is 1200 really healthy??

nbreteil
nbreteil Posts: 40
in Health and Weight Loss
So I just adjusted my settings in MFP from lightly active lifestyle to sedentary. I put lightly active because I workout 45 min to an hour everyday, but then realized that outside of my workouts, I was mainly sedentary. So here I am now at 1200 calories per day.

I'm 5"3 and 225 lbs. My settings are on losing 2 lbs a week (figured since I have SO much to lose, why not start big)

So is it healthy for me to "only" eat 1200 cal? I'm scared it will slow down my weight loss for some reason...I don't feel the need to eat more so that's good, I just wouldn't want to hurt my body. Also, I rarely eat back the calories I lost during my workouts.

Thanks for any advice you may have!
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Replies

  • mjlobeau
    mjlobeau Posts: 28 Member
    i'm 5'2", 136. i eat 1200 a day, and i eat back my exercise calories. i dont think its unhealthy as long as you make sure you net 1200.
  • rose313
    rose313 Posts: 1,146 Member
    If you're only eating 1200, then you should eat your exercise calories back, because netting lower than 1200 can have detrimental effects. I used to eat 1200 but I feel better eating 1500 and eating about 50% of my exercise calories back. When you hit your sweet spot you will know, but it does take some trial and error.
  • DesireeLovesOrganic
    DesireeLovesOrganic Posts: 456 Member
    I eat 1200 too but I do also eat most of my exercise calories back so it ends up closer to 1400 usually. I didn't in the beginning and lost faster but then I stalled for a long time until I started eating my exercise calories back.
  • EbonySD
    EbonySD Posts: 142
    1200 is fine, and you don't have to eat back your calories from exercise every day. You might want to "bank" them for a meal out on the weekend. I am 5'4 office job consuming 1200 calories gross. After several years of gaining/losing weight, I have learned that if I eat back all my exercise calories, my weight won't change and I usually gain weight.
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,211 Member
    1200 calories is healthy if you are eating healthy foods......stay away from "empty" calories and make sure that what you are feeding yourself is nourishing your body........and the more you exercise, the more calories you need so plan to eat the extra calories you gain by exercising :bigsmile:
  • Christine1110
    Christine1110 Posts: 1,786 Member
    I am 5' 5" and I started at 232 pounds....I ate 1200 caolories and when I workout I ate back at least half of my exercise calories. I only eat clean foods. I really can eat alot of food for 1200 calories. Procesed food are alot more calories...sugar...and fats.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    1200 is not a 'magic number' - it is just the mimumum set by MFP. The amount that is 'healthy' depends on factors individual to you, including height, weight, age, activity level and the amount of nutrition you are getting from your food.

    I find that MFP settings are really literal - sedentary means not moving at all. I have a desk job and do very little non-exercise activity and sedentary is way too low for me (based on my calories burnt per my BMF on non-workout days).
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    As others have said, the way you have your plan set up is intended for you to eat your exercise calories back.
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    1200 is pretty low for you. I would calculate your BMR and make sure you're eating at least that, plus all of your exercise calories. It may seem counter intuitive now, but you need to stoke the metabolism furnace.


    I'm sitting at 110lbs, and it has me on the same number (1230)...seems a little arbitrary.
  • AmelodyAngel
    AmelodyAngel Posts: 152 Member
    I started at 190.5 and 1200 calories. I usually am full when I eat back some of my work out calories. Sometimes I eat them all back and sometimes I dont. I eat when I am hungry, but never go over the 1200. If I feel like I need more food then I go for an extra walk or something so I dont go over. I think for trying to lose a lot of weight the 1200 is fine as long as you are not starving. When you are ready to maintain your weight that is when you adjust it for more calories and start eating back all your calories. That is what works for me, but you just have to listen to your body! :)
  • jdploki70
    jdploki70 Posts: 343
    Working out every day is Moderate activity, not Light. Light is 2-3 workouts a week. If you reset your activity level, it should go up.
  • nbreteil
    nbreteil Posts: 40
    thanks for all your advice. I eat really healthy now ( I say now because before starting this whole lifestyle change I was hooked on junk food and indian take-out!) so I know I'm giving my body what it needs. I just want to make sure my settings are right because yes, I want to loose weight, but I don't want to "hurt" my body!!
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I have a fitbit, so I set my activity to sedentary, and I get an adjustment for *excess* activity several times a day. I aim to get close to 1200 net, but I am actually having trouble eating enough healthy foods!
  • rahrahrita
    rahrahrita Posts: 225 Member
    If you're sedentary and eat back your exercise calories, it should be fine.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    yes, if you eat back your exercise calories. so really you are eating more than 1200.
  • GAsoulstar
    GAsoulstar Posts: 84 Member
    If your goal is to lose weight by burning off excess body fat, aim to eat 500 fewer calories per day than your daily caloric needs, and maintain or increase your exercise activity.

    Do not go below 1200 calories per day unless you are on a medically supervised weight loss program or after consultation with your doctor.
  • sherrykwilk
    sherrykwilk Posts: 12
    I believe that this program sets the calories based on NO ACTIVITY!!!! It is what you need to breathe, get up and walk to the bathroom and turn on the remote control! Conventional wisdom is that most people will lose weight on 1500 calories a day. If you don't eat enough you slow down your metabolism and your body stores fat. Survival. 1200 is too low if you get out of bed, go to work a desk job, stand to cook dinner and wash a few dishes, etc. The program expects you to eat back your activity calories and those calories do not only come from workouts!!!! You will doom yourself to failure on 1200 calories a day!
  • llamalauren
    llamalauren Posts: 20 Member
    My Dr told me last week that 1200 calories is the absolute minimum anyone should consume and ordered me to EAT MORE because i'm not losing weight. If 1200 is to hard you will still get results with 1500-1700 calories a day. The number one thing you can do to lose weight is burn more calories. Muscles burn more calories just existing. Eat a little more and do some weight training and you will feel much better and still lose weight. At least that what the Dr. says. Results pending.
  • mrsmel55
    mrsmel55 Posts: 168
    Just for a different point of view, check out the group, Eat More to Weigh Less. It is very interesting to read the stories from those who think 1200 is way too low. I lost fine at 1200 net for the first couple of months, I figured out my BMR and TEED and did all the calculations recommeded and have started to lose again. I am not saying it will or won't work for anyone else but it wouldn't hurt to check it out. I try to eat about 1700-1750 per day and don't count exercise unless I go over my TEED. I lost 2.5 pounds last week.
  • llamalauren
    llamalauren Posts: 20 Member
    I ate 1200 for 6 months and worked out HARD 2-3 times a week for 6 months. i lost NO weight. just gained self hate.
  • nannabannana
    nannabannana Posts: 780
    1200 is fine, and you don't have to eat back your calories from exercise every day. You might want to "bank" them for a meal out on the weekend. I am 5'4 office job consuming 1200 calories gross. After several years of gaining/losing weight, I have learned that if I eat back all my exercise calories, my weight won't change and I usually gain weight.




    I agree ..I am 5' 21/2 " and eat 1200 ..today I had lost another 2 lbs after a stall....but If I ate back calories it would be on a special occasion as suggested.
  • nannabannana
    nannabannana Posts: 780
    Just for a different point of view, check out the group, Eat More to Weigh Less. It is very interesting to read the stories from those who think 1200 is way too low. I lost fine at 1200 net for the first couple of months, I figured out my BMR and TEED and did all the calculations recommeded and have started to lose again. I am not saying it will or won't work for anyone else but it wouldn't hurt to check it out. I try to eat about 1700-1750 per day and don't count exercise unless I go over my TEED. I lost 2.5 pounds last week.



    Also agree. EMTWL group works for a lot of people ...I had already lost most of my weight when I heard about the group 3 days ago. So i didn't join. Good Luck
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,785 Member
    1200 is fine, and you don't have to eat back your calories from exercise every day. You might want to "bank" them for a meal out on the weekend. I am 5'4 office job consuming 1200 calories gross. After several years of gaining/losing weight, I have learned that if I eat back all my exercise calories, my weight won't change and I usually gain weight.

    I don't think your body allows for "banking" calories. Use them or lose them.
  • AimersBee
    AimersBee Posts: 775 Member
    I'm 5'4, started at 162 lbs as of May 5th. I'm on 1200 calories a day, but I do exercise close to 20-30 min everyday, whether it be walking around or weights. I've lost 6 lbs since I started. So yes it does work, but like a few people stated already, it has to be healthy food, not empty calories. As you see in my food diary, I eat a lot of veggies and fruits mainly, filling to a certain extent but low in calories.

    :smile:
  • bm99
    bm99 Posts: 597 Member
    I eat 1200 calories + what I burned through exercise. I've been doing fine. I think since you weigh so much right now (like me) eating at 1200 for a while isn't going to hurt your body, there is plenty extra fuel lol But when you get down to a more normal weight you should definitely raise your calories.

    As for "banking" calories, the 24 hour period means NOTHING to your body. It's calories in vs calories out for an extended period of time.
  • shaynak112
    shaynak112 Posts: 751 Member
    I'm 5' - 5'1" and I have no problem eating less than 1200 calories a day. I eat healthy foods though. I've been doing this for the past month and it's been going great. I've only been over my calorie limit twice in the past month.
    I don't see any problems with eating 1200 or less ... so yeah I think it's healthy! :)
  • nbreteil
    nbreteil Posts: 40
    thank you for all the opinions. given that I eat really healthy, I guess I'm fine only eating 1200. I changed back my settings to lightly active though, just cause that way maybe I'll eat back a little bit of my exercise calories. It now gives me 1350 calories. not a big change but maybe one more snack! I never like to let myself feel hungry for too long :)
  • Warley_x
    Warley_x Posts: 62
    1200 is fine, and you don't have to eat back your calories from exercise every day. You might want to "bank" them for a meal out on the weekend. I am 5'4 office job consuming 1200 calories gross. After several years of gaining/losing weight, I have learned that if I eat back all my exercise calories, my weight won't change and I usually gain weight.

    This ^^ I also find being in an office job I dont lose any weight by "eating back the calories" that everyone tells you to do.
  • Tink_889
    Tink_889 Posts: 244 Member
    My worry with them only setting 1200 as a starting goal, was what happens when you've lost weight and then your calorie goals need adjusting again? Because you surely can't go any lower than 1200 and it be healthy.
  • AshinAms
    AshinAms Posts: 283 Member
    Eat More to Weigh Less did not work for me. I am currently on 1200 and am losing steadily but I have also become vegan and removed any processed food from my diet. Not sure if it's the 1200 or the taking other stuff out. I was on 1500 before and not losing anything. I still have 40 lb to go to my goal.

    Basically, imo, if it works don't fiddle with it. Once it stops working then start worrying.

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