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

Suicide isn't for everyone either and educated people wouldn't encourage its use to the masses. Educating people on health, who don't know any better, is the right thing to do even if the ignorant defenders of wrong disagree.

Nor is aggression, or assuming that all 1200 calorie uses are "ignorant" and name calling. Surely the larger of us get called names enough in real life. Also if you consider this to be "ill education" then wait until someone asks for help. People only want to change for themselves not for others, also this type of post and "mob mentality" is certainly not going to feel like you're "helping us". It feels like bullying

All the best
Han x

I think the fact that Taso and Coach Reddy are actually agreeing with each other on this thread shows how much win is contained in the OP.

I wasn't aware it was a contest.

Suicide isn't for everyone either and educated people wouldn't encourage its use to the masses. Educating people on health, who don't know any better, is the right thing to do even if the ignorant defenders of wrong disagree.

Nor is aggression, or assuming that all 1200 calorie uses are "ignorant" and name calling. Surely the larger of us get called names enough in real life. Also if you consider this to be "ill education" then wait until someone asks for help. People only want to change for themselves not for others, also this type of post and "mob mentality" is certainly not going to feel like you're "helping us". It feels like bullying

All the best
Han x

It is an analogy as is promoting "jumping off a bridge". It's not right for the MAJORITY of people and ignorant is not name calling in my book of definitions. It is a lack of knowledge on a specific topic that can lead people to pursue a dangerous path. Chronic restricting is a controlling/coping mechanism that is one of the many factors that can lead to disordered eating and health problems. PERIOD. There are better and healthier ways. If you think your body is a special exception to nature then treat it specially and get your metabolism tested.

of the people actively posting about 1200 cal diets that worked for them...

the youngest was 39 that I found.

The highest age (without a private profile, most have private profiles) is 61. There is one other woman in this thread who is clearly in her 70s according to her posts, but has a private profile as well.

We're not talking about young active people by and large who are saying that lower calories worked for them and to lay off them. For a petite older woman who is not particularly active, it may be right for them. I'm not advocating that everyone does that, but that for some people its fine, and that 1200 is not a very low calorie diet if it is monitored and has all the macronutrients covered.

Just to clarify, in case you were talking about me, I'm not 39, but I'm far from 70. I am short and petite. But about 20 years ago, when I was much more active and at a spa I lost weight on a 1400 calorie a day diet. I wasn't looking to lose weight and didn't need to at 93 pounds but it was so easy. All I had to do was select from the lower calorie menu. I think the upper level was1750. I had a metabolism test and I'm sure my results were average or above average. This was a gorgeous spa with activities scheduled all day and I was quite active - - much more than usual. I lost weight.

I tried MFP's recommendation of 1200 on the easy plan and it was too high. I didn't lose weight, so I had to change the max to 1150. Fitbit, not that I follow it, recommendations anywhere from 950 to 1400, depending on my activity level.

I suffered a temporarily crippling ankle injury last year and joined this site to keep track of my weight. I think can put stress on my ankle now. I probably will be able to eat more in time.

As usual, my guide will my experience. Frankly, I'm not surprised that many people here are not reaching their goals. Not with the dogmatic statements I encounter here every day.

I just really don't understand what is wrong with 1200 calories a day. If you are 5'1 and a female and weigh 120 then 1200 is perfect even with workouts. If you are eating correctly then you can eat more food than most ppl bc there is very little calories in veggies and fruits. A whole head of cauliflower is something like under 60 calories.

If you are a man 6'4 and play basketball 5 nights a week then 1200 is not good for you.

This thread is assuming that EVERYONE is the same body type, body weight and has the same goals. If you want to lose then you make a deficit and if 1200 calories is what calculates to work for you then that is what works for you.


I wanted to lose weight for a trip to Jamaica so I ate 1,000 to 1100 a day and lost 20 lbs. I worked out daily.

last night half of you here were arguing that it is about calories in and calories out in the "is bread fattening thread". What happened to that theory? If you aren't burning, you need to cut what you eat and reduce calories.

More so though it is about WHAT you eat vs how much. So many do not understand that concept though. So many mislead people.