Am only Allowed 1200 calories each day!
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
May 31, 2007 11:41pm CST
As some of my friends know, I am on a diet. Well, I am supposed to be. I belong to South Australia Weight Watchers (not the international one).
Originally I was following the high protein, low carb diet. Initially I had some success, loosing around 6 kgs. But the low carb part is hard to follow, particulary as it doesn't fit in with the rest of my family.
The previous President advocated meals with 1/4 protein, 1/4 carbs & 1/2 veges/salad. This was a little easier to follow.
Three weeks ago we voted in a new President. She is very organised 7 full of ideas.
At yesterdays meeting we were told to aim towards loosing 0.5 kgs per week, for 4 weeks. She said that as most of us are inactive, we are only allowed 1200 calories each day.
Today I went out & bought the calorioe counter book.
Shortly I am going to design a chart, with the days of the week & breakfast, lunch, tea on it. I need to record everything I eat, with the calorie content.
It is the only way I am going to get back on track.
4 people like this
16 responses
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
1 Jun 07
It is really hard for me to stick to any particular diet that promise to lose weight. I have tried many different kind of diet but I am always back to a square one. It is good to have an organisation like yours where you get people around you to share common interest. You get motivated to reach your target. It become more difficult when you are the chef of your family.
2 people like this
@SarahPT (136)
• United States
1 Jun 07
You are obviously motivated, and that is great! I am curious if this new president is a certified nutritionist? 1200 calories is extremely low. That is what people in comas are typically fed. I am a nutritionist and I have never fed anyone that little. Eating 1200 calories a day will greatly slow the metabolism. Initial weight loss is possible, but future weight loss will be very difficult. If someone has health problems that greatly effect metabolism 1200 calories may be appropriate, but only then.
Sorry, I do nont mean to step on toes. I have just had many women come to me who tried eating low calorie diets, such as 1200 calories a day, and only lost in the beginning and then plateaued. I have my work cut out for me when they come to me because repairing the metabolism is tough work and takes time.
Sarah Brown
www.sarahpersonaltraining.com
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
1 Jun 07
This is very interesting, & I thank you for it.
I seriously doubt if the new President is a certified nutritionist. At the time, 1200 calories didn't mean a lot to me, & she said that we were inactive.
Today I bought the Calorie Counter book (latest edition), & what I was reading in it didn't correspond to what our President said, in terms of 1200 calories.
I compiled my chart to record food eaten & calories consumed, did some careful calculations, & it came to approx 2000 calories. Well above the 1200 our President stated.
After I read your response, I rushed back to the calorie counting book, and according to the charts, at my weight & age (68 kilos & I'm 49 yrs, & height 5ft 2in), I should be consuming, you guessed it, around 2000 calories. These figures were for inactive people.
If I try to stick to to 1200 cals, I am going to loose energy, which is not a good thing.
There probably isn't much I can do abou it at this stage. Our WW club is sruggling due to lack of people wanting to take on roles, & I am the Treasurer as no one else is computer literate. I can quietly mention this to a couple of my better friends in the group, but basicly people don't want of hear of any difficulties or conflicts. Our group consists mainly of elderly women, many whom are diabetic.
I am really greatful for your advice.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Thank You. I also appreciate your advice. In my response I said that it was advised (online calculation) at around 1600 but that allows me to indulge every now and then, being a chocoholic, I like than and I never seem to go over 2000. With me is was really a lifestyle change experimenting and finding what I felt good with and liked. Then it became so easy to maintain my weight.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Since I lost 59 lbs (during my illness) I am right now 131 lbs which is just right for my height and age. I want to stay at this weight I am allowed 1568 cals per day. I have kept this weight for over year now without any problem, lots of salad, fruit, fish, one egg a day and as I prefer diet sodas that is no problem. I don't know if they have "Ensure" nutritional drink in Australia but I drink of them and take a "Centrum Silver One-a-Day" vitamin tablet and that is my breakfast every morning. So I am in tip top condition and do not use any medication. No more high blood pressure!
I am sure you will be able to follow through keep trying until you find what you like and then stick with it. Do not deprive yourself of some special dessert or treat every now and then.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
Your calorie intake sounds more realistic than the 1200 I was told to do. A nutritionist responded here, & said it most inappropiate.
Congratulations on keeping yourself so healthy, a good move.
@cjthedog64 (1552)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Well, good luck with your program. Though I've never seen the point of trying to follow what someone else says you should do to lose weight. Everyone is different and their bodies react differently. For me to lose weight, I have to eat closer to 2000 calories a day, and limit myself to under 30 grams of carbs per day, coming from veggies. I'd starve if I tried to eat 1200 calories and I'd end up binging on sugary things which wouldn't let me lose. Good luck for you though. I hope it keeps you on track and you're able to reach your goals. :)
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
It appears that 1200 calories is too low, as a response from a nutritionist pointed out.
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
Good luck with this!
I too have recently started taking much more notice of what I'm eating and exercising because of the weight I've piled on since I stopped smoking eight months ago.
I too am looking at buying a Calorie Counter book so I know what I'm okay to eat and what I'm not. I'm looking to consume around 1500 calories a day and then burn that off using a Step and Step Aerobics routine, and also, once I get my Rowing Machine, I can use that too to burn off those calories.
In the meantime, I'm walking most days and trying to keep the calorie intake down.
Hang in there, it will get easier!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
I think 1500 would be far more sensible than the 1200 I was told.
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
Well Jenny, I am afraid losing weight comes down to calorie reduction for the most part. 3 years ago I worked out like a fiend and dropped about 20 pounds over the span of 7 months. I did not really change my eating habits however. I did put it all back on and since Christmas I have lost 60 pounds this time. Why? Because I combined low calorie eating with major workouts. I look like a totally different person. If I can figure out my digital camera I will show you my before and after :)
cheers
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
I am not into major workouts, although sometimes I can be motivated by walking. At the moment the constant rain has put me off a bit. I wouldn't mind seeing before & after photos of your great weight loss.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Just seems to be alot of work for something that if you make some deliberate changes you could still sit at the family table and make your goals. The trick is to eat only as much as you move and moving is THE key. I wish you luck. Different programs work for different people. Also this is will be part of your life probably forever. The cells that store fat will call to be filled for a long time. Good luck I wish you well.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
Yes, moving. I don't do much of that whilst I am sitting at the computer!!
@gharinder (2044)
• India
3 Jun 07
thats good jenny you are concerned about your health, especially at your age, its still more important to take good care of yourself and too loose weight at the same time. As due to luxurious life styles we are not engaged much in physical work, so our diet especially fats and carbohydrates have to be controlled. wish you all the success and hope you will be in good shape.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I have done the 1,200 calorie thing. And the weight flew off. It wasn't so bad. Until I was more active, then I was more hungry. But in the U.S. Weight Watchers you can eat several kinds of vegetables and they don't count towards the calories. I hope you are successful, but more than that, I hope you are healthy.
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
1 Jun 07
Hi jenny. I think I should have more than 1200 calories a day. I need to gain weight and not the other way around, LOL. But I like the program you mentioned. There are a lot of people who tried to lose weight but failed miserably. Many of them tend to skip meals which is not really good. They need to know that they should not skip any meals at all. I'm sure this thread will benefit a lot of posters here who are in need of losing weight.
1 person likes this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
1 Jun 07
My response was going to be that this is far too low a daily intake. But you have allready found this out. I hope you find a way that will not compromise your overall health and energy levels.
I am extremely lucky as I can eat all day everyday and my weight remains fairly constant.
Good luck.
Oh by the way.. How did your daughter get on at the survival camp? Or has she still yet to return? I haven't been on in a few days and am very behind with all the topics!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
Yes, it appears to be too low.
My daughter came home from the survival camp tired, & very dirty. She had a great time though. Her tent was one of the few that didn't leak much. They only had one long drop toilet & no showers. She didn't eat that well.She loved the long hike up a hill they did, & took great photos of the views.
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Good luck with the diet!
When we started on a diet plan, we had the high protein & veggie/low carb thing, too.
We also couldn't use most anything canned as they had loads of salt in them. We switched to sea-salt instead of table salt.
It is possible to be fairly happy until you hit your goal. My husband lost 7 lbs/week for the first couple of months he was on it.
I cleaned our cupboards and 'fridge out and we got the healthy stuff. It isn't that hard to make most of our usual recipes fit the diet.
1 person likes this
@jershey (71)
• Philippines
1 Jun 07
I am currently subscribed with lifestyle and weight management program in my gym..
the required calories per day will depend on some factors specifically a particular person's weight...and calories burned at rest..
i used to weight about 149lbs before and i am required to eat ~1300cal a day plus an hour of exercise..
one thing i had learned about the program is that excercise DOESNT mean you ONLY need to sweat it out on the gym.. you can burn calories simply by doing the things you regularly do...say walking ... going to the mall...shopping...etc...
howell...it really needs a lot of dicipline and commitment to achieve your ideal body..
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
Walking is by far the best for me, although I am not too motivated in this rainy weather.
@Jemina (5770)
•
1 Jun 07
Way to go. I am glad you are concern on your weight and health in general. That's a good choice you made. I'm sure you're never gonna regret it. I wish you all the best in your efforts to lose those extra pounds.
It may be a little extra work for you counting those calories before you partake your food but you're going to get used to it and then later you don't have to list them because you already know how much calories each food contains and you can just do the calculations on your mind.
I may be small but my calorie count showed that I'm over the average so I have to avoid eggs and eat more fruits. Not really into meats. Just too much eggs.
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Good luck with it! I know it's hard. I am trying the nutrisystem shortly and hope that will work.I was with weight watchers before and lost a lot of weight. You should do fine
