Looking for advice on 1200 a day

I've managed to lose just over 50 lbs but I seem to be stuck around the 18 stone mark. The problem for me is I love my food.

I plan to go down to 1200 calories, and then eat my exercise calories, so I have to earn any additional calories intake or treats.

Currently I cycle for work each day a total of 6k, and I try and run twice a week at least 5k.

I am looking for some 1200 calories meal plans, I tend to skip breakfast, have never eaten it since I was a kid many years ago. but I want to drop at least another 3 stone if possible but I struggle with what to eat for lunch at work each day, I did last year tend to skip lunch too and just eat in the evening.

I need inspiration, what's the best thing to have as a side dish bread, potato rice and pasta seem so calorie high! Is it best just to stick to chicken and veg with such a low calorie intake?

Replies

  • zoukeira
    zoukeira Posts: 313 Member
    My advice - don't do it! 1200 is so low it is unlikely to help, especially in the long term.

    ETA: Also open your diary so that people reading this post can have a look at how you're currently eating and exercising and potentially offer some really helpful advice :-)
  • nannyal
    nannyal Posts: 50
    You've lost nearly 60lbs how marvellous. 1200 cal is too low for a young man doing as much exercise as you. You must be doing something right so stick with it. There are loads of low calorie food sites on line that can inspire you. Once again WELL DONE!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I've managed to lose just over 50 lbs but I seem to be stuck around the 18 stone mark. The problem for me is I love my food.

    You'll have to get the desire to lose weight to exceed the love of food.

    Don't have any "side dishes". Eat a decent portion of meat with two green veg. 4-6 ozs (100 - 150g) of meat, 2 * 80-150g of veg.

    Don't stick to chicken in the mistaken belief that low fat is beneficial either.
  • sexymuffintop
    sexymuffintop Posts: 636
    So on days when you cannot exercise you plan to eat only 1200? I wouldn't go there personally. I understand you still have a lot to lose but I don't think you need to restrict so much to achieve it.

    I think the best way is to try and lose on the highest possible amount of cals then you have somewhere to go if weight loss stops. What can you do if you plateau on 1200? Keep dropping? You could, but you risking losing muscle along with fat. Maybe have a look into upping your cals? Its at least worth a thought?
  • Joehenny
    Joehenny Posts: 1,222 Member
    Dude my ex gf is 5ft flat 135lbs max and cuts on higher calories. You can't be serious.
  • dannyXoxo
    dannyXoxo Posts: 60 Member
    Why don't you try abit of weight lifting? Your doing alot of cardio, but the real results I find come from muscle training so give it a try. Plus the more muscle you have the more cals you'll burn to maintain therefore the more food you can eat :p
  • healthytanya1
    healthytanya1 Posts: 198 Member
    I've been eating around 1200 for a couple months now.
    Breakfast-white chocolate mocha 200
    One fruit 100
    Lunch and snack- 2 servings fruit 200
    Dinner normal food around 600 calories
    Dessert-fiber granola bar about 100 calories

    Then every couple weeks I add 300-400 calories to breakfast or lunch to keep my body guessing
  • I agree with the weight training, more muscle increases your metabolism and ability to burn fat.
    The other thing that helps your metabolism is eating breakfast... you need to eat breakfast. Skipping it is just asking for trouble.

    I wouldn't stick to 1200 calories as this will most likely make your body think it needs to store calories. 1200 calories is too little for a man, I'd stick with 1800 & then don't add any for any exercise you do. Don't decrease your calories though... because chances are your body will go into starvation mode.

    Hope that all helps :-)
  • Joehenny
    Joehenny Posts: 1,222 Member
    I agree with the weight training, more muscle increases your metabolism and ability to burn fat.
    The other thing that helps your metabolism is eating breakfast... you need to eat breakfast. Skipping it is just asking for trouble.

    I wouldn't stick to 1200 calories as this will most likely make your body think it needs to store calories. 1200 calories is too little for a man, I'd stick with 1800 & then don't add any for any exercise you do. Don't decrease your calories though... because chances are your body will go into starvation mode.

    Hope that all helps :-)

    Strong bro is strong