1200 Calorie Diet???? Seriously???

bygblu21

I'm fairly new to this forum and am really surprised at how many people on here are starving themselves to lose weight. Weight loss is not a sprint its a marathon. Its something that should happen over time, not within a few weeks. Weight loss is more than just limiting your caloric intake. Its a combination of eating clean and healthy ( I hate the word diet) and exercising on a daily basis. Starving yourself is not a healthy way to lose weight and by limiting your caloric intake to 1200 or so calories is doing just that. Not only is it unhealthy, but its a process that you will never stick to because its not natural and uncomfortable to do. So lets be serious and talk about how to lose weight realistically.

I would first ask yourself, "why do I want to lose weight?' Is it for appearance? Is it to be more healthy? Is it to be able to make it up that flight of steps without getting tired? Once you understand your own reasoning you can then move forward and begin your weight loss journey, because after all that's what it should be, a journey not a short trip. Once you've realized your goal and the reason for it you need to make the biggest decision of all, and that's to commit to yourself and commit to achieving your goal of losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.

So now you've made the decision to put your health first; now what? Lets start with your eating habits. What do you eat? When do you eat it? and how often are you eating? Your body is a very complex machine but by following some simple rules about eating, you can have it running very efficiently. Follow these few simple rules and you'll see and feel the difference in your energy level.
-Start every day with an 8oz. glass of lemon water
-Monitor your portions- you should be eating small portion meals throughout the day rather than one, two or three large portioned meals a day
-Drink water, all day long
-Focus on lean proteins like chicken, turkey, salmon etc. and I don't mean processed cold-cuts...
-Focus on eating fresh vegetables, steamed when possible
-Limit unnecessary condiments i.e. mayonnaise, oils, salt etc.
-Limit, but don't restrict carbohydrates. Complex carbs are needed by your body
-Dairy is ok but in limited portions and should be kept to low fat dairy. Greek yogurt is a good choice.
-Fresh fruit should be kept to 1 or 2 pieces a day. Its high in sugar and you should be limiting your sugar

This si just a guide to go by. Your food intake should be directly related to your physical activity. Exercise is key but that's a whole other topic....

Slasher09

I do know of a bunch of people on here who do well with a 1200-1400 calorie diet. Me? Not so much! I used to aim to eat about 1500-1700 while working out, and unless I picked the right foods that was tough! Now that I am also nursing a 3 month old child I have to eat around 1800 if I'm not very active that day, and I eat around 2000-2200 on days where I am very active. As you said, marathon not a sprint...I only lose a couple pounds a month, but nursing I'm not supposed to lose that much at a time anyway.

nomeejerome

1. You do not need to "eat clean." (you can eat a variety of foods, lose weight, and meet nutritional needs)
2. Drink the lemon water if you like the taste, but it will do nothing for weight loss.
3. Meal timing is personal preference.
4. You can eat lunch meat and still lose weight. (and be healthy)
5. You do not have to limit condiments. (if it fits into your day, go for it.)
6. You do not have to limit dairy. (unless you have a medical reason)
7. You do not have to limit fruit. (fruit has numerous nutritional benefits)
8. The only reason somebody should be restricting sugar is because of a medical reason. (sugar is carb, so track that.)

arabianhorselover

Such differing opinions.

SezxyStef

I agree with the whole 1200 calorie diets but that being said....

Starting every day with lemon water??? why...it can't hurt but no reason to.
Eating small portion meals???? why? no benefit to it...wont hurt but really??? it's not when you eat it's how much you eat.
Water all day long eh...I drink when I am thirsty...too much water isn't good either.
Eating lean protiens is good, keeps calories down while protien up but you shouldn't limit it to just those, try a steak or burger or pork chop or loin or roast beef...good iron in a nice piece of red meat.
Fresh veggies???? really???? hard to get, expensive esp since it has been proven that canned/frozen are just as good for you

"If you can't grow your own produce and eat it within hours of harvesting, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can be every bit as good for you as fresh ones, and in some cases even better." That being said a lot of my family is in the trucking business either driving or getting loads etc...and I know for a fact "fresh" items are picked early, boxed put on a truck and travelled great distances all the time ripening in the truck then it gets to a warehouse, dropped off within 24hours then re packed into a truck then shipped again to the stores where it sits in the truck for another period of time to get off loaded into another warehouse then it's put on the shelves...over ripe and a lot of the nutrients gone...and rotting on the shelves...ick

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20070316/canned-fruits-veggies-healthy-too

Limited condiments..oils (esp olive oil) is good for you...so no reason unless you are going over calories due to excessive use of mayo etc.

Limit carbs such as???? let me guess bread, pasta etc. no reason to unless you are going over your calories

Dairy is great for you, protien, calcium and low fat? why? good fat in there...

Fresh fruit is great too and the sugar is natural....no need to limit that either except to keep yourself under and/or at your calorie limit.

As for exercie yah it's great but you can't outrun bad choices all the time. I don't exercise everyday...and wont but I consisently am losing weight, getting stronger and getting rid of fat.

I am not even gonna go near the eating clean statement...

So basically it doesn't matter why we are here for weight loss or fitness, vanity or health

Losing weight realistically requires a very simple concept...take in fewer calories then you are burning (regardless of what those calories are) and don't restrict yourself to "clean" foods or limit something you love...why because you are setting yourself up for failure. If you want to exercise choose something you love that way you know you will stick to it....

LessthanKris

I think saying a 1200 calorie diet is starving is a bit of a broad statement. I am only 5'1. I can not eat as much as someone who is 5'10 and lose weight. I do fine eating 1200 calories and my exercise calories.

skittle316

It just depends for some people 1200 calories is best for both maintenance and weight loss. Like when I ate 1200 calories a day and run I lost like 30lbs and it was perfect. Also 1200 cal can be a lot of food I used to eat a lot of veggies and fruits,oats,protein and I would be full every meal. You can't expect someone to over feed themselves.

Acg67

I'm fairly new to this forum and am really surprised at how many people on here are starving themselves to lose weight. Weight loss is not a sprint its a marathon. Its something that should happen over time, not within a few weeks. Weight loss is more than just limiting your caloric intake. Its a combination of eating clean and healthy ( I hate the word diet) and exercising on a daily basis. Starving yourself is not a healthy way to lose weight and by limiting your caloric intake to 1200 or so calories is doing just that. Not only is it unhealthy, but its a process that you will never stick to because its not natural and uncomfortable to do. So lets be serious and talk about how to lose weight realistically.

I would first ask yourself, "why do I want to lose weight?' Is it for appearance? Is it to be more healthy? Is it to be able to make it up that flight of steps without getting tired? Once you understand your own reasoning you can then move forward and begin your weight loss journey, because after all that's what it should be, a journey not a short trip. Once you've realized your goal and the reason for it you need to make the biggest decision of all, and that's to commit to yourself and commit to achieving your goal of losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.

So now you've made the decision to put your health first; now what? Lets start with your eating habits. What do you eat? When do you eat it? and how often are you eating? Your body is a very complex machine but by following some simple rules about eating, you can have it running very efficiently. Follow these few simple rules and you'll see and feel the difference in your energy level.
-Start every day with an 8oz. glass of lemon water
-Monitor your portions- you should be eating small portion meals throughout the day rather than one, two or three large portioned meals a day
-Drink water, all day long
-Focus on lean proteins like chicken, turkey, salmon etc. and I don't mean processed cold-cuts...
-Focus on eating fresh vegetables, steamed when possible
-Limit unnecessary condiments i.e. mayonnaise, oils, salt etc.
-Limit, but don't restrict carbohydrates. Complex carbs are needed by your body
-Dairy is ok but in limited portions and should be kept to low fat dairy. Greek yogurt is a good choice.
-Fresh fruit should be kept to 1 or 2 pieces a day. Its high in sugar and you should be limiting your sugar

This si just a guide to go by. Your food intake should be directly related to your physical activity. Exercise is key but that's a whole other topic....

Lol such silliness. So there are no situations for anyone that 1200 cals or less (zomg!) would be appropriate and at all times it's unhealthy?

Then your rules are a bunch of nonsense

HealthyVitamins

yawn.

JuzDuIt

^^^This!

EvgeniZyntx

New dude arrives and has all the solutions starting with lemon water and low fat dairy?
In for the lolz.

Lowfat cheese is the saddest thing in the world.
Give me real cheese.

rml_16

1,200 calories is hardly "starving onesself." Some of us aren't all that hungry and it works fine. Some people eat moe.

If you're seriously struggling on 1,200 calories, eat more. If not, don't.

Unlike the OP, I only offer advice when asked and am not so presumptious to assume my experience is everyone else's experience.

stunningalmond

Everyone has a right to do what works for them. Just because you don't agree with it or don't understand it, doesn't make it bad. Each person on here has a different set of goals, different eating and exercise habits and a different lifestyle. What works for you might not work for someone else.

stunningalmond

1,200 calories is hardly "starving onesself." Some of us aren't all that hungry and it works fine. Some people eat moe.

If you're seriously struggling on 1,200 calories, eat more. If not, don't.

Unlike the OP, I only offer advice when asked and am not so presumptious to assume my experience is everyone else's experience.

AMEN! Listen to your body.

speedy740

1,200 calories is hardly "starving onesself." Some of us aren't all that hungry and it works fine. Some people eat moe.

If you're seriously struggling on 1,200 calories, eat more. If not, don't.

Unlike the OP, I only offer advice when asked and am not so presumptious to assume my experience is everyone else's experience.

I would have to agree I'm staying around the 1200-1300 mark and I don't find it a hard thing to do. It was for the first month now it's just natural. Guess it depends on the person.

LiftAllThePizzas

1. You do not need to "eat clean." (you can eat a variety of foods, lose weight, and meet nutritional needs)
2. Drink the lemon water if you like the taste, but it will do nothing for weight loss.
3. Meal timing is personal preference.
4. You can eat lunch meat and still lose weight. (and be healthy)
5. You do not have to limit condiments. (if it fits into your day, go for it.)
6. You do not have to limit dairy. (unless you have a medical reason)
7. You do not have to limit fruit. (fruit has numerous nutritional benefits)
8. The only reason somebody should be restricting sugar is because of a medical reason. (sugar is carb, so track that.)

All of this.

pandamonium1987

1. You do not need to "eat clean." (you can eat a variety of foods, lose weight, and meet nutritional needs)
2. Drink the lemon water if you like the taste, but it will do nothing for weight loss.
3. Meal timing is personal preference.
4. You can eat lunch meat and still lose weight. (and be healthy)
5. You do not have to limit condiments. (if it fits into your day, go for it.)
6. You do not have to limit dairy. (unless you have a medical reason)
7. You do not have to limit fruit. (fruit has numerous nutritional benefits)
8. The only reason somebody should be restricting sugar is because of a medical reason. (sugar is carb, so track that.)

I agree wholeheartedly!

emshim

My MFP is aiming at 1200 calories a day, and, although I don't always meet this, I do aim for this as a goal.

6 months ago I was probably eating around 1000 calories more than this each day, and now, aiming for 1200 I am actually getting close to this and always satisfied throughout the day, actually more than I was previously. This is really because of the type of food I am eating, along with not snacking on the wrong foods etc.

I am actually really suprised how EASY it has been to get around the 1200 - 1400 mark as before I was always in the opinion that it was far too little for me and that i'd end up feeling dizzy during the day, being hungry etc. but this has just not been the case.

When I am over, I am making an effort to go on a good walk or do some zumba at lunchtime, and this is getting me down a few hundred calories to meet on or around the 1200 mark. This is not a quick diet for me, it is a lifestyle change and I am still eating great meals, breakfast of yoghurt & fruit or cereal, lunch salmon salads or makerel, chickpea & rocket salads or wholemeal rolls with roast & even crisps, crackers, feta/cheeses (albeit smaller chunks than previously!) and dinner chicken stews, tikka chicken skewers & cous cous, turkey wraps, takeaways on some nights... I really don't find the 1200 too much of a problem!

I do even drink a glass or two of wine on some nights and I am just changing my habits to move from beer/cider on a night out to vodka/soda/lime (but thats a hard one).

I guess its different for everyone, but I don't think 400 calories per meal is really that difficult, its just choosing the right ingredients and being careful on the additionals, snacks, drinks.

suzyfj8

I agree I worked out my BMR and activity level and I should be eating 3000 calories a day (I work out hard) and instead I was feeding myself 1300 calories and I wondered why I wasn't losing weight anymore, why I was in a bad mood, depressed and always cold!

Anyways after a good talking to from my sister I have seen the errors of my ways and have done proper research on this, and for the last week have been eating at least 2000calories and I feel like a new person, I have so much energy and I am enjoying my workouts again!

smc864

I am currently sticking to a 1200 Calorie diet and it works for me... thanks for your insight, but perhaps your advice would be better received if you didn't seem like such a know it all

TruckersWifeTruckersLife

I used to be on the 1200 day calorie but I found I was getting light headed so I upped my calories to 1400 and since my body adjusted to it I don't get light headed anymore and there are body changes happening in a good way

FrankiesSaysRelax

Anything that eliminates mayo sounds dumb.

Ang108

I'm fairly new to this forum and am really surprised at how many people on here are starving themselves to lose weight. Weight loss is not a sprint its a marathon. Its something that should happen over time, not within a few weeks. Weight loss is more than just limiting your caloric intake. Its a combination of eating clean and healthy ( I hate the word diet) and exercising on a daily basis. Starving yourself is not a healthy way to lose weight and by limiting your caloric intake to 1200 or so calories is doing just that. Not only is it unhealthy, but its a process that you will never stick to because its not natural and uncomfortable to do. So lets be serious and talk about how to lose weight realistically.

I would first ask yourself, "why do I want to lose weight?' Is it for appearance? Is it to be more healthy? Is it to be able to make it up that flight of steps without getting tired? Once you understand your own reasoning you can then move forward and begin your weight loss journey, because after all that's what it should be, a journey not a short trip. Once you've realized your goal and the reason for it you need to make the biggest decision of all, and that's to commit to yourself and commit to achieving your goal of losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.

So now you've made the decision to put your health first; now what? Lets start with your eating habits. What do you eat? When do you eat it? and how often are you eating? Your body is a very complex machine but by following some simple rules about eating, you can have it running very efficiently. Follow these few simple rules and you'll see and feel the difference in your energy level.
-Start every day with an 8oz. glass of lemon water
-Monitor your portions- you should be eating small portion meals throughout the day rather than one, two or three large portioned meals a day
-Drink water, all day long
-Focus on lean proteins like chicken, turkey, salmon etc. and I don't mean processed cold-cuts...
-Focus on eating fresh vegetables, steamed when possible
-Limit unnecessary condiments i.e. mayonnaise, oils, salt etc.
-Limit, but don't restrict carbohydrates. Complex carbs are needed by your body
-Dairy is ok but in limited portions and should be kept to low fat dairy. Greek yogurt is a good choice.
-Fresh fruit should be kept to 1 or 2 pieces a day. Its high in sugar and you should be limiting your sugar

This si just a guide to go by. Your food intake should be directly related to your physical activity. Exercise is key but that's a whole other topic....

I eat mostly natural, do not always steam my veggies ( of which I eat large amounts ) but bake, boil, satée them or eat them raw, I eat pork, lamb, goat and ham, accompanied with full fat mayo and full fat dairy ( for me healthy eating means exactly that, because low fat stuff imo is over processed ) and in general eat a wide variety of foods. I also start my day with two cups of coffee instead of water and especially not with lemon water...lol. I eat 1200 calories ( at just 5 feet and almost 66 years it is the perfect amount for me ). Now I feel that I should give back the almost 40 pounds I lost in the last six month, because I am obviously doing it all wrong.....:o).
While I agree with some of your statements ( which btw have been stated thousands of times before) I really dislike it when people generalize as much as you do. Weight loss is a very individual thing and people have to figure out what works for them. I am sure you will figure that out as you progress with your own program.
Good Luck !

And before I forget; for weight loss exercise ( excellent for getting in shape and staying healthy ) is actually not " key ". For weight loss calorie deficit is " key ".....:o).

smc864

1,200 calories is hardly "starving onesself." Some of us aren't all that hungry and it works fine. Some people eat moe.

If you're seriously struggling on 1,200 calories, eat more. If not, don't.

Unlike the OP, I only offer advice when asked and am not so presumptious to assume my experience is everyone else's experience.

Amen!

SabrinaLC

Different things work for different people.
I am 4'11", I weigh just under 105lbs and 1000 - 1200 works just fine for me.

BL_Coleman

I think that anyone who does a 1200 calorie diet needs to take into account thier activity level and size.

I tried 1200 and did not lose weight as I could not sustain it, with work outs. However just jumping to 1400 per day and eating back about 1/2 my w/o calories per week as kept the weight loss progressing. If I was not working out however, my calories needed to lose weight would be 1200 or under. I am 5'1 so my BMI without excercise would be between 11-1200.

Serah87

I think saying a 1200 calorie diet is starving is a bit of a broad statement. I am only 5'1. I can not eat as much as someone who is 5'10 and lose weight. I do fine eating 1200 calories and my exercise calories.

I'm 5'2 and eat between 1700-2000 calories!!!....and I am losing weight, see ticker below!!! :bigsmile:

HefferSprint

Another really good way to lose weight is to come here and preach. Folks will take bites out of your backside.

Deipneus

Is it that time again already? Time for the you're-wrong-to-eat-1200-calories-a-day lecture? Sometimes MFP feels like Groundhog's Day and I'm Bill Murray.

PrettyPearl88

For some people, 1200 calories/day IS a healthy way to lose weight. Usually, those people are shorter and only slightly overweight women who either can't exercise much due to age or a medical condition or if they do exercise, they eat back their exercise calories so that they're really netting 1200 calories/day.

As for your tips, like many others have said, limiting certain foods is good only to the extent of reaching a healthy calorie deficit and healthy macros. Limiting more than that is completely unnecessary and often unhealthy.

Also...I love carbs and I hate it when people try to convince others that carbs are "bad" and need to "limited." Carbs are GOOD and should make up a good portion of your diet.

LiminalAscendance

Water all day long eh...I drink when I am thirsty...too much water isn't good either.

Well, let's get this silly thing out of the way.

I know it's all the rage on these forums to say how there's no such thing as too much sugar, fat, and how all the "cool kids" have a pint of B&J's each night, but now water can be bad?

Just like everyone here says we don't need cleanses, since our body can handle it, we certainly don't need to worry about drinking too much water. That's why we urinate.

Show me an example where some non-ridiculous (e.g. a gallon in few minutes) amount of water was actually harmful to an individual. Note: Bear in mind that replacing water with the diet sodas everyone here seems to love would be just as "bad" for you as the pure stuff.

Drinking water is a good thing, and not some hippie conspiracy.