struggling with a 1200 calorie allowance

JoMcDonald
JoMcDonald Posts: 44
in Getting Started
Anyone else following a 1200 routine? If so, how did you make it work for you? Right now i am following it pretty closely but if i go over by 100 or so i don't sweat it.

Thanks!!
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Replies

  • MsMacL
    MsMacL Posts: 75 Member
    I just can't stick to 1200 either. When I'm hungry I shake and will not let myself feel like that. If it's a slower weight loss, then so be it but a little over is hardly going to make a huge difference.
  • callyart
    callyart Posts: 209
    I am finding it okay, although I have only been doing it for four days so maybe that's why? I don't know.

    If I find myself getting hungry I have a piece of fruit or munch on some peeled cucumber. If your calories go over eating fruit and veg, I wouldn't be too worried.
  • padams2359
    padams2359 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Most people try to jump in and start with the "Lose 2lbs" a week program. Start at a lb or 1/2 a lb until your stomach shrinks, and you get use to the smaller portion sizes, then lower your calorie count. Determination isn't a bad thing, but don't make the boulder too big to push up the hill. Start with a smaller stone, then when you are use to pushing it, make the stone bigger. Don't set yourself up for failure. JMO
  • callyart
    callyart Posts: 209
    That is really good advice, right there!
  • befitlon
    befitlon Posts: 30 Member
    Hi try to use this..will give your daily calorie requirements.. =)

    scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • blably
    blably Posts: 490 Member
    1200 is just not enough.

    calculate your bmr. do not ever eat under this.

    then change it up to 1 1/2 or 1 lbs per week.
  • wendy_j441
    wendy_j441 Posts: 35 Member
    I'm doing good with the 1200 calorie. The only thing that I am having issues with is the sugars. I am going over in them anywhere from 10 to 20 a day......
  • ladyj_sa
    ladyj_sa Posts: 28
    I find if you eating the rights foods like lean meat, fruit and veggies you don't go over the 1200 mark.
  • Mary_Eliz29
    Mary_Eliz29 Posts: 11
    The only way I can cope with 1200 cals is if I exercise and eat the cals back
  • ladyj_sa
    ladyj_sa Posts: 28
    I'm doing good with the 1200 calorie. The only thing that I am having issues with is the sugars. I am going over in them anywhere from 10 to 20 a day......

    Don't feel alone, every day I have a problem with sugar... seems to be natural sugar in fruit that throws me off so I don't worry too much.
  • nikibean123
    nikibean123 Posts: 81 Member
    I'm doing good with the 1200 calorie. The only thing that I am having issues with is the sugars. I am going over in them anywhere from 10 to 20 a day......

    Don't feel alone, every day I have a problem with sugar... seems to be natural sugar in fruit that throws me off so I don't worry too much.

    I have the same problem - seems to be bananas and other fruit that increase it but as they're naturally occurring I don't worry as much. I am making an effort to eat more salad/veg instead though to keep the sugars down.
  • diddles19
    diddles19 Posts: 122 Member
    Most people try to jump in and start with the "Lose 2lbs" a week program. Start at a lb or 1/2 a lb until your stomach shrinks, and you get use to the smaller portion sizes, then lower your calorie count. Determination isn't a bad thing, but don't make the boulder too big to push up the hill. Start with a smaller stone, then when you are use to pushing it, make the stone bigger. Don't set yourself up for failure. JMO

    This is good advise.

    You will get people saying 1200 is not enough but it depends on age height and activity. I am 5'2" 54 years old and don't move much. 1200 is fine for me and I am losing although slowly. If I want to eat more I move more but I try to net 1200 calories
  • djbeba
    djbeba Posts: 7
    I am doing ok. Sometimes I go over a bit but it's not a big deal. I am excercising a bit..not too much for now and feel GREAT!
    :)
  • naomibabylu
    naomibabylu Posts: 2
    Hi
    I was using my fitness pal last year and went from 9st 2lb down to 8st within 2 months and found it really worked for me but I was eating all the wrong things but staying with in my calories, now my aim is to start all over again currently weighing 8st 6lb want to get down to 8st and teach my self to eat healthier.
    Now im eating healthier but I am really struggling to eat enough calories since Monday I have maybe eaten a maximum of 900 calories a day that's 3 meals a day, I would like to aim for the maximum as I know eating too few calories can hinder weight loss, where am I going wrong? :sad:
  • wendy_j441
    wendy_j441 Posts: 35 Member
    It is trying to stay away from the junk and using fruit fresh and dried as a sweet treat and oh my it shoots it up fast.
  • naomibabylu
    naomibabylu Posts: 2
    Hi
    Iv tried cramming my morning smoothie with as much fruit as possible but it only seems to take me over my sugars too.
  • ashleighjade20
    ashleighjade20 Posts: 1 Member
    i find it hard sticking to 1200 calories if i make my own foods.. ive started eating weightwatchers meals with a bag of steam veg! it usually fills me up & its easier to keep track x
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    I'm 56, yo yo dieted all my life. My first 3 months on MFP, I religiously followed a 1200 or less diet until I decided I couldn't do it anymore. I researched a different way, upped my calories to 1700 and never looked back. It's been working pretty well. Good luck finding your number.
  • gregskitten
    gregskitten Posts: 1
    I wrote out a menu that I liked and modified it until I got it to 1,200 calories exactly.

    I start with coffee with sugar free creamer
    1 cup Special K ~ Protein Plus
    1/2 cup 1% milk

    snack is an EVOLVE protein shake from Muscle Milk

    lunch is an entire can of Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup and a single serving of mandarin oranges

    another EVOLVE protein shake curbs the hunger until dinner

    dinner consistes of Stoffers Baked Chicken
    single serving of vegetables for one
    single serving of diced pears with spices and vanilla
    dessert is sugar free jello pudding

    another EVOLVE protein shake before bed keeps me satisfied all not and I'm not tempted to midnght snack!!!
  • DianneP6772
    DianneP6772 Posts: 272 Member
    I did this with 1200 calories. But that is before exercise. And i do like food, so i exercised usually at least 2 hours a day.
    That worked for me because it allowed more of everything. Yes, i often went over on sugar but it was because of the fruits, but
    i really didn't think too much on that.
    Best of luck - you can do it! Just move!
  • ram0l
    ram0l Posts: 1
    1200 calories ? Are you all crazy?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHHzie6XRGk This is great video for all of you who think that 1200 calories diet will help lose fat :) Thanks to this video and all knowledge that Layne Norton gave me, i'm losing fat despite eating 3000 kcal every day !
  • palmscj
    palmscj Posts: 5
    I was interested in this post as I struggle too with 1200 calories and only going to the gym 3 times a week, and having to take it carefully due to health problems!
    Maybe I will reduce my goal to half a pound a week for a while, until I get more used to the plan!
  • piratebear1
    piratebear1 Posts: 88 Member
    I have a few bad days - namely 1 week a month :-) on the days i cant excercise to eat back some calories I tend to leave most calories to the end of the day for a filling meal.

    I do lots of walking so its easy to earn back some extra - even 10 mins walking on the spot at your desk will give you 30 calories - every little helps on 1200 !

    I weigh myself on Sundays to prevent me binging on the weekend - works well. then i manage my calories as an over all week - if i dont feel hungry i dont eat the calories back and save them for a bad day when i may go over a little but have a 'cushion' - works well for me - lost 34lb since October 20th with only 1 week when i gained week ( Chirstmas week gained 5lb and lost 6lb the week after :-) )
  • t1954
    t1954 Posts: 81 Member
    Hello,
    I did 1,000-1,200 for 17 months with good results. Initially, I visited my doctor every 30 days and he did blood labs about every 60-90 days. You can read more about what I did on my profile. I didn't have a problem with that caloric intake and felt good the whole time.

    Best wishes with whatever you decide to do.
  • Grumbers
    Grumbers Posts: 111 Member
    I struggle to believe that anyone who exercises reasonably regularly should be eating as low as 1200 calories a day.

    That's a very small amount of calories, even if you're a petite lady!
  • TheNoLeafClover
    TheNoLeafClover Posts: 335 Member
    1200 might not be sustainable for you, particularly if you exercise. While I definitely lost weight on 1200, I also ended up with migraines, dizziness, fatigue and muscle spasms. Like others have said, I'd recommend that you find out your Basal Metabolic Rate and your TDEE. That would give you a better idea of how much of a deficit you'd need to lose weight safely.

    As for anyone worried about going over their sugar limit, unless you're eating an absurd amount of it or your health requires such restrictions, there's no need for concern. Going over won't hurt you, and I have seen it often stated in these forums that MFP's default sugar limit is rather low.
  • Emmiejayne90
    Emmiejayne90 Posts: 40
    I agree with up there ^ ^

    If you are going over but eating the right foods dont worry to much! If you are hungry, eat! dont starve yourself to stay under the cals! I struggle to stay under and im 5"2, Most days I go over my sugar due to fruits but its better than going over beucase of chocolate and cakes!
  • karld70
    karld70 Posts: 46 Member
    Its interesting that many of you say you don't worry to much about the natural sugars in fruit. I used to do weight watchers ( lost 50lb, but its maintaining where I fall down ) and on the weight watchers plan mostveg and fruit are considered free to eat I.e. not counted in your food intake and it used to work too. So the question question is... Is fruit andveg worth counting/should you count it? Any thoughts?
  • meli_moo
    meli_moo Posts: 10 Member
    Helo :) I am doing something similar to the Keto diet and I consume 1100 calories a day. I only eat proteins, healthy fats and on workout days I will have some carbs. I sometimes struggle to consume all my calories as I find this way of eating really fills me up.
  • SuperCrsa
    SuperCrsa Posts: 790 Member
    I'm 56, yo yo dieted all my life. My first 3 months on MFP, I religiously followed a 1200 or less diet until I decided I couldn't do it anymore. I researched a different way, upped my calories to 1700 and never looked back. It's been working pretty well. Good luck finding your number.

    This!
    I was so freaken Hangry (hungry and angry) on 1200 calories and kept binging. Decided to follow others suggestions of upping calories according to BMR http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/ I am now eating 1900 calories a day, feeling great and lost 10kgs until the holidays :)

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