[Bay]

I've heard that women are supposed to eat 1200/day.

But don't ask me, I eat the double, atleast

[mh21]

Originally Posted by Bay

I've heard that women are supposed to eat 1200/day.

But don't ask me, I eat the double, atleast

That's really the minimum amount a woman should eat for weight loss. I've done it and I didn't feel good, but the weight came off quite fast.

[jpgoeth]

Originally Posted by cutiepie21

That doesn't sound defensive at all. if I was in your position I would be very frustrated, too. You didn't mention how much you weigh currently, but you did mention that at your lowest you were 165 and that was hard to maintain. I think you mentioned you were eating 1200 calories and exercising 2+ hrs a day to try to maintain 165 lbs? This was concerning for me because I'm only an inch taller than you, but if I limited my caloric intake to 1200 a day and exercised 2+ hrs daily I would weigh in at under 120 pounds. Perhaps your problem isn't nutritional, but medical? Have you seen a physician about your concerns? I'm thinking that it might be a thyroid problem. Are you on any medications that cause weight gain? I think it's best to exhaust all the medical possibilities before you starting putting your body into starvation mode by eating less than 1200 cals per day, which in the long run, would ruin your metabolism.

You know, that's what I thought too because both of my parents have underactive thyroids. When I brought it up to my doctor, she dismissed it saying that thyroid problems don't cause that much weight gain and that I just need to eat less and exercise more. So at this point I'm not really sure what to do. I tried not to take that personally, because I know that she gets paid based on the number of referrals that she doesn't make.

I probably just need to be more of a beezy at the doctor, but it's hard when you're naked and the doctor is calling you fat and lazy (my words, but also hers in a roundabout way).

[mh21]

Originally Posted by jpgoeth

I agree that's it's easy to underestimate, but to be clear, I measure and/or weigh everything that I put into my mouth. I hope that doesn't sound too defensive, I'm just very frustrated because I'm having a very hard time losing weight.

1200 isn't a lot. It takes a lot of effort and planning to keep my intake there and take care of most vitamins and minerals. The actual VOLUME of food isn't too bad, but none of it seems to keep me full for very long. You can eat a lot of plain steamed broccoli for 100 calories but you'll be (or at least I'll be ) hungry again in not too long. That's why I'm trying to figure out if I can add a couple hundred more calories or not.

I think I am going to end up eating the cost of seeing a non-kaiser dietitian or nutritionist, but I'm nervous about seeing another one who might be just as judge-y and dismissive. So for the meantime I'm putting it off.

Steamed food is pretty boring, do you flavour your food with spices like chilli flakes etc? I eat really spicy veggies (that I cooked myself) with a veggie/boca burger for lunch and that keeps me full plus the spicy veg makes me feel satisfied. I eat inbetween meals as well, but my daily calorie intake is no longer 1,200 but more like 1,500 per day. I'm 5' 2", I don't exercise (I only walk 30 mins per day) and I still lose weight.

Unless there is a medical reason for your weight loss difficulties you should be able to lose a lot of weight eating just 1,200 because you exercise a lot. Therefore to answer your Q you should be able to add 200-300 more calories and still lose weight.

[mh21]

Originally Posted by jpgoeth

You know, that's what I thought too because both of my parents have underactive thyroids. When I brought it up to my doctor, she dismissed it saying that thyroid problems don't cause that much weight gain and that I just need to eat less and exercise more. So at this point I'm not really sure what to do. I tried not to take that personally, because I know that she gets paid based on the number of referrals that she doesn't make.

I probably just need to be more of a beezy at the doctor, but it's hard when you're naked and the doctor is calling you fat and lazy (my words, but also hers in a roundabout way).

I actually heard that as well. My MIL recently found out she has an underactive thyroid and was given thyroid medication. She is overweight and is trying to lose weight, but so far she hasn't lost any weight even though she is taking thyroid medication.

[LAltiero85]

Originally Posted by jpgoeth

You know, that's what I thought too because both of my parents have underactive thyroids. When I brought it up to my doctor, she dismissed it saying that thyroid problems don't cause that much weight gain and that I just need to eat less and exercise more. So at this point I'm not really sure what to do. I tried not to take that personally, because I know that she gets paid based on the number of referrals that she doesn't make.

I probably just need to be more of a beezy at the doctor, but it's hard when you're naked and the doctor is calling you fat and lazy (my words, but also hers in a roundabout way).

Sorry to jump in, but I read your whole thread. I too am trying to lose weight, and was wondering about caloric intake.

Anyway, as I read how active you actually are, I thought that maybe you have a thyroid problem as well. It's definitely something to look into. My sister has an underactive thyroid, and her doctor put her on meds, and she instantly dropped 15lbs. She hadn't changed her routine at all, her thyroid just began working properly.

[classicsgirl]

You can get all the nutrients you need on 1200 calories assuming that is all wholesome healthy foods making up those 1200. If you're exercising you need more energy than 1200 calories can provide though. You should listen to your body and eat healthy food when you're hungry. If you increase your exercise a little more you will lose a little weight but other than that you should accept that for you a healthy size is 165-180 pounds. Everyone's different :)

[BagLadie]

I am 5'3 and about 120 and I was told I should have 1200 a day. At least.

[AnimalCrackers]

Get to thedailyplate.com! They have a great free method of tracking not only calories, but excercise, moods, etc. I use it most days.