Do I have to eat over 1200 calories a day?

OP, let me add my two cents to this thread. Maybe it helps you, maybe it doesn't.

There was a point in my diet after I'd had some success where I really started pushing myself. I was working out once or twice a day and eating as little as I could (1200-1400 calories, netting around 800). I told anyone and everyone who asked that I was fine. That I was happy and never felt hungry.

I was lying, mostly to myself, and I didn't realize it until I started to eat a little more. I reached a two month plateau and that's when I found MFP and started adding my exercise calories into my diet. The clarity that it brought me was dramatic. I stopped being a moody jerk to everyone around me. I was able to push longer and harder in my workouts. I stopped thinking about food constantly and was able to focus on things that mattered in my life. I was happier and healthier with the extra calories.

I reached a second point in my diet where, again, I was trying to push my body to drop the weight faster than it could. It was a time of birthdays and weddings and I'd been to parties and showers and events every single weekend and wasn't losing. I reached a point where I would break down into tears in my friends' driveways because I knew there was going to be delicious, delicious food inside. And my therapist had to point out that this isn't normal or particularly healthy and I had to back off my diet goals for a while.

The point is that I've been there a little bit. I remember how it felt when I was letting food control my life. And I think it's worth stepping back and taking stock of your priorities because you deserve not to be miserable during this. Baby steps are great and you need to take the steps you can take in your own time, but listen to what some of the people are saying, whether you like their tone or not. Most of them know what they're talking about.

As for food scales, I lost the bulk of my weight without a food scale, so I know it can be done. I was measuring everything and I'm actually fairly good at eyeballing certain portions. I was really hesitant to switch to a food scale because I thought it would take a lot of extra time or would consume my life. It didn't. Actually, I find it faster and easier than having to find, use, and wash a lot of different measuring cups.

I agree that weighing can be important for understanding how much you are eating, but if you aren't willing to weigh yet, then by all means, don't just give up.

Some of your foods seem to be preportioned already (like going to subway), so a scale wouldn't matter with those. If you are going to be short on calories for the day, you can do a few things to bump up the calories. For example, at subway you can get cheese on your sandwich or skip the lite mayo for normal.

You also seem to be a little low in protein in general. Here's a good list of protein sources if you want to try incorporating some into your diet:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/926789-protein-sources

However, I do recommend trying to log as accurately as possible. I agree that I find weighing easier than cups, and measuring cups have an inherent error for solids. Also, there are some entries in your diary that are called "homemade", but there are no macro listings. Often entries like that can be inaccurate. I like to use the recipe builder when I make something. It is a little more time up front, but then I can just quick add that recipe any time I have it in the future.

Excellent points. My main problem with the recipe builder is that I may use slightly different ingredients the next time I use the recipe. When I create a food, I add all the ingredients calories and then divide by portions. Is this not correct?

The recipe builder is a fabulous tool. When you make it the next time and use different amounts, you can change that particular item. You don't need to re-enter the entire thing.

You have gotten some good advice here, and some of the additional noise that comes along with being on a public board. Take your baby steps, then review this thread and add in the next step. Take each day at a time and recognize that you are human. Thinking of your choices in terms of good and bad can lead to disappointment. Consider better choices and learning opportunities. I know it sounds silly, but wording can be very important.

There is so much information out there and what works for some will not work for all. 1200 calories is very low. I am 5'2", 41 years old and now at 196lbs. I eat 1700/day and have only had problems when I allow my mindset to derail me. You can do this, but remember to breathe and keep moving forward. :flowerforyou:

What the hell was the point of this if you refuse to make any changes and don't want to lose weight in a healthy way?
This isn't the place for you if you aren't going to accept people's advice when you ask for it.