going up from 1200 calories per day what do people think?

The calories you should eat to lose weight differ from person to person. I had the most success at 1600 calories a day on my own. It took me a little over a year to lose 50 pounds, but I was really proud of that! Obviously, I've gained it all back, but that's due to running into health issues. Now I'm on a medical weight loss plan, so I'm not going to admit to my calorie limit now. Ugh!

If you're hungry all the time, then you definitely need to eat more. If you feel tired and sluggish, you need to eat more.

when i upped my cals from 1200 to just over 1400 my weight loss picked up momentum and it really worked for me and that was with out any exercise at all!

Hi Jess,

I also made the same switch about 2 months ago. 1200 to 1400. It was just enough to keep me satisfied. Amazing what an extra 200 calories or so per day can do. I dropped 4 pounds since increasing my calorie intake (which apparently was to be expected according to my nutritionist...who gawked at the idea of eating a measly 1200 per day).

Most importantly- it makes you feel less restricted.

Jenny

Some folks have great success upping their calories, losing more weight than they did with a more restrictive goal.

But even if you're NOT one of those people, I'm personally of the opinion that it's better to eat a little more, feel a little more satisfied, and lose weight a little tiny bit slower... and be able to stay on plan over a longer period of time.

I've broken a few plateaus by eating more..... in about 14 months I've lost 105lbs. I currently eat 1800-2000 calories... On intense workout days I eat more. I work out 6-7 days a week.

sw 303.4 (1/1/11)
cw 198.4
gw 160
29 y/o 5'6''

I upped my calories about a week and a half ago and at first I didn't think it was going to work to be honest I had gained 3 pounds but as of today I have lost the 3 pounds and a half pound more. I think for me it was a good idea. I was just to hungry with the 1260 I was on. I think for everyone it's different but if your hungry all the time then I would say yes do it. But give the change a fair chances but if it doesn't work for you than you can always go back to the 1200 calories.

I noticed when I was on the 1200 cals, I would lose for awhile, plateau and then wobble back and forth between about 5 lbs. If I splurged in the slightest I would immeadiatley gain! It was frusterating. Once I decided to increase my cals (I increased to 1485 via my BMR) I felt better, had more energy, and after the first week I started to lose weight steady. I weigh myself every morning and when I did the 1200 cals my weight was everywhere! I really love my diet now that I have increased them! If you are considering it I would friend "helloitsdan" He is the guru of setting your macros. He also has a group on here that is set up to help anyone who wants to increase your cals and lose weight. Hope this helps!

I noticed when I was on the 1200 cals, I would lose for awhile, plateau and then wobble back and forth between about 5 lbs. If I splurged in the slightest I would immeadiatley gain! It was frusterating. Once I decided to increase my cals (I increased to 1485 via my BMR) I felt better, had more energy, and after the first week I started to lose weight steady. I weigh myself every morning and when I did the 1200 cals my weight was everywhere! I really love my diet now that I have increased them! If you are considering it I would friend "helloitsdan" He is the guru of setting your macros. He also has a group on here that is set up to help anyone who wants to increase your cals and lose weight. Hope this helps!

Dan is great. This is the site he gives all of us to run our numbers and he has a group, "Fuel the Machine!"
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/
Use the military body fat calculator and then the BMR calculator
It will give you a chart of what to eat according to activity/fitness level
Set MFP to that number, Protein and Fat to 30%

Macros work out to be 1 - 1.5 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass, .45 grams of fat per lean body mass, carbs will fill in the rest.
Adapting a strength routine is great too. Stronglifts 5x5 is awesome and New Rules of Lifting for Women is great too!
Give yourself 2-4 weeks. Weigh and measure!

I have been on high calories since November. I am 5'5 1/2 eating 1850 - 2200 calories daily :happy:

when you upped your calories to 1400 did you hit a week or two where you gained? I know for me 1200 seems to fit really well if i go over i gain easily or so it seems!

When I was eating at 1200, I gained easily, too. Just a small splurge, even if it was in my calorie limit but just something more calorie-dense like a small piece of cake, would make me gain. I started to actually eat my exercise calories (I usually burn about 400-500/day) and didn't see those little gains anymore and kept losing. Upped my calories to 1300/day+exercise calories, still losing and can have splurges without gaining. Recently upped to 1400/day+exercise calories, still losing and can have some fairly good sized splurges without gaining. It's weird and so counter-intuitive but it seems to be working for me. I'm going to stay at 1400 for another few weeks and then raise it to 1500 and see if that still works. I wanna see how far I can push this, LOL.

Anyway, you might give it a try. You might see a small gain for the first week or two but, give it a month, and see if you don't drop again. The extra food is wonderful. I actually don't even feel like I'm on a diet anymore.

bump

How do we find Dan's group ?

Please PM me for an invite!

I'm wondering the same thing. I've been at 1200 calories for 5 months now. I've pretty much got to my goal weight but i have recently considered eating around 1400-1450. I exercise 5 days a week. HOPEFULLY i wont start gaining weight. I've pretty much hit a plateau where i am now but i'm pretty happy with my weight but want to tone. Does nyone have any suggestions since i've been at 1200 calories for a while?

well, if you're exercising you should be eating back your calories anyhow. Since MFP sets 1200 as the minimum NET calorie intake I'd bet you should be eating even MORE than 1400 calories when you take your workout into account (depending on what you're doing).

true, plus I don't see how people actually "survive" off the MINIMUM.

i want to up my calories aswell but im worried i will gain as i only eat around 1200 a day whats the best way to do it without gaining what sort of things should i include in my diet xx