Goal weight finally achieved
Di3012
Posts: 2,247 Member
I joined MFP, for the second time, on 1st January, 2012. The first time I was a member of MFP was back in May, 2010. I lost 41lbs to reach my goal at that time after eating 1200 calories per day and not eating back my exercise calories - the whole process took six months. Unfortunately, I put 30lbs back on during the following year due to overeating junk food, cakes and sweets. I had, by that time, ceased logging and visiting MFP and this, was a big mistake on my part.
I began a vicious circle, I would lose a few pounds, put those few pounds back on, lose a few, put a few back on and it went on and on like that until December 2011 when I finally realized that I would never shift any weight unless I, once again, became serious about weightloss and set my mind to it. I knew that trying to lose weight over the Christmas period was basically, for me, a waste of time, so I set myself a date and decided that 1st January, 2012 was a good date as all the festivities would be out of the way by that point.
When the 1st January arrived, I immediately logged back onto MFP and deleted my old account and created a new one. I got myself a new ticker and put my goal weight into my MFP settings - I had 30lbs to lose. I had already decided to go exactly the same weightloss route as I had done the previous time as it had worked then, therefore, I expected it to work this time round. That route was 1200 calories per day, NOT eating back my exercise calories and running three times per week.
The first week went well with a 5.6lbs loss, the following four weeks saw losses of 2lbs or just over, then it went down to 1lbs until I went on holiday, which resulted in me putting 2.4lbs back on - I wasn’t surprised, I drank like a fish LOL! However once back home and into my weightloss once again I saw that 2.4lbs fall off plus another 2lbs to boot.
The weightloss varied from zero loss (one week, due to not sticking to my 1200 calories) to 2.2lbs loss, until finally, I surpassed my goal this week, finally weighing in at 135.2lbs. After two or three months, I began to go into my exercise calories by 50 to 100 (very occasionally more), but I never ate them all back, ever.
Despite what many people will say, eating 1200 calories per day, for a female is NOT starvation. Not eating exercise calories does NOT automatically send a person into a lifeless, corpse with no energy. However, 1200 calories per day does mean that all food consumed must be nutritious, there is no room there for empty calories or a dozen doughnuts. Sure, you could eat a dozen doughnuts, but it will leave nothing left, at all, for the rest of the day and you would be over the daily allowance.
I was told time and time again, on the forums, you will stall, you will plateau, you will eat into muscle, your body will store the fat etc etc etc - I would just like to make it clear that NONE of that happened, not once in the six and a half months I was on my eating plan.
Therefore, if anybody is wondering how “dodgy” 1200 calories per day is and is worried about the amount of calories and the dreaded “starvation mode”, don’t be, it works just fine and always will.
Before (did not take a before photo, this one is from a while back, but is the same before weight that I started out with this time, same shape too):
After (taken yesterday):
I began a vicious circle, I would lose a few pounds, put those few pounds back on, lose a few, put a few back on and it went on and on like that until December 2011 when I finally realized that I would never shift any weight unless I, once again, became serious about weightloss and set my mind to it. I knew that trying to lose weight over the Christmas period was basically, for me, a waste of time, so I set myself a date and decided that 1st January, 2012 was a good date as all the festivities would be out of the way by that point.
When the 1st January arrived, I immediately logged back onto MFP and deleted my old account and created a new one. I got myself a new ticker and put my goal weight into my MFP settings - I had 30lbs to lose. I had already decided to go exactly the same weightloss route as I had done the previous time as it had worked then, therefore, I expected it to work this time round. That route was 1200 calories per day, NOT eating back my exercise calories and running three times per week.
The first week went well with a 5.6lbs loss, the following four weeks saw losses of 2lbs or just over, then it went down to 1lbs until I went on holiday, which resulted in me putting 2.4lbs back on - I wasn’t surprised, I drank like a fish LOL! However once back home and into my weightloss once again I saw that 2.4lbs fall off plus another 2lbs to boot.
The weightloss varied from zero loss (one week, due to not sticking to my 1200 calories) to 2.2lbs loss, until finally, I surpassed my goal this week, finally weighing in at 135.2lbs. After two or three months, I began to go into my exercise calories by 50 to 100 (very occasionally more), but I never ate them all back, ever.
Despite what many people will say, eating 1200 calories per day, for a female is NOT starvation. Not eating exercise calories does NOT automatically send a person into a lifeless, corpse with no energy. However, 1200 calories per day does mean that all food consumed must be nutritious, there is no room there for empty calories or a dozen doughnuts. Sure, you could eat a dozen doughnuts, but it will leave nothing left, at all, for the rest of the day and you would be over the daily allowance.
I was told time and time again, on the forums, you will stall, you will plateau, you will eat into muscle, your body will store the fat etc etc etc - I would just like to make it clear that NONE of that happened, not once in the six and a half months I was on my eating plan.
Therefore, if anybody is wondering how “dodgy” 1200 calories per day is and is worried about the amount of calories and the dreaded “starvation mode”, don’t be, it works just fine and always will.
Before (did not take a before photo, this one is from a while back, but is the same before weight that I started out with this time, same shape too):
After (taken yesterday):
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Replies
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Wow you like incredible. your body composition is inspiring!0
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You look fab!0
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Oh and I am eating 1200 a day and think it will work just great for me. When I used to need to lose weight (ten pounds) I went to 800 and lost it in a couple of weeks. I never gained it back either. Good for you. You really do look amazing.0
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wow.. Awesome job.. Can't wait till I meet my goal weight..0
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Thanks for sharing your story, and congrats!0
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Great job! Thanks for sharing.0
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Wow, you look great! What kind of exercise do you do? I'm just curious because I ate at 1200 for a while and it personally didn't work for me so I'm wondering what your activities include. Congrats on your success though! You look FAB!!!0
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Congrats on reaching your goal weight!! You look great, very inspiring.0
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Your photographer needs some serious help, but you look awesome! Congrats on reaching your goal! :drinker:0
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Wow, you look great! What kind of exercise do you do? I'm just curious because I ate at 1200 for a while and it personally didn't work for me so I'm wondering what your activities include. Congrats on your success though! You look FAB!!!
thanks! :oD
I run three times per week, usually between five and seven miles, but I aim to do a half marathon next year, so am gradually upping my mileage. Sometimes I cycle to and from work, a total of 40 minutes cycling and on the odd occasion I was going to the gym with my husband, but that wasn't a regular thing.0 -
Your photographer needs some serious help, but you look awesome! Congrats on reaching your goal! :drinker:
pmsl I know what you mean :laugh: I did originally post a different "before" photo but that one was even worse, I was only halfway in it.0 -
Congrats, you look great!!!!
I am doing something similar, and it seems to be working, so even though all I have read says that I should eat more calories, I am sticking with it. If it stops working, then I'll reassess. For not, if its not broken, I am not fixing it.0 -
Congratulations - you look great! And thanks for the info - I.e., about not eating you exercise calories and it still works.0
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What works for one person won't work for everyone. I think there are basic guidelines to nutrition and I agree with you, 1200 is sustainable if the food is nutritious. I'm shocked at how little I eat if it's all whole foods. While 1200 personally is too little for me, I am happy you found what works for you. Finding your balance is what keeps the weight off for good! Congratulations on your loss and what you have learned:)0
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Your photographer needs some serious help, but you look awesome! Congrats on reaching your goal! :drinker:
pmsl I know what you mean :laugh: I did originally post a different "before" photo but that one was even worse, I was only halfway in it.
Maybe you could just crop them? We want to see you, not shrubbery :laugh:0 -
You look fantastic!
Congratulations on achieving your goal.0 -
Congratulations!0
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well done, that is great!
What are you going to chose as maintenence calories?0 -
well done, that is great!
What are you going to chose as maintenence calories?
I tend to stay at the same weight around 1600 calories, but I will up by 100 per day until I find the right level. It'll probably take a few weeks to find it lol0 -
You look amazing!! Congratulations on reaching your goal weight and sharing your story!! :-)0
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You look awesome. Great job!!!!0
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Awesome job0
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well done, that is great!
What are you going to chose as maintenence calories?
I tend to stay at the same weight around 1600 calories, but I will up by 100 per day until I find the right level. It'll probably take a few weeks to find it lol
Good idea - take it up slowly.
Good luck. :flowerforyou:0 -
You look Great!!!!! and I couln't agree with you more. You did it, I did it, and you inspire others that the 1200 calorie route can be successfull. Here's to YOU!!!!!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:0
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You look absolutely incredible!0
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Brilliant!!!Love it.0
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Thank you for sharing your journey, you look amazing. And I'm happy to see the 1200 cal style working. I eat very healthy, always a few grams over with my protein, but eating just half my carbs. I don't eat sweets, bread or nut butters, all my carbs come from veggies. I usually have a cup of milk (w coffee:)) for breakfast as I can't eat so soon after I wake up and go to work, then I always eat protein (tofu, black beans, grilled chicken, eggs) and veggies at lunch, I snack on 1 serving of fruit or 100 cal baked chips and have another home cooked dinner with protein and veggies. I get to 1000 cal and I haven't felt hunger all day! sometimes I just eat a spoon of nutella to get over 1200 cal after MFP's threatening "you eat to few..." but I don't think it's worth it... I run every other day and walk w the dog 3 miles the rest of the days, I feel full of energy and haven't felt cravings, hunger or stopped losing weight in 2 months. For some people 1200 works very very well if you only eat normal but healthy food and watch your portions.0
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Congrats!!! Great body !! Cant wait till I get there
Also, Thanks for the advice on the 1200 calorie deal. I was concerned about that.:drinker: 0 -
Di you look amazing! I've loved every minute I've known you here, I've found you to be motivating and inspiring and one of the damn sweetest and nicest people in this world. Congratulations off reaching your goal, and more so for making your action plan to stay there now. I look forward to celebrating your anniversary of being gorgeous and slim each year, because I know your going to do it this time!!! Xx0
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You look fantastic, and my daughter wants your shoes! Great work -- you're an inspiration.0
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