1200cal/day really works.

Athijade

Shame on everyone trying to put a negative spin on this. I too am one week in and lost 6lb on 1200 calories/day. It IS encouraging to see progression in the first week. How will I do in the long term? How will I maintain? I HAVE NO IDEA. Lets take this day by day and focus on NOW because that's where the struggle is. CONGRATS AND GREAT JOB!

I find this quite short sighted. How does it help someone to not know what they are going to do to keep their weight off? One should do their research BEFORE they get to that point. Yes, there are things to worry about day to day, I will admit that. But they are no more important then thinking about how their current diet will work in the long term. Not thinking about that is how people fail.

optionalsourcewins

Can't judge success after one week. Come back when you have been at your goal and on maintenance for at least a year.

By the way each loss, no matter how small should be celebrated and ENCOURAGED. So be gone with your sarcasm and negativity

I agree, this comment was very negative, nasty and rude. We should be here to support one another. The "Success Story" broad is not made up of people who have been AT GOAL AND ON MAINTENANCE FOR AT LEAST A YEAR.

Chimis_Siq

I think every body is different. I tried eating 1200 cals and I gained weight. I now eat 1500-1800 and am losing....1200 did not work for me.....

Great loss though!:)

seahampride74

I haven't read through this thread as the negativity of some people makes me sick. Somebody's tentative steps toward good health are perhaps the biggest success of all.

If you feel good about any positive change in your life, to the extent that you want to continue the next day - then good for you! Congratulations.

And if for whatever reason we lapse - get up, dust yourself off and go again!

PhoenixStrikes

Congrats on the week long loss. See how it goes for you in a couple of weeks :flowerforyou:
Ive lost 15 pounds in nearly 80 days by eating a 1800-1950 calorie deficit. Im seeing a whay better change in my body, I eat whatever I want, and I am so confident that NOW I will be able to transition into maintenance without gaining everything back plus more, as low calorie diets do to your body.

When you start feeling crappy, tired, moody and no energy, up your calories.

this post was never about my kids but about weightloss so leave them out of it. I am going to go for the kill if you dont stick to whats the subject here. You may agree or disagree and thats ur opinion but to even try to talk about someone else children describes what a low life some people are.

which will happen pretty quickly since she has twins. although they seem to sit around the house all day doing nothing so maybe not.

you know nothing about my boys so dont you dare go there! How Dare You!

In their defense, this assertion was likely based on your own post defending your sedentary activity level.

Didn't she say herself that her 18 months old dont do anything? Don't 1 an half year olds walk at least?

That was the point of my post.

Cab you quote me where i said my 18months old dont do anything? Or did you misunderstand me or cant read plain english.This post was never about my kids but about weightloss. You may agree or disagree but dont drag my boys into this. You know nothing about them so hush. Wont be this nice if you mention them again.

You brought up your kids that is on YOU. You also mention you are sedentary but have to nap when your kids do because you are exhausted. Do you even know what story you started with or are you just winging it?

I brought them up explaining why i am a stay at home mum, duh! Have you ever taken care of two children of thesame age at once? between waking up in the middle of the night, feeds, nappies etc, you will take a nap if needed. Why am I even deeming this with a response? This one now is on me!

This is ridiculous. You have to see how you're contradicting yourself, right? You yourself started this topic saying you were sedentary, then you became offended when some one brought up your own words to explain a point. Then in your some what confusing last response you showed what is a pretty active day. What is it? Are you completely sedentary with two almost two yr olds or do you have an active day with them. The sooner you become clearer on your responses the sooner you'll get less angry when people misunderstand you. Like I said prior, any one who watches a set of twins, unless all you do is sit on the couch all day while leaving them in a play pen to fend for themselves is not as sedentary as you think. The reason we are so interested in just how much you do during the day is because if you only eat 1200 calories a day then in order to keep a healthy deficit of 500 calories a day or (1lb a week I don't care what you say a 1.5lb a week is you being impatient) then you're only burning 1700 calories a day? Even if you take into account the differences in our sizes I burned more than that sitting on the couch all day Saturday sick. What we were trying to do before you went all Momma bear for no reason was explain you burn more than you think. And just for the record, I do not believe your one week diet was sustainable so whe you start eating more this week I would be curious to see if you lose anything at all let alone gain everything back.

MayaSPapaya

Here's the thing- if you lost 4 pounds in a week, especially during the first week, its probably water weight. The weight lost that stays off the longest is he weight that you lost at a slow and steady rate. 1200 is not sustainable in the long run and will not work. Wouldn't you rather eat more anyway?
Believe whatever you want, but don't come running here when your weight loss stops and you're starving all the time.

ErinMLB

I think it's fantastic that you are feeling great about your plan! My only recommendation would be is if you can get your hands on a fitbit or heart rate monitor of some sort to see how much you are burning throughout the day.

For myself I did the 1200 cal for about a month, with no real issues because I truly fit into the sedentary option. I work from home, have no kids etc, however since I've upped my exercise I've upped my calories to match it so that it would be a bit more sustainable long term. I've also dropped my weight lose goal from 2 pds a week to .5 a week because again that is something sustainable for me.

Keep in mind that the large chunk of the people on here are not experts, but people who have found what works for them and their situation , or are just trying to find out what works for them. You've got to do the same ! For instance some people have to cut out sweets, I know myself well enough to know I would go crazy doing that so I make sure I budget my calories to allow for it.

Great job on getting the motivation to get started on this path and good luck!

DitchingTheScale

I started reading some of the rude and useless responses to this post and had to quit. 1200 calories is too low for me, I need more to fuel my body BUT that does not mean it won't work for you. I'm happy for you and your first week loss. That is great and definitely a way to help stay motivated! Kudos to you. I'm a stay at home mom myself so I know that tired feeling but you have 2 young ones. Good for you wanting to have better health for your children!!! Just ignore the rude ones on here

DitchingTheScale

Here's the thing- if you lost 4 pounds in a week, especially during the first week, its probably water weight. The weight lost that stays off the longest is he weight that you lost at a slow and steady rate. 1200 is not sustainable in the long run and will not work. Wouldn't you rather eat more anyway?
Believe whatever you want, but don't come running here when your weight loss stops and you're starving all the time.

how come you could not just leave it at great job with your first loss of the week... the weight loss may slow down but that's ok b/c the when it comes off slower it stays off longer???

that extra stuff is just plain rude and repsonses like yours are a lot of the reasons why people dont like to post b/c they don't get encouraged. smh, for someone who has lost a lot of weight you should be a bit more considerate and polite seeing you were once a beginner... wow with the dont come running back on here.. btw 1200 cals can be sustainable long term. many people do it and it works. research before speaking.

aniqa109

Mfp has shown 1200 calories for me and i set my activity level to lightly active ..yes im on my feet but i dont actually exercise everyday.so im totally confused.this is my first week and havent weighed myself yet.im pretty short so i am not sure whether this is right!

carissas13

im ne to this and I usually lose my willpower within a week....anyone got any advice for me? thank u xx

Yooperm35

I'm not going to go through all of the posts, but you most likely lost water weight. Good luck - hopefully your success continues

jofjltncb6

I haven't read through this thread as the negativity of some people makes me sick. Somebody's tentative steps toward good health are perhaps the biggest success of all.

If you feel good about any positive change in your life, to the extent that you want to continue the next day - then good for you! Congratulations.

And if for whatever reason we lapse - get up, dust yourself off and go again!

I propose when this happens over and over again that one reevaluate if the approach is appropriate.

nm212

Here's my advice for beginners:

Don't starve yourself. Instead, fill yourself up on healthy, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

I snack on celery and salsa (great VERY low calorie snack!) and baby carrots with hummus (just be careful of portion size). I also drink Club Soda (zero calorie and no sodium) to help curb my appetite with dinner. Tea is great too!!

I hope this helps! Let your body adjust to the change in diet first, then be more conscious of calories. That's my advice, but works differently for everyone.

Good luck!

carissas13

thank u hope it helps me x

nm212

You're welcome. You have to start somewhere .

carissas13

You're welcome. You have to start somewhere .

exactly and ive become very insecure and don't go out anymore due to being really over weight n there is only me that can do something

chrissiejean54

I am also in the UK and we are advised that to maintain a healthy weight our daily calories should be 2000 a day and to lose weight we should have 1000-1200 a day .Years ago I used to diet on 1000 calories but now I'm older I am happier on 12000. So good luck with your dieting and congratulations on losing 4lbs.

Levesque_7

Can't judge success after one week. Come back when you have been at your goal and on maintenance for at least a year.

By the way each loss, no matter how small should be celebrated and ENCOURAGED. So be gone with your sarcasm and negativity

Totally agree with this^^ Everyone should be supportive, not discouraging. Congrats on your loss so far!

belindanjumo

Here's my advice for beginners:

Don't starve yourself. Instead, fill yourself up on healthy, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

I snack on celery and salsa (great VERY low calorie snack!) and baby carrots with hummus (just be careful of portion size). I also drink Club Soda (zero calorie and no sodium) to help curb my appetite with dinner. Tea is great too!!

I hope this helps! Let your body adjust to the change in diet first, then be more conscious of calories. That's my advice, but works differently for everyone.

Good luck!

I didnt starve myself. I actually did eat healthy and tried not to exceed 1200cal. Granted it wasn't easy. But I'll try snacking on carrots as you suggested. Thanks for the advice

belindanjumo

I haven't read through this thread as the negativity of some people makes me sick. Somebody's tentative steps toward good health are perhaps the biggest success of all.

If you feel good about any positive change in your life, to the extent that you want to continue the next day - then good for you! Congratulations.

And if for whatever reason we lapse - get up, dust yourself off and go again!

I propose when this happens over and over again that one reevaluate if the approach is appropriate.

I'm sure most of us have tried different approaches, what makes you think people havent? Is it you "personally" just don't like this approach?

Are you at your goal weight? Have you ever had to embark on a get healthier weight loss battle? If so how many years? Have you ever let stress take over? Do you find food addictive like some do, thus triggering a "lapse"?

Have to really take into account that everyone is different, everyones lives are also different. Some get stressed and stop eating, some get stressed and comfort themselves with food. Some get really addicted to food. Some just feel unworthy to feel good about themselves, some have hardly any motivation, some have moderate, and some hard just hard core steady. Everyones willpower differs. Everyones brains work differently. Metabolisms also vary...it is simple to lose, eat less than you burn, but as for a magic number?? meh if a person can't tell by how they are feeling and listen to their own bodies as to if its adequate at 1200, or 2000 then I think theres a bigger problem than just needing to lose weight.

Its never as easy as just saying "well this worked for me so you must do what worked for me in order to have any sucess at all" Its not for anyone on here be it they have already met their goals, or not to judge another making a attempt to get healthier. Let people learn on their own what works for their bodies, Its their body. If you don't like their method so be it, continue doing whatever it is you do.

Amen!

belindanjumo

Can't judge success after one week. Come back when you have been at your goal and on maintenance for at least a year.

By the way each loss, no matter how small should be celebrated and ENCOURAGED. So be gone with your sarcasm and negativity

Totally agree with this^^ Everyone should be supportive, not discouraging. Congrats on your loss so far!

Thank you

nm212

I didn't mean to imply that you were starving yourself on 1200 calories a day! Sorry if it sounded it that way! I was just talking in general...that it's hard to stick with a diet when you are hungry!!!! I find it much easier to fill up on healthy things so that when you do get cravings, you have more control! Best of luck to you! You are doing great! Congrats on the weight loss Belindanjumo!

jofjltncb6

I haven't read through this thread as the negativity of some people makes me sick. Somebody's tentative steps toward good health are perhaps the biggest success of all.

If you feel good about any positive change in your life, to the extent that you want to continue the next day - then good for you! Congratulations.

And if for whatever reason we lapse - get up, dust yourself off and go again!

I propose when this happens over and over again that one reevaluate if the approach is appropriate.

I'm sure most of us have tried different approaches, what makes you think people havent? Is it you "personally" just don't like this approach?

Are you at your goal weight? Have you ever had to embark on a get healthier weight loss battle? If so how many years? Have you ever let stress take over? Do you find food addictive like some do, thus triggering a "lapse"?

Have to really take into account that everyone is different, everyones lives are also different. Some get stressed and stop eating, some get stressed and comfort themselves with food. Some get really addicted to food. Some just feel unworthy to feel good about themselves, some have hardly any motivation, some have moderate, and some hard just hard core steady. Everyones willpower differs. Everyones brains work differently. Metabolisms also vary...it is simple to lose, eat less than you burn, but as for a magic number?? meh if a person can't tell by how they are feeling and listen to their own bodies as to if its adequate at 1200, or 2000 then I think theres a bigger problem than just needing to lose weight.

Its never as easy as just saying "well this worked for me so you must do what worked for me in order to have any sucess at all" Its not for anyone on here be it they have already met their goals, or not to judge another making a attempt to get healthier. Let people learn on their own what works for their bodies, Its their body. If you don't like their method so be it, continue doing whatever it is you do.

I'm simply saying that if people continue taking the same approach and ultimately meet with an unsuccessful outcome, that it may be more than just a matter of willpower and commitment. It may be that the approach itself is flawed for them.

I often hear people credit an approach for their early successes but then blame themselves, life circumstances, some external factor, etc. for their inability to stick with it. What if the fault actually lies in the approach itself? Isn't it more humane to suggest that people consider that and not that they just need to try harder next time?

I encourage anyone who has tried many times (and ultimately failed to stick with it each time) to give that some thought.

alexandrazzzz

Good for you! Glad you found what works for you. As a certified health coach I tell my clients to find what works for them. I hope the 1200 calories are filled with nutritious filling foods! It's more than losing weight, its about looking and feeling good! That starts with excellent nutrition.


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

jenkile

Really sad to see so many people being so negative. Week one is still one of my favorite "success stories"- the fact that anyone gets started and feels good about their loss should be celebrated! My first week (and several there after) was set at 1200 calories. I adjust it ever month or so depending on what is going on in my life. I figured out what will work and you will too! Congrats on a great beginning and hope you have many more successful weeks!

kathystrauss1

When people say they are eating 1200 calories do most mean they are netting that or are they eating that before exercise?

Sarauk2sf

When people say they are eating 1200 calories do most mean they are netting that or are they eating that before exercise?

It can mean either. The terms 'gross' and 'net' often get missed off. Much of the time, people are actually eating 1,200 net and actually eating nearer 1,500 - 1,600 cals.

mrs_kurz

Can't judge success after one week. Come back when you have been at your goal and on maintenance for at least a year.

What a miserable and horrible thing to say to someone who has just started their weight loss journey and is celebrating some initial success.

OP - ignore people like the above, they do not understand all the reasons for losing weight. 1,200 is not for everyone, but it worked for me to get me started, I lost about 10lbs on 1,200 cals and am now up to probably 1,500/600 a day and maintaining/losing a little. Don't go below 1,200 but if its working for you keep going. And congrats on the first 4lbs! I found those initial pounds really encouraging and helped me keep going

amyk0202

1200 calories is definitely a divisive subject, but I only lose when I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day. I try to stick close to 1200. I am 5' 2.5". I maintain my weight at 1400 calories & start to gain if I consistently eat over that. I generally don't exercise much--I go through stages where I will try to exercise more but I have a hard time adjusting my calories with it & I have such a fear of regaining that if I see a consistent gain over a couple of weeks I will stop exercising & go back to eating what works for me. My plan is to get to my goal weight & then maybe look for a trainer that will help me learn how to lift weights. I tried asking my nutritionist how many calories I should add with exercise--the eat back 1/2 your calories formula just doesn't work for me, and she was not very helpful. She recommended I join this exercise group at the center where she worked (another $40 per month) & I didn't want to do that when I'm already paying for a family membership at the YMCA. Only you can figure out what works for you & you should celebrate any success.