How do you people stay at 1200 a day??

MacysMassiveMommy · January 2013

Try to drink lots of water- it helps you to stay full. Try to drink 1 glass of water before you eat a meal- again it will help you feel full and you will eat less at that meal. Have you tried planning out your food all day and sticking to it? If you plan your meals and snacks it will definitely be easier to follow and stay around the targeted calories.

Measure out cereals or snacks and put them in ziplock baggies so you know the exact calories.

My doctor told me that 3600 calories equals 1 pound. So if you cut out that number of calories in a week (or burn it off working out) you should lose 1 pound.

My mom just joined and she is obese and can only have 1400 calories (or maybe it was 1200) which I thought was weird because I can have more calories than her and you'd think she generally eats more calories than me (because she is more over weight than I) so she could still eat more or similar calories and still lose weight.

I know its hard to add exercise when you aren't used to it, but I heard on Dr. OZ that just doing 5 minutes of intense cardio (jogging in place, push ups, anything quick and intense to get your heart rate way up for 5 minutes) is extremely good for your heart and can help to jump start your metabolism. (Your body continues burning after you've quit exercising..)

Good Luck-:happy:

macaya5 · January 2013

My calorie intake is set for 1510 and I find that I'm under that for the most part. I eat foods high in fiber, lean meat, whole grains. I portion my food as much as possible and try to eat every 3-4 hours. it's ok to feel a little hungry but I try to not get over hungry. A bowl of oatmeal is going to keep me feeling full for a good while, so I eat that when I feel like I need to tide over--not just for breakfast.

There are times when I work out a lot, walking, free weights and cardio machines. Those days, I need an extra meal. I just make sure it's something that's filling and tastes great. Drinking a lot of water helps, too.

sam0828 · January 2013

I don't know your starting weight, but you did mention you are obese. I started MFP because I needed more motivation. I lost over 50lbs on my own and still have at least 60-70 more to go. When I signed up it told me to eat 1200 calories, but I knew that would never be enough. I uped it to 1800 calories and that is what I have been eating the last 2 weeks. I lost 5 lbs! I don't want to lose too fast because for me this is not a diet, but a lifestyle change. I want to be healthy for my kids. I have failed many "diets" in the past so I am committed to doing this the RIGHT way. I will be adding exercise soon so I may up it to 2000 depending how my loss progresses.

funsmile1234 · January 2013

For me my calorie goal here to lose weight is about 1350. I'm always able to eat under because I eat a lot of veggies, lean meat, whole grain, fruit and low fat dairy. It gives me more energy to be able to exercise 3-4 days a week at 30 minutes at a time. My starting weight 11 months ago was 368. From doing this plan I am down to 269 now. You can eat all throughout the day. 5x a day eating those foods and you will not deprive yourself or feel hungry. I went off the biggest loser books when it talked about how much of veggie, meat or fruit I could eat. The serving size. It really works. Plus I give myself one treat and one cheat meal a week and that is able to keep me on track and gives me something to look forward too so I don't feel like I am always on a diet. I make all kinds of food from split pea soup to pork roast and potatoes. A lot of the same stuff I was eating before just healthier versions of it. Believe me if I can do this after being a junk food addict, anyone can. The heavier you are too the more calories you need to consume or your body goes into starvation mode and you will not lose weight. To speed up your metabolism you need to eat more. Good luck to you.

meredith1123 · January 2013

I have been doing this for a long time and I can not stay under calories, no matter how hard I try. How do you people do it??? I looked at some of your diaries and that ones I looked at.....one ate one meal a day and some vitamins, one ate protein shakes twice a day and a salad for the other, the others complain about not being able to get to 1200 a day, one eats pizza and goes over and still says he/she loses two lbs a week.

Don't you people get hungry??? How do you do it?????? I know, yes, my exercise is not where it should be and I"m working on it (majorly obese here so I'm working at it) but the diaries I was referring to didn't have any exercise calories listed in at the bottom....

Don't you get hungry?????? I'm beginning to think all these numbers maybe too complicated for this brain to figure out, too (like another post said).

most of the time I am under 1200-1300 cal a day.... I eat three meals a day and usually have one snack. it's all about WHAT you eat, not how much or how little. It's all in what works for your body. if you cant do it, dont try it. Stick with what you enjoy and what works for your body.
I also exercise at least four days a week, such as today i burned about 850 calories.

fightininggirl · January 2013

no I eat really healthy food. I get plenty of nutrients. I eat fruit, veggies, meat and real food. many people are uneducated about calories and buy the myth that 1200 calories is starving. however Dr. Oz, Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper agree that women need to eat between 1200-1400 calories. they are all professional so I go with them.

people can't tell the difference between healthy calories and empty calories.

amwoodruff · January 2013

Listen, 1200 is a bit extreme for some people. I have mine set at 1500, which is way lower than MFP has me set at, even if I hit sedentary, and I go over sometimes 100-200 a day, and I am still slowly losing weight. ( Would be doing better if I hit the gym more.) If you can't do 1200, don't do 1200. Do 1500, and I also don't add my exercise calories back, because I go over the 1500 enough that I don't really think I need to be seeing extra room on my app. Find your happy place! Find your TDEE! Be nice to yourself, and your body.

bamagrrrl · January 2013

Its not hard once you get used to it. I have always been a big eater and wondered how people only ate one of anything... the key is to make up your mind and the rest is easy. I pack my breakfast lunch and 2 snacks that are portion controlled and then I eat a healthy meal that again is portion controlled. I also started out with more calories then worked my way down using the recomended calories to loose 2 pounds per week. I also pre plan if I am going out to a restaraunt and make sure I have a game plan of what I am going to eat. I have only been doinf this for 20+ days but this is what so far has worked for me... I also am pretty heavy but I work out and do what I can and push myself harder and harder once I get to the point where what I am doing is not a challenge anymore. I know it is hard and I know it seems impossible but its totally doable once you make up your mind. Hope this helps.. hang in there.

MelSimba · January 2013

The best thing you can do is cook delicious meals, instead of pretending you'd be satisfied on raw veggies and cooked chicken breast. Try eatingwell.com, there are lots of delicious, easy recipes that are low-calorie. Cooking yourself lets you eat meals that are very filling and satisfying for a low amount of calories.

punkrockgoth · January 2013

MFP automatically decides that I should net 1200 a day. I tried it for a week. It resulted in bad moods, illness, binge eating and just plain misery.

My body told me that 1200 is not good for me. My goal is between 1500-1600 now and I feel much better.

But some days I do find it hard to eat enough calories and those are days when I am eating tons of fresh veggies. Usually the day or two right after grocery shopping when I'm super excited about all that good stuff that I eat three meals of stir fries. Those days I usually have to snack on nuts so I don't get too sick.

I love food. I have no plans on not eating.

ladybowe · January 2013

Since I started a low carb diet, its been super easy to stay under the 1200 mark. Bread, pasta, cake and other carbs pack tons of useless calories. The first two days I was really missing that bagel in the morning but its been two weeks and I have so much more energy because I'm putting good, wholesome nutritious food into my body and not junk. Eat lots of raw veggies (and fruit if you're not low carb) and lots of lean protein. I substitute lettuce for bread so instead of having a sandwich with tuna, I'll have the tuna on a salad with cheddar cheese and dressing. Protein keeps your appetite down because your body uses it steadily and you don't get that sugar crash. You'd be really surprised at how much you can actually eat. Also, if you're exercising enough you should be able to stay at or below the goal. Good luck!!

sandra152 · January 2013

I am right there with you most days i find it a strugle to stck to 1200 calories but have decided just log what i eat and just make sure that i dont go Back to eating rubish. I also exercis at the gym and do Aquafit twice a week and try to get aleast a half to 1 hours walk a day weather permiting and if that dos'nt work theres not much else I can do. It must be working thou because i have lost 231b since June. So good luck

wildchild06241 · January 2013

You can open up their diaries and look at what they are eating and the exercise they may be doing to stay at or under 1200 calories. My diary is unlocked take a look!

Nola4 · January 2013

I am also on a 1200 with working out but snack on healthy stuff ALL DAY. I just have to make sure I am only having one serving on tostitos and not the entire bag.

lisafred24 · January 2013

It takes a while to get used to 1200 calories and how those calories are best spent. Salad and most fruits are low in calories, lean meats are good because they are filling and have a lot of protein which makes you feel full longer. Drinking a lot of water helps. I typically eat breakfast (usually cereal with almond milk) then have a snack (piece of fruit or some kind of protein or fiber bar) about 2 hours later. Then I have lunch (that is usually my biggest calorie meal of the day), then 2 hours later I have another snack (if I had fruit at the first snack then I have a bar or veggies and vice versa), then I have dinner. Some times I have an evening snack, sometimes I don't depends on if I have the calories left or not. It isn't easy, believe me I know, but from March 2011 to March 2012 I lost 87 pounds using this site and sticking to 1200 calories per day. I then stopped keeping track, went through a divorce, etc. and let my eating get away from me again and gained 20 of it back. I have now been back on track for 2 weeks and have lost 5 lbs.

brenda9090 · January 2013

If you want, you can set your diary as public so that we can see what you eat and give you better advice on how to stay within your limits.

Pernimac · January 2013

I don't even dare to count calories. I see them, but there are the last thing on my mind. Importance of nutrition comes from the amount of nutrients, sodium, cholesterol, fat, and then carbs. You're body needs to be fed properly (even though it can be a struggle inittially), if you can learn to keep the s/c/f/cbs down, you're doing fine overall. :-)

rougecrayon · January 2013

Which is why we all have different numbers of calories per day. When I was on 1200 calories, I reached it fine, and only went over when I splurged on some junk foods!
Now I am on medicine that makes me hungry ALL THE TIME! and I am still fine at 1400 calories.

People are different, and that is why you are hungry at 1700 calories and she is uncomfortably full at 1400. It is very tiring to see so many people judging others based on the fact their diets or goals are different.

keshiabug1 · January 2013

Plan your meals. Once you get the hang of staying under 1200 calories, its really not hard. I eat a breakfast cereal for breakfast, a vegetable or a frozen type meal for lunch, a snack between two meals and some sort of vegetable and/or meat for lunch. I never get hungry.

My BIGGEST TIP:
If you feel hungry, drink water. Most of the time, you really aren't hungry at all. After drinking a glass of water, wait 10 minutes. If you are still hungry... eat. Most of the time you wont feel that way anymore though.

mfpcopine · January 2013

I do often go over, although for a woman my size and age, 1200 is a good ball park figure. When I stay at or under 1200 it's usually because I'm exceptionally motivated, or have streamlined things so I have a small number of nutritious meals of known calories. It also helps tremendously not to focus on food.

charlene77 · January 2013

http://www.livestrong.com/article/491231-a-1200-calorie-diet-for-a-woman/

You choose foods with high nutrition value but lower calories.

"Staples for a 1,200-calorie plan might include skinless chicken breast, shrimp, egg whites, canned beans, dark leafy greens, cut-up raw vegetables, melon, berries, apples, brown rice, oatmeal and whole-grain bread."

OP, I suppose you will be doctor supervised if on 1200?

HAHA! This person just listed most of my go to staples! I aim for under 1500. I had an accident day at 1100, just busy and wasn't hungry, then the next day I ate 1500. No big. Like so many have posted, eat clean. I look for food with good nutritional content and low cals.

Example day:
BREAKFAST
Tea
Toast with peanut butter
half a grapefruit or a banana

SNACK
Silhouete (35 calorie) yogurt with fresh strawberries

LUNCH
Salad with low calorie dressing and loads of fresh veggies with lean turkey or chicken

SNACK
Catelope

DINNER
Chicken Breast
Brown Rice
Pile of broccoli or green beans

This hits me at around 1200 ish and I do not feel hungry! If I have a good workout I have an extra snack or fruits or veggies or even a protien bar.
It takes time, I still make bad choices and have an off day. But I'm going to keep striving for my goals and improving and finding new snacks and meals!

Feel free to add me

DirtGlitters · January 2013

I'm doing 1200cals a day and it seems to be going fine. I did have 1 slip up whilst out (drinking wine) but that was it!
I stick to water & diet sodas (for a treat) for drinks- also eat a lot of nuts, vegetables and fruit. A spoonful of peanut butter with celery is a great energy booster between snacks. You just need to be strict and fill your plate with raw veg etc!

Feel free to add me or take a look at my diary- good luck

icmuse · January 2013

I eat lots of food, exercise moderately (I swap my exercise calories for food) and manage to stay around 1200 (I am 5'0" for taller people that would too little calorie limit).

Check my food diary if you want.

I am never hungry and I am loosing weight (over 4 lbs in the last 2 weeks)

tiffany5839 · January 2013

I would die if I had to stick to 1200 cals!!! I try to aim for 1500-1700 cals and I am still hungry!!!

firstlady8 · January 2013

soue you hit the nail on the coffin can u add me as afriend love the advice

firstlady8 · January 2013

for the most part adjusting your calories to lower amounts like 1700 calories probably will help you lose weight rather than the highr numbers your body was use to. Now keep in mind to make better choices ex. cut out fast foods, lower sugar intake and trans fat etc.... stick with lean meats, veggies, salads, fruits etc... you can have whatever you'd like just watch your portions and eventually while looking at your diary you'll understand what you can live with and without "happy weight losy" :drinker:

kelsanderson78 · January 2013

Hmm I don't agree re the skinny fat thing if you eat 1200 calories - I stick to around 1200 calories, and do weight training and circuit training and have gone from 35% BF to 29% BF in 6 months. The food I eat is only non processed food, lots of veges, some fruit, meat/chicken/fish and nuts, along with wholegrain bread and natural yoghurt. It all depends on what you eat. Yes if you eat say two McD's burgers and that is your full day of food (and its 1200 cals) then you are likely to lose muscle and fat at the same time as you are not getting the right amount of protein and nutrients to maintain your muscle and then you will be skinny fat rather than lean

Lyonsgurl · January 2013

Ok i have been struggling with this a bit myself. But once you get going and find foods that are filling but low in calories youll work them into to your diet more and honestly from someone who was a severe binge eater I have been sticking to my diet for about three weeks now which is a tremendous accomplishment for me. I have realized Im not as crazy hungry as I once was and thought 1200 is hard to work with I am coming very close if not going under. It all just takes time and i have a long way to go but, keep going and it will get easier trust me.

kinsa2 · January 2013

I am one of those 1200 calories people as well, and the way I look at it is this. I have to be a total of 1200 calories per day and doing exercise subtracts from that number. If you want to eat more, exercise to lose 500 calories per day, you could break it up by doing 250 calories worth of exercise twice which could just be simple walking or a mixture of jogging, skipping or climbing stairs. This then means that you have earnt 500 extra calories that you can eat back! In total you are then eating 1700 calories but only 1200 is gained as you have worked the 500 off! This way you have done your exercise and stuck to your calorie goal!
It works for me!

AlongCame_Molly · January 2013

I eat 1200 cals (but only until I join a gym and stop being sedentary). I do it by making smarter choices, foregoing higher-cal foods that don't stay with me for very long in favor of lean proteins, TONS of fresh vegetables, small amounts of dairy, and going easy on the carbs.

I keep my diary closed, but here is an example of what I'll eat on an average day: (I'm not really a "big" breakfast person, I prefer to keep it light.)

Breakfast: Piece of fruit, like an apple (80) or a banana (120)

AM snack: piece of toast with butter (105)

Lunch: Chicken salad with honey mustard dressing (about 350) or an egg-white omelette with tomato, peppers salsa and a little cheese. (about 300)

PM snack: Celery stalk (7) and hummus (70)

DInner: Chicken breast or lean steak with broccoli/cauliflower and half a baked potato with a little butter. Or whatever my husband wants, if it fits into my cal goal.

I did eat pizza and stuff like that in the beginning of starting MFP, I would just make allowances for it throughout the rest of my day, and limit myself to just one slice. Lately though, as my body becomes more efficient and is used to cleaner foods, a big greasy slab of cheesy pizza just doesn't sound that great anymore. I'll splurge every so often, but it always makes me feel like garbage afterwards.

I do get hungry sometimes, but it's not a gnawing I'm-gonna-die kind of hunger. I think it's important to know your body well, and be able to tell the difference between just having an empty stomach, and being truly HUNGRY. There is nothing in my stomach right now, and yes I could go for some food, but my body knows better by now and knows it will get dinner in about 90 minutes, so it shuts up and patiently waits. It takes a while to adjust, and it's not for everyone. If you are exercising AT ALL I strongly recommend eating more than 1200 calories.

How do you people stay at 1200 a day??

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