Okay so at the beginning of the summer I was at around 1,200 calories and then I had surgery and during that time (about a month) I dropped down to around 600-800 calories unintentionally and then went back up to 1,200 and then down to around 900 a day for a few weeks. Well now I'm starting to exercise more and I want to go back up to 1,200 or so (and I have for a couple of days) but I'm scared of gaining. I'm going to see some gain, right? But it's just temporary?

I have no idea. I'm still getting calorie counting down, but HEY FELLOW MAINER!!! *WAVES*

Hello fellow Mainers!! You might gain, but probably won't as long as you keep sodium intake on the low end. Your body needs the calories to function and less will make it think it's starving, and could possibly lead to a stand still in weight loss. Good luck to you!

^
Thank you. I guessed but I wasn't sure.
Oh man this is too crazy three Mainers on one post? And I LOVE your avatar DaughterofVenus. I love Criminal Minds.

I have no idea about the losing/gaining weight bit, and I'm not from Maine, but OMFG I LOVE YOUR PROFILE PIC DaughterofVenus!!! <3 Ditto buythesAINT about lvoing CM!!!!

Many of us cycle calories, some days lower and some days higher. I make sure my daily amount, averaged by the week, is what my plan calls for.

We each have to work out our calorie amounts for ourselves. It takes some experimenting, and a bit of trial and error.

Metabolism is determined by genetic heritage as well as by the content of one's diet, one's history of eating, and exercise. The ratios of protein, fat, and carbohydrates figure prominently in the amount one can eat.

All the best to you.

Thanks Silverlife, I'll keep at 1,200 for a few days and see if anything happens. Just wondering but any gain will be temporary, right? Eventually if I do gain, I'll start to lose again, right?
katylil-
Criminal Minds is, indeed, the best =].

As I've lost weight, I've had to lower my daily calorie intake. Smaller bodies need fewer calories.

I read several posts in the Maintainers section here which helped me a great deal in my process of deciding on calories.

If you find that 1200 is too many for you, you can always lower it.

I currently eat 1100 - 1200 per day and am still losing. I don't imagine my maintenance calories will be much higher, if any, because I'll be thinner. It's quite possible I will need to eat less as my body will be smaller.

Exercise stimulates appetite. It's a balance.

I read the blogs, PaNu, by Dr. Kurt Harris, and Hyperlipid, by Dr. Peter Dobromylskyj to learn how proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are metabolized, and how different kinds of food help or hurt our metabolism. They have both posted on exercise and diet, if those interest you.

Sending you best wishes.

In my opinion 1200 is too low. I got very sick back in June and lost 8lbs in one week. After that I was eating about 1200-1300 and still losing, so I kept at it. I decided to start an exercise program and I just stalled. Gradually I've been working up my calories again and just recently saw a lose after nearly 6 weeks.

Your body will get used to the low calories and stall eventually. At your weight your body is needing about 1800-1900 to just function without major exercise. If you don't exercise then I'd target closer to 1600 calories and try that for a couple weeks.

You are 18, right? I think it's pretty much impossible for an 18 year old to gain weight on 1200 calories a day if it really is 1200 calories day after day after day. Now, if a person were aiming at 1200 calories a day but went over that every few days (not saying you are like that. Some people are), then they might gain weight at that calorie level, but that's about the only way.

1200 is very low. I weigh less than you and am many, many years older than you, and I lose 1.5lbs a week on 1700 a day if I exercise 1-2 hours a day.

YAY FOR OTHER CRIMINAL MINDS FANS!

I'm such a Spencer stan.

But most Dr.'s will say anything under 1200 calories is starvation!! Your body NEEDS food, your heart, liver, kidney, brain etc. to function properly.

Also I see some of you young ladies heights and weights and I am VERY CONCERNED!!!!!

There is such a thing as TOO SKINNY - PLEASE go look up healthy weights for your heights and ages.

a 5'7" person should NOT way 120 lbs. A 5'2" person with slim frame maybe.

5'7 women - depending on frame - 125 - 163lbs.

Please BE CAREFUL -

I agree with this. I highly doubt you'll gain on 1200.

And for the record, I don't think it's fair to tell someone 5 ft 1 in that 120 lb is "too low" and that you feel scared for them.

I am 5'6" and I weighed 120 lb for the longest time and I was definitely NOT too skinny by any standard. I was healthy and looked good and felt good. So it depends on your body type too, and we don't know what her body type is.

~BreathingSpace~

I appreciate all the answers, you've all calmed my concerns about raising my calories so thank you. Oh and I'm only 16, Shmead, but 18 is close.
ready- I don't know if that was directed towards me (since I'm 5' 1" and not 5' 7") but for my height and age it's (or so I thought) considered healthy. I appreciate any concern but it's a goal that I think is fair for my body type and my capabilities to reach.

Hey Bunny

I'm an inch shorter than you and I started at 185 pounds *this time* around. I think, that if you are exercising, you can definitely eat more than 1200 calories.
I aim for 1500 a day. If I exercise, I let myself go up to 1600 or 1700 sometimes, especially if I know I have social things going on. If I don't exercise, I don't worry too much if I only eat 1400 hundred. But I try really hard to stay above 1350/1400 because if I don't, I don't lose.

I've been doing this THIS time for 6 weeks. I've lost 6.4kg, which is 14.1pounds. I think that's pretty darn good... but I'm no expert.
Just thought I'd give you another opinion ^_^

I know I'll probably have to decrease my calories a bit as I continue to lose, but I never plan on eating under 1300 and I am guessing that as I get fitter, I'll be exercising "better".

ALSO I love Matthew Grey Gubler. SO hot. And Criminal Minds is soooooo good!