Anyone else doing 1200 cal/day?

I am new here and have been working on staying at 1200 cal for the last week. I am 44 and weigh more now, at my heaviest 155lbs, then I did at 9 months pregnant! It's time to get some weight off and get back into shape.

I'd love to have some friends who are also doing 1200 cal/day and those who are doing more. I like to check out food diaries to get some ideas of healthy meals.

Replies

  • adamboydharris
    adamboydharris Posts: 22 Member
    You go girl! I have a much different body composition than you so our caloric intake won't be the same. However, I am doing a 1k+ calorie deficit per day. That equates to roughly 2-3 pounds per week. Keep going. Don't cheat. And for the love of everything holy, don't give up!
  • hippychickxoxo
    hippychickxoxo Posts: 3 Member
    Yes, I'm at 1200. It seems so low!!! I hate being short
  • anadee2598
    anadee2598 Posts: 8 Member
    I'm also supposed to be at 1200 a day and find myself going over sometimes but hey, progress not perfection. I'd love to be friends!
  • adamlesa78
    adamlesa78 Posts: 7 Member
    I'm
    On 1000 cals a day I feel ur pain but keep at it I lost just under 4 stone on 3 and half months on here and have kept it off a year later I have my last stone to go to hit my target weight
  • ambrown2711
    ambrown2711 Posts: 1 Member
    It suggested i eat 1300 a day but i never reached it so it said i couldnt ever complete my goal for the day so i had to change it to 1000 per day
  • buxomeblonde
    buxomeblonde Posts: 2 Member
    I'm 5'8, 150 lbs and need (would like) to lose 10 lbs. I'm at 1200 a day and when I exercise I get extra which I don't always use. Good luck all!
  • Eliniita
    Eliniita Posts: 38 Member
    My goal is 1200! I am a similar weight to you, at 145, trying to lose 15-20 lbs. :)
  • Mayesy23DAZ
    Mayesy23DAZ Posts: 30 Member
    Nearly 3,000 here (I'm 6'6'') but the very best of luck
  • alibartlett1978
    alibartlett1978 Posts: 1 Member
    Ditto. Been doing it since September (difficult at weekends and Christmas obviously), you get used to it after a while and I've lost just over a stone! It's worth it in the long run believe me. I'm not done yet, keep it up! I'd love to be friend
  • KennyMarie84
    KennyMarie84 Posts: 18 Member
    Yes, my goal is 1200/day also- but I have a lot more to lose.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    adamlesa78 wrote: »
    I'm
    On 1000 cals a day I feel ur pain but keep at it I lost just under 4 stone on 3 and half months on here and have kept it off a year later I have my last stone to go to hit my target weight

    You can raise your calories to a reasonable level and still lose weight
  • Binskitz
    Binskitz Posts: 2 Member
    6'1" now 190ish. Started at 225. 1450 a day here.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited January 2017
    Binskitz wrote: »
    6'1" now 190ish. Started at 225. 1450 a day here.

    Very low for a 6' tall male. Really aggressive deficits don't support existing lean muscle mass as well as moderate ones do. Google skinny-fat.

    Lean muscle loss is the trade-off for fast weight loss (except when you're obese).
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I've been on maintenance for almost 6 years, but when I was losing, I was set at about 1400 calories PLUS any exercise calories I earned. It took slightly longer than it would have on 1200, but it was a lot more fun and sustainable than eating 1200. I didn't mind it taking a little longer. It's not a race. I have the rest of my life to do this thing right. And it worked, because here I am 6 years later, still a success.

    I think the calorie goal is a very personal thing. 1200 is going to be good for some, and too low for others. Just find what works for you and go with it. Make sure you are getting your protein!

    1000 is a bit low, though, for anyone but the most petite. Most sub-1000 calorie diets are monitored by a doctor to make sure you're not becoming deficient in any important nutrients. Not sure how healthy or sustainable it is for the average person in the long-run. I would burn out for sure going that low.

    Good luck everyone! :D
  • Unknown
    edited January 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • djncat
    djncat Posts: 3 Member
    I'm supposed to be at 1200 but I tend to got a bit over. I have 15 llbs to lose and get back on the clean eating track.
  • Hi there! I am 1200 a day- Have been successful so far and don't feel it is too little to eat. I am 5'3" looking to get down about 15 more pounds for my wedding day in October! WE CAN DO IT! Would love to be friends... I can use all the motivation and encouragemen I can get! + I have a small instagram account where I post inexpensive recipes and the macros/calories for them... the handle is " evenskinnylegsjiggle " ... would love to be friends on either!
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    I found 1200 really tough, miserable actually, but doable my first time around on MFP. I'd never do it again and wouldn't advise anyone else (beyond someone short/elderly) to do it either.

    After I'd regained the weight I lost so efficiently previously, I set my goal to 0.5lbs/week and stuck with that. Slow weight loss is sustainable weight loss. I truly believe I'll never regain to any great degree. It's just so easy to slip back into a small deficit whenever I've overindulged.

    For most of my life I was convinced me that slow weight loss was only appropriate for people with little willpower. I was wrong.
  • mamma_adventure
    mamma_adventure Posts: 235 Member
    1200 here, I'm around 164lbs, mum to 3 toddlers. I used MFP after my twins were born to get down to 139.
    My diary is open if you want to add me.
    Started back today, motivated after a pretty excessive holiday period :o
  • Frazeemlf
    Frazeemlf Posts: 1 Member
    1200 here, I'm around 164lbs, mum to 3 toddlers. I used MFP after my twins were born to get down to 139.
    My diary is open if you want to add me.
    Started back today, motivated after a pretty excessive holiday period :o

    Hi Mrs. Kitty. I'm also at 1,200 cal per day and my story is similar to yours. I had three toddlers including a set of twins. But....I believe I'm much older than you. I'm now in my 50's and although I lost the weight after my twins, it has come back on. :( I'm blaming it on menopause! I'm at 164 pounds now which is not acceptable to me. I should (and hope to be) at 140 to feel good and keep up with my grand babies. Good luck to you...you will take the weight off just chasing all those toddlers around! Cherish each moment. They go by way to quick! Happy New Year, New Us!
  • RockinMBC
    RockinMBC Posts: 48 Member
    I'm 5'6 and now weighing in at 180 pounds. I've become a post-menopausal wine worshipping eating machine - but the buck stops here. Today. I did WW some years ago and was successful - but I can't remember what my calorie goal was at the time. MFP has me set to 1340 as a default - but I'm toying with the idea of going down to 1200. Maybe I'll give it a go at 1340 for a bit and see if I have positive results or not. I also totally admit I suck at being accountable to myself - so I'm looking to build a large support network - friend me if you like!
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    I'm 46f, and shoot for 1250 net. It's not bad if you manage 300-400+ calories from exercise. I average closer to1600.

    I agree it's really not sustainable. You'll find 2000+ calorie days once a week or every other week in my diary.

    So don't beat yourself up if you have days that get away from you.

    Good luck!
  • JusticeAshley
    JusticeAshley Posts: 495 Member
    Hi everyone, I just started a few days ago and am also at 1200 calories/day. So far it has been a challenge as I feel like I can eat 1200 calories in one meal. However, I'm looking forward to getting healthier and eating better.
  • sh3rr13
    sh3rr13 Posts: 2 Member
    edited January 2017
    Hello everyone! 1200 here. I'm 42 and 5 foot nothing and currently weigh 161 lbs. I've been at MFP for a few days now. Loving that MFP is helping me be constantly aware of what I'm putting in my body. Already seeing that I'm a night time cupboard raider. Purchased and activity tracker to link also. Now I just need a few friends on here to help me stay accountable. My goal is 125 and toned. Feel free to add me
  • Becarolach
    Becarolach Posts: 26 Member
    Also in 1200 range been going for a few months but find it hard after the holidays I find having a lot of soup meals helps keep the calories down. Hang in and just keep going it will pay off. Add me as a friend if u want to motivate each other. Either way good luck
  • caseyon2nd
    caseyon2nd Posts: 30 Member
    I range 1100 to 1200, but set my goal for 1100. I tracked all my food by weighing it out for over a year, and was very successful. I have been lazy the last 7 months and have maintained my weight, but I'm ready to lose the last bit I want gone. So I started to weigh it all out again. I forgot that it's not that hard once you start doing it. Also, I find that I'm not stuffing myself, and feeling over full. It's actually nice to know the proper portion and recognize that I'm not actually hungry anymore. The only bad thing is, it's sometimes hard for me to reach the 1100 at times depending on the foods I'm eating. I would love more friends.
  • jennehslater
    jennehslater Posts: 2 Member
    1200 for me too...and it's reassuring to see I'm not the only one!! It's tough but so worth it once the results start showing. You can do it! Stay positive...we got this!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Ive got to ask.. Did everyone in this thread choose the 2lb a week loss option?? 1200 calories is the bare minimum for women, and unless you're very short/elderly and/or sedentary
    there's no need to suffer through each day trying to get by on minimum calories.

    Sorry to butt in, but just wanted to make it clear for newbies that you don't automatically have to default to the lowest calorie option. There's a saying that does the rounds here which is "The winner gets to eat the most calories while still losing weight, not the least", or something like that..

  • jaynerz
    jaynerz Posts: 31 Member
    Anyone feel free to add me! I chose .5 a week and it is still 1200, I am only 5'2". I have an open diary. I will probably go over 1200 on weekends and when I exercise