900-1100 too low for sedentary lifestyle?

I'm 17, 5 ft 4, and around 120 pounds.  I keep reading that women should not go below 1200 calories per day, but since my exams are coming up I've been pretty sedentary for a while, meaning that I burn only around 1600 calories a day (at least according to cc).  If I'm aiming for a weekly calorie deficit of 3500, doesn't that mean I need only around 1000-1100? 

I'm also a little wary of the 1600 figure - on my worst days I seriously don't even have time to take a walk in the park and just sit and read, hence I try to keep my intake at around 900.  Is that dangerous?  (I eat more when I do have time to exercise - sometimes I go jogging or hit the gym for an hour and end up burning anything from 200-600. Those days I take in around 1100-1200.)

My goal is to lose fat AND muscle. I'm flabby on top, but my calves positively bulge with muscle due to bad running habits when I was younger.  Is it possible to slim down on top AND lose muscle below?  Currently I do weight training on the arms and shoulder area and only work my legs during cardio, but they just seem to get bigger and bigger. 

yes it is too low your going to die if you dont eat at least 1200. 

please eat more!  you might start to lose faster if you do and you really need the nutrients!  do it the right way...

the human body burns at least 1000 calories doing nothing, if we were literally a pile of organs on the floor, 1000- 1200 calories would be needed to surivive. Why the heck would you want to burn muscle?! losing muscle is the last thing you want to do, your metabolism will only get slower from doing that.

that should be a indicator that 900 calories are too low.

also, pinthin, 105 sounds like a rather dangerous goal weight, wouldnt that put you as underweight?

Pinthin has posted several times encouraging others to eat too few calories or aim for unhealthy and unrealistic goal weights.  I think this needs to be reported.

I agree with star1020, Pinthin you need to be very careful what kind of "advice" you give to people on this site.  There are numerous people with EDs who read this site and you are encouraging them to eat WAY below the recommended amount of calories.  No person, (I don't care how short they are) should consume less than 1200 calories.  Please remember we are all here to try to lose weight the healthy way.

Please read this

The Body Neglected to find out what happens when calories are restricted to lose weight

And this

Dieting & Metabolism to learn why not eating enough is counter productive if you need to lose weight.

This is important information from reliable sources

105 is underweight for 5'4 .. I say this because I am 5'4 and my doctor said that I should weigh between 120-125 lbs so actually pinthin I think u're at your perfect weight. if anything maybe you should concentrate on toning now. as for the 900 cals a day thing... I've never done that but my best friend ate 600-700 cals a day this whole summer and she lost like 15lbs.. she was preparing for a vacation and guess what.. when she came back two weks later she had gained back 10 lbs ( In 2 WEEKSS!!) and over the next month she gained another 10, and now because of her little stint she weighs more then ever. I'm just saying we all know starving yourself works quick.. it just doesn't last and it ruins your metabolism, in the end you'll only end up gaining more weight. ciaoo

I can't imagine how any running habit could be "bad."

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what the eff star1020?? i have not "encouraged" people to eat low "several time". Eating too low would mean your bodies hungry and I specifically remember telling this girl to listen to her body, as a means of neither overfilling or underfilling it. I said I'm not a nutritionist gosh. I don't know why your being so snotty. I don't want anyone to have an eating disorder, thats a ridiculous claim. There are people on this site who constantly encourage eating donuts and having binge days like its nothing, which can be just as unhealthy as suggesting undereating, which i wasn't trying to do yet i have someone suggesting i should be reported? lame.

since regular english didn't seem to do it in my original post, I DO NOT ENCOURAGE EATING DISORDERS OR UNDEREATING.

with that in mine everyones bodies and needs are differant, which was the main thing i was actually attempting to point out originally.

I agree with star1020, Pinthin you have encouraged more than one person to aim for a lower weight then they had originally planned.

  Yep. Pinthin, you need to be a little more mindful. Having been on the very unintended 'low-end' of the scale, I know how unpleasant it is. (100 pounds as a 5' 7' male is not fun... nor pretty.)

 I understand that you are trying to help, but you should really be more mindful of your words. As someone else mentioned, calories should never fall below 1200 unless you are in severe situations.

You also suggested to someone on another post that they lose more weight than they originally wanted to because, according to you, their goal weight was not small enough.  What your doing to yourself is unhealthy, but if you're determined to do it, there's nothing anyone here can do to stop you.

However, it is unacceptable for you to suggest that others on these boards engage in unhealthy activities also.  There are many people on here that come with questions and a need for direction, and we don't want them pointed the wrong way.

Thanks.

well i wouldn't suggest anything i think destructive. and im still not seeing what your so upset about in my other posts.

pinthin, hunger is a very poor gauge of good nutrition.  A bowl of rice and a candy bar may have the same number of calories, but one is more nutritious--and more filling--than the other.

This is supposed to be an educational site.  People come here for information, not peer pressure.  I think you would do everyone, and yourself, a favor by researching your opinions before you post them.

*Applauds lysistrata*

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lol at peer pressure. um i graduated high school last year. this is a forum where people give opinions and suggestions and share their own views. "ideas and exchange of info and discussion is encouraged." everyones not fact checking every sentence they write, and differant people are going to have differant stands on things. but actually yeah, i'll admit, when i think about it, i might not even come close to 1000 cals a day some weeks cause i just don't really count. but i know my body and i'm very well. so maybe my opinions have tended to be alittle more relaxed and less scientific. but i feel pretty healthy with my eating and my body image at this time. and it seems to be working for me. when i posted this stuff i was just trying to give advice i thought would help, it's not like i'm pro-starvation but now, from the past reactions i guess i see i should just be sure to encourage 1200 cals above for all others, and happily do my own thing. still think every body and its needs are differant though.  

Pinthin ~ thank you for posting :) 

The information I posted was for everyone, not just you.  Everyone, including you is welcome to post and participate in the forums.

Please understand that we look forward to your participation and your thoughts and hope that you will stay and participate.

However, this website is dedicated to Healthy Weight Management, whether losing, gaining or maintaining.  Accordingly, posts about unhealthy eating practices to achieve or maintain below normal weights are indeed prohibited (pro-ana/mia posts are prohibited).

We understand that some people may feel or think that some of these things are appropriate and a good way to lose weight or for a goal weight.  And we would encourage everyone to check with their doctor or a professional for an objective opinion and assistance in setting an appropriate goal.

Hope this helps :)