My personal quest on 1200 calories

MariaChele85

People have been going back and forth with the 1200 threads. Everything is about trials and tribulations......... and this is my personal experience.
15 months ago, I would of been on here yelling " yes you can lose weight on 1200-1300 calories", because I was doing it. Worked for me. What happened after 9 months? Well I lost 74 lbs, I was skinnier!Yey! Then I Plateaued for 7-8 months hell even gained 20 lbs back....Found Dan, followed IPORM, did some research and soul searching ( haha not really) got off that damn treadmill, picked up the weights and increased my calories to 1900-2400.


Me after 9 months on
1200-1300 calories:

Lost 70-ish lbs
Lost ALOT of muscle
little to no energy
some conditioning as I was doing all treadmill
little to no edurance
1-2 jumping jacks before I thought I was going to die
1 burpee
My hair thinned out so bad
loose saggy skin
Came near fainting more than once
went from size 24 to18
Shirts womens 4x to 2x
Squat 35lbs
Dead lift..what is that?
Bench Press 25lbs
Planks..in my dreams
Push up...yea right, butt in the air if that counts
Clean Squat and Press.....yea....um never
Leg Presses 80lbs
I couldnt eat "anything" I wanted, I was always in fear that I would gain weight.


Me currently on 1900-2400 calories
Gained 10lbs in 4 weeks! yikes!
Working on rebuilding and gaining muscle& strength
For once I dont feel tired and drained
For someone my size I kick *kitten* at gym....
30 miles non stop on my bike
100 juming jacks in a row and I feel greaaaattttt
10-12 burpees in a row
My hair is still thin, but I can feel it stronger and doesnt break as easy
skin is slowly adjusting and tightening
No fainting or anything
size 16-14, some 12's
womens shirts 1x-L
Squat 245lbs
Dead lift 225lbs
Bench Press 135lbs
Planks.....like a breeze
10push ups, still working on better form
Clean Squat and Press 95lbs
Leg Presses 450lbs
I can eat like an adult, no more "diet".... no more fearing a burger or a pizza. There are times when I pig out, then weigh in day comes and I still lose .5lb


So you see, yes you can lose weight on 1200 calories, it worked for me for some time. You decide what your goals are. I still have alot of fat to lose, I no longer obsess over the scale. I still run/ jog on the treadmill, I cycle on my bike, but the weights and barbells are my calling. One thing I've learned is that just because you are "skinner" than me, does not mean you are stronger or healthier than me.

Helloitsdan

sarahmaren

I LOVE this! Thank you for sharing your story. I have been on a wicked plateau for MONTHS and just this week started heavy lifting with my trainer. In TWO sessions I feel like a whole new person. I still run, I still count calories but I can't live my life being afraid of my scale or of eating! I lost 65 pounds on a medically monitored extreamly low calorie diet. I plateaued at the end of August and haven't broken through it yet. My scale just tells me my relationship with gravity... nothing else. Being able to be strong is SO much more important than being "skinny." I don't want to be a weakling who is tired all the time. I want the energy and the strength. Happy I'm not the only one.

nowine4me

Squat #245? That's awesome.

slkehl

Thank you for sharing! I think a lot of people on here need to hear this!

saraann4

Interesting...whatever works for ya!

Heather1899

Depends on how much you weigh.
When I started out I didn't know how much to eat either. I started out on another site too, and all of the people I talked to ate 1200-1400 calories a day. So I did too.
Only...I didn't take into consideration that I was 20 something and over 250 pounds (and taller) while these people were often older, sometimes shorter and weighed alot less than me! Like 140 or less and were closer to their goal weight.
Later as I continued to learn about weight loss, and discovered how much to eat I was still afraid to eat more. But then finally I did start eating more.
I think most of it comes from people thinking they have to not eat anything to lose weight. I remember being in a college class when we were learning about how many calories our body burns in a day. We had to calculate it. Say like 2,000 for example to maintain. Then how many calories makes us gain a pounds...3,500 for everyone. Well, I remember one lady saying...wow how do we lose weight then? Eat nothing?

agent99oz

I was stuck at the same weight for 9 months - eating around my BMR range minus 100-150cals - Nothing not even 100 grams lost very frustrating
I have just done michelle bridges 12 weeks - 1200 cals - lost 4kgs, 31cms, GAINED 2 cms on my biceps and lost 31 cms overall and 2 dress sizes.
Prior to this I would preach the eat more motto - to me it did nothing but help me stay the same - My thoughts - each to their own, whatever works

ErinRibbens

Amazing story!!! You are rocking your workouts!

I lasted about 3 days on a 1200 calorie diet, lol. Horrible.

MariaChele85

Depends on how much you weigh.
When I started out I didn't know how much to eat either. I started out on another site too, and all of the people I talked to ate 1200-1400 calories a day. So I did too.
Only...I didn't take into consideration that I was 20 something and over 250 pounds (and taller) while these people were often older, sometimes shorter and weighed alot less than me! Like 140 or less and were closer to their goal weight.
Later as I continued to learn about weight loss, and discovered how much to eat I was still afraid to eat more. But then finally I did start eating more.
I think most of it comes from people thinking they have to not eat anything to lose weight. I remember being in a college class when we were learning about how many calories our body burns in a day. We had to calculate it. Say like 2,000 for example to maintain. Then how many calories makes us gain a pounds...3,500 for everyone. Well, I remember one lady saying...wow how do we lose weight then? Eat nothing?

Yea when I first started I didnt know much either. I just did what MFP recommended. After I plateaued, I didnt understand why I wasnt losing anything anymore....maybe maybe I should eat less and excercise more!!! Nope, didnt work for me either.

Helloitsdan

I was stuck at the same weight for 9 months - eating around my BMR range minus 100-150cals - Nothing not even 100 grams lost very frustrating
I have just done michelle bridges 12 weeks - 1200 cals - lost 4kgs, 31cms, GAINED 2 cms on my biceps and lost 31 cms overall and 2 dress sizes.
Prior to this I would preach the eat more motto - to me it did nothing but help me stay the same - My thoughts - each to their own, whatever works

X-factor and genetics?

You cant gain on a deficit....
You look amazing but I cant fathom gaining anything on a deficit.
It's nearly impossible unless you are Obese 2 or 3.

larnsperger

Glad you found what works for you! I've done (and am currently doing) 1200 calories and it works for me. I also work with a trainer twice a week, lifting and I'm building muscle and endurance. I work in cardio as my schedule allows. I enjoy walking more for emotional and stress relieving benefits. Everyone is different. No matter your calorie count if you don't eat lean protein, veggies, fruit and good healthy fats your body is going to be lacking what it needs to stay healthy. Moderation in everything is the way to long term success with anything in life:) Wishing you continued success.

MariaChele85

Squat #245? That's awesome.

Yes mam, I think I almost cried that day myself. Never would I ever imagined that I could squat that amount. I use to struggle with 35lb squats!

lwagnitz

Gorgeous and smart

MariaChele85

Glad you found what works for you! I've done (and am currently doing) 1200 calories and it works for me. I also work with a trainer twice a week, lifting and I'm building muscle and endurance. I work in cardio as my schedule allows. I enjoy walking more for emotional and stress relieving benefits. Everyone is different. No matter your calorie count if you don't eat lean protein, veggies, fruit and good healthy fats your body is going to be lacking what it needs to stay healthy. Moderation in everything is the way to long term success with anything in life:) Wishing you continued success.

Thankyou, much success to you as well

MariaChele85

Gorgeous and smart

Thankyou!

lwagnitz

I was stuck at the same weight for 9 months - eating around my BMR range minus 100-150cals - Nothing not even 100 grams lost very frustrating
I have just done michelle bridges 12 weeks - 1200 cals - lost 4kgs, 31cms, GAINED 2 cms on my biceps and lost 31 cms overall and 2 dress sizes.
Prior to this I would preach the eat more motto - to me it did nothing but help me stay the same - My thoughts - each to their own, whatever works

X-factor and genetics?

You cant gain on a deficit....
You look amazing but I cant fathom gaining anything on a deficit.
It's nearly impossible unless you are Obese 2 or 3.

Possibly messed up her hormones or metabolism by eating too low?
I know it's possible, because it happened to me

G__Force

Dam you could squat 1 1/2 of me, LOL Your doing and looking great,

starcatcher1975

Have you only been lifting for 4 weeks? It says you gained 10# in 4 weeks, but you can deadlift 225?! I've been doing weight training for about 6 weeks and thought I was kicking *kitten* doing 105# deadlifts today! I'm such a wuss :laugh:

ahadj

Thank you for posting this!! There are so many people who need to see it. I was miserable eating 1300 calories/day. Sometimes going to bed with my tummy grumbling (some nights so bad I couldn't sleep). Workouts were WEAK and sluggish.

Now I eat around 1800.

MariaChele85

Have you only been lifting for 4 weeks? It says you gained 10# in 4 weeks, but you can deadlift 225?! I've been doing weight training for about 6 weeks and thought I was kicking *kitten* doing 105# deadlifts today! I'm such a wuss :laugh:

I did body pump for over a year, but with the heavy lifting I started about 12 weeks ago or so...
When I decided to stop with the barbie weights, I increased the calories and the weights and gained about 10lbs, after your body adjust to the extra calories and protien, my body started to slowly lose that 10lbs, inches started to come off too, slowly of course.

darisey

Thanks for sharing this. How did you transition from the 1200 cal diet and how did you begin lifting?

Aviva92

score for the eat more police. i'll stick to 1200 calories and haven't lost my lovely hair yet.

Exactly, yet....

just because you lost your hair doesn't mean i will. geeez, you're not me.

Yea you're probably right, but I'm sure you will notice other changes to your body or health. and not in a good way.

how are you sure of this? just because it happened to you? as i said, i'm not you and thus far, you are wrong. the only thing i noticed was losing weight.

haha geesh ok, calm down. get the wad out your panties. anyone can lose weight,but I want to lose fat and keep my muscles.
come bother me when you can squat or dead lift the equavilent to what I can do on 1200 calories..

I'm not weight training at the moment because I injured my back. I'm also not in competition with you. I just think it's lame that you're suggesting that us 1200 calorie people are somehow inferior to your wonderfulness.

starcatcher1975

Have you only been lifting for 4 weeks? It says you gained 10# in 4 weeks, but you can deadlift 225?! I've been doing weight training for about 6 weeks and thought I was kicking *kitten* doing 105# deadlifts today! I'm such a wuss :laugh:

I did body pump for over a year, but with the heavy lifting I started about 12 weeks ago or so...
When I decided to stop with the barbie weights, I increased the calories and the weights and gained about 10lbs, after your body adjust to the extra calories and protien, my body started to slowly lose that 10lbs, inches started to come off too, slowly of course.

Ahh ok. I was really thinking I needed to amp up the weights if you had progressed that much in just 4 weeks. But by the last rep of my last set I'm ready to put the weights down, lol so I'll keep plugging along at my pokey pace. It's so much more than I used to be able to do anyway so I'm happy

Infauna

1200-1500 calories works for me. Not everyone has the same goals in mind as you but congrats on your success, anyways! It's always a nice feeling to find something that works for your needs and gives you the results you want. : )

missymuffet

I LOVE THIS!! I have come to learn pretty much exactly this also. CONGRATULATIONS!! ;D

MoreBean13

I think I love you. And I don't throw that around lightly. You rock. And I am SUPER jealous of your squat. BADA$$!

Sarauk2sf

Well done on your lifting - your stats are fantastic, especially for someone who has not been lifting heavy for that long.

nz_deevaa

Are you my twin?

For the record my hair started falling out after my first 18 or so kilos.

I'm still trying to get my calories right, but my squat is chasing yours!!

nikilis

sigh.



great post. shame that it turned into the old rough and tumble before the half way mark of the first page.

boogieone

this is my first time reading or even replying to anything on the message boards, btw! i just wanted to say that you are a badass! rock on!!