Suggestions on a 1200 calorie diet?

amaodonnell

I went to establish a doctor and had my first appointment today (just moved to TX) and I have been on meds and so on for about 10 months now for hypertension and type 2 diabetes. I joined MFP about a month ago and have stuck to it daily.

Since it was a new doctor I, once again, got the speech about how I should lose weight and if I did how I would be able to drop all the medications I am on and I am young enough now that its important that I do this and etc etc.

I am currently averaging on my scale anywhere from 229 - 227 (depending whether or not I've eaten that morning and so on), which is down from 244 where I was to begin with. Its been a struggle for me my whole life (I couldn't even begin to tell you when I was a single digit size) and I've always known in the back of my head that I needed the weight off and I finally feel like I am getting somewhere.

He urged me today to drop my calorie intake to about 1200 per day. Which along with exercise shouldn't be an issue. Any suggestions on foods that will help me maintain that goal a day or any other activities that will further my loss? He is stressing the importance now because eventually my husband and I are going to want to start having a family and I really can't afford to be on any medications when that happens. Any help at all is appreciated.

maroon98

It sounds like guidance from a nutritionist or dietician is in order. A lot of health insurance companies will offer a free (or at least covered, I.e. You would pay a co-pay like a doctor's visit) consultation with a nutritionist. That person would then help you design a healthy nutrition plan that is tailored to your needs.

You can check out the website for your insurance company to see if this is a benefit that they offer; if so, they will probably also have a list of nutritionists in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your doctor's office to see if they have any recommendations for nutritionists.

Another relatively inexpensive way to transition into a new pattern of eating is to check out the healthy cookbooks from the library. Many will have meal plans laid out for the entire week. Weight watchers, Eatingwell, the Flat Belly Diet, and Hungry Girl are pretty common cookbooks. You might want to look into recipe books for diabetics...those eating plans are very heathy by necessity, as weight control is a large part of diabetes management.

If you have any interest in a excercise program like P90x or Insanity, they have nutrition guidelines that are pretty well balanced. The key to those programs is that the nutrition plan is molded around the exercises...you would see the most benefit by following the exercise plan along with the nutrition plan. I am not affiliated with either program, BTW.

patrick323

What to eat is the question?

Michis Ladder will tell you

http://www.teambeachbody.com/eat-smart/michis-ladder

Heatherbelle_87

Youll need to expirement for a few weeks (no seriously you will, I like you have always been large and the "chubby kid")

But high fiber foods and lots of protein will be your saving grace. Try not to get bored with it! So spices will be your friend too, and learning how to cook as much as you can (fresh foods have less calories with a more filling result then pre-packaged foods)

Good staples to add to your grocery list will be chicken (you can trim fat at home if you get a good deal), Brown Rice, Oatmeal, whole wheat pasta (if you have to have pasta, I rarely eat it anymore) beans (preferrably dried you get more for your money) eggs.

Only buy enough fresh fruit and veggies that you will eat before the go bad (waste is costly) this may mean buying every 3-4 days.

My diary is off and on good examples because I have been sick and injured lately (long story but if you add me youll see it in my statuses)

Feel free to message me though if you need tips and tricks, Im down from 258 (see signature!) its not an easy journey but is totally worth it especially if you want children

TazzyDB

Once you get the hang of it, it is easier than you think. This is the second time I am on a 1200 calorie diet and I am doing okay. You can send me a friend request and check out my diet log if you would like.

amaodonnell

I've thought about doing P90X and can't afford it right now.

Experiment I shall!! I think my issue will be once I burn off calories with exercising, eating more to keep me on track.

Thank you all for helping. I need support so I don't cave, like I have so many times before.

patrick323

You dont need P90X. Not knowing (nor asking) your current weight or fitness level it very well may work you to the point of saying "ok this sucks" and stopping altogether. Switching from an hour or so of p90x a day and dreading the next, to two or three moderate to heavy (not nearly as heavy as p90x) workouts a day increased my loss exponentially.

welcome to DFW.