1200 calorie diet success
rjmann92
Posts: 1 Member
Hi guys,
So I am starting tomorrow with 1200 calorie diet. I have 20 pound to lose before November when I get married.
I've previously done slimming world and weight watchers and even 5:2 diet. However due to my job now I found 5:2 too difficult.
I'm looking for any support from other people doing this diet but also any success stories would be great motivation for me.
Hope to hear back from people.
So I am starting tomorrow with 1200 calorie diet. I have 20 pound to lose before November when I get married.
I've previously done slimming world and weight watchers and even 5:2 diet. However due to my job now I found 5:2 too difficult.
I'm looking for any support from other people doing this diet but also any success stories would be great motivation for me.
Hope to hear back from people.
4
Replies
-
I haven't done a formal program, but I have lost weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out. I don't eat back any exercise calories, 1200 is the limit. I do a smoothie with whey protein and 1/2 banana for breakfast and lunch and dinner is a meat and green veggie - no starch or bread. Also add 2 snacks a day like carrots, apple, or tuna packet. Eating every few hours keeps me from getting tired/unfocused at work. I think 20 lbs by November is totally reasonable. Good luck with your goal and your wedding!5
-
I'm very short so 1200 is my calorie goal as well. I have a desk job and work out 5x per week, for 30-45 mins. I've lost 19lbs from Feb 1 to May 1 so your 20 goal by November is TOTALLY achievable. Good luck! Congrats on the wedding!7
-
if u got 5 months to lose 20 ibs then all u need is to lose 1 IB a week so u could be less restrictive n go to around 1350 (or just let MFP tell u what the exact number is when u set to lose one IBS a week). i m.saying this because not everyone can handle a 1200 calorie daily max. basically u have to eat only homemade meals with the right combination of meat, VEGS, n fruits.
NO sugar, starch, desserts, juices, fast foods, etc etc
many people gave up because they r being overly aggressive with their weight loss plan. maybe start with a 1350 to 1400 calorie plan for the first 2 weeks n see how u feel first6 -
Hi guys,
So I am starting tomorrow with 1200 calorie diet. I have 20 pound to lose before November when I get married.
I've previously done slimming world and weight watchers and even 5:2 diet. However due to my job now I found 5:2 too difficult.
I'm looking for any support from other people doing this diet but also any success stories would be great motivation for me.
Hope to hear back from people.
How have you arrived at your figure of 1200 calories? With 5 months and only 20lb you can probably eat more, unless you're very light, short or old to start with, which will be more sustainable and you would be more likely to keep it off. What are your stats (age, height, weight, sex)?1 -
I lost 25 pounds in about 6 months on a 1200 calorie diet two years ago. Lean protein plus veggies. Didn't eat back my exercise calories but had an indulgent meal a couple of times a month. Maintaining is harder, and my weight fluctuates. Up a little lately and now on a 1200 calorie diet again to get back to my GW.3
-
I have lost 23 lbs since January 1st sticking to a 1200 calories a day. I am shorter, (5'3") so 1200 isn't really that much of a struggle, but if you are taller you can probably raiser your calorie limit some. I do eat back some of my exercise calories if I am hungry. I still have about 7lbs to lose, but I expect to be at or close to my goal by the end of summer.0
-
2tryharder wrote: »I haven't done a formal program, but I have lost weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out. I don't eat back any exercise calories, 1200 is the limit. I do a smoothie with whey protein and 1/2 banana for breakfast and lunch and dinner is a meat and green veggie - no starch or bread. Also add 2 snacks a day like carrots, apple, or tuna packet. Eating every few hours keeps me from getting tired/unfocused at work. I think 20 lbs by November is totally reasonable. Good luck with your goal and your wedding!
Aren't you hungry? I get 1200 cals per day too and also eat back my exercise for the most part but not all of it each day. :-/ I'd be hungry if I didn't.0 -
2tryharder wrote: »I haven't done a formal program, but I have lost weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out. I don't eat back any exercise calories, 1200 is the limit. I do a smoothie with whey protein and 1/2 banana for breakfast and lunch and dinner is a meat and green veggie - no starch or bread. Also add 2 snacks a day like carrots, apple, or tuna packet. Eating every few hours keeps me from getting tired/unfocused at work. I think 20 lbs by November is totally reasonable. Good luck with your goal and your wedding!
Do you think that part of the reason that you've had to "lose weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out" is because you are being too restrictive, and putting yourself into a yo yo cycle where you go back to "eating normally" and then put the weight back on?
Did you ever consider being less restrictive with the food choices and the calorie approach, eating back exercise calories to fuel your body and your workouts, and losing weight a little slower but easing the transition into maintenance?
That's the approach I took about 4 years ago when I started on MFP, and I lost the weight I set out to lose, and am currently maintaining - but never felt deprived or restricted at all. I ate 1600-1900 cals while losing, and transitioning to maintenance was pretty seamless.
12 -
I've done 1200 cal diets before and found that they are pretty hard to me to stick to without eating back the exercise calories. I'm currently at 1325 calories, working out 4-5x a week (weight training + 20-30 min cardio) and I've lost 8 pounds in about 5 weeks and I'm 5'4''.3
-
if u got 5 months to lose 20 ibs then all u need is to lose 1 IB a week so u could be less restrictive n go to around 1350 (or just let MFP tell u what the exact number is when u set to lose one IBS a week). i m.saying this because not everyone can handle a 1200 calorie daily max. basically u have to eat only homemade meals with the right combination of meat, VEGS, n fruits.
NO sugar, starch, desserts, juices, fast foods, etc etc
many people gave up because they r being overly aggressive with their weight loss plan. maybe start with a 1350 to 1400 calorie plan for the first 2 weeks n see how u feel first
corrected it..
OP - you can lose weight eating sugar, fast food, etc..what is the most important is maintaining your calorie deficit, getting adequate nutrition, and keeping protein relatively high.5 -
WinoGelato wrote: »2tryharder wrote: »I haven't done a formal program, but I have lost weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out. I don't eat back any exercise calories, 1200 is the limit. I do a smoothie with whey protein and 1/2 banana for breakfast and lunch and dinner is a meat and green veggie - no starch or bread. Also add 2 snacks a day like carrots, apple, or tuna packet. Eating every few hours keeps me from getting tired/unfocused at work. I think 20 lbs by November is totally reasonable. Good luck with your goal and your wedding!
Do you think that part of the reason that you've had to "lose weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out" is because you are being too restrictive, and putting yourself into a yo yo cycle where you go back to "eating normally" and then put the weight back on?
Did you ever consider being less restrictive with the food choices and the calorie approach, eating back exercise calories to fuel your body and your workouts, and losing weight a little slower but easing the transition into maintenance?
That's the approach I took about 4 years ago when I started on MFP, and I lost the weight I set out to lose, and am currently maintaining - but never felt deprived or restricted at all. I ate 1600-1900 cals while losing, and transitioning to maintenance was pretty seamless.
this..
I would also add, stop dieting for an "occasion" and make life style changes that are going to result in long-term success...6 -
You haven't told us stats. I'm 5'2, 194# and lose at 1270 calories + 80-90% exercise calories (wear a fitbit). For me and my height (and weight), 1200-1400ish calories is a deficit enough to lose at between 1-2lb loss. Over the past 50 days I have lost 13.8#'s. You have until november, you have 20#'s to lose, change it to 1lb a week, follow what MFP gives you, and eat back at least half of your excercise calories to maintain this up until November. Overly restricted leads to eventual overeating.0
-
I've been on 1200 cals since mid-February and I've lost 15 lbs already, even with a handful of cheat meals. Have 30 to go by September, hopefully.1
-
if u got 5 months to lose 20 ibs then all u need is to lose 1 IB a week so u could be less restrictive n go to around 1350 (or just let MFP tell u what the exact number is when u set to lose one IBS a week). i m.saying this because not everyone can handle a 1200 calorie daily max. basically u have to eat only homemade meals with the right combination of meat, VEGS, n fruits.
NO sugar, starch, desserts, juices, fast foods, etc etc
many people gave up because they r being overly aggressive with their weight loss plan. maybe start with a 1350 to 1400 calorie plan for the first 2 weeks n see how u feel first
corrected it..
OP - you can lose weight eating sugar, fast food, etc..what is the most important is maintaining your calorie deficit, getting adequate nutrition, and keeping protein relatively high.
u r correct on this point regarding eating anything as long as it is a calorie deficit situation to lose weight but i do not think it is realistic for a 1200 calorie diet nor it is good for ones long term health. heres why.
1. for example one big mac combo is more than 1200 calories, one plate of pasta dish from boston pizza is more than 1000 calories, one regular muffin is 500 calories, one cup of double double coffee is around 200 calories, n one tablespoon of any oil is around 120. (i can go on). 1200 calorie a day means one must use it WISELY to spread the calories in 2 or 3 meals in a day n therefore theres no room to EAT ANYTHING U WANT regularly because dirty food has HIGH calorie counts so one can only do it once a while.
for breakfast;
a cup of double double coffee for 200
or
a cup of regular coffee n a muffin for 600 (half of ur days allowance is gone by 9am)
or
2 egg omelette with 2 slice of turkey n spinach n a cup of black coffee at 4 cal or a cup of unsweeten nut milk for 30, all for around 200-230
which breakfast will one over to lunch n which one is full of vitamins n nutrients?
2. if a beginner gets the impression that anything goes n eating dirty regularly is ok, then whats the point of losing some weight if ones health is still 'IN THE TOILET' because part of the reason of losing weight should be getting ones health back on track , no?
i dont want to argue but i do not want to see people getting confused on only half of the fact.
PS yes, most of us cheats but one can CHEAT less disruptively when the maintenance phase, where daily calorie allowance is around 1700 to 2000, kicks in n as long as most food consumed is unprocessed.3 -
if u got 5 months to lose 20 ibs then all u need is to lose 1 IB a week so u could be less restrictive n go to around 1350 (or just let MFP tell u what the exact number is when u set to lose one IBS a week). i m.saying this because not everyone can handle a 1200 calorie daily max. basically u have to eat only homemade meals with the right combination of meat, VEGS, n fruits.
NO sugar, starch, desserts, juices, fast foods, etc etc
many people gave up because they r being overly aggressive with their weight loss plan. maybe start with a 1350 to 1400 calorie plan for the first 2 weeks n see how u feel first
corrected it..
OP - you can lose weight eating sugar, fast food, etc..what is the most important is maintaining your calorie deficit, getting adequate nutrition, and keeping protein relatively high.
u r correct on this point regarding eating anything as long as it is a calorie deficit situation to lose weight but i do not think it is realistic for a 1200 calorie diet nor it is good for ones long term health. heres why.
1. for example one big mac combo is more than 1200 calories, one plate of pasta dish from boston pizza is more than 1000 calories, one regular muffin is 500 calories, one cup of double double coffee is around 200 calories, n one tablespoon of any oil is around 120. (i can go on). 1200 calorie a day means one must use it WISELY to spread the calories in 2 or 3 meals in a day n therefore theres no room to EAT ANYTHING U WANT regularly because dirty food has HIGH calorie counts so one can only do it once a while.
for breakfast;
a cup of double double coffee for 200
or
a cup of regular coffee n a muffin for 600 (half of ur days allowance is gone by 9am)
or
2 egg omelette with 2 slice of turkey n spinach n a cup of black coffee at 4 cal or a cup of unsweeten nut milk for 30, all for around 200-230
which breakfast will one over to lunch n which one is full of vitamins n nutrients?
2. if a beginner gets the impression that anything goes n eating dirty regularly is ok, then whats the point of losing some weight if ones health is still 'IN THE TOILET' because part of the reason of losing weight should be getting ones health back on track , no?
i dont want to argue but i do not want to see people getting confused on only half of the fact.
PS yes, most of us cheats but one can CHEAT less disruptively when the maintenance phase, where daily calorie allowance is around 1700 to 2000, kicks in n as long as most food consumed is unprocessed.
Being overly restrictive is just as likely to make someone jack it all in as being overly agressive. Eating the things that you've stated not to eat doesn't equate to "EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT" which seems to be a common misconception, it equates to eat things in moderation and learn to factor in treats to your calorie goal. Most people who are trying to lose weight aren't going to be eating a Big Mac combo every day, but there is no reason why someone can't have one now and again, if it fits their calories.
PS there is no such thing as dirty food, food is food.7 -
if u got 5 months to lose 20 ibs then all u need is to lose 1 IB a week so u could be less restrictive n go to around 1350 (or just let MFP tell u what the exact number is when u set to lose one IBS a week). i m.saying this because not everyone can handle a 1200 calorie daily max. basically u have to eat only homemade meals with the right combination of meat, VEGS, n fruits.
NO sugar, starch, desserts, juices, fast foods, etc etc
many people gave up because they r being overly aggressive with their weight loss plan. maybe start with a 1350 to 1400 calorie plan for the first 2 weeks n see how u feel first
corrected it..
OP - you can lose weight eating sugar, fast food, etc..what is the most important is maintaining your calorie deficit, getting adequate nutrition, and keeping protein relatively high.
u r correct on this point regarding eating anything as long as it is a calorie deficit situation to lose weight but i do not think it is realistic for a 1200 calorie diet nor it is good for ones long term health. heres why.
1. for example one big mac combo is more than 1200 calories, one plate of pasta dish from boston pizza is more than 1000 calories, one regular muffin is 500 calories, one cup of double double coffee is around 200 calories, n one tablespoon of any oil is around 120. (i can go on). 1200 calorie a day means one must use it WISELY to spread the calories in 2 or 3 meals in a day n therefore theres no room to EAT ANYTHING U WANT regularly because dirty food has HIGH calorie counts so one can only do it once a while.
for breakfast;
a cup of double double coffee for 200
or
a cup of regular coffee n a muffin for 600 (half of ur days allowance is gone by 9am)
or
2 egg omelette with 2 slice of turkey n spinach n a cup of black coffee at 4 cal or a cup of unsweeten nut milk for 30, all for around 200-230
which breakfast will one over to lunch n which one is full of vitamins n nutrients?
2. if a beginner gets the impression that anything goes n eating dirty regularly is ok, then whats the point of losing some weight if ones health is still 'IN THE TOILET' because part of the reason of losing weight should be getting ones health back on track , no?
i dont want to argue but i do not want to see people getting confused on only half of the fact.
PS yes, most of us cheats but one can CHEAT less disruptively when the maintenance phase, where daily calorie allowance is around 1700 to 2000, kicks in n as long as most food consumed is unprocessed.
Why on earth would you think that when I see eat a balanced diet, that somehow means eat Big Mac meals and deep dish pizza all day?
My point is that it is not necessary to restrict any macro and OP can still enjoy foods that she likes.
How are you defining unprocessed foods?????3 -
tinkerbellang83 wrote: »PS there is no such thing as dirty food, food is food.
Actually, 'food porn' is a real thing. Google it.5 -
tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
PS there is no such thing as dirty food, food is food.
i think mcdonalds or KFC just found their beautiful new slogan "food is FOOD!"2 -
tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
PS there is no such thing as dirty food, food is food.
i think mcdonalds or KFC just found their beautiful new slogan "food is FOOD!"
Glad to see that's all you've taken from my reply and that of @ndj1979. You still seem to think that not being restrictive equates to eating KFC & McDonalds daily, which isn't the case, but am I going to feel bad about having a pizza or a Big Mac once in a while, hell no and neither should the OP.
2 -
Work out your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure), google TDEE calculator.
From this figure, take 500.... i.e. my TDEE average (I get my figure from fitbit) is 3000, so for me to lose weight I should eat 2500 calories. 1000 is the maximum deficit you should be in. Just be sure not to starve yourself.
Like what has been said above... where your calories come from does not matter as long as you're in deficit. However if you want to feel good on the inside then eating processed/sugary food constantly isn't going to be the way
Look after yourself, DON'T starve yourself and enjoy the journey 1 -
tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
PS there is no such thing as dirty food, food is food.
i think mcdonalds or KFC just found their beautiful new slogan "food is FOOD!"
Pro tip for you ...calories are all the same from an energy standpoint; however they do not all have the same nutritional profile...
0 -
I found 1,200 calories to be too restrictive, although it isnt much more, right now I am at 1,330 and eating back half my excerise calories and I am happy with my results on this. Im losing about 2 lbs a week (MFP is set to losing 1.5 so I could be eating a little more, and some days I do if im starving) You could try it out and see how you feel, it might work for you. If it doesnt dont feel bad that you have to up your calories, you need to find the right balance for your body. At 1,330 calories and a workout yestrday I was able to eat breakfast, lunch, a snack and two pieces of pizza for dinner, and I still lost when I got on the scale this morning. Since you have five months you have enough time to play around with your calories and see what works best for you.1
-
1200 calories per day is doable, if you're motivated and have the willpower to stick with it, and as others have posted, watch what you eat. Mixing in cardio and resistance training will speed the process up and if you stick to your plan dropping 20 pounds by November will be no problem.1
-
tinkerbellang83 wrote: »
PS there is no such thing as dirty food, food is food.
i think mcdonalds or KFC just found their beautiful new slogan "food is FOOD!"
Pro tip for you ...calories are all the same from an energy standpoint; however they do not all have the same nutritional profile...
i m not sure u read what I wrote correctly because thats what I implied, pro1 -
Hi I have been doing a 1200 calorie meal plan since last June and it has worked well for me. I do prepare most all of my foods at home but I do eat out about every other weekend or so. For breakfast during the work week I would prepare some blueberry overnight oats (3 oz non fat vanilla yogurt, 1/4 c 2% milk, 1/4 c old fashioned oats, splenda (2), 1/4 c blueberries, and 1 tsp chia seeds) which gives me 1 serving of protein, 1 serving of starch, and the blueberries are a free. I add 1/4 c milk to my coffee also. On the weekends I will have some avocado (2 TB) on WW toast with an egg and blueberries on the side or two extra thin corn tortillas with an egg and laughing cow pepper jack cheese and blueberries. I love blueberries now I also have a piece of toast with PB and jelly with my coffee sometimes. Lunch is usually a salad with romaine, 1 oz of deli meat, 1 oz of shredded cheese, 2 TB of low fat dressing, and a 3 oz baked potato (2 protein, 1 starch, 1 healthy fat, veggie). Dinner is usually steamed broccoli with protein and a starch (3 servings protein, 1 starch, 1 healthy fat, and veggie. And almost forgot am snack (1 fruit and 1 milk or 1 protein) and PM snack (1 fruit and 1 healthy fat).
A serving of protein has 7 g of protein and pretty much is one ounce of anything. So for dinner I get 3 proteins so I would have 3 ounces of chicken, fish, or steak.
A serving of starch/fruit has 15 g carbohydrates. 1/3 cup rice/pasta/cous cous/quinoa. 1/2 c pasta sauce/corn/sweet potato/beans.
A serving of fat has 5 g fat. Walnuts 4 halves. Pistachios 16, mayo reg 1 tsp, olive oil 1 tsp.
Breakfast: One serving protein (1 egg or 2 egg whites, 1 TB PB, 1 oz Canadian bacon or turkey bacon, 6 oz non-fat yogurt, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup low fat milk (2%), 1 oz reduced fat cheese) and one Starch (1 slice whole grain bread, 5 whole grain crackers, 1/2 whole wheat English muffin or a 100 cal one, 1/4 cup low fat granola, 1 cup chopped fresh fruit (8oz), 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1/2 c bran or shredded wheat cereal. Free food Item: 1/4 cup cooked mushrooms, 1-2 tomato slices, 1 TB FF cream cheese, 1/4 cup blueberries, splenda/truvia, 2-3 slices fresh cucumber or 1-2 small pickled cucumbers.
AM Snack: 1 fruit (small fruit like apple, banana (1/2), pear, orange, cutie), or 3/4 c any berry, 3/4 cup pineapple cubes. 1 milk/protein (1 6 oz non fat yogurt, 1 reduced fat cheese stick, 1 c 2% milk, 1 oz deli meat, 1 TB PB)
Lunch: 2 protein, 1 starch, 2 veggies (I never measure veggies just eat enough to be full), 1 fat (2 TB reduced fat salad dressing or 1 TB regular, 1 tsp olive oil, 2 TB avocado, 1 TB reduced fat mayo, 8 olives), and free food items.
PM Snack: 1 Fruit ( small fruit, 17 grapes, 1 c melon cubes), 1 fat (6 cashew nuts or almonds, 1.5tsp nut butter, 4 walnut halves, 16 pistachios) I always have pistachios Maybe with grapes or cantaloupe or a cutie.
Dinner: 3 protein, 1 starch, 1 healthy fat, veggies
An extra: piece of chocolate, yasso bar, whatever here and there. yogurt mixed with 1 TB all fruit strawberry jam, walnuts, and whipped cream - yum!
If I know I am going to have a drink then I skip a carb in one of my meals that day. I am adding more calories to my day now that I am moving into maintenance and I am having to rework my meals adding more protein and healthy fats in here or there. Its fun getting to make different meals now.
I don't think you have to cut anything out totally is good to enjoy things from time to time. Its about being aware of what you are eating and listening to your body. I have been able to enjoy plenty while doing 1200. I eat pizza on occasion with a salad. The weekends I eat out I allot for some extra calories its no biggie since I do pretty well during the week. Extra calories on the weekend won't break the bank.3 -
WinoGelato wrote: »2tryharder wrote: »I haven't done a formal program, but I have lost weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out. I don't eat back any exercise calories, 1200 is the limit. I do a smoothie with whey protein and 1/2 banana for breakfast and lunch and dinner is a meat and green veggie - no starch or bread. Also add 2 snacks a day like carrots, apple, or tuna packet. Eating every few hours keeps me from getting tired/unfocused at work. I think 20 lbs by November is totally reasonable. Good luck with your goal and your wedding!
Do you think that part of the reason that you've had to "lose weight several times doing 1200 calories and working out" is because you are being too restrictive, and putting yourself into a yo yo cycle where you go back to "eating normally" and then put the weight back on?
Did you ever consider being less restrictive with the food choices and the calorie approach, eating back exercise calories to fuel your body and your workouts, and losing weight a little slower but easing the transition into maintenance?
That's the approach I took about 4 years ago when I started on MFP, and I lost the weight I set out to lose, and am currently maintaining - but never felt deprived or restricted at all. I ate 1600-1900 cals while losing, and transitioning to maintenance was pretty seamless.
this..
I would also add, stop dieting for an "occasion" and make life style changes that are going to result in long-term success...
Both of these (above)
0 -
Problem with that is you do 1200 calories a day which is easy. You exercise, eat the "right" things, whatever those may be. Hit your goal, have your wedding and slowly go back to you old ways because you haven't actually learned anything. You've only done a crash diet. A year or so from now you'll have to do it again, and again, and again... until you find balance.0
-
cushman5279 wrote: »Problem with that is you do 1200 calories a day which is easy. You exercise, eat the "right" things, whatever those may be. Hit your goal, have your wedding and slowly go back to you old ways because you haven't actually learned anything. You've only done a crash diet. A year or so from now you'll have to do it again, and again, and again... until you find balance.
Nailed it!0 -
I also lost around 20lbs last year for my wedding. My motivation was to buy the dress I loved in the March when it was too small for me!..by the October of my wedding it fitted perfectly. I didn't count calories, I just ate lower fat healthy food and exercised a lot. I think the exercise has just as an important role to play as the dieting does. I worked on parts of the body where the dress felt tighter and I tried it on once a month! Healthy eating is now a habit and I still enjoy the exercise and I've maintained a good weight. Good luck. You can do it0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.7K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions