Hello I think what people don't realize sometimes, is that we all need to find what works for us. This is working for me and I feel great that's all I need to know.

I'm wondering how strictly everyone keeps to 1200? I aim for 1200, but in reality it is often closer to 1300 because I can't go to bed hungry. My Dr is actually the one who told me to eat 1200 calories a day and the times when it's a big problem (other than temptations of eating out or being at a party) is when I don't balance my protein and carbs correctly and then I get hungry or dizzy in the middle of the night. I've been trying to lose weight for 10+ years and it's finally coming off- slowly- so to me there is nothing wrong with 1200 calories for me. I do have one friend who says she has looked at my food diary and doesn't understand how I can eat so little.

I'm wondering how strictly everyone keeps to 1200? I aim for 1200, but in reality it is often closer to 1300 because I can't go to bed hungry. My Dr is actually the one who told me to eat 1200 calories a day and the times when it's a big problem (other than temptations of eating out or being at a party) is when I don't balance my protein and carbs correctly and then I get hungry or dizzy in the middle of the night. I've been trying to lose weight for 10+ years and it's finally coming off- slowly- so to me there is nothing wrong with 1200 calories for me. I do have one friend who says she has looked at my food diary and doesn't understand how I can eat so little.

Occasionally, I'm over 1200 calories but I'm also under 1200 calories some days as well. My weekly average is closer to 1100 than 1200.

I found, at first, that I was becoming overly fatigued so I bumped my protein up. I eat at least 90 to 100 grams of protein a day and about 40+ grams of fat per day and fill the rest with healthy fruits and vegetables. I find that I'm usually quite full and feel great.

I do intermittent fasting as well and so if I have an event (party, dinner at a friends house, whatever) I usually fast that day until that event. It allows me to still keep within a reasonable range of my calorie goal without having to abstain too much.

That's what's worked best for me.

Hey - do you guys eat back your exercise cals? Kathryn (Sydney - Australia)

I am a 5'9" 39 yo male that started tracking and set my daily goal at ~1200 exactly a month ago. I was 240 lb, and was 218 this morning. I know that probably 10 lb of my initial loss was water weight, as I do restrict my carb intake. I try to make sure I hit my protein target of 120g +-, and let the rest fall where they may. Through my years of on again/off again dieting, I have found that trying to hit all the macros exactly every day is so tedious and restrictive, that I can't stay with it. On days (usually weekends) that I do go over 1200, I don't sweat it since I am still typically under TDEE, so it is a net loss anyway.

As far as the naysayers go, let them say what they want. I am sleeping better (when work isn't keeping me up, like right now), have more energy, and KNOW that I am healthier than I was a month ago. I still have ~40-45 lb to go, so I'm not sweating it. I don't "excercise" per se, so I don't worry about eating back calories. I can damn sure tell you that my wife knows I am healthier :bigsmile:

I have a coworker who has been using MFP for a few years and has lost 160+ lb! His meals and goals look a lot different than mine, but who cares? It is obviously working for him, and mine is working for me. As is often said here and on other internet forums, "don't feed the trolls". Ask one of the self proclaimed "fitness gurus" who tell you everything you are doing is wrong and it will kill you if they have ever been 80 or more pounds overweight. I'd be interested to see their responses.

. *double post*