Hi everyone,

I just changed up my diet, I have a few new goals and one of them is not eat anything that is processed. I'm eating right and getting about 1200 calories (I try and make it just over, which is a struggle but i get it done).

Is 1200 too low? I don't want my metabolism to freak out, but exercise might counter act that?

For your weight, I would think that 1200 is probably too low, especially if you're exercising. 1200 calories a day is generally the lowest recommended calorie level (unless you're on a specific program under the supervision of a doctor) and is generally used by people who are near their goal weights to get those last few stubborn pounds off.

You want to aim for a calorie level that will allow you to lose on average 1-2 lbs a week. Having the lowest calorie level possible does not necessarily mean that you'll lose more weight, as many of us have experienced. You may want to start off with a calorie level that's higher, say 1600-1800 calories, and see how that works. If you lose 1-2 lbs a week, then you're good (and may be able to go even higher)! If your weight loss stalls for a couple of weeks, you might want to lower your calorie level by a hundred or so calories. Patience and experimenting is key to finding out what works best for you. We're all individuals and our bodies all work slightly differently, so there is no one cure all answer for everyone.

Too low. Start out high and work your way down......

The problem is I don't know how to get more calories into my diet? As I said, I'm eating non-processed foods (unrefined, organic).

Healthy fats are one of the easiest ways to add calories to a healthy diet - nut oils, olive oil, avocado, nuts.

I would say that's definitely too low. At my weight I'm eating about 1490. Try using one of those calorie counters online, it will help you figure out how many calories you should be eating based on your age, weight, and activity level.

I really can't fathom not knowing how to get enough calories into my day. That is just never, ever an issue for me.

Most fruits are about 100 calories a piece. A banana, an apple, a grapefruit. I'm always up for another one of them. Cantalope, mango, honey dew, an orange.

An avocado has about 350 calories

Almonds are 10 calories a piece.

Can I ask you, just what is it that you ARE eating? Maybe if you give us an idea we can make some suggestions.

Also just wondering - Are you full on what you are currently eating? Are you satisfied? Are you enjoying what you're eating? The reason I ask you this is because if you aren't those things, then it will be next to impossible to "stick" with your plan. And of course sticking with your plan is the key to steady, successful and permanent weight loss.

I edited it a little and put in more almonds in the afternoon snack (2oz instead of just 1 with fruit).

Is 1400 enough or should I keep looking for ways to up it?

Well, my first 30lbs was all about food with a tiny bit of exercise (maybe walking to class once a week) and i was eating I'd say about 1400-1600 cals? At a max 1800 cals on the higher days.

Satisfied is the thing, Im like...stuffed. When it comes to liking what im eating yes, i do, if I find any problems I am willing to increase it, but i feel weird about going over 1600 considering my maintain calories are like 2000-2200?

But I am still a little confused. It sounds to me as if you haven't been consuming 1200 calories, but more like 1400 - 1800. And it seems as if you've had no diffiuculty getting in those calories, but now that you're aiming for 1200, you are????

Anyway, confusion aside, if you are satisfied - enjoying what you're eating, NOT hungry and are losing at a nice rate, I would say that 1400 calories is a good number to aim for. You can always change things as need be. You also might want to add in some exercise. It can and will do wonders for your weight loss and help to make you nice and toned and firm as you lose the weight.

for most people, eating so low like that will make you stop losing, or lose less quickly. I know that 1200 is supposed to be the cut-off point for "starvation mode", but for me, I stop losing if I eat in the 1200s for more than a day in a row. When I was you weight, I couldn't eat below 1300-1400 without my weight loss stopping.

Wow. I would love to have that problem. I never struggle for calories - I struggle to cut myself off.

What's a typical day's menu look like for you? We are curious to see what you are eating that is so filling!

I think 1200 is what you should shoot for maybe the last 40 lbs or so. I'd keep it where you are now (14-1600). After all, you said you already lost 30. Pick up the exercise a little. Good luck!

I generally lose more when I eat more. But if I eat over 1,800 for a couple of days, I'll slowly gain. I'll go up to 2,000 for ONE day only if needed. But if I eat around 1,200 my body won't lose weight.

Alright, I've decided to aim for 1400-1600 (I have 1435 coming up as my calorie count, im going to use another service and recount them, with a max of 1600 if i do intense workouts, which is very unlikely at this time :P).

RockinRobin - Before I was eating processed foods, with lots of unpronouncable things in it and transfats. Now I'm trying to stay to unprocessed and organic foods and have to watch my cholesterol intake. So, it was easy to eat 1800 (which more then one day inthis range lead to gaining a little weight). I'm also getting rid of sugars with the exception of cane sugar in my tea in the morning. Its not that I was/am aiming for 1200 its just that when i took count of my eating on a "uncounted" day It was just over and I was already feeling full all day that day.