The main idea I go with is I try to fit in my High Protein as #1 (I do get protein shakes for pre and post workouts, I get about 45-55 g protein each shake, & I make sure the carbs and fat are LOW or almost non-existent), and source my other proteins from fish, lean meats/poultry and cottage cheese mainly.

I stay away from gluten and most all grains, except on occasion (and in small amounts) will have quinoa, millet, amaranth, brown rice, organic steel cut oats, flax, chia seeds and/or hemp seeds.

I eat as many leafy vegetables as I want, especially kale, living butter lettuce, red/purple cabbage & leaf lettuce (I love salads). Just about any veggie I look at as free game (and aim for fresh), but limit starchy root vegetables like potatoes.

I have fruit daily, but eat mostly berries and limit to about 2-4 servings, depending on my carb macros. For the most part, I don't drink juices, except organic aloe or in healthy smoothies. --fruit will add your sugars up too.

I stay away from artificial sweeteners, junk and soda.

I aim for working out 35-70 minutes a day (sometimes I go over). With exercising more, I don't go by 1200 calories, and trying to hit more along the lines of TDEE (BMR + Total Energy Expenditure) minus 20-25% for shedding fat. http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

macros, I'm trying to keep them at 50% protein, 25% carbs. and 25% fat. (I eat fat from coconut and avocado)

This seems to be working out great for me. I never feel hungry, my energy is increased and my metabolism is up. I even indulge in high carb sushi (the rice) almost once a week (no less than once every 2 weeks) and I'm doing fine. I just try to keep things balanced out.

I try to eat about 1000-1200 cals depending on when I exercise (seem to have quite a slow metabolism)but always seem to go over my sugar goal! even though everything else is below the nutrient goal !!which is odd because dont eat that much sugary stuff...

Don't worry, the sugar goal for MFP is really low, I wouldn't trust it at all

I try to eat about 1000-1200 cals depending on when I exercise (seem to have quite a slow metabolism)but always seem to go over my sugar goal! even though everything else is below the nutrient goal !!which is odd because dont eat that much sugary stuff...

Don't worry, the sugar goal for MFP is really low, I wouldn't trust it at all

haha yeh probably cus considering what everyone else seems to eat ,they would be waaay out

I am on a 1200 calories and I was doing well the last 2-3 months, hit 102, UGW 100. The last 2 weeks, I was celebrating my 41yo birthday and celebrated too much. Now, paying consequences of 108 scale reading as a 5'`1. Hoping to stick to 1200 calories. I will definitely log everyday as whether I met my 1200 calories here and 8 glasses of water. Any one wants to join. This helps me tremendously!!!

I'm at 1600 a day because I'm breastfeeding. But I'll be weaning little one very soon so I thought reading up on other's 1200 calorie diets will help prepare me. I don't care how healthy my dinners are - my family still has to at least like them. For example, I can do lower-cal dishes, cook with lots of veggies, little starch, and swap ground turkey for ground beef. But last time I was on a 1200 cal diet, those changes just weren't enough. Dinner is SO hard. Especially when you are trying to please a man and an adolescent boy. I guess I will have no choice but to eat a separate meal. I do good with breakfast and lunch and can easily keep that to 400 calories each meal. But keeping dinner at 400 calories - it's really, really hard. :-(

Arwensb - those are great suggestions. Now if I can just find the willpower to not eat delicious roasted potatoes...

I''m on 1200...I usually have a big breakfast (~400 calls) of foods like steel cut oats, eggs, or greek yogurt. I do need snacks between meals to keep my blood sugar steady, but I taper down to a smaller dinner (~250-300), which usually incorporates a lean protein or fish and veggies. I exercise, but don't use up those extra calories unless I'm really hungry. I'm trying to make a diet change while my hubby is deployed because it's hard to eat only 1200 calls when cooking the things he likes to eat!

Hello, this is a great post

I do shakes and smooties (home made) I don't put in any protein powder. Do you girls recommend them?

I drink coffee, and start my day with gummy vitamins and calcium chews.

I try to avoid a lot of starch, and seek out veggies and protein for meals. For snacks, I am fond of fruits and seaweed/nori sheets - or jerky. I eat a lot of jerky. I don't deny myself anything apart from a second serving. Generally I have enough calories to eat anything I want for dinner.

My favorite go-to fast food is Chipotle. I order a salad bowl (no dressing), with chicken, fajita veggies, and pico de gallo. I usually squeeze a lemon on top. Sometimes I opt for guac if I have leftover calories left in my day.

I work out and try to eat foods that keep me full..almonds are great

Spinach and Kales. Raw in a salad or smoothie, or add it to meals and soups (don't over cook them!) 1200 may seem like it isn't enough but if you're sneaky about it you can eat very satisfying meals.

If you're having serious cravings, I'd definitely try to work that into your diet somehow! Better to consciously plan for it, so you don't end up slipping and eating extra.

dont any of you work out?

do some exercise and then you can eat more...

Yes. This. I can't stick to 1200 a day. When I tried I was starving all day,I felt weak and my hair started falling out. I exercise almost every day and eat 1400-1500. I'm still hungry at times but feel that it's doable.

I eat very low carbs and fill up on lean meats, colorful salads, eggs and some fruit instead. Sometimes I will admit to being a little hungry, but worst comes to worse a huge salad with low fat dressing and warm tea only adds on an extra 100 calories, at most. If I want to indulge in a bunless burger or brownie I make sure to workout prior and earn the calories to do so.

I'm 5'9", however and sometimes ignore the calorie numbers and listen to my body. If I'm hydrated, ate my back up salad and am still hungry, it doesn't kill me to have a small meal and, oh no, hit 1500 calories.

Listen to your body, no matter what, but also give yourself time to adjust to the differences you're making. Good luck!

I keep my calorie goal on MFP at maintenance which is 1600 - so I never feel like I HAVE to keep my calories so low. I know it sounds weird but then it's like I'm not forcing myself to eat low calorie - I don't feel mentally deprived? Make sense?

I eat about 1200 and exercise everyday so in the end I have a net calorie of about 600- 700.

I eat very clean and simple and prep most of my meals. A ton of veggies, lean meats, fish and meat substitutes, moderate fats and some carbs. I also 'treat' myself every week to whatever I want - last week I had a red velevet muffin and I stayed in my calorie goal.

I also eat 4 -5 times a day and keep the portions/calories low - my body is completely satisfied with a 200 calorie meal.