Do I REALLY need 1200 calories a day?

[Fattack]

Ways to bump it up - substitute *diet* food for real food (often diet food is very unhealthy, processed and filled with additives anyway which is why I don't eat it!). Whole milk instead of skimmed. Avocados in your salads / guacamole dips. Eat more nuts (in their natural state) and beans / lentils. Peanut butter (but be sure to get unsalted / unsweetened versions, the ingredients should be literally just peanuts and a bit of oil). Increase your portions of lean meats. Eat a couple of squares of organic dark chocolate instead of *insert freddo / weight watchers dessert*.

 

[Caz]

VLCDs like Cambridge are only medically recommended for 12 weeks at a time, and they are only recommended because the sachets are formulated to provide all your nutrients and vitamins. Eating the same number of calories as doing something like Sole Source yourself is very, very different and will result in deficiency.

Oh I know, I wasn't trying to suggest that it was ok to just have the same number of calories as that, I know that it's not. I have decided to take vitamin supplements alongside all of this though, just for an extra boost!

Ways to bump it up - substitute *diet* food for real food (often diet food is very unhealthy, processed and filled with additives anyway which is why I don't eat it!). Whole milk instead of skimmed. Avocados in your salads / guacamole dips. Eat more nuts (in their natural state) and beans / lentils. Peanut butter (but be sure to get unsalted / unsweetened versions, the ingredients should be literally just peanuts and a bit of oil). Increase your portions of lean meats. Eat a couple of squares of organic dark chocolate instead of *insert freddo / weight watchers dessert*.

When you say diet food, what kind of thing do you mean?

I couldn't possibly drink whole milk though! I've grown up having skimmed, I hate whole milk now!

The other ways are great though, thanks. I'll have to give it all a try

 

[The Moog]

I was actually offered this last year but I decided to go for the CBT first. It was useless! I may go back to the doctor and see them about it actually. My friend went to see a physio for it because he has CFS, much worse than mine, and he said it was just useless and patronising and really not particularly helpful which put me off a bit!

It's got to be done in the right way. I was lucky and got an excellent physio to work with. It's taken us 6 months to get me stable and I've learnt how to relax and rest properly.

Just starting on the graded exercise proper now, so I can't give you any personal experience yet, BUT I can see how it should work and I'm pretty certain that it's going to make a real difference to me. Before starting this I'd have at least 1 or 2 days bed-bound every week. I haven't had one of those in months now - so it really does feel like I'm getting my life back.

I've got all of the handouts. I'm sure I could scan them in if you're interested in them. I'm quite excited about it all

 

[Caz]

It's got to be done in the right way. I was lucky and got an excellent physio to work with. It's taken us 6 months to get me stable and I've learnt how to relax and rest properly.

Just starting on the graded exercise proper now, so I can't give you any personal experience yet, BUT I can see how it should work and I'm pretty certain that it's going to make a real difference to me. Before starting this I'd have at least 1 or 2 days bed-bound every week. I haven't had one of those in months now - so it really does feel like I'm getting my life back.

I've got all of the handouts. I'm sure I could scan them in if you're interested in them. I'm quite excited about it all

That would be great if you could! I'm really glad that it's helping you. I'm not a really bad case, I still can live relatively normally, I just feel absolutely exhausted most of the timed. It's been a hard journey for me learning what my limits are, but I'm getting there. I know how hopeless a lot of people feel, so I'm really glad that you feel you're getting your life back. Just wait, this time next year it'll be a whole new you with far more energy and your great bod to go with it!

 

[The Moog]

I will do - it'll be later today or tomorrow as we have guests arriving in an hour or so and need to get turned around for them. My filing is also dreadful, so I need to find them first

The thing that was hardest to do (funnily enough) was to learn to store energy in advance, so that I had a resource bank of 'oomph' if I needed to do something. That was the complete opposite of ticking along on tired and then having crashes when I tried to do something. Now I get tired still, but I've got in-built rest periods in my day so conserve loads of energy that way. That bit definitely works!

I feel like I'm getting there, and at my worst it was pretty bad. Nothing more miserable than being stuck in bed too tired to move any muscles at all!

 

[Fattack]

I also drink skimmed milk, it's just a suggestion!
By switching out diet foods I mean anything that prides itself on being "low-calorie" versions of other things- such as low-calorie bread, cereals, desserts, cakes, soups, ready meals. Anything sold by WeightWatchers, for example! If you're having low-cal bread, for example, and aren't meeting your 1200 goal, then eat regular, seeded wholemeal bread. Most times, the original food will be better for you anyway

 

[Fattack]

Oh, and fruit juices are also a good healthy way of increasing your calorie intake. Just make sure you get the natural kind without lots of sweeteners /sugars.

 

[Caz]

I also drink skimmed milk, it's just a suggestion!
By switching out diet foods I mean anything that prides itself on being "low-calorie" versions of other things- such as low-calorie bread, cereals, desserts, cakes, soups, ready meals. Anything sold by WeightWatchers, for example! If you're having low-cal bread, for example, and aren't meeting your 1200 goal, then eat regular, seeded wholemeal bread. Most times, the original food will be better for you anyway

I don't really buy that kind of stuff to be honest, works out so much more expensive! The only things I particularly buy are muller light versions, snack a jacks and sainsburys version of special k but that's just because I like them rather than because they're better for you! I just have normal bread too. I occasionally buy a weight watchers soup but sometimes it's just normal. I don't have bread with soup though, maybe I will now as I didn't before just to save on calories as I thought it'd be harder to keep to target!

Oh, and fruit juices are also a good healthy way of increasing your calorie intake. Just make sure you get the natural kind without lots of sweeteners /sugars.

Ooh that's a good point. Thanks for all the tips

 

[leighleigh]

Oh, and fruit juices are also a good healthy way of increasing your calorie intake. Just make sure you get the natural kind without lots of sweeteners /sugars.

I was just about to say, it might be worthwhile investing in a juicer. They're an easy way to get the nutrients AND calories in, but don't actually require you to eat any more than you already are... I say a juicer rather than juice for two reasons:
1) it works out cheaper in the long run - that innocent orange juice is an absolute rip off!
2) you are in control of and can be sure of whats going into the juice is good for you


You could also had an olive oil dressing to any salads you may eat. Heart healthy mono-unsaturated fats + a few more calories to bulk up your total. Healthy oils include Olive Oil, Rapeseed, and Peanut oils. The latter two though are good for cooking, the former for dressings.

If you eat pasta and like pesto you could always make your own and add a tbsp of it to pasta...I wish I could eat pesto =(

In response to the original question - I think so, yes but then again I am not you nor am I a qualified nutritionist or doctor. And that's all I'm going to say on that matter at the risk of more friction!

 

[leighleigh]

Also, just to add. It actually takes between 2 and 3 months for the difference nutrients (vitamins, minerals, electrolytes) make to your body, to be noticed. Thats why, vlcd's tend to hit some people a few months down the line =)

ok and that's the last I have to say =D

 

[Sammii]

After so much arguing over this I'm a tad hesitant to add my views, but here it goes anyway:

I went to see my GP before I started my diet and he actually recommended that I eat 1000-1200 calories a day. I'm not disabled - I had a bad injury during gymnastics a few years back and I couldn't exercise for a while (which is when I put on the weight) but I've been completely healthy since I began CC-ing and I'm as active as any other teenage girl now.

I had a break from my diet about a few months ago when I gained a stone. I went back on a 1000 calorie diet for a week. I then upped my calories to 1200 for just under 3 weeks due to the strong belief on here that anything lower is bad for your health. I have been 100% and I have lost no weight. I have no health problems that affect me losing weight, but I actually gain if I eat 1500 calories a day which is less than my supposed 'maintenance weight'.

I'm not saying that 1000 calories a day is right for everyone as this is just my own personal experience but I've had no problems with it and my GP is completely supportive of my diet as long as I eat healthily. I always eat my exercise calories when I work out to make sure I don't go too low. I get regular checkups and I'm not losing any muscle mass. 1200 calories+ simply does not work for me.

 

[Fattack]

Your GP put you on a less than 1200 diet because you had mobility issue and you're not particularly tall. Naturally you will not lose, or even gain weight after moving up to 1200 because your metabolism will be shot - that is exactly why <1200 is not recommended for long periods of time. (After Cambridge, I gained a lot of weight myself before I started to lose again and now I lose between 1 and 2lbs a week eating 1200 NET, which is usually around 1500-1800 a day gross cals) Moreover, if you eat your exercise calories, you're not *eating* 1000 calories a day, you're eating more, you just have a 1000 net.

I'm not a qualified nutritionist (yet - I've just started my Personal Trainer and Nutritionist qualification) so I can't comment with entire authority, but if anybody has any queries, I'd really advise them speaking to a qualified nutritionist - they know a lot more about food than GPs. I've had three GPs, and only one of them had a clue about diet - they're not specialised in the subject (although some may take an interest).

 

[Fattack]

I don't really buy that kind of stuff to be honest, works out so much more expensive! The only things I particularly buy are muller light versions, snack a jacks and sainsburys version of special k but that's just because I like them rather than because they're better for you! I just have normal bread too. I occasionally buy a weight watchers soup but sometimes it's just normal. I don't have bread with soup though, maybe I will now as I didn't before just to save on calories as I thought it'd be harder to keep to target!



Ooh that's a good point. Thanks for all the tips

You're very welcome! Feel free to peer at my diary on MFP too. I like Muller lights as well - I do eat those because they're low GI XD but I'm currently addicted to a brand called Rachel's Organic Greek style yoghurts, but they're quite high in saturates. But do keep an eye out in tesco / wherever you shop for special offers - just because it sounds expensive doesn't mean it always is! I got some organic chickpeas from Morrison's last week on special offer - they make a delicious low calorie curry

 

[Fattack]

And as a final comment, as people have probably interpreted me as anti-VLCD, I have no issue with CONTROLLED VLCDs as approved by GPs - i.e. Cambridge. I myself lost 3 stone on Cambridge Doing Cambridge is NOT the same as picking xxx calories and eating them yourself - it's medically formulated to meet all your vitamin requirements (although it *is* a low carb diet with no fat). You're also not *allowed* to do SS for more than 12 weeks consecutively.

I stopped because I wanted to continue losing weight, but improve my health in a more general scope (you cannot exercise on Cambridge Sole Source) and the last time I did SS I contracted a kidney infection. And as a final point - I weighed 4lbs lighter last summer than I do now, after quitting Cambridge for the last time, but could not fit into clothes that I wear now. I had less muscle, more fat, and more inches, even at a lower weight. It also screwed up my metabolism royally (but that may have been less disastrous if I'd moved up plans before going straight to food) for a few MONTHS (thankfully not permanently). Whatever works for you is best to a certain point, but if you want to improve your fitness and health, then Cambridge can only take you so far, it's then up to you for "life after Cambridge". I think it's a great diet if you live a life where you cannot exercise (due to health reasons, time constraints w/e), or if you're severely obese and want that push!

We didn't put the weight on overnight, we cannot expect to lose it overnight.

 

[Caz]

You're very welcome! Feel free to peer at my diary on MFP too. I like Muller lights as well - I do eat those because they're low GI XD but I'm currently addicted to a brand called Rachel's Organic Greek style yoghurts, but they're quite high in saturates. But do keep an eye out in tesco / wherever you shop for special offers - just because it sounds expensive doesn't mean it always is! I got some organic chickpeas from Morrison's last week on special offer - they make a delicious low calorie curry

Mmmm chickpeas, I haven't had them in aaages! I think I might have to buy some!

 

[Caz]

And as a final comment, as people have probably interpreted me as anti-VLCD, I have no issue with CONTROLLED VLCDs as approved by GPs - i.e. Cambridge. I myself lost 3 stone on Cambridge Doing Cambridge is NOT the same as picking xxx calories and eating them yourself - it's medically formulated to meet all your vitamin requirements (although it *is* a low carb diet with no fat). You're also not *allowed* to do SS for more than 12 weeks consecutively.

We didn't put the weight on overnight, we cannot expect to lose it overnight.

That I completely agree with, a controlled VLCD is very different to just picking and choosing the same amount of calories. I think this all blew up a bit! I wouldn't long term go under 1200 calories, especially not as low as 700-800 calories. But it was more a thing of, on days when I'm not hugely hungry is a bit under that alright. What you said about diet foods has made me think though. I don't really buy any of them, apart from the occasional weight watchers soup (mainly the carrot and lentil purely because I really like it and haven't tried any other one!) but actually it's really not that hard to stick to 1200 calories and eat a decent amount that you don't really need WW soup or WW bread. I won't buy their ready meals though because they're way under the number of calories I allocate for dinner, 250-300 just isn't enough. And to be honest, I can cook better myself! I remember when I first posted you said you thought 1500 might be a bit much for me and I thought but how can I easily stick to 1200 - seems it is easier than I thought! I think just not having things like crisps, biscuits, chocolate around makes it easier. I look at chocolate now and go HOW many calories for HOW much?! And decide actually I'd much rather a more substantial thing for that many calories!

It's amazing how my attitude has changed, so quickly and so easily really. I've ALWAYS struggled with food, which is why I decided to do the Cambridge Diet at first. It worked really well for me until I decided I couldn't justify that kind of money. And I realised that it worked, the weight left, but I wasn't dealing with my attitude towards food, social eating became a nightmare and I just ended up resenting it all really. Whereas now, I feel really in control of everything, I get to choose what I eat and how much and for the first time, I'm actually finding that I really don't want to eat the bad things. I haven't eaten chocolate, biscuits and other crap since I started and actually have found that I haven't wanted to. For the first time, 'dieting' (not that I like to call it that, this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change!) isn't hard, I'm actually finding it surprisingly easy! I'm not sure what's caused my sudden shift in outlook but I like it! Just hope that it continues!