A Success story from someone who eats 1200 calories

I'd like to know if the people who are happy at 1200 calories exercise regularly and if they eat back the exercise calories? Just curious.

For whatever reason, people seem reluctant to answer those questions when I've seen them asked before.

From what I've seen in my couple of years here, many do exercise regularly and eat back their exercise calories, and they generally seem to be the happiest of the 1200ers (or at least the less unhappy). Those who do not exercise regularly seem to be less happy, and those who exercise regularly but do not eat back their exercise calories seem to be the most unhappy. (All of this is after that initial introductory period where they're still riding a wave of optimism and good intentions.)

Disclaimer: all of this is based on my own personal observations and, while it certainly isn't my intent, may be significantly influenced by my own personal biases. (If anyone else's observations differ, it's okay...I'm not mad. :flowerforyou: )

I'd like to know if the people who are happy at 1200 calories exercise regularly and if they eat back the exercise calories? Just curious.

I was on 1200 for a period of 12 weeks and exercised every day. Cardio 7 days per week and weight training 5 days per week. Never ate back my calories unless my deficit was greater than 1,000 at which point I would eat to bring the daily deficit back to 1,000. My goal for 12 weeks was to lose 2lbs per week. Once I reached my goal, I shifted gears and increased my calorie intake to maintenance.

I lost over 40 pounds eating 1200 calories a day.
When you make healthy choices, sometimes it's hard to even get to 1200.. healthy food can be very low calorie and filling.

This.

I have been following the 1200 to 1220 rage suggested for me by MFP and it is working for me as well. I do exercise also but I do not eat back my calories. Since around Jan 23rd (when I started taking my journey seriously & following this calories range) up til today I have lost 24 lbs. I also agree with another reply that it is sometimes difficult to get in 1200 calories when your eating totally clean and healthy. Fruit & veggies are low in calories!!

Good to hear and congrats on your loss! Eating more, for me, has always meant weighing more. Plus, I am very comfortable with what I eat to get to 1200/day. Healthy meals, healthy snacks. If I force myself to eat more-- why would I do that???

There must be individual variations at work. Like, older women? Come on! We are not going to lose weight by eating more. Sorry. The weight packs on and eating more is not going to take it off.

This is so true, when i read people telling older ones to increase calories, i know that is bad, bad advice. It would lead to us gaining for sure.

Besides, if people eliminate extra fat and sugar ........1200 calories is a lot of food!

Why would you eliminate fat? This isn't the 70s; fat is a dietary necessity.

Unhealthy and excessive fat, like you get in potato chips. Is that better?

congrats! I hope I can keep at it. My doctor years ago told me I needed to be at 1200 calories yikes! My hardest part is when you make stuff from scratch it is hard to figure out calorie counts, so I have to wing it a lot. Hoping the 1200 pays off soon this sucks lol

The recipe option in MFP lets you calculate calories by entering each ingredient at a time.

Do you plan to continue eating 1200 calories?

If not, update us this time next year.

Do you know what maintainence calories are? :huh:

Where do you find these groups?

Hello! I have just really started my weight loss journey and I do great all day. I eat fruits, veggies, cheese sticks, hard boiled eggs and lean meats. When I get home from work is when I lose control. The cravings just don't stop until I eat everything! I just don't know how to control my cravings for salty unhealthy things. I know one way to help is to not have unhealthy things in my home but I have a 3 yr old and a husband and if there is nothing else I will eat an entire bag of goldfish!!! Any suggestions?

I am so glad I got out of the "1200 calorie" mentality. Or the "I don't exercise" mentality.

Over the past 6 weeks, I have learned that I like to eat good, healthy foods and enjoy regular exercise. And what's more, I love how I feel when I eat good and exercise good. At 1700 calories.

I make everything from scratch as I have to limit sodium. I just put each ingredient in the food tracker. If I make soup and all ingreds. come to 1200 cals and I have 6 svgs, I know each serving is 200 cals. I can delete my initial entries and add the adjusted measurements.

I was eating the same food, even though I cook for my family almost every day, because I wasn`t sure how many calories in each serving. I just bought a digital food scale and I will start using the recipe builder. Can`t wait to eat home cooked meals instead of sandwiches and canned soups.

Okay people, I mean no disrespect to the OP or anyone that has responded, but cant we all just agree that there are people that can lose at 1200 and others at 2000? And what works for you is best for you.

Unfortunately not, that is too hard for some of the folks on here.

I am so glad I got out of the "1200 calorie" mentality. Or the "I don't exercise" mentality.

Over the past 6 weeks, I have learned that I like to eat good, healthy foods and enjoy regular exercise. And what's more, I love how I feel when I eat good and exercise good. At 1700 calories.

I would love to eat 1700 calories and spend hours working out a day but I work an IT job 9-5 then come home and do grad school so time is tight. I get in a good 30-45 on the elliptical 3-4 days a week and reduce my calories to make up for the lack of exercise. I don't think that 1200 calories for 5'2 is dangerous, wrong, or unhealthy. Just my opinion of 4 years doing it.

This entire thread pains me. I am a previous 1200-calorie consumer. Yes, 1200 is a great way to lose weight - it's just about fail-proof. However, LONG-TERM thinking, 1200 cals a day is not good. Your body needs more than this just to function if you do anything besides laying in bed all day long.

State the obvious.

No one on 1200 calories is intending to eat that much their whole life. Neither would anyone eating 1500, or even 2000. Once you have lost your excess fat, you change your calories so you're no longer at a deficit. I have no idea why people keep assuming that 1200 calories, or any of the other calorie deficit plans, are for LIFE when they are in fact a DIET.

Where's the eye roll smilie when you need one, eh?

WOW! Common sense, who woulda thunk it :happy:

I know, right.

If someone is going to eat at a calorie deficit their WHOLE LIFE, then surely it doesn't even matter what number of calories they choose, as long as they have a deficit.

A life-long calorie deficit is extremely dangerous and can be done at any number. Mentioning 1,200 calories is irrelevant.

That would also be called an eating disorder.

Thank you for posting this. I am at 1200 calories a day and it is very hard to achieve that many calories. I am eating healthier, watching portions, eating a LOT of vegetables and still have a hard time eating 1200. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. I do not consume my exercise calories. I started MFP on March 18 and have lost a total of 10 pounds. Prior to this, I would usually eat 1 meal and 1 snack a day. My body has been in starvation mode for YEARS. I don't deny myself anything. What I want, I eat just now within moderation.