Anyone successfully lose weight eating 1200 cal or less?

grannygethealthy1111

Yes, me. Eating 1200 calories to lose weight does NOT mean that you are going to gain back the weight you lost. I have kept my weight off for 2-1/2 years now. Why do people regain the weight after losing it? It is not because they lost the weight on 1200 calories daily but because they go back to their old habits of eating more calories daily than they are burning. It is as simple as that.

A 1200-calorie diet is NOT for everyone, nor should it be. You have to take into consideration how overweight you are, your age, your sex, your height, your activity level, and your medical issues. I am 62, barely 5'1" tall, and have a BMR of 1154. I cannot lose weight eating back my exercise calories. However, I can maintain my weight loss by eating back some of my calories. Find what works for YOUR body.


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zephylis

I eat around 1000 cal when I want to lose weight. I'm very sedative and daily spending cal is about 1500, so if I want to lose weight, I have to eat less. People talk about starvation mode or gaining the weight back etc. but that is not really an issue if you don't binge eat. Once you are at your desired weight, just return to normal calorie levels slowly and let your body adjust, that way you won't gain the weight back.

half_moon

I am eating very successfully at 1200 calories, eating a lot, and losing a lot. I am very happy and believe this to be a sustainable diet. I go over some days, and that's perfectly fine.

mfpcopine

I lose weight when I stay around 1150 most days.

mangozulu

Yup! It worked for me because I do not have emotional eating issue or eating disorders.

This is why stomach staple works, you are just doing what they can't do on their own.

There is no evidence of starvation mode for men over 6% BF or woman over 12% body fat.

Since I am under 12% BF I can't eat that low or I risk starvation mode. Make sense? But when I was obese I could eat that low because I had BF reserves which prevented me from going into starvation mode. That's how it works.

This is not recommended for people with eating disorders or emotional eating problems like binging because then you might yo-yo.


Great post thank you!

I have kept it off a year so the nonsense that you will gain it back if you eat that low is, well, nonsense. emotional reaction to the starvation mode myth.

renegadecupid

Simple answer is yes, people have lost weight eating 1200 calories.

Much better answer is no, you won't healthfully lose weight eating that few calories.

Between 1500-1900 is a goal to do it healthy.

Think of it in terms of creating a healthy eating lifestyle as well. If you lose too much weight too fast, you'll just gain it all back if you haven't adhered to a plan.

mfpcopine

I am eating very successfully at 1200 calories, eating a lot, and losing a lot. I am very happy and believe this to be a sustainable diet. I go over some days, and that's perfectly fine.

A sibling who has to lose weight remarked to me that you can actually eat a fair amount of food on 1200. It's working. Go sibling!

BandForAlyAnne

i stated eating under 1200 then consistantly have bumped it up. it was too low there and i felt like crap. im at 1350 right now. on days i burn a lot i might be between 1400-1500cal. i think my plan is to keep bumping up in 50 cal increments the closer to goal i get. like 50 cals every month. it slows me down, but that way i can move into maintenence easier.

clowdusc

If you're really small like I am (I'm 4 feet and 10 inches tall), then yes. But you can't go under 1200 calories. If you're taller than me, then I wouldn't advise it. I actually don't even eat just 1200 calories a day, I usually eat 1300 and I'm still losing weight at a consistent rate of 1lb a week, which is healthy. I don't exercise either. If you put in your height and weight, and your goal weight, this site is pretty accurate at how many calories you should eat to lose weight.

tmauck4472

Yup! It worked for me because I do not have emotional eating issue or eating disorders.

This is why stomach staple works, you are just doing what they can't do on their own.

There is no evidence of starvation mode for men over 6% BF or woman over 12% body fat.

Since I am under 12% BF I can't eat that low or I risk starvation mode. Make sense? But when I was obese I could eat that low because I had BF reserves which prevented me from going into starvation mode. That's how it works.

This is not recommended for people with eating disorders or emotional eating problems like binging because then you might yo-yo.

I have kept it off a year so the nonsense that you will gain it back if you eat that low is, well, nonsense. emotional reaction to the starvation mode myth.

I agree, I have eaten less and I'm still in the process and so far I'm steadily losing and no side affects that everyone keeps yapping about. I've been eating low since April and dieting since January. I also don't recommend it. I do what I do for me. I don't see a problem keeping it off down the road and I'm smart enough to know I can't maintain this low for the rest of my life and I know what I got to do, I've got this : ) People will tell you it's to low cause they panic over silly things that won't occur unless your body fat is below a certain amount.

Bee917

My doctor told me 1200 calories was ok in 2010. I started my diet 01/21/10, lost 105 pounds in 10 months. Over the last 2 1/2 years, I've put back on 25-30. That being said, I got lazy with my exercise, not my eating habits. I did start eating more calories, obviously, but not all at once. Dr. actually said to gradually add back to the1200 until reaching about 18-2000 a day with the same exercise, it sill goes back to the exercise I guess.

thistimeismytime

:noway: No. Freaking. Way. :noway:

Not for me. I like food way too much. I'd rather lose slower and still be able to enjoy a lot of food.

FlaxMilk

Do we know OP's stats? Suggesting 1900 calories could cause someone to gain weight if she is light enough.

cherrym03

I usually eat in the 1200-1300 cal range and for me it works. I have days when I eat over that but it balances out over the course of the week. But it depends on a number of things, of course.
I'm petite so my body needs slightly less calories. Also, I tend to respect my eating hours and I make sure I eat nutritious and filling meals, which means not starving myself. And I'm not going out of my way to eat like this either. It's something I could continue doing for the rest of my life because it's become a habit.
I've had periods when I'd munch on something at random hours and so adapting to a certain schedule was tough at first, but now my stomach knows when to expect and receive healthy, filling foods.
I certainly believe it depends on who you ask, really. But that's just my opinion thrown in here :]

SusanLovesToEat

Simple answer is yes, people have lost weight eating 1200 calories.

Much better answer is no, you won't healthfully lose weight loose weight eating that few calories.

This. Plus, you're more likely to gain back all the weight once you start eating your BMR/maintenance level if you lose on a low-calorie diet.

AGREE!!

hawaiianbaby1

Same for me. I eat less than 1200 and I'm full throughout the whole day. I lost 12 lbs so far. There are days when I eat over but for the most part it's under 1200

gldnlark

Yes.

I'm not currently able to get much exercise, and at 1200 calories, I was losing nothing but my sanity... I cranked it WAY down (I'm petite and small-boned) and finally lost 12lbs in one month. It's the only thing that works for me.

smilingalltheway

I've been eating an average of 1200 calories since April, I workout 5 times weekly at the gym. I'm there 1 1/2 hours and I work hard weather I'm doing weight training or cardio I'm moving and sweating heavy. I do not eat back my exercise calories I do try and eat 100 grams of protien daily. The only days I feel hungery are the days I over do refined carbs and don't get not enough protien. I don't feel run down and sickly I have plenty of energy throughout my day, and I'm 5'8". I don't think there is just one weight loss option, we all lose differently so do what works for you I wish you all continued luck on your weight lose journeys

lunnay

Yes. 1200 a day average every week (I tend eat more during weekends), and I always eat back exercise calories (when I have them, which is rare). Lost over 3 kg / 6.63 lbs this month with that, walking (less than 2h a week!), and yoga.

Things I've actively changed in my diet:
- No more late night snacking (it doesn't fit in my 1200 kcals);
- Apples and carrots (pears, bananas, kiwis too) when I want a snack, instead of chocolate, so I can have a nice dinner;
- Cooking with significantly less oil, no fried things;
- At dinner/lunch, I eat more meat and vegetables than before and less rice and pasta;
- All meals include some form of vegetable or fruit;
- No more mac & cheese or MacDonald's fries (McChicken is still a go to a max of once a week);
- Coffee gets 2 teaspoons of sugar, not 3.

MrsRichardson603

For me I eat less than the 1200 per day, usually around 1000. I am only 5 foot and do light excersize 5x a week. It works for me and I can consistantly lose every week without ever feeling hungry.

good luck!

kel_staffa

I eat below 1200 with no problem of being tired or hungry. I have lost 9 pounds in the past 3 weeks and I work out usually twice a day for a half hour each time. Working good for me.

ebony__

Please eat more. Sustain your body don't starve it. Be healthy. 1200 calories a day is not acceptable for organisms as large as humans.

There's so many variables, it depends greatly on the balance and quality of the calories not just the number.
1200 is fine for some people to average around

ebony__

Yes. 1200 a day average every week (I tend eat more during weekends), and I always eat back exercise calories (when I have them, which is rare). Lost over 3 kg / 6.63 lbs this month with that, walking (less than 2h a week!), and yoga.

Things I've actively changed in my diet:
- No more late night snacking (it doesn't fit in my 1200 kcals);
- Apples and carrots (pears, bananas, kiwis too) when I want a snack, instead of chocolate, so I can have a nice dinner;
- Cooking with significantly less oil, no fried things;
- At dinner/lunch, I eat more meat and vegetables than before and less rice and pasta;
- All meals include some form of vegetable or fruit;
- No more mac & cheese or MacDonald's fries (McChicken is still a go to a max of once a week);
- Coffee gets 2 teaspoons of sugar, not 3.

I like your style.. I do pretty much he same as far as the eating goes but if you still need 2 sugars in your coffee find a better barista!!! A really well made coffee will taste great without sugar!
( I make good coffee haha)

cutiepieinchi

If I have a low exercise day I eat 1350, if its a high impact day its more. I don't think I could just do 1200..that would be rough.

ebony__

I'm 5'8
And both my doctor and naturopath have said 1200 is fine if your eating the right kind of foods
As I've said in a heap of these posts 1200 cal worth of fruit, veg and salad is a huge volume of food!
( obviously you have to balance it out with yor protiems and fats and what not but u get the idea)
If u do it right u don't have to feel hungry in 1200.

Having said that if there's a day I feel really hungry I just eat a bit more and work a bit harder.
Listen to what your body tells you!

trevpimp

I eat at 1320 and Im losing also so it's working out.

BondBomb

Thats too low!

Depends on the person. I am small and close to goal. My bmr is only 1301.My maintenance calories are only around 1400.

Your BMR is essentially what your body would need in terms of being completely comatose. To have a maintenance level of ~1400 with a BMR of 1301, you would literally have to do nothing all day in order to maintain.
At an entirely sedentary level your maintenance calories would be roughly 1550 (this has nothing to do with height or current weight if you've already established a reliable BMR)... your actual maintenance calories would be between 1700 and 2000.

Sorry I have checked multiple times on different sites and my maintenance is 1465. I would be huge if I ate 2000 calories a day.
Maybe you were entering your age? At 39 my maintenance cals are much lower than at 23.
Eta ..my bmr is 1201. Not 1301. Typo

amystev21

Yup! It worked for me because I do not have emotional eating issue or eating disorders.

This is why stomach staple works, you are just doing what they can't do on their own.

There is no evidence of starvation mode for men over 6% BF or woman over 12% body fat.

Since I am under 12% BF I can't eat that low or I risk starvation mode. Make sense? But when I was obese I could eat that low because I had BF reserves which prevented me from going into starvation mode. That's how it works.

This is not recommended for people with eating disorders or emotional eating problems like binging because then you might yo-yo.

I have kept it off a year so the nonsense that you will gain it back if you eat that low is, well, nonsense. emotional reaction to the starvation mode myth.

Yep YOU are telling me exactly what I wanted to hear & what YOU say I take straight to heart! I know you know your stuff & are the queen of the Venus Index thank you everyone for you responses.. ill be proving the starvation mode theory wrong & will report back in a couple of months!!

amystev21

Oh & my stars are 40 yr old Mom of 3 needing to lose 70 lb...I am 5'7..work a desk job & weigh 220 sooo I'm going to be keeping my calories between 800-1200..thanks again for the responses!! OH & 7 years ago I lost 50 lb within 6 months following this type caloric diet..dud no cardiograph & lifted 6 days a week (split routine) I got in PHENOMENAL SHAPE & maintained it for 3 years...THEN got SUPER DEPRESSED ate uncontrollably & gained it all back.now I'm depressed because I'm fat & miserable ..this isn't me...I'm going back to what DID & DOES WORK!! I'm PUMPED & FINALLY READY!!!

amystev21

Meant my stats...