Still think your 1200 or less diet is a good idea?

As I stated before, when advice is asked for give it. Threads like this point fingers and say "You should do it this way" and that makes me and others want to point back and say "Who the *** are you to tell me what I should do?"

Who are you to tell me your way is better than the way my medical professional tells me? You don't know me or my body.

The emotion tied to my 1200 calories + cycle days has nothing to do with my 1200 calories, it has to do with the jerks who message me telling me I'm doing it wrong.

I don't look at people's diaries, nor do I have an open diary because I feel pretty strongly about not giving criticism on people's diaries and not soliciting it for my own. There are so many people with so many weird *kitten* food fetishes in this forum, be it eat more 2 lose weight, eating clean, eating raw, eating organic.... blah blah blah that I'd just rather ditch the whole lot of them!

But, honestly? I have lost a giant amount of weight and didn't do it on 1200 a day... but I'm also 5'6.5'' tall. So that would be a pretty low number for someone my height and activity level. But some days if I am feeling poorly, eating a little low won't hurt ya.

I'm also 5'6"... I suppose my activity level is also pretty high since I'm on my feet and constantly walking at least 9 hours a day, that would be how I lost the first 60 lbs or so without changing my diet. I'm just doing what my doctor has told me and I get asked why I would trust a doctor with my weightloss.,. really?!

Congrats on your weight loss, I'm glad your way worked for you

Keep in mind that some of us are eating under 1200 calories per day under the supervision of a doctor. I am and making very good progress.

eff your doctor! what does he know?!

these people have a degree in MFP, you better abandon whats working for you and let these people dictate what you eat!

LOL now this is funny

However I"m sure most of them mean well, I just think they need to give advice when it's asked for, not come out telling us we're all wrong for our own choices or for following the advice of medical professionals instead of them.

the first page is like a circle jerk of these people who like to preach. i hate preachers. you do you, and ill do me unless i ask for your help

There is a lot of hostility and angry words in this thread. I think that stems from people trying to apply a single principle to everyone. There are so VERY many variables when it comes to nutrition that you just can't do that. What works for one person may not work for others.

I know for a fact what works for me. I am 50 years old and know myself better than anyone.

That doesn't mean that what works for me will work for everyone else. To try to preach about what other people eat is ludicrous and unproductive. And actually sanctimonious.

in all fairness though there are many factors to consider some of the people who do 1200 calories are a really petite height. some folks are elderly and don't require so much calories. some are reccomended to eat these calories for medical reasons. unless you really know their situation you really have no place to judge. the journey is about them. posts like these don't help matters. the best thing that will be helpful is to keep your comments to yourself.

I've done both eating under 1200 and significantly more than 1200, and lost weight both ways.

However, under 1200, weight loss was painfully slow... so much so that I thought there was something really wrong with me. And it was demoralizing. By the math, I should have been losing 2 pounds a week, and in reality, it was a half pound every other weak. I was tired, cranky, and by the time I got to my goal weight, I was still dissatisfied with my body. Still had muffin top, back fat, huge thighs, etc. More demoralization. It got to the point where I (mistakenly) believed that in order to get thinner, I'd have to cut my calories even MORE, and I just couldn't do it. I honestly decided I'd rather be overweight and eat what I want than skinny and hungry. So I put the weight back on.

Over 1200 (typically 1350-1700 plus exercise calories, or up to 2200+ total), the weight came off as predicted, I was completely satisfied with everything I ate. Still able to fit in pizza at least once a week. Cheeseburgers. Bagels for breakfast almost daily. Pasta, garlic bread, potatoes. Ice cream. Chocolate milk at bedtime every night. And way more than satisfied with the way my body looked and felt. The stereotypical "I'm 40 and in the best shape of my life" infomercial cheese.

And I've been maintaining close to two years.

Wow. I really needed to read this. I only joined MFP a couple weeks ago and have been following the 1200 debate closely. This past week, I just upped my calories from 1250 to 1495 but must admit, I still physchologically struggle with it. The other thing I was not clear on was whether the recommendation to increase your calories ALSO included eating back some or all of your exercise on top of the jumped up eating goal. So, it is nice to read your story and get things a little clearer. Thanks.

Here's how I look at it:

If 1200 is working for you, if it's easy for you... great! Keep at it!

But if you're one of the people who started those threads Taso linked to, if you're someone like me who was struggling on low calories, if you're tired, cold, grumpy, hungry, losing hair, losing sleep, etc. on 1200, if you blindly selected 2 pounds a week because you want this weight GONE as soon as possible... know there is another way.

Thanks! It's working and I'm happy doing it. If more posts were like this, and in threads soliciting advice then there wouldn't be a problem IMO.

Anyone over 60? Lets see you in a bikini? I looked hot in mine at 40.

Shepherd said she eats several small meals a day as part of a diet plan she formulated with her trainers. She takes in 1,700 calories a day, mostly comprised of boiled egg whites, chicken, vegetables and a liquid egg white drink. And she is adamant that she does not use performance-enhancing drugs or even supplements beyond vitamin D.