go to school or work or take care of children, you need more than 1300 a day.
Ok, there is no need to be rude. I'm not an idiot. I eat when I'm hungry. And I have my blood work checked every few months to ensure that I'm healthy. It's taken me one month to lose 5 lbs, and it's slowing, so I don't think I'm going overboard or anything. Obviously, I don't know everything, as I legitimately asked for advice. I work full time and have a 5 year old. I eat several times a day. I eat nutrient dense foods, and I eat until I'm full. I'm actually eating as I type (Eat Raw Super Cookies---they are delicious). Also, I said before, there are days where I do eat more than that. All in all, I want to be healthy, and the # on the scale isn't really that important as long as my BMI is in good shape. I have a relatively low BMR (in the 1400s range) as my job is pretty much sedentary. I have no interest in losing weight over night.
My whole question before was should I eat if I'm not hungry just because I have only had 1200 or 1300 calories that day? And keep in mind, that my calories might actually be more (and burning less) because I don't measure every bite I take and the exercise calories that MFP puts are probably a little higher than the actual burn.
It probably won't make a lot of difference if you do that on occasion. But if you are saying that your BMR is 1400 cals, and you are eating 1200-1300 and less, you are already behind the eight ball.
You should deduct your calorie deficit from your TDEE, NOT your BMR. Your TDEE is probably more like 2000-2200. Unless you are obese, you really can't afford much of a calorie deficit. You need to be more around the 1600-1700 range, at the lowest.
You will feel much better, honestly, and it is something you are more likely to sustain long-term.0 -
tabinmarie and Meridith, you are both young and therefore know best.
Your approach does work, until it doesn't anymore.
Your extremely low calorie intakes are what can eventually put your thyroid gland in such a low state that you will be placed on meds for the rest of your life. Take it from me and many many others who have done this, the quick way to weight loss is also the way to ruin your long-term health.
Eat. Way more than 1300 cals a day. If you go to school or work or take care of children, you need more than 1300 a day.
Ok, there is no need to be rude. I'm not an idiot. I eat when I'm hungry. And I have my blood work checked every few months to ensure that I'm healthy. It's taken me one month to lose 5 lbs, and it's slowing, so I don't think I'm going overboard or anything. Obviously, I don't know everything, as I legitimately asked for advice. I work full time and have a 5 year old. I eat several times a day. I eat nutrient dense foods, and I eat until I'm full. I'm actually eating as I type (Eat Raw Super Cookies---they are delicious). Also, I said before, there are days where I do eat more than that. All in all, I want to be healthy, and the # on the scale isn't really that important as long as my BMI is in good shape. I have a relatively low BMR (in the 1400s range) as my job is pretty much sedentary. I have no interest in losing weight over night.
My whole question before was should I eat if I'm not hungry just because I have only had 1200 or 1300 calories that day? And keep in mind, that my calories might actually be more (and burning less) because I don't measure every bite I take and the exercise calories that MFP puts are probably a little higher than the actual burn.
It probably won't make a lot of difference if you do that on occasion. But if you are saying that your BMR is 1400 cals, and you are eating 1200-1300 and less, you are already behind the eight ball.
You should deduct your calorie deficit from your TDEE, NOT your BMR. Your TDEE is probably more like 2000-2200. Unless you are obese, you really can't afford much of a calorie deficit. You need to be more around the 1600-1700 range, at the lowest.
You will feel much better, honestly, and it is something you are more likely to sustain long-term.
I thought to lose weight you want to eat less than your body burns naturally anyway? Obviously not dipping below 1200, but shouldn't I create some sort of deficit to lose weight? What about the whole "zig zagging" thing? I would say in one week I stay around 1200-1300 calories probably 4 of 7 days, but eat more (closer to 1600-1700) 2 of the 7 and then maybe around 1900 once a week (cheat day). I exercise 5 to 6 days a week (combo of cardio, strength training, and yoga--burn a lot less on yoga days). Would you guys consider that to be a healthy balance of calories?
I'm 5'3, 27 years old, and 163 lbs.0 -
I understand your confusion. I'm confused too. I come to MFP and I'm told I'm not eating enough. I go to the gym, they tell me I'm eating too much and to replace my evening meal with a protein shake. Everybody seems to have a different view of how a person's body burns (or doesn't burn) calories.
I don't feel the least bit deprived but somehow I am because I don't eat back all of my exercise calories.
Before the last year and a half, I've never had a weight problem, even after three kids. At 50, I was a very fit, toned woman weighing 138 pounds and wearing size 7 jeans. At just turned 53, I've devolved into a blobby mess with a life preserver permanantly affixed to my waistline, arms that wiggle when I walk, and I am unfashionable stuffed into size 11s and, for the first time in my life, I have seen the upside of 170 pounds.
Changes in my life?
I quit smoking several years ago, became menopausal, and had some of the most stress filled two years of my life. But I didn't stress eat. I didn't much change my eating habits at all. I didn't have gym access but I kept on walking every day. But here I am. Just turned 53 and living my life in my mother's sister's body. You know, the big aunt. Everybody has one.
Now that I've reached the point of being fed up with it all--I get nothing but mixed messages about how I'm supposed to eat, how much I'm supposed to eat, and what I'm supposed to eat. After more than a week of dieting, daily cardio, and regular weight training, I gained two pounds. My trainer told me to quit eating solid food after my evening workout and to drink a protein shake instead. I've done that for two days and dropped 1.7 of the 2 pounds I gained back.
Is that good?
Is that bad?
Heck if I know. Now I'm told that my trainer is ignorant for giving me that advice.
I don't know WHAT to do.0 -
BMR isn't what your body burns in a day. It's what your body NEEDS to just to stay alive.... what it would burn if you were in a coma. The second you wake up, you're burning more calories that that. Even leading a sedentary lifestyle, you burn more than that.
You need to eat less than your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) to lose weight. If you go into your "goals" page - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/my_goals - it will tell you what your body burns from normal daily activity. As a lightly active, 5'5" 39 year old weighing 133#, my BMR is only 1,279, but my TDEE is 1730.
If I wanted to lose one pound a week (in theory... I know I can't lose that much now), I'd eat 1230. 500 calories less than 1730. If I exercise like I did today, burning about 400 calories, my TDEE for the day is 2130. If I only ate 1230, my calorie deficit for the day would no longer be 500 calories, it would be 900, and that's way, way, way too much.
Generally speaking... If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal (1000 calorie deficit). If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal (750 calorie deficit). If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal (500 calories). If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal (500-250). If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal (250).0
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