We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How little is too little?

buckdunit
buckdunit Posts: 2
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
My wife is attempting to lose weight, but her calorie intake is only 1200 calories per day. Is that too low?

Replies

  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    What is her height and weight?
  • buckdunit
    buckdunit Posts: 2
    She is 5'5'' 161lbs, but she has a muscular build. She also works out for about one hour thirty minutes per day.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Yes that is too low. Try to keep around a 500 calorie deficit. I eat 1700-1800 calories to lose half a pound a week and to retain my muscle mass
  • Kenzietea2
    Kenzietea2 Posts: 1,132 Member
    Yes that is too low. Try to keep around a 500 calorie deficit. I eat 1700-1800 calories to lose half a pound a week and to retain my muscle mass

    Agreed :)
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    Need more info for an accurate estimate.
  • ThePhoenixRose
    ThePhoenixRose Posts: 1,978 Member
    Need more info for an accurate estimate.

    ^^THIS. No way to know from what you've given us.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    probably
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    Yes.
  • HeatherWestgate
    HeatherWestgate Posts: 19 Member
    I'm about the same build and this calorie intake was good for me at first. I always made sure that I ate back at least 1/2 of my excersise calories though. So although your wife's calorie intake is set at 1200 if she works out that much she should be regularly eating more. Depending on how intense her workouts are probably more like 1500 a day. As she looses weight and reduces her goal of pounds lost per week her calories will increase.
  • charityateet
    charityateet Posts: 574 Member
    Sounds like we got a bit of info.

    She's 5'5" 160 lbs - and works out for an hour and a half a day.

    IMO she needs to eat more. I am 5'6" 179 and workout about an hour a day - I eat about 1800 and am losing.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    probably

    im sure youve been told a million times already but i love your avatar! :D
  • McKayMachina
    McKayMachina Posts: 2,670 Member
    Yes that is too low. Try to keep around a 500 calorie deficit. I eat 1700-1800 calories to lose half a pound a week and to retain my muscle mass

    Yup!
  • Bakerchk
    Bakerchk Posts: 424 Member
    I'm eat 1200 calories and have been doing it for some time and I feel great and am losing weight. The days I work out, I get around 200 more calories, so I eat 1400 those days. I'm 5'2'' and weigh 140lbs
  • XjuliaXannX
    XjuliaXannX Posts: 67 Member
    that's not even that low
This discussion has been closed.

Categories