1200 cal/day girls! Let's share our diaries!

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Replies

  • baum18
    baum18 Posts: 1
    I'm just wondering why people (men and women) have the goal of losing weight instead of losing body fat percentage.
  • WeepingAngel81
    WeepingAngel81 Posts: 2,232 Member
    There has been some helpful advice here, and I am going to go right along with those that say to eat more! I started at 1200/day because I didn't know any better. Silly me....I trusted that the MFP calculations would lead me in a healthy direction. WRONG! I became exhausted within a couple of weeks of working out 4 days a week (lifting and cardio) . Then I had some friends tell me I was doing it wrong, that MFP is a big liar. I adjusted, and I still adjust pretty frequently. I fluctuate anywhere between 1300-1600/day, and I do my best to eat back as much of my calorie bank as I can. I tried to use the TDEE method, but it wasn't working for me after giving it a few months, so I readjusted and went from there.

    I'm not saying that 1200 isn't possible, I'm saying it's not probable. Do yourself a favor and eat more.

    Not that I'm a fan of the 1200/day, but it seems that you weren't using MFP as it was designed to be used.

    MFP would have you add your exercise calories in addition to the 1200. Were you counting them into your daily allotment?

    I sure was. If I burned say, 400 calories doing cardio, I would eat them back. I used a HRM to track calories burned. I weighed and measured, but it got to the point where I was too tired to hardly move anymore. I wasn't losing weight, I couldn't concentrate, and my hair started coming out by the handful. After that, I figured out my TDEE and upped my caloies to 1500/day. That was a huge jump and I will admit it made me a little nervous. However, I dropped 10lbs and dropped 3 pant sizes within 2 months. Within a matter of a few days my energy returned, and I was feeling better.
  • dayone987
    dayone987 Posts: 645 Member
    There has been some helpful advice here, and I am going to go right along with those that say to eat more! I started at 1200/day because I didn't know any better. Silly me....I trusted that the MFP calculations would lead me in a healthy direction. WRONG! I became exhausted within a couple of weeks of working out 4 days a week (lifting and cardio) . Then I had some friends tell me I was doing it wrong, that MFP is a big liar. I adjusted, and I still adjust pretty frequently. I fluctuate anywhere between 1300-1600/day, and I do my best to eat back as much of my calorie bank as I can. I tried to use the TDEE method, but it wasn't working for me after giving it a few months, so I readjusted and went from there.

    I'm not saying that 1200 isn't possible, I'm saying it's not probable. Do yourself a favor and eat more.

    Not that I'm a fan of the 1200/day, but it seems that you weren't using MFP as it was designed to be used.

    MFP would have you add your exercise calories in addition to the 1200. Were you counting them into your daily allotment?

    I sure was. If I burned say, 400 calories doing cardio, I would eat them back. I used a HRM to track calories burned. I weighed and measured, but it got to the point where I was too tired to hardly move anymore. I wasn't losing weight, I couldn't concentrate, and my hair started coming out by the handful. After that, I figured out my TDEE and upped my caloies to 1500/day. That was a huge jump and I will admit it made me a little nervous. However, I dropped 10lbs and dropped 3 pant sizes within 2 months. Within a matter of a few days my energy returned, and I was feeling better.

    Thanks for clarifying.

    Glad to hear that you are doing so well.:smile:
  • Froggymcconnell
    Froggymcconnell Posts: 92 Member
    All of you who are saying your goals are around 1200 a day: take this from someone who fell victim to the consequences of this goal.

    I had the same calorie goal the first time I tried to lose weight. It worked great (I lost 30 pounds)....until I started to eat normally again.

    I've gained almost every single pound back that I lost when I was eating only 1200 calories a day, and that's because doing that destroyed my metabolism.

    Please please please, do not set yourself up for disappointment like I did.

    1200 calories a day is a TEMPORARY weight loss regimen, and who wants to temporarily look awesome?

    Please, all of you, find a better and PERMANENT regimen. Listen to all the people ranting on here, use the BMR and TDEE calculators. Be respectful to your body.

    thanks for all of this however, maybe you didn't maintain properly. I have did 1,200 before and maintained for several years. I put weight back on because I started eating several takeaways a week and no workouts etc so to reiterate what others have said... WHAT WORKED FOR YOU DOESNT WORK FOR EVERYONE and WHAT DIDNT WORK FOR YOU MAY WELL WORK FOR OTHERS.
  • feel free to add me! I log in every day and every meal. I am at 1200/day and don't go hungry. I have created and revised lots of old recipes to suit me. (plus, my mother in law is a chef and hubby took really good notes). I don't plan on being here (1200 cals) forever, but it's fine for me, for now. :flowerforyou:
  • cherbert1
    cherbert1 Posts: 19
    I added you. I stay pretty close to 1200 but do fluctuate on heavy activity days.
  • marrisu
    marrisu Posts: 11 Member
    Anyone, add me! It is so helpful to see others diaries to get new food ideas!
  • MissMissle
    MissMissle Posts: 293 Member
    All of you who are saying your goals are around 1200 a day: take this from someone who fell victim to the consequences of this goal.

    I had the same calorie goal the first time I tried to lose weight. It worked great (I lost 30 pounds)....until I started to eat normally again.

    I've gained almost every single pound back that I lost when I was eating only 1200 calories a day, and that's because doing that destroyed my metabolism.

    Please please please, do not set yourself up for disappointment like I did.

    1200 calories a day is a TEMPORARY weight loss regimen, and who wants to temporarily look awesome?

    Please, all of you, find a better and PERMANENT regimen. Listen to all the people ranting on here, use the BMR and TDEE calculators. Be respectful to your body.

    thanks for all of this however, maybe you didn't maintain properly. I have did 1,200 before and maintained for several years. I put weight back on because I started eating several takeaways a week and no workouts etc so to reiterate what others have said... WHAT WORKED FOR YOU DOESNT WORK FOR EVERYONE and WHAT DIDNT WORK FOR YOU MAY WELL WORK FOR OTHERS.

    I actually got under 1200 calories the first time i used the calculator - this time I got about 1270 - which mirrors almost exactly what MFP is telling me to do.
  • clairetomkinson84
    clairetomkinson84 Posts: 66 Member
    I'm a 1200 cal girl too, feel free to add me if you need support and motivation. I'm pretty sure my diary and exercise logs are open for viewing too.
  • mollymcdonald0
    mollymcdonald0 Posts: 30 Member
    I'm around 1200-1300 i'll add!
  • shortntall1
    shortntall1 Posts: 333 Member
    add me if youd like :)
  • nomorebingesgirl2014
    nomorebingesgirl2014 Posts: 378 Member
    Add meeee ????
  • ASH2038602
    ASH2038602 Posts: 215 Member
    I allow myself up to 1500 calories a day, but usually stay closer to 1200. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, sometimes 3 snacks. I also struggle with snacking sometimes, but I just try to make the best choices. When my boyfriend is munching on a bag of potato chips, I make some kale chips or grab some carrots and hummus. I make sure I have plenty of produce around, and buy 100 calorie packs of almonds for guilt free snacking. I also never eat anything from the package (unless it is a pre-portioned package.) I always measure out the serving size.
  • lshabazz
    lshabazz Posts: 28 Member
    thanks I still haven't figured it out yet but thanks :flowerforyou:
  • JamieMommy1985
    JamieMommy1985 Posts: 92 Member
    I eat right around 1200 cals a day, have been for over 150 days. My diary is open it helps keep me accountable.
  • Targetx130
    Targetx130 Posts: 58 Member
    Another 1200 girl here. Just starting out. 5'3, CW:180, GW:130. Feel free to add me, my diary is open and it'd be nice to see what others are eating for new ideas....especially the snack area :wink:
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    This thread gives me sadz....

    That is all.
  • nicoleleigh48
    nicoleleigh48 Posts: 2 Member
    Please tell me how to do 1200 calories a day and not feel like I am starving!
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    Can boys get in on this too?
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    This thread gives me sadz....

    That is all.

    Me too...

    On a similar note, I also get sadz when I look at how many calories I could have been eating to lose weight vs how many I actually did eat to lose weight.

    I wish I had taken the advice of long time members here and found my TDEE early on and adjusted intake from there.
  • irisheyes321
    irisheyes321 Posts: 52 Member
    Hi please feel free to add me but be warned I have the most unhealthy food diary not a vegetable or salad leaf to be seen :wink:
  • amberj32
    amberj32 Posts: 663 Member
    Not to be a mood killer, but the reason you "can't control" your snacking is because 1200 calories isn't nearly enough for you. At your height and weight, you could eat 1460 calories per day and lose a pound a week - and that's if you don't exercise. If you do some exercise, you could bump that up to 1650 and still lose a pound a week. If you work out a lot, it would be even more.

    THANK YOU!!! I was thinking the same thing!
    And OP BMI is in the normal range. She should eat more and start lifting.
  • higgins8283801
    higgins8283801 Posts: 844 Member
    Well I was 1200. People on here talked me into going up. Had my first appt with a dietian at the health and wellness center and she told me I should aim for 1260-1300. So I am following her plan for me.

    For some people apparently 1200 is exactly what your body needs. Idk. At 1260-1300 she still has me only getting a pound a week.
  • htrombleyl
    htrombleyl Posts: 63 Member
    Feel free to add me. I am at 1280 and my diary is open.
  • htrombleyl
    htrombleyl Posts: 63 Member
    I do eat more when I have exercised and can allow for it. I don' t intend to stay at this calorie intake forever and I am working with a nutritionist. I am hoping that as my fitness level increases that I will move my caloroe intake. I just neded a good start gained so much from medication in the last 7 months. Over ten pounds a month it was awful.
  • marissanik
    marissanik Posts: 344 Member
    Another person here who tried 1200 and failed. Please don't fear high numbers when it comes to calories. I lost plenty of weight before stalling for 5 months and eventually giving up. I was also tired and miserable.

    I net 1700 calories and have lost 20lbs. But with my exercise included I'm eating normally over 2000 calories a day.

    My thing was this: If I can eat 1700 calories and lose weight, why would I eat 1200 calories. Just doesn't make sense to me!
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
    Another person here who tried 1200 and failed. Please don't fear high numbers when it comes to calories. I lost plenty of weight before stalling for 5 months and eventually giving up. I was also tired and miserable.

    I net 1700 calories and have lost 20lbs. But with my exercise included I'm eating normally over 2000 calories a day.

    My thing was this: If I can eat 1700 calories and lose weight, why would I eat 1200 calories. Just doesn't make sense to me!

    Agreed - why would you?

    However not everyone is you and not everyone can eat 1700 calories and lose weight.
    I certainly couldn't - I eat that now and I maintain my weight.

    This thread is for those who do need to eat only 1200 calories or thereabouts.
    These would usually be older, shorter, not so active women.
    I cannot see your statistics but your photo doesn't look very old to me.
  • TabithaMichelle85
    TabithaMichelle85 Posts: 92 Member
    I my goal is 1200 a day and with meal replacement shakes and healthy eating I normally stick pretty close to it... some days I eat 1300 or 1400 but I try to never go over 1500... Feel free to add me.. I'm always looking for new friends :)
  • have just added you. Would like to see what others are eating!
  • Arcaenah
    Arcaenah Posts: 37 Member
    Hi there!

    Feel free to add me, I'm up for giving and getting support :))) we can make it!

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