Anyone else on 1200 a day?

1200 seems right for me. I dont feel deprived at all. At first it was hard but after being aware of what I was eatting I started to make better food choices and I found myself eatting more and even eatting under the 1200.

Winning and then some.

I set MFP for 850 and pay forward with exercise to 1200. This gives me a challenge to get out there and do something to "pay" for the calories I consume.

It is my mind set and something that I have learned from my job as an auditor in the finance department. Just because you have a credit card, doesn't mean you shouldn't take a look at your bank account balance. Can't charge something to pay for later if there isn't money at hand. Not really good business sense.

So on the days that I want to take a break and give my body a rest from exercise, I eat to 1200 and go over calories.

If you are struggling with that number, do some research into foods that you like, that you can live with. You will be amazed with the results both how you feel and how this challenge is working for you!

I have 1200 calories a day you just have to plan your meals out ..I eat alot of Low fat ground turkey and chicken and veg beans....(I will say alot the lowfat and fat free stuff is real expensive:(

Hope this helps to answere your question ..

Find a kind of exercise you enjoy and do that until you build the habit of exercising because you are less likely to skip working out if it is something you enjoy. Then start incorporating new things - you not only will work new muscles, but you may find new things you enjoy.

3) Eliminate temptation. If you are an emotional eater, don't keep junk food around. If it isn't available, you're less likely to binge on it.

4) Indulge cravings... sensibly. If you are dying for chocolate, have some, BUT... try to find the healthiest option (for example, one small square of dark chocolate, or make some hot cocoa with some milk or almond milk, cocoa powder, and stevia, which is a natural no-calorie sweetener) and keep the portion small. If you completely deprive yourself, you're going to binge. If you are sensible about things, you won't feel deprived.

5) Drink lots of water. It helps in so many areas. Yes, it does help with weight loss, but it also helps your body function better, flushes out excess sodium, keeps you feeling full longer, and the list goes on and on.

6) Don't skip meals! Eat breakfast in the morning to fuel your body and get your metabolism going. Have a mid morning snack (fruit or nuts are good, or maybe some yogurt). Have a sensible lunch. Have a mid-afternoon snack (I am a huge fan of baby carrots and will eat several servings a day - they are so crunchy that they are really satisfying). Eat a nutritious dinner in a sensible portion. Don't go for seconds. Have a glass of water before and after and then wait 20 minutes after you are done eating. If you are still hungry, have a piece of fruit or some extra veggies.

7) Don't give up! If you stumble or mess up one meal, one day, or even for a whole week, just start over.

8) Listen to MFP. If it gives you a calorie goal that is a lot higher than other people's - LET IT! A heavier body requires more calories to function and MFP will give you the deficit you need to lose weight steadily and in a healthy manner (not more than 2 lbs/week). Don't try to eat 1200 calories if MFP recommends more (including at least a decent chunk of your exercise calories) unless specifically advised (and monitored) by a doctor. That isn't enough for most people and you can't get adequate nutrition on it.

9) This is the motto I go by:
EVERY CHOICE YOU MAKE ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR BODY AND HOW YOU MOVE YOUR BODY WILL EITHER PUT YOU ONE STEP CLOSER TO GOOD HEALTH OR ONE STEP FURTHER AWAY.

I can't do 1200 a day, which is what was recommended for me. I allow myself 1600, although most days I end at 1500. I've lost plenty of weight doing it my way. You need to find what YOU can maintain, because if you're starving and thinking of food all the time, you'll never be able to keep it up!

Also, the closer you get to your goal weight, the less calorie deficit you need. Your body knows it is at a healthy weight, so therefore when you make your calorie goal too low your body slows down metabolism. To keep your metabolism up, eat close to your base metabolic rate and add in some form of strength training, since muscle burns more calories

Yes, I am on 1200 a day. I have met that goal for 2 weeks and lost nothing! I'm wondering if I should go down to 1100? Any advice?

I recommend two things:

* Upping your exercise.
* Increasing your water intake.

Both of these things improve your metabolic response. Your hormonal pathways become more responsive when the heart pumps more. Add enough water to ensure the improved functionality of those hormonal pathways, and you'll find better success.

It doesn't have to be a lot of exercise. Try adding ten minutes a day. But get that heart going! Keep a water bottle with you all day and get into the habit of having regular sips.

For each of us, I think we have to do some trial and error to see what works. In my opinion, 1200 is just barely enough food to provide adequate fuel to our bodies, especially when exercise is introduced. (note * I'm not referring to medically supervised situations- I'm leaving that to the doctor and patient)

IMO, I think 1200 is some magic number that nutritionists use for everyone. When I went for a visit with one last year, she suggested 1200-1500 a day. I know myself and I took the high road and went for 1500. This is a lifestyle change for me no quick or fast fixes, and I'd lost before on 1500 calories a day, and didn't feel deprived, so I knew it would work.

The first month, I had to adjust and was over my calories quite often, but then it got easier. I am losing the weight slowly, but that is how I want to do it. I'm concerned that weight lost too quickly can also find its way back quickly. I am set to lose 1/2 pound per week per MFPs standards. I'm very happy with what I've achieved. By mid summer, I expect to be at or very close to goal weight. Then I get to deal with that 'maintenance' thing, that I've not ever been able to stick with before. That will be a 'nice' problem to have!

Yes, I am doing 1200 and have no problems and since July 25, 2011 have lost 20+ pounds. Its hard at first but I learned few ways to cope. Eating veges, drinking lemon water to satisfy my hungry moments. I also walk 40 mins everyday but do not use calories gained. Trust me it works. Just eat smart as 1200 calories are not lot. Portion control is the key, I eat everything and enjoy all foods. Also do add multivitamins in your diet. Good Luck.

to the 500 calorie a day person above; you are starving yourself to some major health problems. Have you consulted with your doctor? You need to be followed medically VERY closely as you are in danger of metabolizing muscle just to be able to breathe every day & this can have some major health concerns. PLEASE see your doctor & have a full lab work-up done. I am very worried about you.

im on 1200 cal as well. it does work and it is not to low as long as you are managing your calorie intake. i started this past weds. yesterday was the only day i felt hungry because i had 600calories in chocolate. yea i felt guilty so i worked out to have more calories and i felt better with dinner in take.

I'm on 1,200 cals a day and I'm not having a hard time with it. I still finish under my calorie goals everyday. I've been pairing the 1,200 cals a day with the Slimfast 3-2-1 plan and that seems to be working amazingly for me. Please feel free to add me if you'd like It'll be nice to talk to somebody that has the same calorie intake as me, so we can compare meals and such.

I have been doing 1200/day for about 1.5 yrs. I started at 1600/day when the diet started (Jenny Craig) and then you drop down at some point. I don't remember when. I am fine with it. I have 3 meals a day and snacks. I don't lose 2lbs/ week however. On the average its more like 4-6 lbs per month. You really have to be patient. I've lost 100lbs being very patient and have maybe 10lbs left to get to my "college playing weight". Take every 1/2 or 1 lb loss as victory. the alternative is gaining. Adding more protein can help sustain you better, so look at your nutrition. Don't skimp on the vitamins and minerals. This is a lifetime adjustment not a temporary fix.

Have you thought about setting your goal to half a pound a week?

I started off close to the same weight as you with a similar goal (52 lbs to lose). I set my weight loss goal to a half pound a week, and I think I was given about 1800 calories a day to work with. Once I added in my exercise calories, I was typically eating between 1900-2300 calories a day. I never ate all of my exercise calories back. If I had, I would have eaten 2500-2600 calories a day.

I ended up losing MORE than the half pound a week. I think my average over the 39 weeks I've been on MFP is 1.15 pounds a week.

Its difficult, but it is possible!! Just make sure you drink alot of water, that seems to help me alot.

STARVATION!
I still can't get use to people starving themselves. I've never counted a calorie. I eat all I want. I've learned you can't overeat on good food, it can't be done. The body lets you know when it's had enough and you stop eating.
I've lost 145 pounds in the past 22 months.
What freedom you enjoy when you don't have to count calories.
FREEDOM!