MFP set it at 1200 in order for you to lose weight. I think it is rather low. I'm running between 1800 and 1900 a day but I'm breastfeeding right now. ( that puts it between 1300 and 1400 after calories burned) I would have problems trying to cut down the calories after I stop.

I think MFP puts sets that minimum to ensure that they don't get sued for people going way under and having health issues. 1200 calories is an arbitrary number set by the American College of Sports Medicine to ensure that people obtain enough food in order to have the required nutrition (ie vitamins and minerals) your body needs to function. There is actually no research behind the number. The concept of minimum calories, just like the concept of starvation mode, is grossly misunderstood by many people. According to research, in order to put your body into starvation mode, you have to drop to about 50% below your body's required caloric intake. That being said, unless your very petite, sedantary, or slight 1200 is likely a low number for most people. Unlikely to put you into starvation mode unless you need 2400 calories or more a day but for the average person pretty darn low. Now if your smaller then the norm, which is most of us in this group, then that is a different matter. If in doubt, consult a physician . Physicians have been known to sometimes put people on EXTREMELY low calorie diets (ie, 350-500 calories a day) but only under medical supervision.

FYI, if I followed MFP's 1200 calories recommendation, according to their own chart, I would only lose only about .2 lbs a week. Yeah, I'm a super shorty. So I've lowered my number to 1050 which puts me to close to losing .7 pounds a week. I consider losing less then one pound a week perfectly healthy. My opinion. Of course, there is something to be said about slow and steady. I'm very concious of what I'm eating/exercising as it relates to my personal plans. And I've made sure that I've read up on my scientific research before starting my journey . I can only recommend that you do your research, be in tune to your body, and seek professional opinions if you have questions/concerns or need a guide on your journey! Best of luck!

I'm on 1200 calorie also. I don't think i am starving myself at all. Im not suffering from hunger either. I eat 3 meals a day and a snack or 2.

I'm supposed to be hitting around 1200 calories, too, according to MFP. I think that is if you literally sit on your *kitten* all day without doing anything. Obviously, any kind of walking, etc is going to allow for more calories.

5'1" here, I basically aim for around 1200, and always eat back my exercise calories.

I'm 5'2 at about 147 lbs, just for insight.

MFP has me at 1280 calories a day. I don't have much trouble with it at all. I eat a meal/snack when I'm hungry and I don't feel as if I'm starving myself at all. I also exercise very often (I love running) and I try eat back most of those calories but sometimes I'm just not hungry enough to eat them all back I've been losing 1-2 lbs weekly.

Feel free to add me, my diary's always open:)

1200 takes a lot of focus and preparation. At 5 ' - 150 lbs I am aiming for that number, but aware it is on the low side and that there will be some off days because it's real life.

I am only 5 feet tall and weighed 172 when I started MFP on January 4 I think it was. I have lost 3 lbs. so far. My 1200 calorie goal is very do-able as long as I don't drink alcohol. That is what usually puts me over - that and carbs if I overdo. I am aiming for 135 lbs., which is still over what they say my weight should be for my height (very frustrating; as I always say, it's not that I'm too fat, it's that I'm too short!). But at 61 I really don't think going much lower than that would be that healthy and besides it would be unsustainable in the long term. If I get down to that I will be much healthier and have more energy and that is my goal. I think if I ate much more than 1200 calories I would not lose. But I don't exercise. (I did go back to yoga this week and hope to gradually include more exercise).

At 4'11" the MFP suggested 1200 but my GP said nothing lower than 1400 as you are likely to send your body into starvation mode then pack on the fat rather than muscle. Saying that I seem to lose very little weight despite sticking to 1400 and exercising regularly - must be doing something wrong

5'2" here and also at 1200/day. But, that is set for a weekly weight loss. And I go to Jazzercise every morning (at 545am!) so I get calories back to eat. I still aim for 1200, but if I go over I know I have those exercise calories to fall back on. I also eat a whole food plant based diet so I save a lot of calories by just eating fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Nothing processed (at least I try).