Dieting alone - 1200 calories intake - how long did it you?

HeatherP2205

Hey all!

I have only been able to diet (actually....its not really dieting anymore - its a lifestyle change) due to a bad knee injury. I do some things here and there but not much. Has anyone lost a decent amount of weight from dieting/lifestyle change alone? If so - how long did it take you?

--now I know everyone is different and all...but hearing success stories is what keeps some, if not ALL, of us motivated. And you should be BEYOND proud enough to share your success....so please, give me an earfull!

AmyFett

years ago I lost 30 lbs in about 2 months just cutting what i eat in half. I didn't even change what I ate, just made smaller portions. Then I got pregnant lol!

britfout

Since mid march I've lost 28 lbs just dieting alone! Went from 154 to 126. Two weeks ago I decided to start running on top of it because I've still got chub then I'm going to start weights soon to tone! Good luck!!!

HeatherP2205

That is awesome news! Thank you for sharing your stories!

Cowgirly21

I workout 3x's a week and stay within a 1200-1400 calories range. I have been doing this for almost 4 months. I have only lost 20lbs. I do have a cheat day here and there and I have gone over my calories once maybe every couple weeks, but I am a firm believer you cant deprive yourself and that slow and steady wins the race. Unless you plan to maintain only a 1200 diet the rest of your life. I don't think I would worry about how much people took off. Not to mention peoples bodies burn and metabolize differently.

cmeiner1214

I have excerised my btt off for year and never lost any weight. I am tone but still a pretty good sized girl. I have now started eating correct and the weight loss is amazing. I have lost 7 pds in about two weeks. I have finally surrendered and now see that eating is the key. I am very very active, **** I just got done hiking the Grand Canyon in a day but I still was not losing weight. It's all in the eating!!!

nnylee

I'm losing weight eating 1500-1900 calories! 1200 is the MINIMUM anyone should be eating.

jmilian825

I'm on 1500 cals but mine is a combo of exercise and diet...however My best friend is losing slowly on just good eating she is currently not working out at all bad knees....

HeatherP2205

BUMP

tjphelps73

In Oct 2011 is when I got really focused on changing my lifestyle. I have lost 89 pounds to date with 100 more to lose. I am now down to 1100 Calories a day and then depending on how hard I exercise what I eat back. I allow myself one day a week where I am not so strict. I live a normal life, still eating everything I did before except for white bread, cereal, and milk. Instead I eat fiber bread or a low carb tortilla, unsweetened almond milk, and protein pancake if I need more for breakfast then a protein shake.

My journey has been an eye opener. I never realized how many calories was being put into my system.

Good Luck!

cjhart81

Ive lost 18lbs in 6 weeks but replacing breakfast with a protein shake.. much more filling and stops me snacking.. and sooo yummy!

cjhart81

oh and not much excorsize :S

geekyjock76

Unless you want to regain a lot of that weight back, and diet on 1200 calories the rest of your life, it would be a good idea at some point to begin some form of exercise, preferably resistance training.

HeatherP2205

I understand that - and I was. But at the moment I am unable to due to a bad injury.

justal313

I'm currently shooting for 1200 NET after exercise and generally take in 1700-2000 calories of food and hit the gym. The one day I wasn't getting to the gym and had 1100 odd calories I realized that only eating 1200 calories on a regular basis wouldn't fly. If I couldn't exercise I'd have to adjust my goals for slower weightloss.

I know that doesn't help but I'm suggesting that eating that little will make you feel deprived. My diary is open. That day was June 30th.

WendyTerry420

This is my first time shedding fat through diet. I am doing 1750 net calories, and it's only been 25 days so far, but I am on my way. Good luck sticking to 1200 calories. I have to spread my calories out through the day to keep from being hungry. I don't think I could do it if I only ate 1200. I would have to take an appetite suppressant to make it through, and I swore those off several years ago.

I think the important thing is portion size and calories-in/calories-out. That is the only way I see myself maintaining this as a lifestyle if I get to do some math while I'm at it.

BohemianCoast

I know this isn't what you asked -- but it's possible to do quite a lot with cardio boxing for the upper body only. People also do dumbell work upper body only. I'm sure you can make headway by calorie restriction, but working in a little exercise will help if you can.

Marcillene

After I gave birth, I was 5'9 and 205ishlbs (Before pregnancy was about 140-150 and one week before my csection was 224!) I began dieting KIND OF just cutting back in May 2011 and then started the HCG Diet in July of 2011. with that I lost down to 168lbs by Nov. 2011 (with no workout). I maintained for Dec. 2011, to Feb. 2012 and through ALOT of stress ate myself back up to 193lbs by Mid May this year. I began a 1200 cal. 'diet' mid may and plateaud at 170-171-172. I decided to add breakfast to my diet since I was eating less than 1200 most days. Been doing that for about a week. I am still 171, and began JM 30 Day Shred yesterday. My goal would be to be 145ish.

You can do alot through dieting since your knee is injured. I do think there comes a point where it levels out though without excercise though. For me, anyways.

Brandicaloriecountess

About 6 months, but I found that I was MUCH happier eating more and still losing.

InnerFatGirl

I am not on 1200 calories, but I have done barely any exercise throughout my whole journey.

I was on 1650 calories for most of my weight loss, and am now on 1550. I will drop it to 1450 when I stall (as I get close to goal).

I have lost 31lbs in 20 weeks. It may have taken me this long due to the lack of exercise, but it's fine by me

haley6251993

I lost 20 pounds in about three months from just a diet change.

AbbsyBabbsy

I'm on 1200. I've lost 43lbs since March 16th. I have a lot to lose, so it came off very quickly at first and has now stabilized at healthy levels. I also can't exercise right now, other than some light yoga and resistance training.

jennadiane_

I'm at 1200 calories a day, and I would never be able to do it. I've been exercising a lot and I have to eat at least half of what I work off in order to be full. Portion control is important. So far I've been eating the same things I've always eaten but just smarter decisions about it. (Like today I took the kids to McDonald's for lunch.... I just got a hamburger and small fry which made for a big lunch -calories wise -but I still have 700 calories left for the day). And lots of water. I stopped drinking soda regularly years ago, now I don't drink any. It's either protein shakes, or water. And if I feel like something carbonated - seltzer water. Every once and awhile I'll have a diet snapple (10 calorie).

I know that's not a lot of help since a lot of what I'm doing is based on working out. But even if you can do a little something, it'll be easier than doing nothing. IMO.

kah0201

I am mostly tracking my calorie intake with just occasional walking....I have lost 13lbs in 3 weeks. I tried to go down to 1200 a day but found it left me a little too hungry. So I increased it to, 1300-1350, try to make those calories mostly protein and now I am never hungry nor do I have any major cravings!! I allow myself one meal a week to splurge but find myself so motivated by my early success that I don't go too crazy. Last night was one slice of pizza & a glass of wine. I have a really long way to go but I am loving the program and support here on MFP!! Best of luck!!!

littlematchgrrl

I lost 8 lbs in a month from cutting out alcohol a while back. Good luck!

hbeauvais

I have back issues that are extreamly limiting. I have had a couple of back surgeries and lead a very sedentary lifestyle.

I love nature photography so I hike and kayak when I can. Unfortunately "When I can" is not very often. That is one of may main reasons for changing my lifestyle. I want to be able to be more active and I believe that every pound i lose helps me out.

In 60 days of eating at or under my calorie goal I have lost over 30 lbs with basically no regular exercise routine. Granted the 30lbs was only 10% of my starting body weight.

As I lose the weight I am hoping to be more active and I can already tell the difference. For me though this calorie goal is not a "diet", this is a lifestyle change. The minute I quit watching calories I will put the weight back on.

Some more "Able-Bodied" individuals will tell you that you NEED to excersise regularly to be healthy. They are not wrong, the more physically active you are the better it is for you. However you do not NEED to excersise to lose weight. You have to be careful not to starve yourself, and you have to be patient with the results. But you CAN lose weight by eating right.

The most frustrating thing for me about my inability to really excesise is when I hear freinds say things like, "ill have the desert, ill just have to run an extra mile tonight.". That is not an option for me, my only option is to remain diciplined in what I eat.

Sorry for writing a book, just wanted to say you CAN do it if you put your mind to it!!!!

smileybooliz

My weight loss hasn't been extremely fast because for me I wanted it to be a lifestyle change not just a quick fix. And to be honest there are times in my life where finding time to work out has been hard. I've still managed to lose with just light exercise for most of it. I've managed to do this not living on only a 1200 calorie diet too. I've found that sometimes I lose well with just real life activities (grocery shopping, housework, gardening, occasional walks on the treadmill or around the neighborhood) and keeping track of my calories I actually lose better sometimes. So, it can be done. Good luck in your goals. :flowerforyou: