To think 1200 calories a day isn’t enough?

[Tigerwhocamefortea]

I have always been slim and been lucky not to carry weight, however after having my second DC I am at least a stone heavier than I want to be and need to do something about it.

I tried using Myfitness plan to log things and based on losing 2lb a week, which I thought was a sensible slow amount, it it tells me I can only eat 1200 calories a day! Surely this is far too few?

I'm using MFP atm to lose weight. I'm 170 cm tall (5 foot 7-ish) and started off at 86 kg (13 stone). I wouldn't mind getting down to 65 (which is what I weighed in my youth when I thought I was fat, around 10 stone). Basically I want to be the way you are now. You are at a completely ok weight!

So I put that into the app, admitted my lifeststyle was sedentary and said I wanted to lose 500 g a week which is what the app recommended (about a pound?). That gives me about 1500 calories a day. I find it very difficult to eat less than 1800 calories, (frankly quite hard to stick to just 1800), so I have to exercise up the deficit. By going for a long walk each evening atm, we'll see how this goes in the winter. I've lost the first 5 kg no bother but suspect the rest will be tougher to shift. Also I'm not too focussed on the weight, I'd like to be fitter and more toned too so I'll be going on measurements and fitness as well.

My point is that 1200 seems really really low for a breastfeeding mother. I'd be worried for you too. Mind yourself. But sure, you can lose a stone without being ill, I've weighed 60 kg in my youth ... but I'd worry, like the previous posters, that you're going about this too fast. Give yourself more time. Your body has changed now, it's important to have some acceptance. Focus on health, not weight, which means it might be a better goal to stop grazing on chocolate rather than losing weight iyswim.

I've been on 1200 calories a day for the past 2 weeks on mfp. It's fine and it has been working as im losing 0.5kg per week as planned. I only need to lose 2.5kg in total.
I've linked mfp to my Samsung health app so when I'm at work it can give me extra calorie allowance for my steps. I work 13hr shifts as a nurse and do around 20k steps so I get loads of extra calories 😁

Apologies if this has been posted already but a rough guide would be:
Take your weight in pounds e.g 154. Multiply that by 10 if you are sedentary (workout less than 3 times a week, don't do 10,000 steps) or multiply it by 13 if active (workout 4-7 times a week, active job) this will give you a baseline calories intake e.g 1540 if sedentary. Your macro intake should read:
Protein 40%
Carbs 30%
Fat 30%
This is where MFP helps, it'll calculate how many grams of each you need to meet.
Clean eating, complex carbs, good fats, hitting your protein target religiously regardless of what exercise you do. Exercise 3 times a week (easier said than done). Drink plenty of water, get decent sleep, do some small mobility exercises during the day.

PEOPLE
OP IS TALL. She is already at bang in the middle of the healthy BMI range but seems to think this is fat. Her target of 8 and a half stone is almost underweight. She is bfing a baby.
She has a history of ED.
OP, you are further into the rabbit hole than you think. Please get medical advice.

Agree Broken

I’m on 1900 cals a day and lose 1lb a week.

I’d hate to go too much lower tbh although some days I do if I am not hungry,

I focus on my protein intake, my fibre and then I exercise.

Everyone is different but for most of us 1200 cals will be too low . The NHS is working on outdated concepts as it’s “quick results” driven rather than aiming for long term change,

@Benjispruce I didn't see your comment I was responding to the comment by ppeatfruit

I'm currently on 1200 calories a day eith mfp its the only thing that works for me long term.Im 39 and usually lose 1-2 lbs a week doing it

I'm a very similar height and weight to you and see results when mfp is set to 1200, and I only follow it on weekdays.

I agree with @Sexnotgender. I think you need to maintain a higher number of calories while breastfeeding but switch to healthier choices.
I know it’s not the case for everyone, but for the year that I breastfed the weight dropped off without too much effort - both times.
You need the energy to look after 2 children and feed one! It’s still early days.
If it’s your tummy and bottom in particular that are uncomfortable for you, why not look at a few exercises specifically to target these areas? I did a number of pelvic floor exercises while feeding and squats while one child napped and the other was watching Peppa!
Good luck OP and spend this year enjoying your children 💐

For those who haven’t read the full thread, or have got confused-

I am 5ft 7 and currently 10 stone. My target weight is 9 stone.

I was 8.5 stone a few years ago before having DC1 but I know this is too low and I am not aiming to be this weight again.

Whilst 10 stone might not seem overweight, it is for my frame. I have a small bone structure with thin arms and shoulders and so the extra weight around my tummy really doesn’t suit me.

@Tigerwhocamefortea it depends on many variable - how active you are, breast feeding or not, tall, short, etc.

In my case I’m petite framed and not very tall. If I was to have 1200 calories everyday I would put weight on! Really I would!

Everyone’s calorie requirements are different. Work out your tdee and minus 500 calories a day to lose at least a 1lb a week.

I'm rubbish with diets and 1200 per day would be hard for me. I lost weight with 5:2 far more easily, but I don't think it's recommended when you are BF. Try just swapping out chocolate and sweets for healthier snacks and see how much that helps. Enjoy your little one x

I would focus more on cutting back and exercising, not counting calories. Also, with the second it takes longer to lose the weight. Im naturally slim prior to pregnancy and able to eat what I want. However, with second pregnancy to shift my last 10lbs I had to start working out a bit. However, once weight shifted, I didn't need to work out anymore (still walk everywhere) and weight stayed off 5 years later, until now as Im pregnant w the third.

Two full-term pregnancies in the past three years?
Your body will take time to recover.
Pregnancy & motherhood are major transformations of life,
so you won’t be the same as you were before, your body is now different.

Looking after a two year old & breast feeding a 4mo?
You have plenty going on.

You speak of controlling your eating to return to a previous pre-pregnancy weight, & mentioned having some eating issues in the past. I agree with PPs about looking after yourself by acknowledging your previous experiences & being cautious not to fall back into a detrimental pattern.

You may feel better quicker, with a lower risk of affecting your health through calories/nutrient deficit, by looking at other non-food focused ways of having more control or autonomy in your every day life.

Can you have a short break from the children a few times a week?
Go for a walk, maybe Pilates class or time/space to do some core toning routines at home. Just doing a bit more for yourself each day may fulfil your need for autonomy or control.

You have brought two children into the world - a magnificent feat .
Be kind to yourself, give your self (& your body) time to recover & adapt.

...& lay off the chocolate, processed junk & empty calories.

@UniversalAunt thank you. Yes I have 2 under 3 and so my days are busy. DH doesn’t get home until 7pm and so by the time the kids are in bed and I’ve made dinner and cleaned up I’m too exhausted to think about going out to an exercise class!

I swim with the children twice a week (although obviously can’t get many laps in!) and walk with the pushchair. Once term starts again in September and my eldest is back at preschool I will look into some mum and baby exercise classes.

To lose weight I should aim for 1200 calories a day as my TDEE is around 1500 calories a day.

I’m barely 5ft 3 currently 9st 3lbs want to be 8st 7lbs. I’m small framed child sized wrists and ankles weight all on my bum and thighs. To get to 1200 calories a day I have to miss a meal usually breakfast so do the 16:8 fast. I’m having a weeks break just now as I’m fed up.

FGS no-one is confused, or incapable of reading the thread. You heavily implied you wish to be 8 and a half stone, 9 is little better tbh. No-one thinks you don't care about your baby, but sadly mental illnesses do get in the way unless treated.
You will not in any way be carrying extra fat at your height and weight.
Your posts are increasingly sounding disordered.
Get help.
I'm disengaging now.

every dietision i know says it is given as a general rule number but for ost isnt healthy or sustainable unless you are on the diet anyway as part of a diet youve always been on as some people do just need this little.but to restrict to this is not thought as correct.specifically to do exercise to your full capacity to feel good.
also with your passed of starving and eating issues i would deff say not to use this number as is falls too far on the restrciting side and might trigger those unhealthy behaviours and thoughts.

try 1600 a day and see what happens. You won't gain weight at that level but may well lose if new to dieting. It won't come off as quickly but will preserve muscle and you may find it more manageable.

you say your grazing o nchocolate and for me this would basically ix your diet being the weight and lifestyle you are.if you cut this down to a managble portion and add in other good stuff to compensate i think youd easily lose it.
i would even try and focus on counting.you want this to be a lifestyle and beginning to count will just re ingage a focus that bring nothing but misery for losing wieght or keeping healthy.
focus more on a balanced diet.cutting down your choc and adding in more whole food and fruit and veggies.focus on a healthy diet rather than counting

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/is-it-safe-to-eat-1200-calories-a-day-a7346656.html

Hon, you are breastfeeding. MFP won't account for that! I am the same height as you, and I used to weigh 8st before kids. I've had 2 babies now and I'm around 9.5 stone (my youngest is 4, I've had a lot longer to allow my body to recover). PLEASE stop worrying about your calorie intake. Nourishing yourself and your baby is most important. I know you aren't listening to what everyone is saying, but you really are not overweight. If you must, focus on eating well and getting a little more exercise if it will make you feel better about yourself but forget about counting calories for now. xx

10st at your height is perfectly healthy
Exercise to tone by all means
But I suspect you have a very skewed disordered attitude to your weight and how you perceive you look