My 1200 calorie story

1princesswarrior

Everyday on the message boards there is at least one topic about exercise calories and 1200 calories being right or not. I'm not going to tell anyone what to do or not to do but I want to share my story.

When I started back on MFP in May I knew nothing about BMR, TDEE, net calories, starvation mode, etc. and I really didn't care. I knew I wanted to lose weight and get healthy so I plugged my numbers in and was given a number of 1310 by MFP. So I quickly lost 10 pounds and plugged my numbers in again and Walla, 1200 was the magic number, or so I thought.

I quickly lost another 10 pounds. This was over a six week period. I was over the moon happy. But I started to notice some things. First I was reading in the forums about net calories and exercise calories so I looked at mine. I wasn't eating my exercise calories and I put in some huge burns. My net calories were negative more than they were positive. I thought I was doing things right.

But, some other things happened. My hair started falling out, my skin was wrinkling even with 8-10cups of water a day, I was exhausted, my pee was no longer bright yellow from my vitamin, my IBS was out of control, and I stopped losing weight.

So I thought that I'd try increasing to 1500 calories, I couldn't get there because I was "too busy" to eat. Instead I started Zumba. I lost another 4 pounds but still had all these physical symptoms.

I finally messaged someone on MFP who always responded to these 1200 calorie forums non-judgmentally. That changed my way of thinking and I am grateful to this person. I am now eating at my TDEE minus 20%, which is around 2150 calories. I don't make it every day but I also don't eat less than 1800 calories. I do have to supplement with protein shakes. However, I am losing weight at a slow and steady rate, my IBS is under control with food alone, I have boundless energy, my skin looks amazing, my weight fluctuations have gone from 7 pounds to 2 pounds, and most importantly my hair has not only quit falling out but is also growing back.

I just started training with a trainer and dietician. His first comment to me was to quit counting calories altogether. Not going to happen. His second comment, "you're my first female client in months I haven't had to convince to eat more."

This is my story, take it for what it is. Some will agree and some will disagree with what I am doing. I am not telling anyone to change but for those who are frustrated there are other options, that's all I want you to take away from this.

Good luck to everyone in this journey for it is one of the, if not the, toughest battle of your life.

megalin9

:drinker:

SergeantG

I actually really appreciate this post.....

dmoxsom

One Hundred percent DEAD ON!!!!!

petersonabt

Fantastic post! For most eating more then 1200 is scary ( I know it was for me ) but you feel so much better! Thank you for sharing your story!!

conniemaxwell5

Excellent testimonial! Thank you for sharing.

refinedredbird

Thank you for this!

hopefaithlove24

Thank you for your story! i have been on my 1200 calorie diet for about 4 weeks now, and lost 11 pounds, however I was noticing that i was really tired, just posted a topic and someone told me to look at my TDEE and take 15-20% off that, I have just changed my calorie intake to 1800 today, so I will see what it does for me:) I want to be healthy:) not starving myself! Thanks for sharing:)

Calliope610

Thanks for your post. Very valuable lesson learned. Question is, will anyone hell-bent on 1200 calories/day pay attention?

Rays_Wife

Thank you for sharing your story I am glad to hear you are doing much better.

AmyRhubarb

Yay!


Great post - great example of how over training and/or under eating might help drop some pounds, but doesn't give the awesome healthy results expected. Thanks for sharing!

ajaxe432

Everyday on the message boards there is at least one topic about exercise calories and 1200 calories being right or not. I'm not going to tell anyone what to do or not to do but I want to share my story.

When I started back on MFP in May I knew nothing about BMR, TDEE, net calories, starvation mode, etc. and I really didn't care. I knew I wanted to lose weight and get healthy so I plugged my numbers in and was given a number of 1310 by MFP. So I quickly lost 10 pounds and plugged my numbers in again and Walla, 1200 was the magic number, or so I thought.

I quickly lost another 10 pounds. This was over a six week period. I was over the moon happy. But I started to notice some things. First I was reading in the forums about net calories and exercise calories so I looked at mine. I wasn't eating my exercise calories and I put in some huge burns. My net calories were negative more than they were positive. I thought I was doing things right.

But, some other things happened. My hair started falling out, my skin was wrinkling even with 8-10cups of water a day, I was exhausted, my pee was no longer bright yellow from my vitamin, my IBS was out of control, and I stopped losing weight.

So I thought that I'd try increasing to 1500 calories, I couldn't get there because I was "too busy" to eat. Instead I started Zumba. I lost another 4 pounds but still had all these physical symptoms.

I finally messaged someone on MFP who always responded to these 1200 calorie forums non-judgmentally. That changed my way of thinking and I am grateful to this person. I am now eating at my TDEE minus 20%, which is around 2150 calories. I don't make it every day but I also don't eat less than 1800 calories. I do have to supplement with protein shakes. However, I am losing weight at a slow and steady rate, my IBS is under control with food alone, I have boundless energy, my skin looks amazing, my weight fluctuations have gone from 7 pounds to 2 pounds, and most importantly my hair has not only quit falling out but is also growing back.

I just started training with a trainer and dietician. His first comment to me was to quit counting calories altogether. Not going to happen. His second comment, "you're my first female client in months I haven't had to convince to eat more."

This is my story, take it for what it is. Some will agree and some will disagree with what I am doing. I am not telling anyone to change but for those who are frustrated there are other options, that's all I want you to take away from this.

Good luck to everyone in this journey for it is one of the, if not the, toughest battle of your life.

:Congrats to you! Being a trainer myself that is one of the most difficult jobs ever (convincing people to eat more). :drinker:

ELVISDEAN

you are beautiful and intelligent..congrats this site is full of **** and misinformation..the members 90 % are lame....you are right on and one of my kind
ELVIS

zanne54

Thank you for this post. I've been feeling "off" for a while now - almost like I'm depressed. I wonder if that's a result of a reduction to 1200 calories that MFP suggested almost 2 months ago. Has anybody had this happen to them?

trogalicious

Snoop and I approve.

BikerGirlElaine

How fabulous, I am really happy for you!! :drinker:

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Thanks for your post. Very valuable lesson learned. Question is, will anyone hell-bent on 1200 calories/day pay attention?

Unlikely, but it will help those who are only on 1200 because that's what MFP gave them and not because they are dead set on it.

_HeartsOnFire_

Thank you for this post. I've been feeling "off" for a while now - almost like I'm depressed. I wonder if that's a result of a reduction to 1200 calories that MFP suggested almost 2 months ago. Has anybody had this happen to them?

Your body isn't happy, it doesn't have any fuel...especially if you are working out. Please feed it.

MoreBean13

Thanks for sharing. :drinker:

da_bears10089

i LOVE these stories!

IngePF

Thanks for sharing your story.

Carmella9

I think the problem is that MFP sets 1200 as a goal for most people not taking into account weight, height, calories consumed normally etc.

I eat 1200 but thats because I need approx 1400 to maintain, im 5 ft 4 lbs and quite petite, however someone who is 20 stone plus eating a 3,000 calorie a day diet is going to suffer badly on 1200, its just common sense, just reduce your calories by around 500 to what you were having originally. And in my case that takes me down to 1200.

ilmb87

:drinker: As I former member of the 1200 club, seeing these posts (especially with the SLEW of 1200 calorie posts we get daily) pleases me greatly.

TribeHokie

I've been wondering this about upping intake, when you increased from 1200 did you gain before you started losing? Did you maintain for a bit? Did things slow down? What was the transition period like and how long was it?

1princesswarrior

I've been wondering this about upping intake, when you increased from 1200 did you gain before you started losing? Did you maintain for a bit? Did things slow down? What was the transition period like and how long was it?

I started losing right away. But I slowly upped my intake by 150 calories per week so my body could adjust.

beautifulswan1

Great post. Was wondering how you are controlling your IBS with diet. I'm suffering with IBS and am having a hard time with everything I eat lately.

bcattoes

This is my story, take it for what it is. Some will agree and some will disagree with what I am doing. I am not telling anyone to change but for those who are frustrated there are other options, that's all I want you to take away from this.

I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with what you are doing since it's obviously working. Congrats to you on finding the plan that works for you and thanks for sharing that story as an effort to help others.

megalin9

I think the problem is that MFP sets 1200 as a goal for most people not taking into account weight, height, calories consumed normally etc.

I eat 1200 but thats because I need approx 1400 to maintain, im 5 ft 4 lbs and quite petite, however someone who is 20 stone plus eating a 3,000 calorie a day diet is going to suffer badly on 1200, its just common sense, just reduce your calories by around 500 to what you were having originally. And in my case that takes me down to 1200.

One of my favorite MFP friends is 5'0". She eats at least 1700 calories and has lost over 100 pounds. It's true that she works out/lifts weights like a beast, but it's possible you do gain on 1400 calories because your metabolism is shot. I don't know a whole whole lot about it to get into more specifics, but just know that it's possible for someone your height to eat more than 1200 calories and still lose weight.

Happylady123

Thank you for sharing your story. It was very well written and informative. When I first started mfp I dropped 10 pounds, and that is all I wanted to lose. I started at the 1200 calorie place, too, but ate back exercise calories. I was really tired a lot. 1200 calories is not enough. Once I tried to transition into maintenance mode I was unsure of how much to eat. I have played around with the numbers and been pretty much confused. To add to the confusion I have been training for a marathon so not fueling properly is not an option. I am sure I have lost body fat and gained muscle, and as you may know muscle weighs more which further confuses things. I got a Fitbit Flex to help me out with how much I should be eating. It shows me how active I am for the day and takes the guesswork out of the equation. I have been eating more and feeling better. I used to run to eat, but now I eat to run. I give my body what it needs to do what I ask, and most days that is in the 2,000 calorie range. Good luck in finding the balance for you. You are doing great!

JenX15

Thank you for this!!!!! I did the 1200 thing for a couple of month ... lost my first 20 lbs, then the loss slowed down dramatically .... I have toyed with the same 2 lbs for the last 2 weeks .....frustrated. So I figured my TDEE-20% puts me around 1495. On days that I do circuit training I go up to about 1600-1650. I am really hoping that this will help me break through the plateau....and keep on going - I still have about 45 lbs to go to put me at the top of the "healthy" range for BMI.

Also looking to see the responses to Tribe's questions - I have the same ones......

deksgrl