That's a good point. I often wonder of people who consume ~1200 calories, "where do you go from there?"

I'm anywhere between 1300-1600 on any given day (except days that include a cheat meal and it might push 2000) and when I want to jumpstart things I will spend a few days at 1200, but I always bring it back up.

I think most of my concern is with people who start at 1200 calories, because then there's no where to go

This was very informative info. I have not lost any this week, but have cut my calories waaaaay back! Goes to show you...Bob is right...eat to lose! thanks ladies...and good luck on your journey to a healthier life!

Maybe you should try to work yourself up to a higher number. I had to build up my number of calories too, and did it by alternating my calorie intake each day. So you could try 1200, then 1400, then 1600, then 1200, and so on. The first couple days you might not be full on more, but that'll pass quickly. At your height you probably will lose faster by eating more, as it should speed your metabolism up since your body will want to burn that extra couple hundred calories. Good luck!

Ella - I'm a little shorter than you, and was eating around 1300 when I was at 130, at that point I actually had a goal of 127. When I reached 127 I increased my calories but continued to lose until I got to about 1850 and 117. At this point, I maintain at 1800-2000, a couple of weeks my average has gone a little higher and on those weeks I did lose a little more, but worked to gain it back because under 117 was crazy. I got breast implants last month which added in 2.5 pounds, so I weigh around 120 now.

The one and only time I ever met with a nutritionist (about 5 years ago), I was so frustrated that I was exercising and dieting and not losing weight, she told me to eat more. I walked out of her office in a huff.

I was eating probably 700-900 calories per day at that time... and now, being the wise, mature, 23 year old that I am now, I can understand that she was not full of bs and I wish that I had given her the time of day. So there is some truth to that, I suppose. But I still have this mental block that I can't be eating more than, say, 1200 calories in a day or it's wasted.

i eat 1500-1800 - maintenance (since i don't exercise much this month cuz sickness)
I still eat 1500-1800 but when i work out, i lose inches and about 1-2 lbs per 2 or 3 weeks.

NO ONE SHOULD EAT UNDER 1200 CALORIES PER DAY! NO ONE!!! It's not healthy and as mentioned perivously in this thread, your body will begin to retain weight (specifically retain fat and burn your muscle mass) because it thinks that you are starving.

EDIT: Eating under 1200 calories is permittable ONLY if recommended by a doctor and under strict medical supervision.

I use online calculators too but many of them are horribly inaccurate. Only use calculators that take into considerate your sex, height, age, level of activity, current weight and goal weight. They will be the most accurate.

Also, as previously mentioned, the closer you get to your goal, the slower your progress will be. It can be furstrating but try not to kill yourself to get off the last few pounds by whatever date you have in your head.

Be healthy! Good luck!

Hey ella!
I was wondering the same exact thing during BL! This thread is very helpful. In college I was able to "starve" myself and still lose weight. I tried that a little now and it just does not work. I also was under the false impression that eating less would cause me to lose more! And on days when I ate a few hundred calories more, I was sure my day was shot so I would justify binging. Now I feel like after years of yo-yo dieting, I am finally just now starting to realize how this whole weight loss thing works.haha
ella- thanks for posting this thread!

Ella, you are lighter than I am and I cannot eat that many calories without GAINING weight! (I run a 5K every morning and dabble with the 30 DS 2-3 times weekly.)

I read lots and lots of posts about the upping the calorie thing. I would try all other methods to lose faster before I would up my calories. I know many posters will disagree. I guess I just go back to the thought that I have never seen any overweight POW's if you know what I mean. The weight DOES come off.

Of course, like I said, you are SKINNIER than me..LOL..so maybe I shouldn't offer my advice! LOL!

What I find works best for me is tons of fiber, water, and calorie cycling--more drastic than most recommend.

I've been trying to completely ignore what I've been eating and I lost another pound this week. I'm starting to believe in this whole "eat to lose" idea...