1200 calories? Anybody doing it?

beachbunny90
beachbunny90 Posts: 3 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I know this site reccomends everyone trying to lose weight to eat 1200 calories... I was wondering how many people actually are? And how it is going for you?

Also even though I'm new I realize 1200 is too low for most people. I am just curious about if it's working for some.
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Replies

  • Imogensmom
    Imogensmom Posts: 17 Member
    I rarely only eat 1200 but the exercise daily takes that up to a more normal 1500-1600. I think 1200 is a good base if you are very sedentary and it does push me to earn more!
  • alyfrancis582
    alyfrancis582 Posts: 38 Member
    I often eat below 1200 calories. I'm already fairly small though and don't struggle to stay at a low caloric intake.
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    It works definitely. But in my experience, I was miserable 24/7. I lost weight super fast.. but I also lost my energy, my somewhat good relationship with food, and my hair (not kidding. I really did lose A LOT of hair). Now I eat 1950 cals a day and lift weights instead of spending hours running on the treadmill every week (still run, but mostly do HIIT). Feel so much better and I like the way my body looks now instead of how it looked the first time around. Do what is best for you. Just because everyone else is doing it does not mean it should be your first or only choice.
  • DemoraFairy
    DemoraFairy Posts: 1,806 Member
    It doesn't recommend everyone 1200, 1200 is just a really common recommendation because it's the lowest it'll go and people tend to put 2lbs/week as their desired loss instead of a goal that's more realistic.

    I was on 1200 for ages, I lost 55lbs eating that much. I've changed my goal now to 0.5lbs/week so I'm now on 1370 a day.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    edited July 2015
    Me. I eat about 1200/day. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

    I eat healthy food, too.

    I stay nice and full and I lose weight. I lose slowly, but I do lose. :)
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    beachbunny90 wrote: »
    So I know this site reccomends everyone trying to lose weight to eat 1200 calories...

    Only if 'everyone' is female, puts that they want to lose 2 lbs per week, and does not exercise.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    I lost most of my weight at 1800-2000, but my TDEE is around 2500. I did the default 1200 cals at first and my hair started to fall out, so I did some reading and this thread helped me incredibly:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Best of luck!
  • theawill519
    theawill519 Posts: 242 Member
    edited July 2015
    I eat somewhere between 1,150 and 1,250 cals a day. I eat a lot of low calorie, healthy foods. I don't have any problem staying full or energized.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    beachbunny90 wrote: »
    So I know this site reccomends everyone trying to lose weight to eat 1200 calories... I was wondering how many people actually are? And how it is going for you?

    Also even though I'm new I realize 1200 is too low for most people. I am just curious about if it's working for some.

    This site does not recommend everyone eat 1200 to lose. It recommends not going below 1200 calories no matter what. If you your TDEE and weekly weight loss goal that sets your calorie goal. If you are at 1200 cals you either are quite small already, or have too much of an aggressive weekly weight loss goal.
    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    edited July 2015
    Most people who eat 1200 calories, who say they feel fine on that, usually don't weigh their food, so most likely they are eating more then 1200 cals. That's why they lose weight slower. :)
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    It doesn't recommend that I eat 1200. But then again, I don't have it set to 2lbs/week loss.
  • rachelbouc
    rachelbouc Posts: 65 Member
    I tend to stick to 1200 but I usually go over for a treat. I usually work the treat into my calorie for the day, but life happens. I do a major exercise day on Sundays (3 hours of bike riding). This allows me wiggle room on Sunday and sometimes calories that I can spread throughout my week to make the allowance higher.
  • choppie70
    choppie70 Posts: 544 Member
    MFP gives me 1240 calories a day. I usually eat a little over that and have about 300 left over from my Fitbit adjustment. I have lost 14 lbs since June 16. On days I am really focused on eating well I have to actually find something to eat at the end of the day because MFP says my calories are too low.
  • Acetona
    Acetona Posts: 10 Member
    beachbunny90 wrote: »
    Also even though I'm new I realize 1200 is too low for most people.
    Too low, how? Do you think you'll die or something? I go for 5000 kilojoules. It's more than enough. I have a bit more if I train (half-marathon, etc).
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Acetona wrote: »
    beachbunny90 wrote: »
    Also even though I'm new I realize 1200 is too low for most people.
    Too low, how? Do you think you'll die or something? I go for 5000 kilojoules. It's more than enough. I have a bit more if I train (half-marathon, etc).

    too low in that if it is too far below maintenance you risk a larger % of any weight loss to come from lean muscle, not the fat you want to lose (assuming fat loss and health, not weight loss is your actual goal)
  • Marcus_2015
    Marcus_2015 Posts: 119 Member
    So I am an unusual example. 48 yo male, starting weight 258. Current weight 241 - 8 weeks into program.

    I am doing 1200-1300 per day - and that is NOT net - that is total. I am working out every other day - cardio and weightlifting.

    I weigh everything I eat on a digital scale.

    Everyone's metabolism is different. I felt mine slowing down, and I have a sedentary job. There are so many variables that go into what you need to eat. For me, 1200 is fine... I am not hungry except at meal time. No symptoms AT ALL of "starvation mode".

    R
  • eganita
    eganita Posts: 501 Member
    Nope. I can eat a lot more than that and lose weight. I'd be starving and cranky on 1200 calories. I guess it also depends on whether you mean 1200, or 1200 + exercise calories. Right now, I'm doing about 1400 + exercise cals.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
    beachbunny90 wrote: »
    So I know this site reccomends everyone trying to lose weight to eat 1200 calories... I was wondering how many people actually are? And how it is going for you?

    Also even though I'm new I realize 1200 is too low for most people. I am just curious about if it's working for some.

    Um, no, this site does not recommend that "everyone" eats 1200 calories. It calculates how much YOU need to eat based on your height, weight, activity level, and goal. I currently only get 1200 calories because I'm under 5 feet tall and close to my goal weight. And that's for only a half pound weekly loss. But I don't eat 1200 calories. I tend to eat around 1400 because I exercise.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    edited July 2015
    Rhyalus wrote: »
    So I am an unusual example. 48 yo male, starting weight 258. Current weight 241 - 8 weeks into program.

    I am doing 1200-1300 per day - and that is NOT net - that is total. I am working out every other day - cardio and weightlifting.

    I weigh everything I eat on a digital scale.

    Everyone's metabolism is different. I felt mine slowing down, and I have a sedentary job. There are so many variables that go into what you need to eat. For me, 1200 is fine... I am not hungry except at meal time. No symptoms AT ALL of "starvation mode".

    R

    No, sorry to tell you but 1200 is not "fine" for you, unless you want a large % of your weight loss to come from lean muscle instead of the fat you are trying to lose.

    The minimum a man should eat is 1500-1600 net.

    I am a man that weighs 145lbs and to lose weight I eat 1700-2000 cals, at your weight you should be able to eat 2000+ calories.
  • joannemgregory
    joannemgregory Posts: 8 Member
    I have my weight loss set at a 1lb per week so I have 1680 cals. I couldn't survive on 1200 it makes me feel ill would rather lose slower. My fitbit adjustment gives me extra cals on top but I do not always eat them.
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    edited July 2015
    Rhyalus wrote: »
    So I am an unusual example. 48 yo male, starting weight 258. Current weight 241 - 8 weeks into program.

    I am doing 1200-1300 per day - and that is NOT net - that is total. I am working out every other day - cardio and weightlifting.

    I weigh everything I eat on a digital scale.

    Everyone's metabolism is different. I felt mine slowing down, and I have a sedentary job. There are so many variables that go into what you need to eat. For me, 1200 is fine... I am not hungry except at meal time. No symptoms AT ALL of "starvation mode".

    R
    Please eat more. As a male, eating this low is probably not a very good idea and not recommended to anyone unless they're under the direct supervision of a medical professional. Please eat at least 1500 total. Your workouts and weights will be so much more effective if you give your body what it needs.
  • Terri6627
    Terri6627 Posts: 39 Member
    I'm on 1200 and I always have been. It's very rare that I go over and if I do it's within the exercise calories I've burned. I have no problem with it, you just need to pick food that's going to fill you up.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    edited July 2015
    Not everyone. Women who put in a goal of losing 2 pounds a week but don't necessarily need to lose at the rate of 2 pounds a week: end up with 1200 as a goal.

    I'm at maintenance - but while losing generally ate in the 1400-1600 range. 1200 was just too low for me. Now I'm at maintenance, and 'making up' for some summer/vacation splurges so aiming for 1500-1600. I don't exclude any particular food items, enjoy 'treats' and eat fast food. I COULD do 1200 I suppose if I tried hard enough. But I don't see where I need to do that. Maintenance for me is ~1800.
    beachbunny90 wrote: »
    So I know this site reccomends everyone trying to lose weight to eat 1200 calories... I was wondering how many people actually are? And how it is going for you?

    Also even though I'm new I realize 1200 is too low for most people. I am just curious about if it's working for some.

  • cuckoo_jenibeth
    cuckoo_jenibeth Posts: 1,434 Member
    I do eat at the 1200. I do weigh my food (though I dont always change the settings when I log because I know I used the weight, not the "cup", " tbsp", etc). I do exercise. I have lost 87 pounds in the last 11 months, so at a decent pace. I have full, thick hair, clear skin, strong nails, and I feel great.
    It is a very individual thing. Because I had to go through menopause in my early 20's and am not on HRT, my doctor recommended that I stay 1000-1200 calories. I am also not short...5'7.5. I would not advise other to go that low unless medically supervised, but I think it is wrong to assume that all those doing so are miserable, starving, or inadvertently overeating!
    I am just a few pounds from maintenance - actually my original goal was to lose 75 - and I will increase intake at that time.
  • LeonardReyes
    LeonardReyes Posts: 1 Member
    I'm shooting for below 1200 on my plan. I'm always full! Chicken and fish and lots of greens (I gave up rice). Sometimes I can't believe I'm actually on a diet!
  • puja25
    puja25 Posts: 31 Member
    edited July 2015
    I eat around 1200 around weekdays, then on weekends it goes up to 2000 or more than that. I find it hard to stay under 2000 on weekends as its family time, going out , eating. Plus I have sedentary lifestyle. I sit at home work on my comp or study !! so I focus on weekly average rather than day to day calories intake. I have been losing. I started in march. I am 27 pounds down.
    p.s I weigh all my food
  • jodokast89
    jodokast89 Posts: 11 Member
    Ate at or under 1200 for 6+ months, overall lost 85lbs in about 8.5 months
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  • heatherlewisis
    heatherlewisis Posts: 118 Member
    beachbunny90 wrote: »
    So I know this site reccomends everyone trying to lose weight to eat 1200 calories... I was wondering how many people actually are? And how it is going for you?

    Also even though I'm new I realize 1200 is too low for most people. I am just curious about if it's working for some.

    MFP started me at 1560... But I ate closer to 1200-1300... Now that I'm down so much, it dropped my calories to 1360... But I'm still staying in the 1200-1300 range most days. I don't eat back my exercise calories either because I just don't trust MFP calculations...

  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Serah87 wrote: »
    Most people who eat 1200 calories, who say they feel fine on that, usually don't weigh their food, so most likely they are eating more then 1200 cals. That's why they lose weight slower. :)
    And, as usual, you are wrong.

    I weigh mine. I averaged 1147 last month.
  • fpsrandy
    fpsrandy Posts: 1 Member
    I started MFP about two months ago; my typical day was minimum 4500 cals.

    Based on my height and because I am very sedentary, MFP suggested around 1600cals for 1lbs/week. I initially struggled with this, but a month ago I switched 2/lbs week and now I am suggested to eat 1300cals.

    For the last two weeks I have actually had to force myself to have an extra bowls of cereal, or eat a bit more, just to get a minimum of 1200 cals. Once you get used to it, it's not bad. I don't get hungry or struggle to keep under.

    I found when I was reducing, I had to find foods that made me feel fuller but had less calories. Different things work for different people, but it meant reducing carbs and increasing protrien and fiber.

    1/2c Cottage cheese with a bit of ED Smith no sugar jam (its 10cals/tbls for the jam) was a tasty way to fill myself up (I also was able to put potassium chloride in it, as I find it hard to get proper potassium intake); I initially was eating 1c with two tbls of jam to replace a meal (less than 250cals), but I had to watch what I ate for my other two meals to make sure I had proper nutrient intake.

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