Skeptical about calorie recommendations

Based on my info (short, 125ish pounds, sedentary), I am told to eat 1200 calories per day. I cannot even begin to fathom how that is a realistic diet estimate.

2 pounds a week is reasonable weight-loss, right? But eating 1200cal per day puts me at losing less than half a pound a week!!  :(

I want to lose 2 lbs per week. There is no way .5 lbs per week will give me enough of a result to keep me motivated.

I am not comfortable with this speed. At all. It's just as hard as following an 800cal per day diet, yet only a quarter as successful. I hear about starvation mode constantly, but even when I'm in "starvation mode" I still lose way more than half a pound a week.

What alternatives do I have? What steps can I take to lose 2 pounds per week without entering starvation mode? I deal with anxiety in public, so walking outside or going to a gym is not an option, and I can't afford a treadmill. So basically I have limited ways to up my cardio.

I have to do this by calorie-counting primarily.

It is unhealthy and therefore against the policy of this site to recommend eating less that 1200 calories day.  To create a larger deficit you absolutely have to add exercise into your plan.  Not to mention the benefits to your overall health.

at 125 lbs you are not really overweight for any height, so slow weight loss is really all you can expect.  the skinnier you are the slower your body loses weight.

That does look about right. 1200 calories is what I was on towards the end of my diet.

I say focus on toning up and working out. That way you can eat more and achieve smaller inches if you want them. What are you trying to accomplish anyway?

Age? Height?

I'm 23.

I'm just over 5'1

And I fluctuate from 120-125lbs

My goal is about 100lbs (I'm sorry, I just don't have the willpower to go any lower, heh)

Sorry if my question broke policy, I didn't mean to. 

Actually you are at a healthier weight now.  Maybe you should consider putting more emphasis on exercise and body composition and forget about getting to a certain number on the scale.

You're right. To be honest I don't care about the number all that much. I just remember I was more comfortable with my body at that weight than I currently am. It felt "right".

And I am not really into exercise/ body composition. I've never had the urge to be "fit" or even "healthy". I just want to look thin again.  It may not be trendy, but it's just a personal choice for me.

 Thanks all, for your input so far. I'm still learning, so be patient with me. :)

There most definitely are other ways to get to up your excersize without having to get outdoors/to a gym, how about some work out video's? They give you the opportunity to be in the privacy of your home and you don't need to buy any high prized equipment for it! This way you would be able to burn more and so have a larger deficit. I don't understand if I am honest when you say you are not interested in body composition, isn't that exactly what makes you feel better about yourself, when you look good? You can achieve exactly that by toning up! Even more so than just losing weight!

Well, I find a "toned" appearance to be a physically unattractive body composition. Like I said, it's just a personal thing.  Body composition IS important to me, but the kind I want is very little muscle, and less fat. The typical waif look.

I know it's not popular right now. But my own self-image is more important than what's "trendy".

And I think the work-out videos could be a decent idea. I didn't know they still had things like that. :P

Thank you!

You do not have to get expensive exercise equipment or join a gym to up your cardio.  Any exercise is good exercise, even doing an aerobics video, or just dancing around your living room for a half hour.

1200 vs 800, I guess that depends on what you are looking for.  Do you just want to lose weight, or do you want to lose weight while being healthy and feeling terrific?  If you want to stay healthy, don't go below 1200.  Up your exercise if that makes you feel better, but it isn't a race.  Even at .5 lbs a week, one could lose over 20 lbs in a year, and I don't think you have 20 to lose.

You might want to consider aiming for 110.  I say this because 100 is the minimum weight for your height according to Army height/weight standards.  99 would get a female your height and age sent in to the doctor for a checkup. 

Hm, if I feel pretty at 110, I'll definitely stop there. But from past experience, I know I look like a total blimp at 110.

Plaidpooka: I think I'll try that exercise video idea, really. It sounds kind of fun, actually. With regards to losing 20 pounds a year... I'll be 24 by then. That's practically a quarter-century old! I can't wait that long.  :(

even if you want the waif "look", actually being a waif is not going to be healthy, especially when you are talking about eating under 1200 calories and making sure you have no muscle mass.  also, we all know its not about being trendy.  you are going to have a hard time finding people to support the unhealthy things you are talkng about on this site.  

I don't want to be unhealthy. I just have no desire to gain muscle or be a total health nut. I would like to maintain my current muscle mass.

I already conceded that I was wrong about the calories, and would like other suggestions for losing more than half a pound a week. So far I'm really excited about all the replies.

I don't see why you have such a problem with someone who's new to dieting asking questions, taking advice, and keeping an open mind (even if I don't completely abandon my personal ideals regarding beauty).

If you want to maintain your current muscle mass you will NOT be able to slim down to 100 lbs.  You will have to lose muscle to get that low.

Unfortunately what you ask for really isnt possible.  You can maintain your current muscle mass with excercise and lose any extra fat you may have (though I doubt you have much), or you can lose the extra muscle mass and have that "waif" look.  I dont recommend the former. 

By the by, a toned body is not muscular.  But it does not jiggle when you walk.

i think you might spend time looking at some models like Cheryl Tiegs - She has a very sexy body, toned and not muscular.  But weight appropriate to her height. 

Original Post by yummy_kitty:

I don't want to be unhealthy. I just have no desire to gain muscle or be a total health nut. I would like to maintain my current muscle mass.

I already conceded that I was wrong about the calories, and would like other suggestions for losing more than half a pound a week. So far I'm really excited about all the replies.

I don't see why you have such a problem with someone who's new to dieting asking questions, taking advice, and keeping an open mind (even if I don't completely abandon my personal ideals regarding beauty).

 

 i dont have a problem at all with a new person asking questions.  in fact, im glad that you are asking questions.

but these are the answers you are going to get when you try to do something that seems unhealthy. 

also, if you like think that waifs are beautiful then that is fine, but does that mean that people should give you advice to become one, if it seems like it'd hurt your health?

What about a pilates video or something on that idea for exercise?  I know it's not a popular recommendation on this site...but I find it helps keep me tight without looking overly toned.

Definitely stick with 1200 calories. I got to my goal weight eating 1200 cals with the occasional zig-zag.

jblarghp: Okay, I'll research pilates, thanks.  :)

jessicasbc: I understand what you're saying. If someone is worried about my health and uncomfortable giving advice they disagree with, then I will always be grateful for a new perspective. But I just don't want people getting mad at me if we agree to disagree on the issue. Hopefully I didn't upset you.

madamq: Oh, I see. Well I am okay with losing muscle then. But I still don't think I'll need to. I had more muscle 3 years ago and I weighed 100 back then. Cheryl Tiegs is proportioned well, but in some photos she has pretty gross stomach muscles. I like her legs and arms though, I can work towards that. :)

Everyone: I think I got my answer. Eat 1200, exercise more, don't focus on the exact weight, and look into videos that promote cardio and toning as opposed to adding muscle mass.

Thanks so much!

I seriously wish I had 'gross' stomach muscles like Cheryl Tiegs.  LOL

I'm brand new to this site too kitty, and I have a lot of questions I'm going to be asking as well.  Right now I'm just doing alot of reading on this site and so far it seems like everyone has peoples 'best interests' in mind and are trying to pass along the most healthy, and helpful info they can.  Works for me!

You have to increase your activity to increase the deficit. Do not eat below 1200 calories a day. Trust us all on this. It is far better to be patient and lose slow than to deprive your body of calories it absolutely requires. 

Edit: Okay, now I see that my post was totally redundant. Ah well, I'll consider it validating information.