How do you do 1200 Calories?
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Lots of fruit and vegetables, meal replacement protein shakes (breakfast or lunch), low carb - except for low calorie whole wheat wraps if im extra hungry, water, and I exercise to accommodate going over in calories.0
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SunshineSwirl wrote: »I'm minimal carbs, focusing mainly on vegetables, including sweet potatoes, as my main carb source daily and grains on workout days, but still find it hard to do my set base of 1600 calories. How do those of you doing 1200, not give up or kill someone because of hunger? Not judging, genuinely curious!
It is very difficult to live on 1200 calories a day. Current guidelines do not recommend going below 1500 cals per day. I keep my net calorie intake low by eating about 2000 calories and by working 800-900 cals.0 -
Thank you everyone for your answers, very informative. I'll happily continue with the 1600 calorie route, but now I know how you guys do it!0
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krissyreminisce wrote: »christinev297 wrote: »
I like the running. It's just the eating part. I'm just so terrified of being big again that I just don't eat.
I'm working on it this week, though. I got a migraine today after a year of being free of them, so I know I'm starting to push it.
@krissyreminisce, if you're looking for some support with overcoming that fear come join us over here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/100766-eating-disorder-support-group. We're a pretty small bunch at the mo', but growing, and definitely qualify as an active group now
. It's a nice, safe environment where you can work on those issues with others who are either going through it or have gone through it. 0 -
I do 1200 a day (though actually I aim for it to average out over the week, so some days are under, some are over, it all comes out in the wash ), and for the most part it's fine. I have times when my hormones are doing crazy *kitten* where I may eat more (which I get at ovulation and TOM, joy), and also on days when I'm doing fieldwork I eat more (but am also a lot more active). My fat macro is set at 40%, so that probably helps. I will also eat more if I truly feel I need it. 0
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I'm on 1200 and I can tell you it isn't easy. Been doing great last couple weeks but blew it this weekend. Just make sure I get totally back on track tomorrow. The best way I can stay on track is smoothie (plain greek yogourt, fruit and spinach with a pack of sweetener and a little water) and then try to keep lunch around a few hundred. A hundred calorie afternoon snack and then I have a decent amount left for supper. When your cooking for others for supper its easier to just modify your supper a bit rather than making something totally different than what yourfamily wants. Oh yah and if you really want a sweet try skinny cow drumsticks they really hit the spot! I have to clear house of all chips etc as they are my Achilles heel! And nobody say just have 10 because 10 to me because a full big bag! haha stay strong everyone!0
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I consume 1,000 calories per day and have been for around 5 months now. At first I was practically always starving until I found out the key to a low calorie diet and not literally starving myself. MFP shows I usually consume 30% protein instead of the 20% (which helps me save drastically on my carbs). Grilled chicken breasts, salads, cottage cheese and egg whites are protein life savers with low calories! I will eat 80 grams of protein with other foods of course throughout the day and then usually always have like 50-75 calories left for a satisfying cookie or a couple marshmallows! Therefore, I feel rewarded daily without necessarily cheating! Suckers reeaallyyy help if I'm feeling hungry, they last a long time and have sweet flavors to help with cravings as well.
I also changed to eating 5 small meals a day instead of 2/3 as well as drinking 5-6 17 oz. bottles of water. I generally eat every 2 hours and find that I don't get that starved feeling hardly at all. I've consistently lost 2 pounds per week for around five months with this diet.. with NO exercise. I'm just slowly starting to add excersice in with my diet this week. I wish I would've had these tips when I first started so I wouldn't have felt so hungry 24/7!0 -
thanks i've worked hard to make my life about health and fitness, good luck to you and your journey.angelgreathouse9 wrote: »SunshineSwirl wrote: »I'm minimal carbs, focusing mainly on vegetables, including sweet potatoes, as my main carb source daily and grains on workout days, but still find it hard to do my set base of 1600 calories. How do those of you doing 1200, not give up or kill someone because of hunger? Not judging, genuinely curious!
check out my journal... i've been down to 1200 calories per day for a while now... and i eat ALL the time... it's all about the quality of the food you eat... veggies have so little calories you can have your fill of them...
Your diary is awesome btw. I'm the same way veggies, I just need to get off my PB as fill calories at the end of the day.
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krissyreminisce wrote: »christinev297 wrote: »
I like the running. It's just the eating part. I'm just so terrified of being big again that I just don't eat. I'm working on it this week, though. I got a migraine today after a year of being free of them, so I know I'm starting to push it.
Good for you for being open to re-evaluate the strategy. Sounds like your body is speaking to you. xo0 -
by eating all day long - I'm always finishing something up or getting ready to eat something else ... and I learned early that what I thought would be a great little snack every morning is actually a ton of calories. I eat often enough that if I can find a way to reduce calories slightly, it makes a big difference. A good example is my two hard boiled eggs each morning - I like the yolk, but that's where the calories are. So I eat one with and one without. Ta da!
I run almost every day, so I get some back, and I make sure I have at least 500 (usually more) by dinner. I don't eat a big dinner, but I don't like to feel restricted, so I plan not to be.
Also, I eat Lifesaver peppermints at work (when I start getting antsy for chocolate or whatever) - usually three or four a day - it takes a while and the mint stays with me, too. I feel like I've had a treat. Nothing wrong with chocolate, btw, but I will eat the whole Pounder bag, so best for me to avoid it.
Good luck.0 -
Thanks @4leighbee and @Nony_Mouse, for the support. I've been hearing concern from people who are aware of how much I exercise but don't eat enough. I think I also get tripped up by certain macros going into the red, like sugar/sodium so I just stop eating if I get too close. But the more I read on these forums, the more I should keep a more lenient eye on those two. And @Nony_Mouse, I joined that group. 0
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krissyreminisce wrote: »Thanks @4leighbee and @Nony_Mouse, for the support. I've been hearing concern from people who are aware of how much I exercise but don't eat enough. I think I also get tripped up by certain macros going into the red, like sugar/sodium so I just stop eating if I get too close. But the more I read on these forums, the more I should keep a more lenient eye on those two. And @Nony_Mouse, I joined that group.
Awesome, I'll look forward to seeing you there
And yep, ignore the sodium and sugar. I actually swapped mine for more useful things, in my case fibre and iron.0 -
SunshineSwirl wrote: »I'm minimal carbs, focusing mainly on vegetables, including sweet potatoes, as my main carb source daily and grains on workout days, but still find it hard to do my set base of 1600 calories. How do those of you doing 1200, not give up or kill someone because of hunger? Not judging, genuinely curious!
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honestly, I really don't think 1200 calorie diets work. This is from my own experience of course, basically you should work out how many calories you need to eat to lose weight based on your height, weightloss goal, age and a few other factors. I found I actually hold onto weight if I eat less than 1600 a day and can't lose weight at all. I highly recommend working out your calories using a calculator such as this http://www.losebabyweight.com.au/weight-loss/body-mass-index/
it could make your life a whole lot more enjoyable and successful0 -
I would eat the whole bag of Lifesaver mints! I love those things.Also, I eat Lifesaver peppermints at work (when I start getting antsy for chocolate or whatever) - usually three or four a day - it takes a while and the mint stays with me, too. I feel like I've had a treat. Nothing wrong with chocolate, btw, but I will eat the whole Pounder bag, so best for me to avoid it.0 -
Personally, I don't. Never have, never will. I'm at 1800 calories right now to lose a pound a week, before exercise. I actually lost over 2 pounds this week, because I didn't eat back all my exercise calories, but I usually eat at least the 1800. I'm perfectly fine with slow and steady, as long as I get there, and keep it off!0
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honestly, I really don't think 1200 calorie diets work. This is from my own experience of course, basically you should work out how many calories you need to eat to lose weight based on your height, weightloss goal, age and a few other factors. I found I actually hold onto weight if I eat less than 1600 a day and can't lose weight at all. I highly recommend working out your calories using a calculator such as this http://www.losebabyweight.com.au/weight-loss/body-mass-index/
it could make your life a whole lot more enjoyable and successful
It really does depend on the person. I think 1,200 calories diets do work, it just may not be for everyone.0 -
Sticking with 1200 calories a day is challenging, particularly now that I have lost 15 pounds. This is what has helped: I drink a lot of water; I'm gluten free; an apple (or orange) a day helps with weight loss and regularity (don't laugh); I buy tasty foods that I can grab when in a hurry; I bring my own food to social gathering; and when I record everything I am more successful. Good luck.catherinecadoo wrote: »SunshineSwirl wrote: »I'm minimal carbs, focusing mainly on vegetables, including sweet potatoes, as my main carb source daily and grains on workout days, but still find it hard to do my set base of 1600 calories. How do those of you doing 1200, not give up or kill someone because of hunger? Not judging, genuinely curious!
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Good question.
Oh, wait. You asked "how", not "why." I have no idea.
But plenty of people on MFP apparently do it, so I'm sure you'll get a lot of really great answers.0 -
kelly_e_montana wrote: »P.S. Since there's no finish line, why does everyone want to lose 2 pounds per week? That's a good way to lose muscle mass with your fat loss. Do you want to be skinny fat? If not, slow down and work on your body composition! Is your goal just to be smaller and not leaner? If so, 2 pounds a week is a great way to go!
I don't think losing 2 pounds a week is too much. Hell, there are people on here who have lost 100 pounds in a year to get to their ideal weight, and it looks like they didn't lose a significant amount of muscle mass at all. Just incorporate strength training into your workouts instead of doing straight cardio.
Also for people with significant weight loss goals (>50 lbs), I believe it is MUCH better to lose 2 lbs/week as opposed to 1 lb/week.0 -
There's a fair bit of 'why would you?' in this thread. To those who can eat more and lose weight, that's awesome!! Seriously, I would love to be in your camp. Yes, some people choose to do 1200 for faster weight loss, but there are a whole host of other reasons as well, including medical. For some of us, this is just what it takes. Personally I'm willing to make that sacrifice in order to not be overweight.0
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I get 1200 when I check 2lbs, 1.5lbs, and 1lb loss, so I figure it doesn't particularly matter. It only goes up 90 calories if I pick .5 weight loss. I figure I can just earn more calories back through my workouts. Though when I check the maintenance number, it's 1500 calories and change, which is crazy to me!0
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krissyreminisce wrote: »I get 1200 when I check 2lbs, 1.5lbs, and 1lb loss, so I figure it doesn't particularly matter. It only goes up 90 calories if I pick .5 weight loss. I figure I can just earn more calories back through my workouts. Though when I check the maintenance number, it's 1500 calories and change, which is crazy to me!
That is because MFP won't go below 1200 and you are already very lean to start with. Your ticker says something like 4 lbs left to lose. .5lb a week is pretty much what you should be aiming for. And it is also because MFP doesn't include exercise. You are active (I saw you post in a half marthon thread), so at .5 lb a week plus exercise, most days you should be over 1200.0 -
sushi4days wrote: »How can people do Kale?? Its so great for you but hot damn I can't seem to make it work for me!! Any advice?
I tried Kale in a smoothie once, and it didn't get blended properly, which made me very nausea(think drinking kale chunks).
But Kale has redeemed itself with me now. I make a Kale and Pinto bean soup(with carrots, red bell pepper, onion, veggie stock, and seasoning), and I love it!
Yay indeed! (*)He only offered advice and didn't diagnose anything other than my hashimoto's thyroid condition which I just found out the other day is still cancer free yay.karintalley wrote: »
Click on nutrition, then click on weekly. It's easier on my phone then doing it on the PC
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This. I put my fork down between bites and drink lots of water before and after my mealshonkytonks85 wrote: »Smaller portions. Eat slowly.
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I absolutely could not stick to 1200 when I tried that. but i do a lot of exercise so that might account for it.0
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honestly, I really don't think 1200 calorie diets work. This is from my own experience of course, basically you should work out how many calories you need to eat to lose weight based on your height, weightloss goal, age and a few other factors. I found I actually hold onto weight if I eat less than 1600 a day and can't lose weight at all. I highly recommend working out your calories using a calculator such as this http://www.losebabyweight.com.au/weight-loss/body-mass-index/
it could make your life a whole lot more enjoyable and successful
What? You were likely eating more than you thought you were than.0 -
I guess I could do 1200, but often I stuck with a range instead of 1200-1500. If I were to do 1200 tomorrow, this is what it would look like:
Breakfast (321 cals): Egg white muffin - 165 cals
Two Weetablix - 130 cals
1/2c unsweetned almond/coconut milk - 17.5 cals
1/2c boiling water
1-2 packets of Truvia
14oz black coffee 1pkt Truvia, 2oz almond/coconut milk - 8.5 cals
Lunch (348.5 cals): Two Weetablix - 130 or one packet of Quaker reduced sugar oatmeal
1c boiling water
1-2 packets of Truvia
14oz black coffee 1pkt Truvia, 2oz almond/coconut milk - 8.5 cals
1/2c 2% cottage cheese - 90 cals
Pure Protein pre-mixed shake 23g protein - 120 cals
Dinner (545 cals): Spinach, feta and mushroom casserole -375 cals
7 squares of Cadbury's Dark Chocolate - 170 cals
I'm in maintenance now, on 1400-1900 calories a day, but if I needed to cut again, I'd go back to this. I'm not a vegetarian, despite this meal plan.0 -
Well, I eat a lot of vegetables and fruit.
It's very easy for me to keep under 1200 or eat that exact amount.
I also exercise daily.
If you want to add me and see what I eat (I promise I'm not starving], it could give you an idea or two.
However!
If I stay up past 10:30/11PM I get hungry. I need to be in bed early.
Right now is 12:00AM. I am hungry.
LOL0
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