How can people live on 1200 calories?

1200 cal is pretty much the bare minimum you need to eat to get enough of everything and that doesn't apply if you're taller or more muscular, then you need more. That being said, I sometimes have to force myself to eat more because I'm just not hungry but I haven't eaten 1200 yet. It really depends on the person, but a lot of people hovering at 1200 won't lose weight because it's the bare minimum for their body.

I'm on 1200 calories and honestly, it's rare for me to be hungry at the end of my calories. I think a lot of it is because I'm careful to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, the rest of it is probably because I eat low-fat vegan now. I get plenty on my plates, plenty in my belly, and it's all low calorie stuff, I get a huge amount of food for my calories. When I was eating poorly, I was always hungry, even shortly after I finished a meal.

THIS.

Although, I don't eat vegan, I am conscious of my crap-eating. So I decided to eat 90% veggies and 10% meat a ways back. I also drink water like a fish! I had a very unhealthy relationship with food prior, so the lifestyle change worked out for me. (Definitely not for everyone.) And now that I eat healthy, I'm not nearly as hungry as I used to be. As I up my exercise, I purposefully add calories accordingly so that I'm not burning myself out or ending up on an unhealthy deficit. It's all about mind over matter really. If one has it in their minds to commit to 1200 (as long as that's a healthy goal for their body), then they can do it.

Trust me, restricting yourself and denying yourself foods you love to meet a ridiculous calorie goal is a miserable, miserable existence.

I've just done MFP's calculator thingy and if I wanted to lose 2lb/week it recommended 1200 calories - reckoned my TDEE was 2200 (probably on sedentary).

Lets say these figures were accurate - why is this any different to what I'm about doing now - averaging 2000 calories a day (before cardio exercise) and losing 2lb a week*.

I do weights every other day and follow a lean gains approach that may help. But still, I'm burning more calories. It suits me, as I like food. Today was 1400+160 for the commute on the push bike. If I was a smaller woman, then I'd expect to have less appetite generally.

*Until last week, it's fluctuated in the last week, but I'm giving it a couple more days before considering changing stuff as there's a slight down trend and my logging could be more accurate anyway.

Seriously. Most people on MFP are just misled. 1200 calories is for people trying to lose weight while in a coma.

It's difficult at first last year I did it for a month and mostly stayed at 1200 logging everything single thing I ate. It's just about healthy snacking during the day and saving your calories for dinner. Now I juice in the morning I'll have yogurt coffee a banana a fiber one snack drink lots of water and then I get home and I make a hearty meal. I'm at 1600 but I'm almost always under (except on weekends)

I somewhat resent all those generalisations, because as so often mentioned here in MFP " we are all different ".
Not all of us are over 5'2" and not all of us are in our 20's or 30's.
There is a wide variety of us who are short ( and people like I who are very short at under 5 feet ) and older and we live well on 1200 calories.
I invite anyone to check my food diary where it is correctly documented that for certain people it is not difficult to live on 1200 calories eating a wide variety of food, including desserts and even alcoholic beverages.
I do agree however with those that say that most people cannot do well, because most people are taller and just need more calories, even when eating at a deficit.
I especially no longer respond to those who are as an example " 5'7" want to get to 120 pounds " and don't understand ( or don't want to) that 1200 calories is a foolish idea. Without knowing for example the OP's stats any discussion over the amount of calories they need to eat is useless.

PS: In case someone checks my diary. If you find me eating 500 calories twice a week, it's from IF.....no nasty PMs ( as it has happened ) necessary....:flowerforyou:

When you feel hungry, quite often it's due to dehydration. Always make sure you are drinking enough water each day. Also, what you eat can cause cravings or hunger pangs. If you eliminate those foods and fill up on nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods in each meal, along with 1-2 servings of lean protein, you'll find that you aren't famished. The most important thing is really to keep your blood sugar level from spiking. Maintaining a diet that's low-to-moderate in carbohydrates will do wonders for your energy level and mood. Processed foods should be eliminated as well for those dirty additives that make us feel sluggish and cranky.

When you feel hungry, quite often it's due to dehydration. Always make sure you are drinking enough water each day. Also, what you eat can cause cravings or hunger pangs. If you eliminate those foods and fill up on nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods in each meal, along with 1-2 servings of lean protein, you'll find that you aren't famished. The most important thing is really to keep your blood sugar level from spiking. Maintaining a diet that's low-to-moderate in carbohydrates will do wonders for your energy level and mood. Processed foods should be eliminated as well for those dirty additives that make us feel sluggish and cranky.

Agreed, water is so good for you as a weight-loss tool. It removes toxins, makes you full, hydrates your body, helps flush everything out. You should have at least 8-12 cups a day.