1250 calories?

I'm a lot older (62) and have more to lose. My doctor & nutritionist set my calories/day at 1200. Which is what MFP set my goal at. Been doing this 3 weeks (on site just 1 day) and I'm doing fine. I'm also doing 3 meals and 2 snacks. My body is different than your's and everyone else's. I need to do what is right for me to be healthy, control my type 2 diabetes and get fit. IMO.

i'm not sure what the recommendations are for older individuals but i'm sure your dr has a reason for you to do 1200 (i always try to find out why my dr wants me to do something because i have to know why!). i know older people tend to have lower metabolisms also. i find this to be a good guide for me: www.fat2fitradio.com/tools
find out body fat % and then look at calorie intake using the BMR estimator. it is pretty much right on for most of us but i'm not sure how it calculates for older individuals. good luck!

That's incredibly low, and not sustainable. You'd be unsatiated and end up falling off the wagon. Re-adjust it, quickly!!

I've been doing 1200 for almost 2 months now. If you want to lose weight, it's fine and if you eat the right foods you will be fine. It's about willpower.

Do what you fel comfortable with. What works for some may not work for others. I see some that keep around 1200 and lose, I see some that eat under 1200 and lose, and I see some that eat more than 1200 and lose. Everyone is different. I was always hungry and cranky and tired on 1200 calories. I upped mine to 1400 and it seems to be working. Good luck with whatever you decide. Remember...Do what works for YOU!!!!!!

I don’t think 1250 calories is bad. My goal is 1200 cal. I have only been doing this for five days. I have been cutting back on the unhealthy snacking and cutting my portions down because I am a BIG eater...I don’t eat often but when I do eat, I eat a lot! Of course I have my spells when I get hungry but that's when I eat one of my 100 cal snacks, fruits or veggies instead of a bag of potato chips. But for the most part I feel like I can still eat, now there are other diets like the HCG diet that tells you to only consume 500 calories a day! So I don’t believe what we're doing is too bad.

i didn't think it was bad at the time either. in fact, it was great! i lost lots of weight!! then after a few months i realized my body fat percentage was still pretty high and my lean mass was low and dropping. i had burned some of my muscle... oh no... that's when i made the decision to eat more. 1200 "worked" for me for a long while because i lost weight... but in the end i ended up losing muscle as well as fat and was completely unaware that this was happening. by saying i don't think it's a good idea, i am just trying to let people know what can happen with this from mine as well as others' experiences. if you don't mind losing muscle along with fat then 1200 is for you. however, a lot of people who once ate 1200 are on here months later saying that they have not lost as many inches as they hoped for, but they have lost weight, they still have high body fat, etc.
for me, i knew it wasn't right because other people who weighed more than i did but were the same height were in smaller sizes. that meant i was losing muscle and keeping fat... not good. i wanted a smaller body, tighter waist, etc. so i did some research on here and figured out what to do.
there is a way to fix it. eat more. work out with weights. i'm trying to reverse mine right now. i wish when i first started losing weight that i would have eaten at least 1500 calories. i bet i would have saved some of my muscle mass. there's no question that 1200 "works"... it's just a question of what you want to lose

I'm a 5'4", 145-150lb, 36 year old female who works in a fast paced job where I am on my feet (I work 4 days a week). I workout at the gym 1-2 days a week for 60 mins. I jog (trying to get back to running after a back injury) and I do some weight lifting. I can easily lose weight while consuming 2100-2200 NET calories a day and I can easily maintain while consuming 2300-2500 NET calories a day.

It all depends on your activity level.

Do you know your BMR? How about your TDEE?

woooo! congrats! keep it

omg i didn't think this would stir up such a debate .. i agree what works for one person may not work for another .. I decided to up my calories this week to 1800 seeing as I am working out alot .. what do you know .. stepped on the scale and down two pounds. Not sure if this is because of the increased calories or what but i'm happy

Im set at 1200 and losing weight steadily .... I cook from scratch, never eat processed, I have to add nuts and seeds (high call foods) to make sure I even reach 1200 each day ...

I am 5ft 6, 168lbs and 39 .... I also exercise every day (in some form or another) ... if Im hungry Ill eat back some exercise cals (which is rarely) but if Im not hungry I don't....

some ppl with say this is the wrong way to do this but it works for me

find out what works for you ... if you find 1200 it too little drop the number of lbs you want to lose per week and your cal allowance will go up....

Know what the funny part about this all Watboy, I actually never criticize anyone for being on 1200 calories but yet you give us all crap for being rude to those on 1200 and you attacked my first two post without reason. It's amazing how hypocritical you really are.

I understand people say this or that works for them and they are all special and have different circumstances and if you want to believe that then great. I understand there are allergies and genetics but rarely have I seen them cause huge swings. Yes as you age, your body has a slower metabolism because you lose muscle as you age. Muscle directly effects your metabolism. I personally don't care if people want to do 1200 calories, but when they come on the board and say, I am doing 1200 calories and I am not losing weight, I am going to give them the best understanding through research and experience to why it's not working. Additionally, I want people to understand what they are doing by eating below their metabolic rate and what can happen to their lean muscle mass. I am dealing with several people now that got to their weight goal, have loose and flabby skin and now want to build muscle to eliminate it because 1200 calories didn't help. The OP want to know if 1250 calories was OK with a Beach Body workout program. A company that has had immense success with in home workouts. And guess what all of the people who have success have in common with these programs? That's right, they are all eating 1800+ calories. If you don't believe me, go look on their forums. Like I said before, I know from experience about low calories and these products. And the best part, the OP just posted she is eating more and already started losing weight.


The thing is, yes 1200 calories works but do you really want to do that for the rest of your life? Or do you want to have the ability to eat 2000+ calories and not gain weight?

I like this post very balanced and very informative this is what we should all be doing rather than picking on people. You're post was in agreement with someone who was very very negative. But this post like I said is very balanced. I don't think it's fair however to compare anorexia a serious ED to people who eat 1200 calories. Also I never said 1200 is the thing to do. I just know people on it who have had great success, lowered cholesterol aleviated asthma symptoms due to their smaller size ,their Dr.s have done physicals and blood pressure is tons better and they continue to keep their weight off and are healthier. I don't like blanket statements like "it's not sustainble! it wont work" and so on. I find comments like that very unhelpful and very judgemental. Plenty of people posted on this particular thread that this is working for them and they are plenty happy. I lost 58 lbs without MFP and I don't use it for calories at all. The fact it keeps track of calories is a plus I use it for fat and carbs and protein. I've had people tell me what I'm doing is not sustaianable as well and well it is. So for all of you who have had continued success keep it up.

Know what the funny part about this all Watboy, I actually never criticize anyone for being on 1200 calories but yet you give us all crap for being rude to those on 1200 and you attacked my first two post without reason. It's amazing how hypocritical you really are.

I understand people say this or that works for them and they are all special and have different circumstances and if you want to believe that then great. I understand there are allergies and genetics but rarely have I seen them cause huge swings. Yes as you age, your body has a slower metabolism because you lose muscle as you age. Muscle directly effects your metabolism. I personally don't care if people want to do 1200 calories, but when they come on the board and say, I am doing 1200 calories and I am not losing weight, I am going to give them the best understanding through research and experience to why it's not working. Additionally, I want people to understand what they are doing by eating below their metabolic rate and what can happen to their lean muscle mass. I am dealing with several people now that got to their weight goal, have loose and flabby skin and now want to build muscle to eliminate it because 1200 calories didn't help. The OP want to know if 1250 calories was OK with a Beach Body workout program. A company that has had immense success with in home workouts. And guess what all of the people who have success have in common with these programs? That's right, they are all eating 1800+ calories. If you don't believe me, go look on their forums. Like I said before, I know from experience about low calories and these products. And the best part, the OP just posted she is eating more and already started losing weight.


The thing is, yes 1200 calories works but do you really want to do that for the rest of your life? Or do you want to have the ability to eat 2000+ calories and not gain weight?

So i guess what this comes down to is semantics. what is your definition of a very low calorie diet "working"? if it's losing weight, sure it will "work" it also will help people who are obese get their blood pressure down, other health benefits you mentioned, etc. however, in the long term (and especially for people with not as much weight to lose) 1200 slows metabolism and does cause the body to burn more muscle than a higher calorie diet would. so in using my definition of "Works" where "works" means i lose less muscle, more fat, a 1200 calorie diet isn't going to "work" for my goals. for me, what "Works" is eating more because i preserve the lean muscle i have. again, just semantics... 1200 would "Work" if you don't care about lean mass at all and your goal is just weight loss as a whole.

I like this post very balanced and very informative this is what we should all be doing rather than picking on people. You're post was in agreement with someone who was very very negative. But this post like I said is very balanced. I never said 1200 is the thing to do. I just know people on it who have had great success, lowered cholesterol aleviated asthma symptoms due to their smaller size ,their Dr.s have done physicals and blood pressure is tons better and they continue to keep their weight off and are healthier. I don't like blanket statements like "it's not sustainble! it wont work" and so on. I find comments like that very unhelpful and very judgemental. Plenty of people posted on this particular thread that this is working for them and they are plenty happy. I lost 58 lbs without MFP and I don't use it for calories at all. The fact it keeps track of calories is a plus I use it for fat and carbs and protein. I've had people tell me what I'm doing is not sustaianable as well and well it is. So for all of you who have had continued success keep it up.

Know what the funny part about this all Watboy, I actually never criticize anyone for being on 1200 calories but yet you give us all crap for being rude to those on 1200 and you attacked my first two post without reason. It's amazing how hypocritical you really are.

I understand people say this or that works for them and they are all special and have different circumstances and if you want to believe that then great. I understand there are allergies and genetics but rarely have I seen them cause huge swings. Yes as you age, your body has a slower metabolism because you lose muscle as you age. Muscle directly effects your metabolism. I personally don't care if people want to do 1200 calories, but when they come on the board and say, I am doing 1200 calories and I am not losing weight, I am going to give them the best understanding through research and experience to why it's not working. Additionally, I want people to understand what they are doing by eating below their metabolic rate and what can happen to their lean muscle mass. I am dealing with several people now that got to their weight goal, have loose and flabby skin and now want to build muscle to eliminate it because 1200 calories didn't help. The OP want to know if 1250 calories was OK with a Beach Body workout program. A company that has had immense success with in home workouts. And guess what all of the people who have success have in common with these programs? That's right, they are all eating 1800+ calories. If you don't believe me, go look on their forums. Like I said before, I know from experience about low calories and these products. And the best part, the OP just posted she is eating more and already started losing weight.


The thing is, yes 1200 calories works but do you really want to do that for the rest of your life? Or do you want to have the ability to eat 2000+ calories and not gain weight?

I'm 210 pounds, 5'2 , sedentary lifestyle.. and they give me 1270 calories, which is completey doable. I am never starving, hungry or tired, In fact, I usually end up with a few extra at the end of the day. I exercise maybe twice a week and eat about half of those calories back. I have MFP set for 1.5 pounds to lose per week.

I like this post very balanced and very informative this is what we should all be doing rather than picking on people. You're post was in agreement with someone who was very very negative. But this post like I said is very balanced. I don't think it's fair however to compare anorexia a serious ED to people who eat 1200 calories. Also I never said 1200 is the thing to do. I just know people on it who have had great success, lowered cholesterol aleviated asthma symptoms due to their smaller size ,their Dr.s have done physicals and blood pressure is tons better and they continue to keep their weight off and are healthier. I don't like blanket statements like "it's not sustainble! it wont work" and so on. I find comments like that very unhelpful and very judgemental. Plenty of people posted on this particular thread that this is working for them and they are plenty happy. I lost 58 lbs without MFP and I don't use it for calories at all. The fact it keeps track of calories is a plus I use it for fat and carbs and protein. I've had people tell me what I'm doing is not sustaianable as well and well it is. So for all of you who have had continued success keep it up.

Know what the funny part about this all Watboy, I actually never criticize anyone for being on 1200 calories but yet you give us all crap for being rude to those on 1200 and you attacked my first two post without reason. It's amazing how hypocritical you really are.

I understand people say this or that works for them and they are all special and have different circumstances and if you want to believe that then great. I understand there are allergies and genetics but rarely have I seen them cause huge swings. Yes as you age, your body has a slower metabolism because you lose muscle as you age. Muscle directly effects your metabolism. I personally don't care if people want to do 1200 calories, but when they come on the board and say, I am doing 1200 calories and I am not losing weight, I am going to give them the best understanding through research and experience to why it's not working. Additionally, I want people to understand what they are doing by eating below their metabolic rate and what can happen to their lean muscle mass. I am dealing with several people now that got to their weight goal, have loose and flabby skin and now want to build muscle to eliminate it because 1200 calories didn't help. The OP want to know if 1250 calories was OK with a Beach Body workout program. A company that has had immense success with in home workouts. And guess what all of the people who have success have in common with these programs? That's right, they are all eating 1800+ calories. If you don't believe me, go look on their forums. Like I said before, I know from experience about low calories and these products. And the best part, the OP just posted she is eating more and already started losing weight.


The thing is, yes 1200 calories works but do you really want to do that for the rest of your life? Or do you want to have the ability to eat 2000+ calories and not gain weight?

Ok, so if you don't want me to compare and ED to a VLCD, how about a person on HCG to 1200? I ask this because they have very similar results. I have documented people on programs like HCG that lost 50% of their weight loss from lean muscle mass. That equated to about a 30% reduction of their BMR, at least according to their numbers.

The biggest problem is lack of knowledge. I say this because most new comers on this forum only care about weight. And really until a person (like myself) brings up the fact that weight is meaningless and body composition is more important do they start to rethink a little. This is why I ask people when figure out their estimated caloric needs, do they want to look good in clothes or naked? There is a huge difference between being skinny and being fit (see two examples below). But the fact is, if you truly want to be fit, 1200 calories isn't going to cut the fat). You just can't gain lean muscle mass on huge calorie deficits, let alone a small deficit. I bring this up when advising people as it might be better to change your approach sooner than trying to make up for the mistake in the long run because it's a lot harder to gain lean muscle mass, then preserve it. I am working with several women right now to gain lean muscle mass, both are 5'2" and both need to pack away over 2000 calories to maintain and probably close to 2500 to have enough fuel to add muscle.

And since this is a fitness forum, I believe in giving people the information to make smarter choices and think longer term, rather than short term success. And it truly doesn't matter if you are 20 or 60, weight loss still has the same components; BMR, TDEE and deficit. The macro's are just another little part of the equation. Medical conditions and genetics or past history are just other variables.


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/392784-skinny-fat-vs-fit-photo?hl=skinny+fat&page=2#posts-5441852

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

I'm just under 5'6" and weigh 120. And yes I may go over but I workout and eat back most of my workout calores......

My doctor told me this week that the lowest she ever lets anyone go is 1200 Calories per day, but if you're exercising, you need 1500. I've compromised with 1275.....

The point I was making is its not good to say "Great job guys!" for dieting incorrectly.

Your basal metabolic needs are primary in a diet.
99% of the people starting out on MFP dont understand that and thats why you see so many posts about "Eating back calories" and "im at 1200 and not losing any weight!"

These people are not meeting basic basal metabolic needs.
They are uneducated in proper dietary principals!
Most doctors get this wrong too!
These are individuals who got to school for 8+ years and still fail to give good dietary advice!.

So again i'll make my point.

You have a basal metabolic need.
It covers your vital organs.
Average people who work out 3-5 times a week if eating at the basal metabolic level will fail at dieting.
They will initially lose weight.
20-50% of this weight is lean mass.
In essence they are shrinking their overall weight and size with little change to body fat and composition.

Your willingness to applaud people who diet incorrectly is where you are meeting with most of this resistance.
If you could accept the fact that if you dont meet your bodies basic basal metabolic needs, the amount of nutrients needed for vital organs to have proper nutrients daily while bedridden or comatose, you are painting yourself as a fool.
The more you defend this, the more foolish you look!

For instance my BMR is 1489 as dictated by my lean mass, age and height.
If I ate at 1200 calories I would lose appx 2lbs a week.
20-50% of that would be lean mass and I would slip into the skinny fat category.
Over time my hormones would go out of whack.
Cortisol levels will rise, leptin levels will drop, ghrelin levels will rise.
Cortisol will allow the body to slow itself down by targeting active tissue.
Just so we are clear this is lean tissue and can include skeletal tissue as well as the heart.
Are you still applauding the 1200 peeps?
Leptin levels drop and the body panics and decides to hang onto as much fat as possible.
Its not getting energy from food so its getting energy from fat.
90% of the numbers I have run for people on this site, i've only come across 1 person who had a BMR lower than 1200.
She was grossly underweight by 20lbs and had a severe eating disorder.
She couldnt have kids and was never hungry because her hormones were screwed from binge eating and purging.

Bravo on the 1200 cal diet gang!!!

Watboy, would you drive an old car 200 miles with 1/8th tank of gas?
Thats how these people are living their lives.