Is 1200 not enough?

[MrsWhirling]

I've been eating 1,200 per day since April. I've lost 1 stone and 1 pound. I'm 5ft and only do about an hour of aerobic excersise a week. Do you think I should increase my intake?

[LemonBreeland]

I would lower it personally. I can lose half to 1 lb per week on 1200, but lose better on 1000-1100. I am 5ft 3 and have done is with zero exercise, but now do 1.5 hrs per week.

[LadyFenring]

I think to eat in a way that is sustainable, you would be better to increase your exercise a bit, than decrease you calorie in take.

[MistressChalk]

You're eating too little and possible the wrong stuff which has put your body into starvation mode I would guess. What's your average daily meal plan?

[MrsWhirling]

Average meal is:

Breakfast - 2 boiled eggs @ slice of toast.
Lunch - usually grilled chicken breast or cod/salmon with salad.
Dinner - usually steak and veg or chicken/fish/veg.
I work full time, 2hrs commute per day & two kids. I can only excersise at the weekend. That is usually a Davina DVD. X

[MistressChalk]

That's a brilliant high protein diet by the sound of it! It may be that you've dropped your calorie limit too much? Calorie intake is a very personal thing ime, it differs for everyone. I've come to realise my calorie limit should be way less than 2000 because I have a lousy metabolism. Low is not necessarily best, around 1000-1200 calories is when you can drop into starvation mode and you shouldn't eat less. Perhaps up it another 200 calories for a bit and if possible fit in a bit more activity? Walking whenever possible, a few push ups or sit ups or squats in the evening. Even a 5 minute run around the block some evenings?
For me that does sound an ideal diet but if you still struggle maybe go see your GP for advice?

[RobotHamster]

What do you weigh?

[ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets]

Starvation mode does not exist.

As long as you reduce your calorie intake or burn more then you will lose weight over a period of time.
Are you eating the right things? Right portion sizes?

[MrsWhirling]

I weigh 9st 7 having dropped from 10.8. I'm happy with my weight loss to be honest but not sure whether to stick with 1200 or eat more?

[MrsWhirling]

My metabolism is crisp too. I also have PCOS which slows down weight loss. X

[popcornpaws]

Starvation mode is a myth made up by slimming clubs to encourage you to eat more therefor you stay at their classes longer.
I eat 1400 calls and lose weight no problem on that, aim also 5ft 3.
I would gradually increase it by say 100 calls a day until you find a happy medium.

[EhricLovesTheBhrothers]

At 5ft and 9st 7, if you aren't very active and especially if you are over 35 your daily calorie usage probably isn't much more than 1200
You need calorie deficit to lose weight and 500 a day to lose 1lb a week
Have you calculated your tdee?

[Myfoofneedspruning]

You don't eat enough carb ! You need the equivalent of 200 calories with each meals you take (based on 3 meals a day).

[EhricLovesTheBhrothers]

Myfoof that's nonsense
She's getting plenty of carbs from the bread and the vegetables

[Myfoofneedspruning]

Vegetables are not carbs. Potatoes, brown pasta, brown rice, bulgur wheat, quinoa, giant couscous, lentils etc....you need those carbs to maintain your energy levels

[purplemurple1]

I'm five foot and find eating 900 plus extra if I exercise works for me to loose weight but I think you have to play around a bit to find what's right for you. I can eat up to 2000 and not gain but have an active life (toddlers, dogs, log burners/forest etc) although little formal exercise.

[JaniceJoplin]

Has your weight loss slowed down? I think you've done brilliantly. I'm short too and I think you need to keep calories right down to lose weight. I sometimes find you need to kick start weight loss, ie, take a break for week and then do ultra low carb for 2 weeks to get going again.

[purplemurple1]

Oh that was at around 10stone.

[nikki1978]

I'd do more exercise and eat a bit more. So do an hour a day that burns 300 cals and eat 1300-1400 cals a day. I did this before and lost 2lbs a week easily.

[nikki1978]

Oh hang on sorry you are 9st 7? Then you don't have much to lose surely? So your weight loss will slow down. Exercise more.

[EhricLovesTheBhrothers]

Vegetables do contain carbs!

[Myfoofneedspruning]

Ok veg do contain carb but can you feel full by only eating let's say protein and veg ?

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

I feel fuller eating protein and veg than if I add starchy carbs.
Do you want to carry on losing weight or maintain it now OP? I had to drop my calories to 1000 to lose the last half stone ish. I then went up to 1500 to maintain my weight long term.

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

And vegetables are carbs!

[EhricLovesTheBhrothers]

Yes myfoof more full than on a high carb diet to be honest
That's pretty much the key to low carb dieting, that protein keeps you full and fat fuels you, carbs are not the best fuel at all
And vegetables contain more than enough for health

[MrsWhirling]

Thanks everyone. I would like to get down to 9st which was my pre-children weight (some eight yes ago!) so have another 7pounds to lose. I prefer the high protein diet as my PCOS means carbs give me sugar spikes. I can't realistically up my excersise so I may try 1000cals per day next week and see what happens x