1200 cals a day?!

Im on 1200 a day and i am underweight! So 1200 isnt going to help me be a healthy weight really lol

You probably set too aggressive a weekly loss goal. With only 20 lbs to lose you should aim for 1 lb a week or less. You should look up your BMR & TDEE (look up Scooby's calculator for an easy one) and change your goals to one of those numbers, depending on if you want to eat back exercise calories or just eat a steady amount (TDEE).

I'm on 1,350 calories and that seems a little impossible for me too. I'm used to eating almost 3000 calories a day. But what seems to really work for me is drinking water through out the day. Lots and lots of water! And having water while you eat helps you to eat less. I've been going over a couple hundred calories but I have to get used to not eating so much. But if I wasn't drinking water I would be going over more than a couple hundred. I hope this helped Keep up the hard work! Don't give up!

1200 is the number of calories suggested to lose weight if you do NOTHING at all all day besides rest. If you do any form of exercise (doesn't need to be a 'work out') you will get hungry if you don't eat more. Do you walk anywhere during the day, clean house, shopping etc - these will require more energy - difficulty is working out how much.

Why not have a nose around at other people's food diaries (friends or 'open' ones) and see how others are meeting their calorie targets and how they build exercise into their day.

I am on 1200 target and try and eat back about 50% of my exercise calories. Add me if you like (UK so foods sometimes difficult to compare)

I'm on 1200 calories a day. I exercise maybe 2-3 times a week - sometimes cardio but usually a 15-minute bodyweight circuit. Since my calorie burn is so low (usually 150-200 calories), I don't eat those calories back.

I read a lot on here that 1200 is too low, but based on my height/weight and the fact that I only have about 20 pounds to lose, it seems to be pretty accurate. It's super hard, but I've managed to stay *mostly* on track for the last 10 weeks. I do have days where I'm closer to 1350, but I try not to stress about it.

I eat a small, protein-rich breakfast, a small lunch, and then a healthy but good-sized dinner (steak and veggies, etc). I've cut out soda and increased my water intake. I also try to stay somewhat low-carb (previously I was eating pasta at least 5 days a week!). So far, I've only lost 6 or 7 pounds, but I'm happy with it.

I am, but like you it is only possible because I also eat some of my exercise calories. It is certainly not a lot of food.

TommyJensen - a male should never eat below 1600 calories a day.

I agree. When you super low calories like that for a long time it can mess with your hormones & mentally is an exhausting way to live.

1200 is the number of calories suggested to lose weight if you do NOTHING at all all day besides rest. If you do any form of exercise (doesn't need to be a 'work out') you will get hungry if you don't eat more. Do you walk anywhere during the day, clean house, shopping etc - these will require more energy - difficulty is working out how much.

Why not have a nose around at other people's food diaries (friends or 'open' ones) and see how others are meeting their calorie targets and how they build exercise into their day.

I am on 1200 target and try and eat back about 50% of my exercise calories. Add me if you like (UK so foods sometimes difficult to compare)

Only true if you actually fit the criteria of a 1200 calorie a day deficit. Most women should eat significantly more, and will still lose weight.

I'm on 1200 as well. Most days it's fine but some days I'm just ravenous and can't help but eat more so I exercise some to negate it. I think the only way it is possible to stay to 1200 is to make every calorie count. For me that means
1 - only healthy snacks (for me this means high protein, low fat or something filling with lots of fiber)
2 - low fats (fats have more than twice as much calories as carbs or protein)
3 - lots of vegetables (very low on calories)
4 - low calorie fruits to fill me up and add some sweet naturally to my diet (berries and apples)
5 - and a whole lot of water

HOly crap no....:noway:

I couldn't survive on that...today I am barely surviving on my 1600 and will probably go up to 1700 depending on this evening.

Mine was calculated to be 1240 and it's a struggle for me. I've tried redistributing the calories over the course of the day and refining my diet and those changes are positive but I still go over by 100-200 calories some days.