Over and Under calories is it OK?

I am counting calories and to lose weight I should eat 1200 calories a day.  If I eat say 1000 one day then 1400 the next day does it count that it avaerages out to 1200?  Or should I only eat 1200 a day and that's it?

Don't listen to that. It's best that you stick with around 1200 a day. Days you work out, up the calorie intake a bit. Try your hardest not to go under 1200, however.

I would say that depending on what your deficit is (difference between what you burn and what you eat) it's fine to go under and over, although I'd be careful about going too much under your daily calories if you have a high deficit (>1000cal), it might slow your metabolism down a bit.

So yeah, it's fine to average it out over a couple of days, just make sure you're not too restrictive on the low days (ie don't go with 2000 cals, then 400 cals). You might want to look up some info on zigzag dieting, some people find that it's actually a better way to lose weight, as it keeps you metabolism a bit higher because of the high cal days. 

First of all, where did you get the number 1200 from? from our tools or did someone tell you you need to eat 1200 calories to lose weight?

I ask because I hear people suggest that to lose weight you should eat the bare minimum (1200 calories) only and that's just not true. If you're a small woman you may need 1200 calories. If you're of average size and weight, it may be closer to 1500. Or more if you're heavier.

Secondly, I strongly suggest that you don't dip under 1200 calories a day without your doctor's permission AND him watching you to make sure you don't end up malnourished. It's very difficult to get enough calories and nutrition for so few calories.

So, to answer your question, assuming your numbers are legitimate, eat 1200 calories a day. 

Hi There I got 1200 calories a day from my weight in pounds times 11 which equals 1700 which is my maintaining weight number then to lose weight you have to eat 500 cal a day less than that and that is how I got 1200.  I believe this is the correct way to do this? thanks for all the advice!

Original Post by vee3000:

Hi There I got 1200 calories a day from my weight in pounds times 11 which equals 1700 which is my maintaining weight number then to lose weight you have to eat 500 cal a day less than that and that is how I got 1200. I believe this is the correct way to do this? thanks for all the advice!

 Hmmm I don't know how accurate that is to be honest. I just followed your formula and my weight times 11 comes to 1441 and if I minus 500 from that it says I should it 941 cals a day to lose weight and I know thats way to low. Use the calculators on this site and see what it says. I find this site way more on target.

I cycle my calories from 1200 to 2800 a day and have lost 50lbs since June. It doesn't matter what you eat in one or 2 days as much as it matters what you eat over a week's time. It's a balancing act.

I average 1829 cals a day, NEVER dip below 1200 on purpose though:

Sun: 1800
Mon: 2000
Tue: 1400
Wed: 2800
Thu: 1200
Fri: 1500
Sat: 2100

I also take a free day where I eat anything I want every 2 weeks and not count. I get right back on the next day and it works very well for me.

Great thanks for all your help, I will re-calculate my calorie in take!

are you a teen, or are you over 20?

I am 30 years old