Results on 1200 calories

VickiMe89 · January 2023

Hey! I wanted to hear positive stories from those that have lost weight following a 1200kcal diet. I find it strange how everyone sees it as dangerous or the cause of eating disorders. And I can google that if I need to - so only positive stories please

it’s working well for me so far so I just wanted to find some similar people! I have 50lb to lose altogether ❤️

hoodlisa1979 · January 2023

I'm also following the 1200 diet plan and am similary interested to hear success stories, I haven't seen anything negative about the 1200 cal diet though? I think its perfectly fine if you have plenty of weight to lose & are eating a good range of healthy foods 🙂

paperpudding · January 2023

Probably more fine if you have less weight to lose

Btu anyway I dont think MFP-ers usually post anything negative about 1200 calories FOR SOME PEOPLE

those people are usually smaller older less active females.

If that is you, 1200 is probably around the right target.

1200 net that is - ie 1200 plus eating back any excercise calories, the way MFP system is designed to work.

jyoti_0 · January 2023

MFP recommended 1200 calories for me. I have been following it and by a simple deficit of 150 calories a day, I have lost more than10lbs in 90 day.

As per online sources, one needs a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound. And I have accumulated a deficit of 35,000 calories over a period of 90 days (since Nov '22), and I am around 12lbs lighter now.

I eat 3 square meals a day, no snacking. At 1,200 calories a day, that comes to 400 calories in 3 meals. I eat slightly less than that and keep my calories intake near 1,080 calories, every day. I eat low calories, mostly steamed food. That makes it easy to stay full in 350 calories in a meal.

I also sip water through the day, which keeps hunger pangs away.

I try to eat my dinner early, at the most by 7 pm. That gives my body a 12-13 hour window like intermittent fasting. I'm pre diabetic so I can't stay hungry, and take my breakfast around 8.30am.

My breakfast is the heaviest meal, then lunch less than that, and dinner is the lightest meal of the day.

These simple rules have helped me a lot in this "regaining my health" journey.

Brigit42 · January 2023

In the past I've tried 1200. I couldn't do it.

VickiMe89 · January 2023

Brigit42 wrote: »

In the past I've tried 1200. I couldn't do it.

Same! But the biggest difference I've made this time around is quit drinking alcohol. It's easier said than done but it's definitely made a difference for me

Lietchi · January 2023

jyoti_0 wrote: »

MFP recommended 1200 calories for me. I have been following it and by a simple deficit of 150 calories a day, I have lost more than10lbs in 90 day.

As per online sources, one needs a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound. And I have accumulated a deficit of 35,000 calories over a period of 90 days (since Nov '22), and I am around 12lbs lighter now.

I eat 3 square meals a day, no snacking. At 1,200 calories a day, that comes to 400 calories in 3 meals. I eat slightly less than that and keep my calories intake near 1,080 calories, every day. I eat low calories, mostly steamed food. That makes it easy to stay full in 350 calories in a meal.

I also sip water through the day, which keeps hunger pangs away.

I try to eat my dinner early, at the most by 7 pm. That gives my body a 12-13 hour window like intermittent fasting. I'm pre diabetic so I can't stay hungry, and take my breakfast around 8.30am.

My breakfast is the heaviest meal, then lunch less than that, and dinner is the lightest meal of the day.

These simple rules have helped me a lot in this "regaining my health" journey.

Just to clarify: your deficit is not 150 calories a day, you are eating nearly 150 calories below MFP's recommendation, which already includes a deficit.

Based on your rate of loss, you are at a deficit
- of 390 calories a day based on the number of 35000 total you mention yourself
- or of 470 calories per day based on 12lbs over 90 days

It's sounds low, but if you are older/shorter/inactive and paying attention to eating sufficient protein and nutrient rich foods, it could be fine. I would just be mindful of any symptoms that could indicate it isn't enough, such as fatigue or urges to binge. And you could eat more if you wanted to, and don't mind losing more slowly.

I'm always fascinated seeing people eat that little, I would give up so quickly (and I'd rather have two 'proper' 600kcal meals than three small ones, if I really 'had' to eat 1200 calories).
But we're all different.

paperpudding · January 2023

At 1,200 calories a day, that comes to 400 calories in 3 meals. I eat slightly less than that and keep my calories intake near 1,080 calories, every day.

if you are meant to be eating 1200 calories per day you should be, on average, eating 1200 calories per day - not 1080.

noodlesno · January 2023

Everybody is different and I am a big advocate for doing what works for you. So if you are doing well on 1200kcal and it suits your outcomes and lifestyle then good on you.

I did 1200 kcals for a couple of weeks when I started with MyFitness Pal. It was WAY too low for me and the pain from hunger was too much. I worked out through experiment that 1800 kcals a day is good for an aggressive weight loss (2lb -3lbs a week), 2000kcal gives me a moderate weight loss (1-1.5 lbs a week) and 2500 - 2800 is maintenance. This resulted in a 100lbs loss in 11 months. (These numbers are just what suits my body and not for a second suggesting that this is what it should be for other people)

Honestly, one of the best things I did in my weight loss journey is work out what was good for my body, rather than take what MFP or the internet has to say. Yeah, it may have delayed things a bit more but it has set me up for success in the future.

After a horrendous year last year, I am just losing a bit of weight that I regained (30lbs). I have been doing between 1800 - 1900kcals and have lost 12.4lbs in 24 days. (before anyone comes at me there would have been a lot of water weight in the start!)

Good luck with your journey xx

kshama2001 · January 2023

jyoti_0 wrote: »

MFP recommended 1200 calories for me. I have been following it and by a simple deficit of 150 calories a day, I have lost more than10lbs in 90 day.

As per online sources, one needs a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound. And I have accumulated a deficit of 35,000 calories over a period of 90 days (since Nov '22), and I am around 12lbs lighter now.

I eat 3 square meals a day, no snacking. At 1,200 calories a day, that comes to 400 calories in 3 meals. I eat slightly less than that and keep my calories intake near 1,080 calories, every day. I eat low calories, mostly steamed food. That makes it easy to stay full in 350 calories in a meal.

I also sip water through the day, which keeps hunger pangs away.

I try to eat my dinner early, at the most by 7 pm. That gives my body a 12-13 hour window like intermittent fasting. I'm pre diabetic so I can't stay hungry, and take my breakfast around 8.30am.

My breakfast is the heaviest meal, then lunch less than that, and dinner is the lightest meal of the day.

These simple rules have helped me a lot in this "regaining my health" journey.

When I set a weekly weight loss goal of 2 pounds per week, MFP also "recommended" 1200 calories per day. Turned out that was not an appropriate rate of loss for me, which I figured out by lunch time the first day

tomcustombuilder · January 2023

1,200, if structured properly is fine. It allows for enough protein which is a priority at this amount. I like to be 180 and when I get too much above that I do 1,400 and have no issues with it. A smaller person can easily do 1,200 if necessary. It doesn’t leave room for things other than what’s necessary like alcohol, ultra processed foods or liquid calories.

I remember 7 weeks before our wedding in Hawaii my wife wanted to lose 10 lbs and with 1,200 she did it easily. It’s all about food choices.

nossmf · January 2023

At least once a week I have a single meal of 1,000 calories, and once a month hit 1,200 in a single meal. I always find it amazing people are satisfied with 400 calorie meals or whatnot. But if you can get enough protein, fiber and assorted micronutrients in that small a space, then good on you.

AnnPT77 · January 2023

It's fine for some people. If MFP tells you that's the right amount to achieve sensibly moderate weight loss, that'll be great.

I was non-tall (5'5"), not very active outside of exercise (which I log separately and eat back), older (59) and still pretty overweight (at least 25-30 pounds when I joined, part way through losing 50-ish pounds). MFP suggested 1200 based on what should've been a sensible loss rate (it thinks I'd maintain on around 1500 + exercise calories at this point, would've been slightly more when heavier). So I ate 1200 + exercise calories, which was gross intake of 1400-1700 or so calories most days. I made it a point to get as good nutrition as feasible.

I felt great, energetic, not hungry . . . until a few weeks in, I hit a wall. I got weak and fatigued, and it took multiple weeks to feel normal after I started eating more. It's not always a question of willpower.

If 1200 is right for you, eat 1200 (not less). Do it for 4-6 weeks (whole menstrual periods if that applies to you). If your weight loss rate is the sensible pace you asked for, keep going. If it's too fast for best health or too slow to be satisfying, adjust at that point.

Other people's experiences aren't going to tell you for sure what your experience will be.

tomcustombuilder · January 2023

AnnPT77 wrote: »

It's fine for some people.

Other people's experiences aren't going to tell you for sure what your experience will be.

This

sbelletti · January 2023

At my height, age and weight it worked just fine for me. 42lbs down at a steady rate and at maintenance now.

MsCzar · January 2023

1200 is my sweet spot for weight loss. I lost 6 stone on 1200 calories. I tick all the boxes for that number: older. female, fairly sedentary and on the short side. At 1500 the scale won't budge and much above that, the weight piles back on.

jyoti_0 · January 2023

Thank you everyone for your support and insights!
I have a very sedentary lifestyle (am a writer, so I sit in front of my laptop the whole day, except for walking a few steps inside my home).
And I have gluten +dairy allergy. So, I eat mostly local food which is made from fermented rice (lots of fiber, less calories), and make sure that I do not go hungry.
I also keep sipping water through the day. Since I'm sitting at one place the whole day, it's easy to keep a mug full of water next to me and "snack" on it.
I can't eat packaged food due to allergic response.
My all meals are mostly steamed or boiled food and I take multivitamins.
In the last 90 days, I have become more energetic and active and do not feel tired at all. So, I guess, my body is happy with the changed diet.
I really appreciate everyone for their insightful comments and support, It means so much to me!

LiveOnceBeHappy · January 2023

I did 1200 calories for about 9 months while I lost 50 lbs. I didn't adjust for my very little exercise (walking). It worked well for me. There were occasional splurges, but I was pretty consistent in weighing my food and tracking every bite. I've slacked off now and have gained 5 lbs back, but I'm still okay. I did not develop an eating disorder! I am healthy! 53, female. 173 lbs to 125 lbs (this am). 5' 2.5".

Brigit42 · January 2023

LiveOnceBeHappy wrote: »

I did 1200 calories for about 9 months while I lost 50 lbs. I didn't adjust for my very little exercise (walking). It worked well for me. There were occasional splurges, but I was pretty consistent in weighing my food and tracking every bite. I've slacked off now and have gained 5 lbs back, but I'm still okay. I did not develop an eating disorder! I am healthy! 53, female. 173 lbs to 125 lbs (this am). 5' 2.5".

125 is my dream weight but that doesn't seem realistic.

I give you credit for doing 1200 calories for nine months! I don't feel satisfied on 1200 on a daily basis.

BarbaraHelen2013 · January 2023

1200 calories for one person can look very different to 1200 calories for another, depending on what food you choose to make up that 1200 calories!

As a very short, older woman 1200 isn’t too far below my maintenance, I choose to bulk up my meals by eating lots of vegetables, adequate vegetarian protein and the judicious use of grains etc to give me plenty of food that fills me up.

Someone else who prefers a different set of foods might well find 1200 looks like too little food if that is made up of more calorie dense choices.

1200 is as easy or as difficult as you
make it, in my opinion. If that’s the level you need to lose at a slow and steady pace then experiment with your food choices until you find what works for you, in terms of enjoyment and satiety.

springlering62 · January 2023

noodlesno wrote: »

Everybody is different and I am a big advocate for doing what works for you. So if you are doing well on 1200kcal and it suits your outcomes and lifestyle then good on you.

I did 1200 kcals for a couple of weeks when I started with MyFitness Pal. It was WAY too low for me and the pain from hunger was too much. I worked out through experiment that 1800 kcals a day is good for an aggressive weight loss (2lb -3lbs a week), 2000kcal gives me a moderate weight loss (1-1.5 lbs a week) and 2500 - 2800 is maintenance. This resulted in a 100lbs loss in 11 months. (These numbers are just what suits my body and not for a second suggesting that this is what it should be for other people)

Honestly, one of the best things I did in my weight loss journey is work out what was good for my body, rather than take what MFP or the internet has to say. Yeah, it may have delayed things a bit more but it has set me up for success in the future.

After a horrendous year last year, I am just losing a bit of weight that I regained (30lbs). I have been doing between 1800 - 1900kcals and have lost 12.4lbs in 24 days. (before anyone comes at me there would have been a lot of water weight in the start!)

Good luck with your journey xx

This is one of the best posts I’ve seen in a while.

Weighing and logging accurately and consistently will give you data to make sure what you’re doing is appropriate for you.

I increased my calories three times while still continuing to lose. At one point I was maintaining at 3200 a day. At 60, I need to reel it in and have some recovery and down time. I’m studying my very useful cache of data to reevaluate how many calories I can enjoy at a slightly slower pace.

Don’t get locked in to the 1200 mindset. Remember that food is also nutrition and fuel for the wonderful cluster of cells that is your body. Listen to your body, and above all, listen to family and trusted friends. It’s possible to be chasing low calories or a low weight goal, drop too low and not recognize it in the mirror.

It’s also possible to smack that horse with the 1200-calorie whip to the finish line, congratulate yourself and let go, finding yourself back to Square One.

This has to be something you and I can continue forever, and that requires good habits well into maintenance.

Results on 1200 calories

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