Is 1200 a day just too low?

  • .
  • I think it depends on the person. I am on less to lose that last 10.
  • it can be, if you feel too weak to do easy stuff like open doors and get tired out from walking and stuff, then its too low, but if you feel fine, then its fine
  • I think most people would consider it's the lowest to go and still be healthy. I recommend that you look at the Mayo Clinic website section on diet and nutrition and weight loss.
  • Based on your height it dosen't seem to bad. Just go by how you feel. If your getting exaused to easily, feel dizzy, weak, then you may need to up your intake. But again, if you feel fine then stick with it
  • You might want to also talk to your personal medical provider about an appropriate level for your needs.

    Based on the height you've entered in your profile, you might be okay on that. It depends on a lot of factors.

    There are a lot of resources online, apps for phones and tablets and software for PC that will figure all that out and help you track.

    I have always used Fitday PC (the download) but lately got Weight by Date and it tells me I need to eat considerably less than I believed, so different sources will say different things.

    You just need to experiment. It wouldn't hurt to use 1200 as a starting point and see the effect and then add or subtract as necessary, maybe?

    Good luck.
  • Quote: .
    Yes I believe it is. Especially if you work out. Then you are depleting your body of nutrients it needs to function properly.

    I think Denise Austin says not to go below 1300.
    Furthermore, if you stopped loosing weight and are diligent at working out, try increasing your calorie intake, the pounds should start coming off again.

    Now, if I could just get off the damn couch and work out more I'd be good. LOL.
  • I don't think it's too low for your height - I looked up the maintenance calories for my height at my GOAL weight, and it was 1400 calories a day... I want to be able to add an extra snack in or have a more indulgent breakfast/lunch/dinner sometimes once I reach goal. So for me it's perfect, once I hit goal I can add some calories back
  • 1200 is definitely not too low. My Doctor has me eating 900 cals and when I get to a plateau he will decrease them. Think of food as a medication, portion it out, and have a plan for every day. I am an emotional eater so it helps me to have a plan of what I am going to eat, so I don't go crazy with fast food. If you are full from the amount of food that you ate then that is all your body needs and you don't need to keep eating just to hit to your calorie goal. Try to find foods that will fill you up for few calories. My new favorite is Cesar Salad- 1 oz. Baby Spinach, 1 small Roma Tomato, 6 croutons, and 1tbsp of Cesar dressing (There is a new 1 in stores that is made from yogurt and is only 45cal for 2tbsp. It tastes really good too!!!) then I shake the salad in a Tupperware so the dressing coats the whole salad. This is only 73 cals. I usually have a sandwich or bowl of soup with the salad.
    When my doctor first said that it was okay to have so little calories per day, I was very surprised, because I had always been told that 1200 is the absolute lowest anyone should ever eat. My body has adapted to the decrease in calories and I am loving the lower numbers on the scale.
  • It all depends if your working out then you need to add more calories.
  • I've been counting calories, and researching nutrition for about a year now. i started counting calories, and cutting back to 1200 a day. it will work for a while, but after some time, your body will want more food. There's something called "Basal Metabolic Rate", and it's the amount of calories your body physically needs to maintain its main functions. It's recommended by many professionals, to never go below the BMR rate. my BMR rate is 1690. and i'm 5'8" tall. for you, it could be a lot less.
    what i do, is eat 1600 every day. no matter how much, or how little i workout. if i burn more calories working out, my body can still function off 1600 and not go into "starvation" mode.
  • It's too low for me but I visit the gym regularly and have tough weight training once a week with my instructor.. I try not to have more than 1500-1650 ish though..
  • The OP deleted her message so I am closing this thread as further discussion is pointless.