Success With 1200 Calories?

mindovermilesfitness
mindovermilesfitness Posts: 5
in Success Stories
Anyone have success with it? I've heard people say its bad to consume that little but I've been eating 1200 calories for the past week and I feel great! Never hungry! Been eating clean foods and making sure I get a large mixture of fruits and veggies with lean meats and fish
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Replies

  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    ya for about 5 min. You do lose initially but it really is not sustainable or all that good for you. You can accomplish the same thing eating your TDEE -20%
  • rosemaryhon
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member
    ya for about 5 min. You do lose initially but it really is not sustainable or all that good for you...

    Sincerely wondering why you feel it's not sustainable or all that good for you?
  • TashaUCanDoIt
    TashaUCanDoIt Posts: 20 Member
    Well, I've been set at 1250 calories... depending on what I do that day determines how much I eat. But I do stick to the 1250 calories on days when I'm not active and I be just fine. Usually If I hit the gym for a good hour I will boost my intake to about 1500 calories...
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    I'll post the link to the exact same thread you started a few minutes prior to this one..

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/998118-success-with-1200-calories?page=1#posts-15274201
  • alisaprince1
    alisaprince1 Posts: 60
    I started out at 850 calories (I know, starvation) anyways upon studying i realized that was way to low so I do 1200a day and have been for almost two months. I exercise and eat healthy and I feel great.I have lost 31 lbs in two Months, actually a little less. I'm not tired or drained,I actually feel better than I have in years:) I do not think this is am unreasonable calorie goal for my height and gender.
  • elleloch
    elleloch Posts: 739 Member
    Just eating 1200 blows. Like seriously. I didn't find netting it to be all that difficult, though.
  • xLoveLikeWinterx
    xLoveLikeWinterx Posts: 408 Member
    Just eating 1200 blows. Like seriously. I didn't find netting it to be all that difficult, though.

    Netting it is a LOT easier for me... I usually can do 1400-1500 no prob, but 1100-1200 without any moving around just feels too restrictive for me
  • KatieBee8
    KatieBee8 Posts: 61
    I started with eating 1200 calories and I did lose weight in the beginning. But then my weight loss came to a standstill so I upped my calories to 14500-1600 and I'm losing on a weekly basis now. I think it depends on the individual though and how much weight you have to lose.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    It works for some people. Doesn't work for others. It has worked well for me for the past 8 months, but I am 49, 5'6", and fairly sedentary. 1200 is only a 400-500 calorie deficit for me.
  • MayaSPapaya
    MayaSPapaya Posts: 735 Member
    I was just like you, feeling great on 1200 calories for quite a while, and it helped me lose 20 pounds. But then I was always hungry and was constipated, and my weight loss stalled. I upped to 1500, then 1600, and am still losing and feel much better. I think if you want to do it while you still feel great, then go for it. But eventually, you're going to feel not so great. Or your weight loss will stall.
  • Lalasharni
    Lalasharni Posts: 353 Member
    I can only speak from personal experience, but i've lost all my weight on 1200.
    I dont work out, per se, but do Nordic Walking three times per week and I don't lift - yet.
    However, If I do take on more strenuous workouts then I will increase protein and a few carbs to compensate.
    But, so far, 1200 is good. I do occasionally feel hunger, but my past life was built on huge portions, and so I guess its not real hunger, just appetite.
  • andreamelo1
    andreamelo1 Posts: 161 Member
    mine is even lower than 1200 and yes i have success i just make sure i eat back my exercise calories and yes i have had success as you can see
  • ERAY13
    ERAY13 Posts: 17 Member
    If you are seeing success with 1200 calories, then follow that until you plateau. Every body is different. And you really can get a lot of nutrients from that number, depending on the foods you choose. If you eat clean and cut down on grains, it's a healthy amount of food. When you plateau, just change up your workout, add higher weight, or have a cheat week. It's all about tricking your metabolism.
  • mamadon
    mamadon Posts: 1,422 Member
    Five months, almost sixty pounds, 1200 calories.
  • bonitacash08
    bonitacash08 Posts: 378 Member
    Being hungry isn't the only negative side effect of not eating enough. I know there are a few people who swear by it (check how long they've been on here though, maybe a few months) but for a majority of people that is just not enough food. I ate 1200 calories or less for like 2 months and lost 20 lbs pretty quickly BUT I was exhausted, irritable, had no interest in my BF (poor guy), and had trouble concentrating in school or at work. I thought about food more when I was trying to eat that little than when I was eating like a pig.

    I eat between 1600 and 1900 calories a day and I've been losing inches like crazy. I don't focus on my weight anymore and I'm generally a lot happier. I don't freak out every time a social eating event occurs. I don't skip out on foods I enjoy. I just eat (somewhat sensibly) and enjoy life.

    I don't want to disrespect people who swear by 1200 calories a day but in my personal experience, it's just not enough food for a long term lifestyle. I see no reason to restrict yourself like that when you can eat so much more and still get results.
  • StarKimmy
    StarKimmy Posts: 8 Member
    Almost 50 pounds lost since Jan 1st.. I'm 5'6" and started out at 180 and now down to 132.. netting 1200 a day and giving myself cheat meals every now and again.. haven't seen a plateau and will be hitting my target soon..
  • rocket_ace
    rocket_ace Posts: 380 Member
    I'm a guy (not a small guy either) and I tried a sub 1200 cal diet (while also exercising and not eating back cals). it actually worked and I got past a plateau after 1 week. I decided to keep rolling with it and then the following week my weight loss stopped and I felt like I had a really bad flu (I think I was eating so little my immune system was not functioning). I then started eating normal and felt better almost immediately, and actually am still losing a little. it was a good experiment to see how my body reacts but I am thoroughly satisfied, having tried it, that its not the way to go.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Started out netting 1460 and gradually got down to netting 1200. I'm currently netting 1240 (goal for 1 lb loss per week). Never had an actual plateau in the 2+ years I've been doing this. My weight loss has certainly slowed this year, but with less than 20 lbs. to goal, that's expected. I net that level though, and depending on my workouts, can eat up to 2800 per day. Typically though, I eat in the 1600 to 1800 range. This amount is also VERY close to what TDEE - 20% would be so I really don't get all the hate for eating 1200 net.

    i-DprdD6t-S.jpgi-PmC5W8K-S.jpg
  • cherio256
    cherio256 Posts: 219
    I have been doing 1200 calories plus eating back my exercise calories for 3 months and have lost 35 pounds. I eat whatever I want as long as its in my calories. Like today for example, I am having a cup of ice cream and will still be within my goals. But I am only 5'3 so maybe that's why I can eat lower.
  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    There's a shLit storm coming
  • Dom4less
    Dom4less Posts: 40 Member
    Anyone have success with it? I've heard people say its bad to consume that little but I've been eating 1200 calories for the past week and I feel great! Never hungry! Been eating clean foods and making sure I get a large mixture of fruits and veggies with lean meats and fish


    Hi,
    I've been eating 1200calories @ day with Jenny Craig for the last 6 weeks and I've lost 8 lbs and 2.5 inches off of my stomach (started with a waist of 50 inches), I also feel great because although we only eat 1200 calories, we fuel up with lots of veggies that are great for you. I do, I truly feel great and loving the results.
  • cathrynfay
    cathrynfay Posts: 32
    I'm short, and I eat around that much. I've switched to more intuitive eating instead of planning everything around my calorie limit, and I end up eating about 1200 a day. After playing around with different caloric allowances and eating plans, this is successful for me. Eating 1200 is a very, very controversial topic around here, and people get really angry about it. Consult with your doctor or a nutritionist, and do what is best for you.
  • ERAY13
    ERAY13 Posts: 17 Member
    Anyone have success with it? I've heard people say its bad to consume that little but I've been eating 1200 calories for the past week and I feel great! Never hungry! Been eating clean foods and making sure I get a large mixture of fruits and veggies with lean meats and fish


    Hi,
    I've been eating 1200calories @ day with Jenny Craig for the last 6 weeks and I've lost 8 lbs and 2.5 inches off of my stomach (started with a waist of 50 inches), I also feel great because although we only eat 1200 calories, we fuel up with lots of veggies that are great for you. I do, I truly feel great and loving the results.

    Agreed...1200 can be an ample amount of food if you're eating a lot of veggies, some fruits, leans proteins, and avoiding processed food.
  • rosemaryhon
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member
    Anyone have success with it? I've heard people say its bad to consume that little but I've been eating 1200 calories for the past week and I feel great! Never hungry! Been eating clean foods and making sure I get a large mixture of fruits and veggies with lean meats and fish


    Hi,
    I've been eating 1200calories @ day with Jenny Craig for the last 6 weeks and I've lost 8 lbs and 2.5 inches off of my stomach (started with a waist of 50 inches), I also feel great because although we only eat 1200 calories, we fuel up with lots of veggies that are great for you. I do, I truly feel great and loving the results.

    Agreed...1200 can be an ample amount of food if you're eating a lot of veggies, some fruits, leans proteins, and avoiding processed food.


    I agree too.
  • debbielh412
    debbielh412 Posts: 17 Member
    I am 5'3, typically eat about 1,200-1,300 calories a day. I don't eat my burns back and I also have PCOS which sometimes makes it even harder for people to lose weight. I have lost 30 lbs since January. Mostly with a high protein (150g a day) low carb diet. I allow 1 cheat meal a week and I go all out. :) I do think that us shorter ladies seem to function a little better with only 1200 from what I have been reading in these forums though. Good luck with whatever you choose!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    ahhh yess another dead horse thread...

    Im in for the gif of a dead horse being beat...

    bring it!


    oh - and if 1200 works for you then go for it ..some people might plateau and make adjustments but other do just fine on it...
  • SerenaFisher
    SerenaFisher Posts: 2,170 Member
    My 'success story'
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/SerenaFisher/view/my-1200-calorie-success-story-534099
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I was just like you, feeling great on 1200 calories for quite a while, and it helped me lose 20 pounds. But then I was always hungry and was constipated, and my weight loss stalled. I upped to 1500, then 1600, and am still losing and feel much better. I think if you want to do it while you still feel great, then go for it. But eventually, you're going to feel not so great. Or your weight loss will stall.

    :drinker: :flowerforyou: You rock!

    Btw, OP ask the user kyman.. I forget her name but she swears on her 1200 cal diets.
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    ive been eating 1200 cals a day, ive lost 72 pounds in 8 months. going great for me!
  • VBnotbitter
    VBnotbitter Posts: 820 Member
    Yes 1200 cals works. I've got to goal about six times in the last 8 years. I once lost 55lbs. Unfortunately It meant that my metabolism eventually decided that I should put weight on if I ate up to 1500 cals, so I had to stick to 1200 to maintain. Until even that didnt work.

    Cant believe Im joining in this thread. Doh!

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