100% dedicated but need some advice

Do you have a food scale? Do you use it for every item you possibly can? I'm not trying to be rude, but if you're struggling to eat 1200 calories, you wouldn't be over 200 pounds. My best guess is that you're underestimating how much you're eating and that's incredibly easy to do without diligently using a food scale. I've approximated a filet at 8 oz's when it turned out to be 13.9 oz (!) and I've guestimated 2 servings of mascarpone cheese when I actually had over 6 servings in the bowl. Just those two incorrect estimations would probably cause you to go from losing weight to stalling out. Your food log will only be truly useful for your weight loss when it's as accurate as possible.

That said, if you can truly eat 1200 net calories per day without being hungry and feeling like you have low energy, I'd say go for it. People recommend a less aggressive deficit because what oftentimes happens is people set really aggressive goals, stay hungry/miserable for a few weeks, and then give up altogether. If you can stick with an aggressive deficit though without feeling hungry or lethargic, more power to you. Just make sure your 1200 calories is REALLY 1200 calories.

I had a similar question earlier today and had a lot of advise. Check it out: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1173206-1050-or-1200-before-or-after-exercise

Well I'm over 200lbs because I've had 4 kids and ate whatever I felt like eating. I've been the same weight since I had my first child in 2005. It's easy to pack it on while you're pregnant but it feels nearly impossible to lose it afterward lol I do have a food scale but only weight foods that aren't labeled. Like fish, for example, the package says 4oz for 100 calories then I log 100 calories without weighing. Should I weigh foods even it's labeled a certain amount?

It is 100 calories for 4 oz, but unless you weigh the food, you won't know how many ounces you're eating. I buy individually wrapped boneless, skinless chicken breast that has nutrition information based on a 3 oz serving, but each breast actually weighs 6-8 oz, making it double or nearly triple what the nutrition info says. If you're not weighing things out to ensure portion size, then you're probably eating more than you think.

Are you sure it's your bmr that is 1971? How did you calculate that?

If just adding 400-500 calories to your day easily with healthier items is your goal, simply have 2 tbsp peanut butter, an handful of almonds, an avocado, etc. Those are good in moderation, healthy and higher in calories ... but that's only if you really need those extra calories. And the weight didn't go on fast right ... so don't expect it to come off fast - it will take time, so stick with it Good luck!