Does anyone have an opinion on a 1000 - 1200 cal diet??

Hi everyone!

I'm 17 years old, 5' 10" and right now 165 lbs. My goal weight is 130 lbs.

I try to stick to a 1000 - 1200 cals/day-diet. I have no problem with the limit, i am not hungry and don't feel depressed. But should I eat more? I do pilates 30 minutes every day and some days i take a 1 hour walk. How long do you think it will take for me to lose weight?

Louisa  

Alot of people will have an opinion on this diet because you are not eating enough. Based on your stats, you should be eating a minium of 1600 cals because your body needs and will burn this many cals by properly functioning. Eating below this will slow your metabolism.

Hi Louisa,When i was 17, (albeit a lot shorter than you at 5"3), i put myself on a 1000 to 1200 diet.. i found it pretty easy too.  In fact, i was quite motivated by it.  What i didn't know was that i was starving myself, i was active and exercised, but i was literally starving my body.   As a result, my metabolism slowed down and i found myself gaining weight quickly in my 20's.   As a result of the weight gain, i started a yo-yo lifestyle, that i am still battling at 31.

If i had my time back, i would have stayed on a 1500-2000 calorie/active lifestyle diet, and i'd probably be fine now!.

SOoo dont want to sound preachy or 'when i was your age'.. i promise.. but truthfully, at 17 your body can handle a lot, starvation, excess... its when you get older you pay the price.

Go healthy!  Eat 1600 calories, keep working out.  Its not hard to get to 1600 calories, if you find yourself struggling to reach that point, add some more fruit, cereals or even a treat to the mix!   Whatever you do, dont deprive yourself or you might spiral into a bad cycle.

To answer your question about how long it will take to lose weight, google the BMR calculator, but generally a 500 calorie daily deficit will help you lose 1lb per week.  So 1600 calories with a good daily work out should do the trick with slow, steady healthy loss.

Good luck!

Hi Louisa,

You are not eating enough. You might not feel depressed or hungry, but you're essentially starving your body and you are causing internal damage to your organs. At a minimum, if you were completely sedentary, you'd need 1500 calories a day as a teenager. Since you're exercising, you need even more. You should definitely be eating at least 1700-2000 a day, and I promise you will lose on that much, and you'll be much happier and healthier!

Just to put it in perspective, I'm also 5'10" and I'm losing on 1600 a day (and I'm older than you). Remember, if you want to stay healthy and tall when you're older, you have to eat enough now. So definitely up your calories. (Also, 130 sounds really low as a goal, and would make you officially underweight. Maybe you should set a smaller goal, like 150 or 155, and see how you feel at that weight. Don't forget that losing the weight in a slow and healthy manner is always better than crash dieting.)

Okay!

Thanks a lot for the help =)

Louisa

hey! If it helps any I am 5'10" also and 21 years old. I eat around 1300-1500 calories a day, but I found that I can't down a loaf of bread bc thats what makes me gain. lol i was trying to eat my calories but mainly in carbs and that definitely doesnt work. i am also trying to get to 130 or 128, which i used to be and right now im at 144. I don't think it should take you that long as long as you eat healthy (not just count calories) and work out. Maybe a couple or few months. Im aiming for my birthday next march! Hope that helps!

Your weight goal is underweight.  Use the tools to determine your caloric needs.  Since you are 19, it might be helpful to use this calculator and read these web pages:

hmm, the amount of calorie intake looks like it would def. slow down your metabolism.

Plus, 130 lb sounds like a hard goal weight to reach.

i'm 5'5'' at 130-135 lb, 16 years old (my birthday's in 2 days though!), and trying to maintain cause any less weight makes me start missing my period and looks unhealthy.

if you've got a really slim frame tho, and 130 looks good on you, then go for it.
but, remember that weight isnt everything. try focusing on fat percentage.

well you need to eat more in my opinion! you are only 17 and your body can loose the weight faster..if you eat more calories this will revive your metabolism...you should eat more healthier though because you are young and junk food is part of life...I use to weight 236 lbs and it took me 2 years to drop to 160 lbs but i did it in a 1950 calories a day and I also reduced my fat intake..always look for new recipes and different foods...also have more fun on your quest to loose weight a routine may get boring..just don't give up..I started eating small meals every three hours starting at 7 am and ending at 7 pm and drank a whole lot of water..EAT..you are young and HEALTH is more important than looks...I thought  I would never be able to fit in normal size clothes..but its great and now I have 48 lbs left  to go (equal to another year) but it takes time..it takes time to get big and it takes time to be normal...just love yourself!

Original Post by louisawinter:

Hi everyone!

I'm 17 years old, 5' 10" and right now 165 lbs. My goal weight is 130 lbs.

I try to stick to a 1000 - 1200 cals/day-diet. I have no problem with the limit, i am not hungry and don't feel depressed. But should I eat more? I do pilates 30 minutes every day and some days i take a 1 hour walk. How long do you think it will take for me to lose weight?

I was on a 1200 calorie diet. Then my hair fell out. Eat.