1200 Calories! How do you do it!

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  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
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    I can actually be comfortably full on 900 cals a day if I absolutely must (5'3", 117 lbs). I've done it by accident once or twice - got on a high veg & protein kick and just kind of ended up there at the end of the day.

    Chicken and tuna, steamed veg, salads w/ balsamic and no oil. That's how I did it. Again, not on purpose.

    I like my breads and cheeses and nuts and sweets too much to be able to keep that up for more than a day or two. Not to mention meats with a lower protein/calorie ratio - who else gets mortally sick of friggin' chicken all the time?

    Normally, I'm between 1400 and 1600 and pretty content.
  • CookieEmporium
    CookieEmporium Posts: 74 Member
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    I do around 1200 most days, but I'm 4'11" and have a small frame. I do it by eating a lot of fruit and vegetables. I barely eat dairy. No soda, ever.. Not even in cocktails. I don't have mayo, chips, sugary cereals, or even pasta or bread in my house. I certainly have my days when I go over. I'm not quite ready to eat salad during the Super Bowl and I sometimes get a craving for lasagna or Salisbury steak and I go out and buy a michelinas.

    I only recently got on this site, but my food diary is open if you need low cal, nutritious snack ideas. If you are taller than me, you prolly need to eat more than I do though.

    ME TOO! I'm 4' 11" with a small frame. I only have 10 lbs to lose (My BMI is 24.8 today, so not technically overweight, but I'm on the high end of where I should be). Such judgement and assumptions on here. Sheesh. I exercise so I end up eating more calories, but my one rest day per week: 1200. That day of the week is Friday. So tomorrow, I'll have 1200 calories and they'll be reallllly nutritious ones and I'll feel full.

    Instead of judging, people *might* want to accept that we're all different and so are our bodies (these are patronizing fundamentals folks, but I thought I'd point this out anyway). Just be happy you're tall enough and big enough to eat more!
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
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    I'm not advocating eating 1200 calories a day, but they do it by eating whole foods.

    Chips, cake, ice cream, fried food, fast food.... you won't get much in for 1200 calories. Grilled, baked, steamed, boiled lean meats, vegetables, certain fruits.... you can load up your plate 3-5x per day and end up at 1200 calories.

    It's all about the type of food and food preparation.

    A diet of only whole foods sounds like a half life to me... :sad:

    I am set at 1200 calories too. It is expecially tough on my days off from working out. It takes planning. I often log all my food the day before to see where and if I can slide some extra calories in.

    Last Friday I did it and topped the night off with a Qdoba pulled pork burrito and shot of vodka.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/suncluster?date=2014-01-31

    I've done 1200 calories before (way back in 2011 before I was a forum regular), and I agree it is tough. I turned into a cardio queen just so I could eat more. It wasn't a healthy relationship with food or exercise. Now if you can do it and you're satisfied with it, who I am to suggest otherwise? I will say, however, that your protein numbers make me sad.
  • Momto4minions
    Momto4minions Posts: 173 Member
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    I eat a lot and maintain 1200.
    Breakfast will often be oatmeal with protein powder and some frozen blueberries
    Lunch can be a wrap with lunchmeat, veggies and mustard.
    Snack, nuts, boiled eggs, something protein based
    Dinner is meat, salad and veggies. Sometimes, potatoes or rice.
    Late night snack is usually greek yogurt maybe with fruit.


    I am celiac and many of the alternative foods are very high in calories, so i decided to cut them and add more protein and veggies. I haven't had a single day where I was hangry. I think the protein and veggies and low processed foods is the key. Kind of paleo, ut not as strict, in that i will eat a wrap and some grains.
    When I exercise, i may eat more at dinner or add another or snack. About once a week, I do eat more, maybe 1700 calories. Maybe this keeps me off of the feeling denied. I do however tend to have a low natural hunger drive unless food is right in front of me. So, being am mom with littles and making food all the time meant I was always snacking on crap. Now, the kids are bigger and I am not making snacks all day, they do it. I really believe this is the only reason I am successful this time. I make all my food at home, take it with me, preplan for the whole day.
    Will I need to stay so low always? I dont know. When I meet my first goal, I plan to have a body composition done to see what my body really needs.
    Right now, I feel healthy and satisfied.
  • smc864
    smc864 Posts: 570 Member
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    Intermittent fasting is how I do it... I do the leangains version. I only have an 8 hour eating window each day (noon-8pm).


    By skipping breakfast I can have two large meals and a snack or two. It's genius. That way I get to feel really full at least twice a day. It keeps me sane.


    For about a month I upped my calories to 1400-1500 and stopped losing weight... people can say what they want about 1200 calorie diets, but I know it works so I will continue to do it until I reach my goal. Oh, and I workout 5 days a week... It can be done!
  • cookiekrunch
    cookiekrunch Posts: 65 Member
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    I think eating under 1200 calories and not being hungry is possible if you snack on cucumbers, carrots, mushrooms, and greek yogurt throughout the day and eat plenty of veggies with some protein (fish or chicken). Just drink drink plenty of water and make hot herbal tea.
  • MsMimidoll
    MsMimidoll Posts: 249 Member
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    I used to eat under 1200 A LOT....but I'm a vegetarian, eat a lot of veggies, and rarely eat dairy, with the exception of pudding mmmmmm pudding
  • misscem94
    misscem94 Posts: 114 Member
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    Anyone who says they are getting along fine eating 1200 cals a day and weighs over 120lbs is a liar and should not be trusted.

    Hah. Love this. I do eat 1200 and less and I 'get along fine' but I was used to eating once a day and drinking all my calories in the form of delicious lattes before MFP and trying to be healthier. I think it's more what KIND of calories you eat on 1200 that makes the difference.

    Exactly. It is what you eat. My daily goal is 1300 and I don't have any issues (I know that is more than the 'absolute minimum', but I'm sure some people would say the same for that).

    Definitely varies from person to person. Power to the people that can do it.
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member
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    I've been doing 1,200 calories, eating more if I exercise. But I just don't know how anyone can do it and feel full!

    Without getting into the debate on whether you should or shouldn't eat 1200, your diary suggests that you need get more protein and fibre, which you should help you feel full

    On a daily basis I try to meet my macro's for fats and protein, achieve my fibre goal and carbs tend to look after themselves
  • Mr_it
    Mr_it Posts: 1 Member
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    (so like a greek yogurt and a bit of banana with almond butter or something), and then for dinner again something around 400 calories like... ..... Not to say you can't fit some bread type carbs in too though (like a small tortilla, slice of bread). A day like that and I can't say I'm super hungry. Again, that would be a day I didn't work out. I work out most days... and I know I wouldn't like to eat like that every day but I would also hate not working out almost everyday.....

    Bananas are a good source of carbs....
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
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    At 189lb I can east 1300-1400 and be ok some days. I eat a fair bit more every other day (workout days) and eat back exercise calories too, so often 1000 over that and don't have a problem if I eat 1600 on a rest day anyway.
    I do eat 175g of protein in that, which probably helps to keep me full.

    This was just such a day:

    Morrisons - Deli Style Roast Turkey, 275 g 300
    Weight Watchers - Reduced Fat Grated Mature Cheese, 200 g 430
    Morrisons - Seedless Green Grapes, 380 g 251
    Morrison's Nume - Cumberland Sausage, 5 link 375

    Ok, I did have some bits and pieces of salad (lettuce and tomato, as well as extremely low cal mayo) - I don't bother to log them as I'm doing ok without logging the small stuff.
  • krawhitham
    krawhitham Posts: 831 Member
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    Anyone who says they are getting along fine eating 1200 cals a day and weighs over 120lbs is a liar and should not be trusted.

    Hah. Love this. I do eat 1200 and less and I 'get along fine' but I was used to eating once a day and drinking all my calories in the form of delicious lattes before MFP and trying to be healthier. I think it's more what KIND of calories you eat on 1200 that makes the difference.

    Before MFP I ate 1200 calories a day and I was *gaining* weight at a slow but steady pace. My metabolism was being destroyed! Now I eat 1500-2000 cals a day and I've been losing 1.5 lbs per week. On days that I feel hungry, I eat more... but I don't binge on food like I used to because MFP keeps me accountable ;)
  • sarafischbach9
    sarafischbach9 Posts: 466 Member
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    Anyone who says they are getting along fine eating 1200 cals a day and weighs over 120lbs is a liar and should not be trusted.

    Hah. Love this. I do eat 1200 and less and I 'get along fine' but I was used to eating once a day and drinking all my calories in the form of delicious lattes before MFP and trying to be healthier. I think it's more what KIND of calories you eat on 1200 that makes the difference.

    Before MFP I ate 1200 calories a day and I was *gaining* weight at a slow but steady pace. My metabolism was being destroyed! Now I eat 1500-2000 cals a day and I've been losing 1.5 lbs per week. On days that I feel hungry, I eat more... but I don't binge on food like I used to because MFP keeps me accountable ;)

    Wow!

    I hope I don't start gaining on 1200 calories! I lost 11 lbs in January but so far this month the weight loss has been very slow. I'm worried about my metabolism and I do not want to gain the weight back.
  • JustAnotherCalorieCounter
    JustAnotherCalorieCounter Posts: 57
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    It depends how you space out your meals really, I've been doing it for a while now and I'm perfectly fine, I up it a little bit when I workout of course.
  • CookieEmporium
    CookieEmporium Posts: 74 Member
    Options
    I eat a lot and maintain 1200.
    Breakfast will often be oatmeal with protein powder and some frozen blueberries
    Lunch can be a wrap with lunchmeat, veggies and mustard.
    Snack, nuts, boiled eggs, something protein based
    Dinner is meat, salad and veggies. Sometimes, potatoes or rice.
    Late night snack is usually greek yogurt maybe with fruit.


    I am celiac and many of the alternative foods are very high in calories, so i decided to cut them and add more protein and veggies. I haven't had a single day where I was hangry. I think the protein and veggies and low processed foods is the key. Kind of paleo, ut not as strict, in that i will eat a wrap and some grains.
    When I exercise, i may eat more at dinner or add another or snack. About once a week, I do eat more, maybe 1700 calories. Maybe this keeps me off of the feeling denied. I do however tend to have a low natural hunger drive unless food is right in front of me. So, being am mom with littles and making food all the time meant I was always snacking on crap. Now, the kids are bigger and I am not making snacks all day, they do it. I really believe this is the only reason I am successful this time. I make all my food at home, take it with me, preplan for the whole day.
    Will I need to stay so low always? I dont know. When I meet my first goal, I plan to have a body composition done to see what my body really needs.
    Right now, I feel healthy and satisfied.

    Well said. I'm Celiac too (diagnosed 6 years ago), which, oddly enough, is great in a way because it means I can't stop and grab a slice of pizza or go to a drive-thru or eat things like oreo cookie ice cream. Rarely do I eat gluten-free "treats" because yeah, they're so much higher in fat and calories (and I've never been much of a sugar eater anyway), I'm guessing to make up for the different taste.

    I actually have my diary set to 1330 calories in case there are days I feel like eating more, so I can plan in accordance. I also upped my protein percentage because protein keeps me fuller longer. I think eating at or around 1200 calories is a matter of finding out what works for you body to keep you full. For me, it's protein mixed with fiber.
  • jenny10187
    jenny10187 Posts: 4 Member
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    Im on 1200 calories/day and weigh 194 lbs. Feels fine to me! I find myself eating more than usual due to eating every 2 hours rather than just the 3 big meals a day. All depends on what your eating! I love it!
  • Jadester88
    Jadester88 Posts: 2 Member
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    if I eat over 1200 I put on weight! I have been on under 1200 cal for atleast 6 months. of course on and off with a few binges here and there, but for everyone who says that I should eat more...............not sure they realize how easily some people can put on weight. I have over 40kg to loose, I have lived on one meal a day for years so going up to 1200 cal is huge. I am often sitting at around 700 trying to look for healthy things to boost my cal intake. I work out 4-5 days a week and burn around 500-700 cal in a session so my deficate should have me loosing over 2kg a week but guess what..... I maintain! I weigh all my food so I have found in order to loose weight i need to consume around 800-900 cal and burn 500 cal in the gym 5 days aweek.
  • genjgal
    genjgal Posts: 8 Member
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    1200 is my goal but I usually end up eating around 1350. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Salads are great, as long as you don't use a high calorie dressing. Foods that are high in protein and low in calories such as eggs and tuna are real gems, since they keep you feeling full.
    Stay away from too much bread, dairy products, and nuts. It's not that you can't ever have them, they're just not worth the calories most of the time.

    Hope this helps you!
  • missyme10
    missyme10 Posts: 38 Member
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    MFP gave me1270kcal a day, so I aim between 1200 - 1300.

    I am fine with this, and I don't feel like I'm starving. Yes I get hungry, but I used to get hungry being a pig whilst piling on the 4st of lard I've gained the past few years.

    I think I am ok with it because in January I was eating 1500kcal a day, and my body got used to that from eating whatever I wanted in 2013.

    So dropping to 1200-1300 meant my body was adjusting by 200-300kcal only from it's previous calorie intake.
    Plus I eat a lot of veggies, this definitely makes a difference.

    I don't believe I can do 1200 calories throughout the duration of my weight loss, but I hope I can continue for February.
    March - well I plan to up the calories because I don't want my body to adjust to the point it wont loose at 1200.

    I'm learning as I go, but for someone to insist it just doesn't work, well that's slightly arrogant because it's clearly working for many people on here, and those people most certainly know themselves and how the feel better than a complete stranger the other end of the internet.
  • SKINNYsupermodel
    SKINNYsupermodel Posts: 61
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    I'm 6ft tall, and about 125lbs. I tried eating 1200 calories a day but just couldn't do it. I ended up feeling dizzy, lethargic, and really weak. It definitely is a challenge and I suggest upping your calories a bit. I do alright on 1400/day, eating a lot of filling foods like potatoes, oatmeal, chicken, veggies and fruits. I also drink a lot of tea to keep me satisfied. :)

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