is 1,200 calories too low?

1200 calories is way too low for some people, but for others it is perfectly fine. It depends on your personal numbers.

For me, I would get headaches, mental fog, crankiness, etc. because it is at least a large meal away from being what I need in a day. But, like I said, other people might do just fine on 1200.

Have you calculated your TDEE to see where you stand and how close or far away that 1200 mark is?

Were you eating 1200 all that time or less than that? How much do you weigh now? Would you like to eat more than 1200 calories? Almost everyone can eat more than 1200 calories and lose weight. It can still be a healthy goal for some, but even if it is a healthy goal for you, if you feel you can't stick to it, it becomes ineffective for your life and will likely hinder your progress eventually.

It can be hard to get all the nutrients you need at only 1,200 calories. You need to focus on eating nutrient dense food, and it might help to take a multivitamin.

it depends, if you are active or tall, generally 1200 calories is not going to be enough but if you are short and sedentary, it can be fine. Realistically, too many people are concentrated on just weight loss instead of just fat loss. When you do not eat enough calories for an extended period of time, your body may have trouble getting enough energy and will catabolize your lean body mass. The more lbm you lose, the more weight you have to lose to get a lean and tight body. Personally, I do not even have a weight goal. I just evaluate how I look and ideally, I like to maintain my muscle. Muscle loss can be minimized by a few things.. adequate protein (1g of protein per lb of lbm), heavy weight training and adequate nutrition (this is generally where 1200 calories doesn't cut it).

There are a few issues that you will experience with 1200 calories in the long run, as demonstrated by thousands of people on this board.

1. Leads to plateaus much quick (especially as you get lean)
2. If prolonged, your RMR will adapt, meaning your body will burn few calories at rest and during active. This is one of the main culprits to regaining weight. I have seen some peoples (based on RMR test) adjust as much as 500 calories lower after prolong periods of calorie suppression. So when a female used to have a TDEE at 2200, it's not as 1600 or less.
3. Substantial muscle loss, giving a person flabby/loose skin or hitting their weight goal and still not being happy with their body (generally due to lack of definition)
4. You never learn how to sustain a higher calorie diet. The majority of women I know still lose at 1700-2100 calories, which means they maintain at 2200-2600 calories. If you have a smaller deficit, you teach yourself that calories are not to be feared.
5. And most important (at least to me), I rarely see any fit people at 1200 calories, just skinny. And I much rather look good naked than just look good in clothes. To me, nothing is sexier than muscle (both men and women).

I usually am around 1000-1200 calories and I'm constantly eating and feel full. Just because something is right for someone, doesn't mean that it's right for everyone. If you feel good, then most likely it's fine.

1,200 is totally doable for me. I wish it were more, but I'd use that as an excuse to eat more junk or drink more alcohol (and I drink enough as it is). I find 1,200 makes me plan my meals and it's low enough that if I do go over by 200kcal or so, I don't stress about it.

I could never live off 1200 calories a day - God I would be so miserable

I LOVE LOVE FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Up your calories by about 200/300 - and do some exercising .... : )

Well done for your loss so far ..!!

You've lost 43lbs in just over 4months, and..........

I wanted to know if 17 pounds in 3 months is too slow?"& if 1,200 calories is too low?

4 lbs a month is healthy. 6 is still nice but approaching unhealthy. An average of 10lbs a month is pretty shocking. If someone I loved lost ten pounds in a month (except water weight) I'd probably take them to the doctor to see if they had cancer.

You've lost 43lbs in just over 4months, and..........

I wanted to know if 17 pounds in 3 months is too slow?"& if 1,200 calories is too low?

4 lbs a month is healthy. 6 is still nice but approaching unhealthy. An average of 10lbs a month is pretty shocking. If someone I loved lost ten pounds in a month (except water weight) I'd probably take them to the doctor to see if they had cancer.

I have been to the doctor and he said my weightloss is okay

My doctor was ecstatic! She agrees that it isn't for everyone, but the "conventional wisdom" about 1200 calories (or thereabouts) is conservative because many people have health concerns that make it a bad idea. It is not a long term sustainable way to live, but I personally reject the notion that making the lifestyle change before you lose is the only way. Most of my failed attempts were trying to do it slowly from the start and I had a hard time being firm about the commitment. It was much easier once I had a "lead to protect" and it will be easier for me to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent gaining it back than it was to adopt it to lose. It was pie in the sky. Now it is a very real thing.

Okay, so your doctor has already said your weight loss is okay??

And I think you need to go by HOW you feel more than anything. Are you feeling energized, or run down? Cranky? Moody? Headaches?

If you are feeling rundown and *****y - it might be the calorie intake. If so - try upping it a little bit and see how you feel.

5. And most important (at least to me), I rarely see any fit people at 1200 calories, just skinny. And I much rather look good naked than just look good in clothes. To me, nothing is sexier than muscle (both men and women).

I do 1200 calories and I am the most healthy and fit I have ever been. I know this because my Dr has done blood tests etc, I no longer have high blood pressure or cholesterol. If you do 1200 calories right, you can be fit, healthy, have muscle and have a nice shape. I have more energy than I ever have and feel great.
So, 1200 can be right for some and not for others. Do what works for your body and your own health.