Why is 1200 calories so hard!?

1200 is hard because it sucks, and as others have said, it's too low for most people.

I can only echo the good advice you've already been given, and say that I've had my best success at lowering body fat by eating at a small calorie deficit and grabbing the heaviest weights I could find. For me (46 years old, 5'8", dumbbells three times a week) that has meant eating 1800-2000 cals a day - MUCH easier to stick to, and allows for life to happen - birthdays, holidays, enjoying dinners out, an ice cream with my kid, a beer with dinner, desserts when I want them.

Don't go with the bare minimum, but rather find the most amount of cals you can eat while still losing. Much more sustainable, leaving you well fueled for workouts and life in general.

Good luck!

No, not really. Not the same thing. Actually, hiit can be a good thing to do alongside a weight training programe.
For weights, look into stronglifts 5x5, starting strength or New rules Of Lifting For Women. Or look into bodyweight exercises to start. Lot of info online on all of those.