success stories from 1200 calorie dieters wanted

I have been on 1200-1400 and have plateuaed big time. My loss has slowed to about 1 lb a month even thought I'm owrking out like crazy! I started working with a trainer who switched up my percentages to see if that helps. The level of working out you do seems to change the game a whole lot.

I am currently on 40% Protein, 30% Carbs, and 30% Fat

Let's hope this works

I am 69 years old.

You really can't compare your caloric needs to the 25 year olds on here. They need to eat more than you do.

Women over 40 (and especially over 50) -- Please come join this group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/9239-the-ladies-who-lunch

No skinny teenagers or bulky body-builders... just real women "of an age" who know ourselves and our bodies, have been through childbirth and/or menopause, enjoy real food, and will never, ever spend 1 or 2, let alone 5 or 6 hours a day in the gym. We have real lives, real jobs, real families, we know who we are, we have a sense of humor about that (by the way), and we're willing to share what we're learning (without judgment) with each other.

And wine. There's always room for wine.

Thank you for the invitation but I do spend one to two hours at the gym several times a week, and I would sleep there if my husband would let me do it.

My food is real, not fake; and I believe that every female, regardless of their weight, height, color of skin, choice of diet and/or exercise, or other choices, are REAL women.

I don’t believe that ladies that spend a lot of time at the gym or decide to do weight training, boxing, or running marathons should not be considered REAL women. After all, many of them hold jobs and families just like you and the ladies in your group.

So, thank you again for the invitation, but I will not join your group anytime soon. I don’t like the mission statement.

Dayum!

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The OP asked for 1200 cal success stories. If u weren't successful y even post ur story just to bring others down? It's like people r in here trying to convince everyone that u cannot have success at 1200 cals just because it didn't work for them.

I'm a 1200 gal I'm 25, 5 feet tall and need to lose around 100lbs to be where I want to be. I find eating 1200 cals a day easy and so far I have lost 20lbs in around 10 weeks so an average of 2lbs per week. It's working wonders for me and I feel like I'm losing at a realistic weight. It's staying off and there's nothing drastic about my eating or exercising habits! SUCCESS!

I don't call that success. I call that progress. See if you can lose the whole next 100 pounds on 1200. I have seen ONE post on this thread that actually sounds like a "success" story

^ this is exactly what drove me to find Eat More 2 Weight Less and up my calories to 2000. I was lucky if I found one or two "success" stories, TRUE success stories, of people losing the weight and keeping it off on 1200 cal diet. Instead, I found many, MANY success stories, as in reaching goal weight, looking toned and healthy, and keeping it off for years at a time from women who eat 2000+ calories per day, lift heavy, and eat what they want.

The kicker for me was.... what do women athletes do? They eat 2000+ calories per day and lift weight (even if their sport is not lifting). What makes me think I'm any different if I participate in a physical activity like lifting or running or whatever? Athletes calculate how many calories they need to fuel their sport and how many calories they need to maintain a physique—they don't just do whatever MFP says or what so-and-so over here says in some magazine, or even what a doctor said who is not trained in sports medicine. They calculate what they need based on their goals and activity and do it. Everyone should.


Not trying to bring anybody down here, just pointing out the facts...

I eat 1200 calories a day. Some days I eat my exercise calories, some days I don't. I eat 3 meals a day, and sometimes snacks, it just depends on my mood. I try not to eat after 8 pm, and besides my coffee I drink only water and a glass of tea, or a glass of juice here and there. I have lost 60 lbs doing this, and I feel better about myself now than I ever have.
I understand that 1200 calories is not great for everyone, but when I first started MFP, I logged what I ate on a regular day, and couldn't believe the amount of calories I was consuming in one day! I was eating almost three times what I do now! I felt so bloated all the time, and was always tired, and never had energy. I gradually cut myself down to 1200, and I am pleased with what I've accomplished so far. I'm eating what I want, exercising, and losing weight gradually.

I'm a 1200 gal I'm 25, 5 feet tall and need to lose around 100lbs to be where I want to be. I find eating 1200 cals a day easy and so far I have lost 20lbs in around 10 weeks so an average of 2lbs per week. It's working wonders for me and I feel like I'm losing at a realistic weight. It's staying off and there's nothing drastic about my eating or exercising habits! SUCCESS!

I don't call that success. I call that progress. See if you can lose the whole next 100 pounds on 1200. I have seen ONE post on this thread that actually sounds like a "success" story

^ this is exactly what drove me to find Eat More 2 Weight Less and up my calories to 2000. I was lucky if I found one or two "success" stories, TRUE success stories, of people losing the weight and keeping it off on 1200 cal diet. Instead, I found many, MANY success stories, as in reaching goal weight, looking toned and healthy, and keeping it off for years at a time from women who eat 2000+ calories per day, lift heavy, and eat what they want.

The kicker for me was.... what do women athletes do? They eat 2000+ calories per day and lift weight (even if their sport is not lifting). What makes me think I'm any different if I participate in a physical activity like lifting or running or whatever? Athletes calculate how many calories they need to fuel their sport and how many calories they need to maintain a physique—they don't just do whatever MFP says or what so-and-so over here says in some magazine, or even what a doctor said who is not trained in sports medicine. They calculate what they need based on their goals and activity and do it. Everyone should.


Not trying to bring anybody down here, just pointing out the facts...

I think it's awesome that it's working for you... but you don't have 100lbs to lose like the person in the post you're quoting. According to your ticker, your goal was less than 20. Some of us are facing 5x that goal or more. I've been directed to the eatmore2weighless site whose logo is in your ticker more times than I can count and it honestly disturbs me that people take this site as fact. The "facts" are that the 2 women that run that site aren't medical or fitness professionals, they have zero credentials.

Women athletes burn more calories because they have more muscle mass and burn more throughout the day, so they can maintain their weight with much higher calorie intakes. Obese people that need to lose large amounts of weight have different needs than someone who just needs to lose 20lbs, and they shouldn't be constantly attacked for "eating too little" because of it. Not attacking you personally, just sick of seeing this EM2WL propaganda and its formula promoted as gospel all over the forums when it's truly not a formula that is one size fits all.

I'm 30 years old, 5'4" and I eat 1200-1400 calories a day. I also exercise for an hour or two every day, both cardio and strength training, and don't eat my calories back. Since New Years, I've lost 20 lbs. I also have hypothyroidism, am not on meds and have been told by doctors that it would be nearly impossible to lose weight without my medication. At my calorie range, not only have I lost weight while building muscle (which is visible for the first time ever), but I'm not hungry, my physicals have come back totally healthy,i've minimized my low-T4 and no-t3 symptoms and I sleep great. When you eat tons of fruits and veggies, lean proteins and whole grains, you can eat lots of them and stay in a relatively low calorie level. There are those who need more calories to function and those who need fewer. Everyone is different.

I'm 45 years old, 5'4, 135-ish lbs (134.6 today) and I eat 2000-2300 cals a day. I also exercise 2-6 hours per day (yes, per day, my job entails exercise), both cardio and heavy lifting.

I used to have hypothyroidism (specifically Hashimoto's disease) for which I took meds for over 7 years to no avail. Back then I used to eat about 1200 cals a day. Back then I used to be about 15 lbs. heavier than I am right now.

Since I began fueling my body properly (eating avg 2000 cals/day), I lost weight, stopped meds, and no longer have any sign of Hashimoto's. No symptoms, nada. Cleared by ultrasound and bloodwork for over 2 years now.

Hypothyroidism is often caused and/or aggravated by VLCDs.

I just wanted to say that by your profile pic I honestly thought you were more like 25 so I had to go to your profile to make sure I was reading this right, "I'm 45 years old, 5'4, 135-ish lbs" , and I think you look amazing for being 45! I would hope to look that great at that age!!!

There are success stories at 1200 cals & 4000+ cals. There are people who don't/ can't exercise & people who train 2-4 hours a day. There are under 5ft people & over 6ft people & people who need to lose half their weight & people who just need to tone.

It's not all black & white which is why I'm not too fond of a lot of the acronyms here on MFP like IPOARM (don't shoot me.) 1200 calories can work for some. If you are short/ small & not active, maybe. If you are average or tall or regularly work out, probably not.

If and when I am able to exercise more, I will eat more calories. I usually plan to eat 1/2- 3/4 of them back. But if my body doesn't NEED something I'm not going to force it if I function & feel great without it, don't go hungry, have cravings, or lack energy. I do not believe ANYONE should go hungry no matter how much weight they have to lose.

When I began to gain weight a few years ago I had a doctor that kept telling me to eat less & less without even considering what I was eating. I was always hungry & tired all the time. When she eventually told me to eat below 800 calories a day I wrote her off as psycho & decided to take things into my own hands.

I may eat a little less calories now, but I eat more food than I did, and I am not hungry all the time like I was. = SUCCESS!

I'm 44 years old started this journey in june I eat 1200 daily and dont eat back my exercised calories. I am doing fine on 1200 cals.
losing 2 lbs per week. down 54 lbs so far.

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She looks scary to me

I'm glad you feel safe behind your monitor to say that. It is sad that you feel you have to attack others that have reached their goals by posting hideous comments like that, clearly you have a touch of insecurity inside to lash out at other woman like that.

I'm sure you have a picture of a cat as your profile picture and no other reason? Feel free to correct me but I think there may be other reasoning behind your hate?

Of course Yo's physique may be more than you wish to achieve however you should realise that one can stop dieting when you reach the point that makes YOU happy. She is on her journey and she is enjoying it.

For those that hate, as the lyrics go...

Because you're nothing but a wannabe
You're so easy when you're faceless
Why don't you focus on your misery?
Instead of focusing on me?

She looks scary to me

I'm glad you feel safe behind your monitor to say that. It is sad that you feel you have to attack others that have reached their goals by posting hideous comments like that, clearly you have a touch of insecurity inside to lash out at other woman like that.

I'm sure you have a picture of a cat as your profile picture and no other reason? Feel free to correct me but I think there may be other reasoning behind your hate?

Of course Yo's physique may be more than you wish to achieve however you should realise that one can stop dieting when you reach the point that makes YOU happy. She is on her journey and she is enjoying it.

For those that hate, as the lyrics go...

Because you're nothing but a wannabe
You're so easy when you're faceless
Why don't you focus on your misery?
Instead of focusing on me?

Okay feel free to think what you want, but becoming a body builder isn't my goal and I think it looks creepy, not just on women, on men too, but if they are happy with it then what I say shouldn't matter.

Okay feel free to think what you want, but becoming a body builder isn't my goal and I think it looks creepy, not just on women, on men too, but if they are happy with it then what I say shouldn't matter.

Change things around, if someone saw you lying on a coach, what would they think of you? Do you think you would appreciate similar comments?

I find obese people repulsive, I do not know how one can walk around looking like that. Does that sound nice? No. So how do you think it feels coming around the other way?

Diet until you reach the body of YOUR liking. She is dieting down using methods of lifting weights in a way she likes to achieve HER goals.

You don't like muscle? Don't lift weights. Like muscle but not as lean? Stop dieting when you are the body fat levels you are happy with.

Comprende mon ami?

ps - I do not find obese people repulsive, I am clearly trying to put a point across.

This may not be exactly what you were looking for and it's a bit long but it may help:

I'm 48 years old, 5'5" tall and for most of my adult life I have weighed 125 lbs. Seven years ago, I fell into a severe depression and gained weight. This started a vicious Catch-22 system that I decided to break last year. I mention this because I think there might be a difference in the way people lose weight who have always been heavy versus the the people who were heavy for relatively short periods of their lives.

One year ago, I was obese, weighing in at over 191 pounds with a BMI of 30.10 and a waist measurement of 42". I led an extremely sedentary lifestyle and my caloric intake was anywhere from 2000-6000 calories a day. I ate a lot of processed foods, drank regularly and I was weak and tired all the time. When I started MFP, I focused on my calorie macro of 1360 and very slowly became more active. It should also be noted that I opted to move more by increasing my overall daily activity as opposed to doing workout sessions per se. I started walking around and taking the dogs for walks. I was very careful to eat my exercise calories back and tried to hit my calorie number as close as possible. You may laugh, but I would literally go find items that enabled me to get within single digits of my calorie goals for the day :laugh:

After only two weeks, I dropped enough weight to get out of the obese category (I was on the low end of that category) and was "just overweight." My calories goal was dropped to 1300. I was still only nominally active (parking farther away from the mall doors) and while I was still eating processed foods, I was very conscious of portion sizes and making sure I had enough calories spaced throughout the day. I starting eating three full meals and two snacks and drinking just water. I was still extremely focused on meeting my calorie goal to within single digits.

After six more weeks, I had dropped about 20 pounds and my calorie goal shifted to 1240. My activity level bumped up a little bit. I found I had more energy and so I found myself looking for excuses to not sit down. I started eating a little cleaner and changing the items in my diet every two weeks or so. I also learned how to manage my eating when I wasn't in control of the food situation (barbeques, restaurants and events like weddings.)

After ten more weeks, I had lost about 40 pounds and was in the high end of the "normal" range. My calorie goal dropped to 1200. I became more active my taking up hiking and made sure to get within 100 calories of my daily goal every day. There were a couple of days that I blew it either way: I ate something that I knew was high in calorie for the sheer joy of it or, I was so tired from some some adventure that at the end of the day I was too tired to eat ! On those days, I tried to keep the "margin" of error to within 500 cals.The thing is, I never tried to compensate the next day by over- or under-eating. I just moved on, taking each day as it's own. I hit a mini-plateau (about ten weeks) in the dead of winter. I wasn't active but I worked on eating eating cleaner and being patient. :grumble:

Then, a couple of weeks ago, the weather got a little warmer, the trails opened up and the mini-plateau broke! I was able to lose the last 5 lbs within two weeks. I was tempted to lose a couple of more pounds, but I found that I stopped feeling good: I started to feel weak, tired and hungry so I took that as my cue to call it!

It's taken me a little more than ten months to lose 67 lbs (5 lbs before MFP, 62 here on MFP) and I spent about 5 months or about half that time on the 1200 calorie guide. I didn't experience any weight fluctuations (only losses and a mini-plateau) and I wasn't hungry, or light-headed. The weight-loss and dietary changes also helped break the Catch-22 cycle I mentioned earlier

I'm currently at a 1500 cal maintenance level: I weigh between 125 and 130 lbs, my BMI is 20.8, and my waist measures 28.50". My energy levels are excellent. I'm eating cleaner than ever and as an added bonus, my hair and skin have improved dramatically as well. I'm at the low end of the normal range! Now I have to be careful not to slip into the underweight category! My current goals are to stay within the 125-130 pound range, continue eating cleaner and explore more trails.

So, it worked for me; but your mileage may vary