eating 1200
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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^^ I went from a size 12 to a size 6 currently. I exercise 3-4x a week or more if I get a chance. I eat my 1200 or close to it. When I have exercise calories if I'm hungry I eat, if I have 500 left oh well. I am loosing aprox 1-1.5 a week so I feel I will be fine after I hit my goal. I will continue to use MFP to maintain for as long as it takes for me to know how much to eat and exercise and not gain. Then if I start gaining at all I will lower my calories. Not wait until I gain it all back.0 -
When I started this just over a month ago, I would eat 1200 and workout burning 500 - 600 and NOT eat them back. I lost a good amount the first two weeks but then it slowed. Today I am working towards eating 1500 to see if that helps a little with the weight loss. I have a lot to lose so I shouldn't be slowing just yet. If I have to add more calories, I will. Everyone's system is different. Trial and error! In a few weeks I'll be able to see if this is helping. I don't think it is going to hurt me because I am eating super healthy. I also don't want to be stuck eating a small amount forever so increasing seems like a good idea as long as it is healthy foods.0
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I couldn't eat 1,200 if I tried. I'd starve -- but I'm also a 343 pound man. However, I have to admit that I scared to to eat too much -- especially when I do feel satisfied. I've been eating between 2000 and 2400 calories a day over the last 4 weeks plus exercising (Power 90 and walking) 6 days a week. I rarely eat back my exercise calories -- unless I'm hungry. I don't usually feel tired or feel like I lack energy (unless I get too little sleep).
MFP recommends I eat 2200 calories a day to get a 2lb a week weight loss. Because I've ready that I can actually average closer to 1% safely, I haven't eaten back my exercise calories in order to get about an extra 500 calories a day deficit -- which in my mind mean about 3 lbs/week -- which is still less than 1%
I just hope that doesn't mean I'm screwing up my metabolism or losing too much muscle (I'm doing resistance training). I just ordered a scale that supposed to measure body fat -- which even if not completely accurate, should at least tell me progress and give me a better idea of what my Lean Body Mass is.
---Confused--0 -
Okay!:) Agree to disagree. I have my bachelor's in nutrition as well, I love learning about the body, it fascinates me. I am only 5 foot tall so my needs aren't everyone elses, but I thought i'd share my thoughts. No worries
Yup looks like it, will agree to disagree xD
Im actually only about 5 ft 3-4 or so and I maintain around 2500. 1200 would be too much torture for me anymore xD heh :]
I have a friend here who is 4'11" and eats 2,000+ calories to lose weight.
It's more about activity level than height. Sunshine and I both have about the same TDEE, but I am 5'10". She is simply more active than I am. The fact that you are short is not an excuse. I think if you knew you true TDEE, you might think differently.0 -
I couldn't eat 1,200 if I tried. I'd starve -- but I'm also a 343 pound man. However, I have to admit that I scared to to eat too much -- especially when I do feel satisfied. I've been eating between 2000 and 2400 calories a day over the last 4 weeks plus exercising (Power 90 and walking) 6 days a week. I rarely eat back my exercise calories -- unless I'm hungry. I don't usually feel tired or feel like I lack energy (unless I get too little sleep).
MFP recommends I eat 2200 calories a day to get a 2lb a week weight loss. Because I've ready that I can actually average closer to 1% safely, I haven't eaten back my exercise calories in order to get about an extra 500 calories a day deficit -- which in my mind mean about 3 lbs/week -- which is still less than 1%
I just hope that doesn't mean I'm screwing up my metabolism or losing too much muscle (I'm doing resistance training). I just ordered a scale that supposed to measure body fat -- which even if not completely accurate, should at least tell me progress and give me a better idea of what my Lean Body Mass is.
---Confused--
I reckon you are quite safe there, you've got your head screwed on.
Where did you buy your scales?0 -
Okay!:) Agree to disagree. I have my bachelor's in nutrition as well, I love learning about the body, it fascinates me. I am only 5 foot tall so my needs aren't everyone elses, but I thought i'd share my thoughts. No worries
Yup looks like it, will agree to disagree xD
Im actually only about 5 ft 3-4 or so and I maintain around 2500. 1200 would be too much torture for me anymore xD heh :]
I have a friend here who is 4'11" and eats 2,000+ calories to lose weight.
It's more about activity level than height. Sunshine and I both have about the same TDEE, but I am 5'10". She is simply more active than I am. The fact that you are short is not an excuse. I think if you knew you true TDEE, you might think differently.
Again, agree to disagree!0 -
By the way, when I said "listen to your body" I wasn't referring to environmental queues "telling you" you're hungry, like driving by a mcdonalds, smelling it, and deciding you're hungry, or going through a difficult situation. I meant that you are physically trying to be healthy, trying to lose weight, and eating in moderation until you are no longer hungry. I portion my food and if I am still hungry I see how many calories I have left, and may eat more. If not, I stop. That is what I call "listening to your body" I am not talking about being overweight and eating everything until you pop; I just mean trying your best to lose weight, have a healthy diet, and stop eating when appropriate. Just for clarification.
Listening to your body is not really the best approach. And I know you said "body" but you are essentially saying to listen to what's in your head, which can either be telling you you are hungry, telling you a certain food is "bad for you to eat", make you feel guilty about eating food, telling you that severely limiting your food intake is better for you, that being skinny is more important than having a cookie, etc. There are many things involved in someone "listening to their body". And it's not always leading them toward a healthier relationship with their bodies and with food.0 -
I'm personally happiest energy wise when I'm at 1200. My mood is better, my energy is better. I will eat my exercise calories if I am hungry or feel I need them for whatever reason, but I treat them more as insurance than daily intake. I am short and my weight is in the normal range, so I think it takes a bit more effort to lose.0
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By the way, when I said "listen to your body" I wasn't referring to environmental queues "telling you" you're hungry, like driving by a mcdonalds, smelling it, and deciding you're hungry, or going through a difficult situation. I meant that you are physically trying to be healthy, trying to lose weight, and eating in moderation until you are no longer hungry. I portion my food and if I am still hungry I see how many calories I have left, and may eat more. If not, I stop. That is what I call "listening to your body" I am not talking about being overweight and eating everything until you pop; I just mean trying your best to lose weight, have a healthy diet, and stop eating when appropriate. Just for clarification.
Listening to your body is not really the best approach. And I know you said "body" but you are essentially saying to listen to what's in your head, which can either be telling you you are hungry, telling you a certain food is "bad for you to eat", make you feel guilty about eating food, telling you that severely limiting your food intake is better for you, that being skinny is more important than having a cookie, etc. There are many things involved in someone "listening to their body". And it's not always leading them toward a healthier relationship with their bodies and with food.
Okay! Thanks for sharing!0 -
Okay!:) Agree to disagree. I have my bachelor's in nutrition as well, I love learning about the body, it fascinates me. I am only 5 foot tall so my needs aren't everyone elses, but I thought i'd share my thoughts. No worries
Yup looks like it, will agree to disagree xD
Im actually only about 5 ft 3-4 or so and I maintain around 2500. 1200 would be too much torture for me anymore xD heh :]
I have a friend here who is 4'11" and eats 2,000+ calories to lose weight.
It's more about activity level than height. Sunshine and I both have about the same TDEE, but I am 5'10". She is simply more active than I am. The fact that you are short is not an excuse. I think if you knew you true TDEE, you might think differently.
Again, agree to disagree!
It's not agree to disagree. It sounds to me like you are disagreeing with facts, not opinions.0 -
By the way, when I said "listen to your body" I wasn't referring to environmental queues "telling you" you're hungry, like driving by a mcdonalds, smelling it, and deciding you're hungry, or going through a difficult situation. I meant that you are physically trying to be healthy, trying to lose weight, and eating in moderation until you are no longer hungry. I portion my food and if I am still hungry I see how many calories I have left, and may eat more. If not, I stop. That is what I call "listening to your body" I am not talking about being overweight and eating everything until you pop; I just mean trying your best to lose weight, have a healthy diet, and stop eating when appropriate. Just for clarification.
Listening to your body is not really the best approach. And I know you said "body" but you are essentially saying to listen to what's in your head, which can either be telling you you are hungry, telling you a certain food is "bad for you to eat", make you feel guilty about eating food, telling you that severely limiting your food intake is better for you, that being skinny is more important than having a cookie, etc. There are many things involved in someone "listening to their body". And it's not always leading them toward a healthier relationship with their bodies and with food.
Okay! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome. I hope we agree that anorexics who are "listening to their body" are not really using the best approach.0 -
I'm personally happiest energy wise when I'm at 1200. My mood is better, my energy is better. I will eat my exercise calories if I am hungry or feel I need them for whatever reason, but I treat them more as insurance than daily intake. I am short and my weight is in the normal range, so I think it takes a bit more effort to lose.
Well you seem to be doing grand so far Flax!
I'm like you in that way. I used to suffer depression, that hasn't occurred since I started losing weight at the beginning of the year, this included going through winter - SAD never occurred for me this time either, which is good.
Eating, and what you eat, definitely affects many aspects of our lives that's for sure!0 -
Okay!:) Agree to disagree. I have my bachelor's in nutrition as well, I love learning about the body, it fascinates me. I am only 5 foot tall so my needs aren't everyone elses, but I thought i'd share my thoughts. No worries
Yup looks like it, will agree to disagree xD
Im actually only about 5 ft 3-4 or so and I maintain around 2500. 1200 would be too much torture for me anymore xD heh :]
I have a friend here who is 4'11" and eats 2,000+ calories to lose weight.
It's more about activity level than height. Sunshine and I both have about the same TDEE, but I am 5'10". She is simply more active than I am. The fact that you are short is not an excuse. I think if you knew you true TDEE, you might think differently.
Again, agree to disagree!
It's not agree to disagree. It sounds to me like you are disagreeing with facts, not opinions.
Okay great, you know everything! I have a bachelor's degree in nutrition and I know that it is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a well balanced 1200 calorie diet and participating in moderate exercise. That is a fact..thousands of people have done it. So your opinion really means nothing to me. thanks any!0 -
I can work for some, not others as people have said above.
I stuck to the 1200 cal diet (even eating my excersize cals) for 2 weeks, and lost not even a 1/10th of a lb. Then I did a bunch or reading, and switched it over to just over my BMR (go to Tools to calculate yours), which is just under 1400 cals a day. I'm at day 4 on this, and have lost 1.8 Lb in that time.
I'm thrilled on the 1400 cal diet because on 1200 I was very often hungry, and had to deprove myself a lot. this way If I'm careful throughout the day I can often go out for a meal if I want and not go over.0 -
It seems to be working for me. although i bet it would be faster if i didnt have a desk job!!!
i tried to eat back my exercise cals and i either didnt lose weight or i gained...so i kept it at 1220 and made sure i exercised at least 300 cals . im losing...but slowwwwwwwwly. *snore*:grumble:0 -
Okay!:) Agree to disagree. I have my bachelor's in nutrition as well, I love learning about the body, it fascinates me. I am only 5 foot tall so my needs aren't everyone elses, but I thought i'd share my thoughts. No worries
Yup looks like it, will agree to disagree xD
Im actually only about 5 ft 3-4 or so and I maintain around 2500. 1200 would be too much torture for me anymore xD heh :]
I have a friend here who is 4'11" and eats 2,000+ calories to lose weight.
It's more about activity level than height. Sunshine and I both have about the same TDEE, but I am 5'10". She is simply more active than I am. The fact that you are short is not an excuse. I think if you knew you true TDEE, you might think differently.
Again, agree to disagree!
It's not agree to disagree. It sounds to me like you are disagreeing with facts, not opinions.
Okay great, you know everything! I have a bachelor's degree in nutrition and I know that it is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a well balanced 1200 calorie diet and participating in moderate exercise. That is a fact..thousands of people have done it. So your opinion really means nothing to me. thanks any!
I did not say I know everything. That would be impossible.0 -
I just go by how I feel that day. If I'm hungry I eat my calories back or if I know I'm going out. Otherwise I just let them go.0
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Like others have said, there are plenty of people who don't eat their exercise calories back, and stick to a strict 1200 to lose plenty of weight, but it's tough to sustain after a certain point for most people, because it can feel restrictive over long periods of time.
That being said, every person is individual. You just need to do what feels like you can sustain for the rest of your life, not for the next month or two.0 -
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.
Okay!:) Agree to disagree. I have my bachelor's in nutrition as well, I love learning about the body, it fascinates me. I am only 5 foot tall so my needs aren't everyone elses, but I thought i'd share my thoughts. No worries
yep, everyone's needs aren't the same. I'm under 5ft, I started on 1200 and felt dizzy and lightheaded - am now losing on 1600.
Everyone is different. Being short doesn't mean you can only lose on 1200.0 -
One thing that might be important to think about here, is *what* your 1200, 1500 or 2000 calories consist of. As an example I've been eating approximately 1200/day not being *completely* strict about it every single day (because that doesn't seem worth it to me) and working out 4-6x week in some way with a mix of cardio and strength for 30-60 minutes. I'm eating a lot of protien and sticking to smaller portions several (3-5) times a day. The bit thing I've been working on is not eating as many processed foods. Our body is built to process actual food, not a ton of chemicals and nonfood. Of course it's hard to get rid of this completely and I'm not completely crazy about it just conscious. For example, my breakfast is just some turkey sasage links with some goat cheese and spinach on a small tortilla to go...and my lunch is homemade hummus with veggies and a plain grilled chicken breast and a snack is a handful of mixed nuts and a short nf latte...I'm not hungry and eating food that tastes good. I don't deprive myself of a glass of wine or a cocktail (no sugar just the strong stuff) and I've been losing weight, loosing fat and gaining muscle and my pants fit better. If you've got a scale to track the muscle mass, it might help you know if you're losing the wrong kind of weight. (I'm not saying it's easy to stay motivated and on track, I just believe eating the right foods can really make a big difference even if the caloric number might say the same thing there are other factors to consider.) Everyone is different, though. I should add, I'm only 5' and I think that if I were taller and weighed a little more I'd probably bump my calories up a little bit. When I got started with this, I was eating far too many calories, but my stomach had grown and it didn't take long to re-train myself to not be hungry when I wasn't giving myself twice the calries I needed.0
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