eating 1200

shellsy0424
shellsy0424 Posts: 127 Member
edited December 17 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been reading a lot on here about eating more calories for success but what I am wondering is if anyone is having good results with NOT eating your exercise calories back and sticking to the 1200 recommended calories?? Curiosity has me wondering if it's possible to eat 1200, exercise and still lose. It seems that the hot topic is always about eating more but to me this just doesn't make sense, even though it is explained well.
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Replies

  • Coyla
    Coyla Posts: 444 Member
    There's one big problem with it: It's not sustainable. And when you start eating more, you tend to gain everything you've lost.

    I'm in the market to lose slowly and keep it off. I'm not interested in crash-dieting now, then gaining it all back plus a few, then needing to crash diet again. I believe that's why so many women fail at maintaining healthy bodies. They take things too far. They either starve themselves or gorge themselves, no middle ground. As women, we need to develop a better relationship with food and our bodies.

    P.S. Constantly losing weight and gaining it back causes premature aging.
  • branditabonita
    branditabonita Posts: 30 Member
    well I knw this is a hot topic, but personal experience is that I have lost 25 lbs NOT eating my calories back. My sister has lost 45...it works for some and not for others. It hink some people are so sensitive about it because they feel they NEED to eat the calories back because theya re so hungry, or want "eat your calories back" to be the right answer so they dont feel bad about doing so. Personally I don't care what others are doing I do what is best for me, and that is I eat 1200 calories, burn about 5-600 working out 5 days per week, and I have been doing so for nearly 3 months and I feel fine. Thas just my personal opinion :)
  • branditabonita
    branditabonita Posts: 30 Member
    oh yea, and I have lost my weight 1-2.8 lbs at a time so I am still in healthy range for losing weight. Just do what makes you feel normal!!!
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    People do not eat exercise calories back because they feel like they need an excuse to eat more. This is simply the more sustainable and healthier approach to weight loss. You will have more energy in the long run and it will help you maintain the lean muscle you already have. If you want to hear success stories, that is fine, but these folks who are only half way to their weight loss goals are not good examples. Wait until they come back asking why their body fat percent is still high, or they have reached a stall in their weight loss. You have to remember that when you are losing weight, you are losing muscle as well. Eating enough and strength training is way to prevent losing too much of it.
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    1200 calories per day here, not starving, I am sustaining.

    10lbs left to go.

    When on 1200 calories per day, WHAT you eat is vitally important.
  • shammxo
    shammxo Posts: 1,432 Member
    It will only work for so long, and then your body will try to hang on to what it has because you're not giving it enough. I went from a size 11 to a size 3 and lost 31 lbs eating more than 1200 and working out. On days that I work/ed out, I eat/ate more. I eat when I'm hungry, and don't deprive myself of the things that I want.
    I don't always eat back all of my exercise calories, cause i'm not sure exactly how much I've burned (I don't really even trust my HRM) so I usually end up eating like half.
    But, whatever works for you. You just have to think about it in the long term...
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    People do not eat exercise calories back because they feel like they need an excuse to eat more. This is simply the more sustainable and healthier approach to weight loss. You will have more energy in the long run and it will help you maintain the lean muscle you already have. If you want to hear success stories, that is fine, but these folks who are only half way to their weight loss goals are not good examples. Wait until they come back asking why their body fat percentage is still high, or they have reached a stall in their weight loss. You have to remember that when you are losing weight, you are losing muscle as well. Eating enough and strength training is way to prevent losing too much of it.

    Exactly. I eat over 2000 calories a day to lose fat. I don't want to lose just weight, but fat. Eating 1200 a day and no exercise calories might work, but you lose a lot of muscle that way. So when people come back wondering why they are at a low weight put still look pudgy and not lean.. welll... there ya go.
  • donna_glasgow
    donna_glasgow Posts: 869 Member
    I lost 28lbd while eating 1200 cals or under ... it took me about 4 months

    I then maintained the weight for a year before coming back to lose the last of my weight

    so it isd doable and sustainable .... my pics are on my profile of the weight lost :) as you can see I look perfectly healthy :)
  • JoKool
    JoKool Posts: 7
    I was eating 1200 and I did lose....but I have since moved up to 1500 and I seem to be losing at the same pace....sometimes I eat my calories back and sometimes I don't.

    Since moving to 1500 I can say that I have WAY more energy....which in turn would make sense that I burn more. It takes fuel to burn fat!!!

    I also try to look at it as a weekly challenge.....if I go over one day...I try to go under another....it seems to be working...plus I don't feel so bad about it.
  • shammxo
    shammxo Posts: 1,432 Member
    People do not eat exercise calories back because they feel like they need an excuse to eat more. This is simply the more sustainable and healthier approach to weight loss. You will have more energy in the long run and it will help you maintain the lean muscle you already have. If you want to hear success stories, that is fine, but these folks who are only half way to their weight loss goals are not good examples. Wait until they come back asking why their body fat percentage is still high, or they have reached a stall in their weight loss. You have to remember that when you are losing weight, you are losing muscle as well. Eating enough and strength training is way to prevent losing too much of it.

    Exactly. I eat over 2000 calories a day to lose fat. I don't want to lose just weight, but fat. Eating 1200 a day and no exercise calories might work, but you lose a lot of muscle that way. So when people come back wondering why they are at a low weight put still look pudgy and not lean.. welll... there ya go.

    Amen. The number on the scale isn't really what matters... Your numbers might be going down there, but you're losing valuable muscle and not that fat that you want to lose.
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    I think another important thing to add is that while it may work for whatever amount of time, it's unnecessary.
  • hiker282
    hiker282 Posts: 983 Member
    It should also be noted that losing muscle means a slower metabolism and, therefore, a higher chance of gaining the weight back unless you intend to remain on a 1200 calorie/day diet for the rest of your life. That sounds like hell to me, but to each their own. I'll happily eat away my 2,800 calories a day and look awesome doing it!
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    You may lose, but you're not going to be fueling your body properly, so you won't really be getting healthier or more fit, which should be the goal anyway.
  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    I just want to add that I am lurking around in here. Hello current pals who know well my motto :drinker:
  • branditabonita
    branditabonita Posts: 30 Member
    It will only work for so long, and then your body will try to hang on to what it has because you're not giving it enough. I went from a size 11 to a size 3 and lost 31 lbs eating more than 1200 and working out. On days that I work/ed out, I eat/ate more. I eat when I'm hungry, and don't deprive myself of the things that I want.
    I don't always eat back all of my exercise calories, cause i'm not sure exactly how much I've burned (I don't really even trust my HRM) so I usually end up eating like half.
    But, whatever works for you. You just have to think about it in the long term...
    This is exactly my opinion..sometimes you do and sometimes you dont but you have to do what is best for you. I dont c y people get so rude about this topic..its NOT that serious! Just do what is common sense..if you are hungry..eat back some calories, if not, dont..simple as that! People lost weight before myfitnesspal was invented to tell them how many calories to eat back..so its definitely possible EITHER way
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    It will only work for so long, and then your body will try to hang on to what it has because you're not giving it enough. I went from a size 11 to a size 3 and lost 31 lbs eating more than 1200 and working out. On days that I work/ed out, I eat/ate more. I eat when I'm hungry, and don't deprive myself of the things that I want.
    I don't always eat back all of my exercise calories, cause i'm not sure exactly how much I've burned (I don't really even trust my HRM) so I usually end up eating like half.
    But, whatever works for you. You just have to think about it in the long term...
    This is exactly my opinion..sometimes you do and sometimes you dont but you have to do what is best for you. I dont c y people get so rude about this topic..its NOT that serious! Just do what is common sense..if you are hungry..eat back some calories, if not, dont..simple as that! People lost weight before myfitnesspal was invented to tell them how many calories to eat back..so its definitely possible EITHER way

    Just eating when you are hungry is not the best thing to go by. Ever heard of leptin and ghrelin, your hunger regulation hormones?
    Eating too little is going to do more harm than good in the long run.

    I also see no one being rude o.O
  • Pohudet
    Pohudet Posts: 179 Member
    Over the last 16 years I had 5-6 periods of rapid weight loss, achieving my desired weight. I did it by limiting my calorie intake severely and adding exercise. In one case, I went on a medically supervised 5 day water fast. But each time I ended up gaining it all back, and then some. So now I am trying to do a slow weight loss process, in the hope that it will help me keep it off.
    With age it gets more and more difficult to lose weight.
    In my pre-menopausal years I lost 15 pounds in 2 months, and put them back on over the period of two years.
    Last summer I lost 10 pounds on my fast, kept this weight while I was on a no-salt, no-sugar vegan diet. I put back on 11 pounds in 6 months!
    That's why I decided to try the slow weight loss. I hope that there is some truth in this method. I am a little impatient that it is going so slow, but...
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    I'm sure you can lose weight this way. But why would you, when you don't have to?
  • Elizabeth_M
    Elizabeth_M Posts: 562 Member
    This week I actually ate more than I normally do (averaged 1700 a day), I did my Ripped in 30 DVD 5-6 days and I lost 3 pounds. My goal every day w/o exercise was 1450 cals - so I basically ate my calories every day. Something to be said (perhaps) for eating MORE! :)
  • shammxo
    shammxo Posts: 1,432 Member
    It will only work for so long, and then your body will try to hang on to what it has because you're not giving it enough. I went from a size 11 to a size 3 and lost 31 lbs eating more than 1200 and working out. On days that I work/ed out, I eat/ate more. I eat when I'm hungry, and don't deprive myself of the things that I want.
    I don't always eat back all of my exercise calories, cause i'm not sure exactly how much I've burned (I don't really even trust my HRM) so I usually end up eating like half.
    But, whatever works for you. You just have to think about it in the long term...
    This is exactly my opinion..sometimes you do and sometimes you dont but you have to do what is best for you. I dont c y people get so rude about this topic..its NOT that serious! Just do what is common sense..if you are hungry..eat back some calories, if not, dont..simple as that! People lost weight before myfitnesspal was invented to tell them how many calories to eat back..so its definitely possible EITHER way

    Just eating when you are hungry is not the best thing to go by. Ever heard of leptin and ghrelin, your hunger regulation hormones?
    Eating too little is going to do more harm than good in the long run.

    I also see no one being rude o.O

    I've definitely heard of these hormones. Reading up on these things ALSO taught me that it's really important to get at least 8 hours of sleep.
    Thing is, I'm always hungry. And I do usually eat 1900-2100 calories a day. Especially on lifting days.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I lost weight eating under 1200. I lost faster and better (more from fat, less from muscle, plus I felt a lot better) on significantly more.

    Link with more details and photos: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/494091-i-just-don-t-care-anymore
  • korsicash
    korsicash Posts: 770 Member
    Honestly I think everyone is different. I know I had stalled weight loss at 1200 calories and would feel run down. I upped to 1400 and feel much better. I have like uber energy now and feel like moving around all the time. I think you need to do what feels right to your body.
  • thistimeismytime
    thistimeismytime Posts: 711 Member
    I tried 1200 for a couple of weeks... Man was I miserable?!?! Now I eat 1800-2000 and the pounds are coming off steadily...No more grouchy mama either. I do not like to try to preach at people about how to feed their personal, private bodies, so I won't. All I know is I have NEVER felt so strong, amazing, and in control of my life! I am never, EVER hungry, and I've got energy to spare (That's important with a 3 and 4 year old)! You will lose lean muscle with low-calorie diets, but that being said, it's your body, your decision.:wink:
  • jlenz74
    jlenz74 Posts: 30
    I usally don't eat my excerise calories back simple because I work out at night and I dont think it is good for your digestion to eat more food before going to bed. I have been doing the 1200 a day for 30 days and I have lost 8 pounds. I think it also depends on if you are hungry or not. If you not hungry I dont think you should eat because you have extra calories availble to you.
  • branditabonita
    branditabonita Posts: 30 Member
    Just eating when you are hungry is not the best thing to go by. Ever heard of leptin and ghrelin, your hunger regulation hormones?
    Eating too little is going to do more harm than good in the long run.

    I also see no one being rude o.O
    [/quote]

    Yes I have heard of leptin and ghrelin..the same hormones that stop telling your body you are hungry when you continue to eat and overeat calories...I just think listening to your body is good old common sense. Why am I going to force myself to eat more calories when I'm not hungry? That doesn't make sense. So like I said, if you are hungry, eat. If not eat back some or none. Its not a necessary requirement to do either because everyone is different. And as far as being rude, I am not talking about this feed in particular, im talking about how heated people get about this topic. Its not necessary because everyone loses weight at different rates, has different body types, and different needs, so its impossible to make generalized statements about a whole population and be accurate, i'm sorry but I just know what has worked for me.
  • itsjustdawn
    itsjustdawn Posts: 1,073 Member
    I eat between 1800-2000 calories, but I burn about 600-800 depending on my workout. My goal is to NET 1200, not limit myself to 1200.
  • zuchy
    zuchy Posts: 40 Member
    1200 is the only way for me to loose anything! 1600 I maintain, anything over that and I gain. Where I come from most dieticians and nutritionists advise for a 1200 diet (for women, 1400 for men) after a bioimpendance analysis. But if you see you can eat more and still loose, then I'd do that of course.
  • dwtimeoutt
    dwtimeoutt Posts: 107 Member
    Good for you. That is exactly what the dietician said to me. I am geared up for losing 1 lb a week. Because of my exercise I may lose a little more but I set things up to take one year to lose it all. I am allowed 1470 because of that. My doctor suggeted I go to 1200 and my dietician said, "sure, if you want to fail and gain it back". I believe she is right on target because I feel completely satisfied and I am watching the scale budge a little at a time. Even though it says I have 0 weight loss, that is because I haven't weighed since I signed on to MFP. In the previous 6 weeks I have lost 11.5 lbs. I'm ready to get on the scale Monday.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Just eating when you are hungry is not the best thing to go by. Ever heard of leptin and ghrelin, your hunger regulation hormones?
    Eating too little is going to do more harm than good in the long run.

    I also see no one being rude o.O

    Yes I have heard of leptin and ghrelin..the same hormones that stop telling your body you are hungry when you continue to eat and overeat calories...I just think listening to your body is good old common sense. Why am I going to force myself to eat more calories when I'm not hungry? That doesn't make sense. So like I said, if you are hungry, eat. If not eat back some or none. Its not a necessary requirement to do either because everyone is different. And as far as being rude, I am not talking about this feed in particular, im talking about how heated people get about this topic. Its not necessary because everyone loses weight at different rates, has different body types, and different needs, so its impossible to make generalized statements about a whole population and be accurate, i'm sorry but I just know what has worked for me.

    Listening to my body caused me to pack on 15 pounds in a year. Sure didn't work to well for me or I wouldn't be here.
    Ah I thought you were talking about rude in this thread xD Sorry go confused

    I'm glad that worked for you.

    After studying dietetics/nutrition at my university for 3 years I can tell you under eating can cause more harm than good. If you want to maintain muscle mass then eating as much as a 10 year old boy is not the best route.
  • chell53
    chell53 Posts: 352 Member
    I started with 1200 calories.....then had to move to 1400 because I was not doing anything at 1200. I am losing slowly which is fine for me and at times eat some of my exercise back......this way I don't deprive myself of anything......if I know I am going to have DQ one night after supper then I exercise a little more that day......this gives me a cushion.....everyone is different 1200 may work for you then stay with it...........
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