Cannot lose weight even though I stay within my calorie goal

1200 calories is way too low. As a woman, you are not supposed to eat under 1300 (and that's pushing it) but 1400 is what i've mainly heard. I started at 1300 and couldn't lose.. I bumped it up to 1600 and lost 7 pounds the first month. You have to remember if your body thinks it's starving, it's NOT going to shed any weight!

It's been mentioned but I'd like to reiterate the importance of protein, just from initial inspection 200+ grams of carbs and 50- grams of protein is completely out of sorts IMO. I know MFP is what gives the initial proportions and yes these proportions can be effective, especially when someone is working in a weight loss range where merely having a calorie deficit will suffice. For someone who's a bit lower in body fat (10-15 to lose) eating 200+ carbs and 50- protein is like carb loading prior to an event... or a consistent elite athletic diet.


My suggestion is move your percentages to around 40/40/20 (p/c/f) give your body some time at those levels to adjust, then re-evaluate your energy levels, if you're dragging *kitten* everyday and starting to feel sick you need more cals if you're bonking during every exercise session you need more carbs. When you're down to around 10-15 pounds to go, things like anaerobic threshold begin to play a larger role in your ability to lose fat and providing the right proportions of carbs at the right times begins to be important as well.