1280 Calories???

aloisk57 · May 2012

Doesn't that seem like a pretty low target-calorie goal? I joined MyFitnessPal yesterday because I was interested in tracking my food intake, and that is the goal it set for me. I'm 5'2", 122lbs, looking to get down to ~116lbs by losing .5lbs/week.

Wouldn't having this low of a calorie goal put me in starvation mode?

Lobsters25 · May 2012

It's not terribly low for your non-workout days, but would probably need to be upped on days you workout to compensate for the additional calorie burn.

misssunshine17 · May 2012

I joined yesterday and I thought the same thing! My job is active so I was surprised. I went grocery shopping to make choices to that are low calorie, but will fill me up. Good luck!!

aloisk57 · May 2012

Yeah I just don't want this to backfire down the road....

Lobsters25 · May 2012

Well, listen to your body. If you find you start to snack more in between meals because you're hungry, than up the calorie count a bit.
My mom is 5'0" and like a size 4 and needs to eat around 1800 calories because she is on her feet all day and has a speedy metabolism. I, on the other hand, am 5'6" and a size 8 these days, and gain weight if I eat anything more than 1500 it seems-so it really depends on you, your lifestyle, and your body.

LizzyRB · May 2012

I lost about 25 pounds using the live strong "plate". My target calories were a little bit less than yours but I found it to be ok. When I worked out (burned 300) I could eat 300 more, so I was up to 1500 a day.

Also, I don't know if yours has this option but on mine you put in if your job is at a desk, if you are on your feet all day, if you work construction etc. Based on that, it would give you more or less calories.

StephBeanWed61502 · May 2012

You're on the small side, so 1280 really isn't too low, and definitely won't put you in "starvation" mode (generally that doesn't kick in unless you're below 1200 calories). Also, as PPs said, MFP has set your "net" goal at 1280, meaning that if you work out, you can eat more. So, for example, if you burn 200 calories in your work out, and then eat 1480 calories for the day, your net calories are 1280.

dumdumfroggie · May 2012

I don't think that's low at all. I'm a full foot taller than you and quite a bit heavier, and I only get an additional 240 calories. My goal is 1520. On the days you work out, however, if you feel you're not getting enough food, eat your calories back so that your net calories doesn't go below 1280.

welikebikes · May 2012

If you utilize those calories you won't have any problems. Make lunches a big huge salad with a lite dressing. Very few calories, so many nutrients. Instead of snacking on chips or high calorie salty snacks try vegetables. Celery is actually a negative calorie food, it burns more calories to chew celery than it contains. I like it with peanut butter which isn't low calorie, but high in protein so perfect for pre or post workouts. There's a lot of ways to cut calories without starving. Drink lots of water but not with meals.

RussoWill · May 2012

I'm 5'3" and my calorie range on sparkpeople is 1200-1550. I also had a similar weight loss goal to lose 10 pounds.

Cutting out alcohol on most days helps. I second the large salad fro lunch. I pre-make 2 or 3 and take them to work so I don't have to do all that chopping every day.

lstruggles · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_1280-calories?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:1df187d5-6c77-4ee2-83f3-c2463a084467Post:af82f8b0-6375-4979-9574-3abb7c5ef528">1280 Calories???</a>:
[QUOTE]Doesn't that seem like a pretty low target-calorie goal? I joined MyFitnessPal yesterday because I was interested in tracking my food intake, and that is the goal it set for me. I'm 5'2", 122lbs, looking to get down to ~116lbs by losing .5lbs/week. Wouldn't having this low of a calorie goal put me in starvation mode?
Posted by aloisk57[/QUOTE]

I have a scale that tells you how many cals to intake to maintain your weight. To lose .5 lbs per week I would probably take 300 cals off that number. I'd look up what amount of cals it will take to maintain and just eat less than that number every day. Good Luck!

lstruggles · May 2012

Also, I have lost 10 pounds in a month from low carb (less than 50g/day). My fiance has lost 36 pounds - low carb IMO is the BEST way to lose weight and never ever feel bloated!

welikebikes · May 2012

I just joined it, too. Your daily calories = calories consumed - calories burned (based on your workout goal) Mine is 1260 = 1420 - 160 (if I worked out 30 x 3 times a day, which I won't) So look into that

kimandjosh22 · May 2012

not low. when I was looking to lose about the same my target was 1550 and I'm 5'9" and was 150. definitely up it a little on days you get a good workout in. I would do this by eating a spoonfull of peanut butter following working out and not altering the rest of my calorie intake.

CH11 · May 2012

Way to be smart about this. In the nutrition world 1200 is really the minimum we suggest for weight loss clients. Any less (or even this amount!) can set your body into starvation mode. That means initially..some weight loss...but later, your body holds onto every calorie it can.

I suggest not counting the calories, but rather being mindful of what you're eating. Just aim for balance (half your plate fruits and veggies, a quarter lean protein/beans, and a quarter whole grains). Aim to boost the whole grains and produce in your diet instead of picking up low fat, low sugar foods. That's way more sustainable. I would be hard pressed to put one of my clients on a low calorie number.

livelifelarge24 · May 2012

If you are still hungry after the 1280 calories you could still eat but make all the extra calories COUNT. No empty calories (soda, candy, chips, etc.) Eat fruits and veggies - low calorie but they have high nutritional value. Definitely don't still with that calorie level if it makes you feel weak, hungry or tired. Feeling good is more important than the number on the scale. That being said, its important to make sure that you actually "feel" hungry and it is not just out of habit for eating certain things at certain times. That is my biggest challenge - the habitual junk snacking! I can substitue healthier foods all I want but I don't feel satisfied until I have whatever it is that's been weighing on my mind

Keep the end goal in mind.

iloveu4ever · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_1280-calories?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:1df187d5-6c77-4ee2-83f3-c2463a084467Post:250a99dd-536b-4dad-9efd-584f71a93142">Re: 1280 Calories???</a>:
[QUOTE]I joined yesterday and I thought the same thing! My job is active so I was surprised. I went grocery shopping to make choices to that are low calorie, but will fill me up. Good luck!!
Posted by misssunshine17[/QUOTE] For some reason mine is 1400 and I run around alot at work too.

1280 Calories???

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