Who has only 1200 calories per day?

My doc put me on 1200 calories and Low Carb (I dont wish to hear opinions on this if they are not positive, I am following my doctors orders) I have alot of health problems and my doc put me on this to see if it will help. So far I am feeling better, less tired and draggy.

I am doing what works for me, it may not work for everyone.

My problem right now is meeting my 1200 calories:( I have no appetite, I had one of my meds increased in dosage, so I need to start getting protein shakes and stuff.

I have only 1200, and I get plenty of food generally. I eat loads of veggies, either raw or steamed or grilled, which makes up the bulk of my food. I agree that it really does depend on what you are eating

Mine says 1200, but I do high intensity cardio (turbo fire) or circuit training w/weights five days a week. So I try to add a protein shake after my workout out, or eat healthy snacks during the day. I usually don't go over on workout days. On my rest days, I treat myself a little (allow a small dessert, drink when I go out, etc)--

I'm 5"1' and sit at a desk every day for work. 1200 is sufficient for me on a non-workout day. I'm always full after every meal, don't go to bed hungry, and don't wake up ravenous. Lots of protein in my diet.

I am allowed 1280 but I usually end up eating around 1800. I can stay at 1200 for about two days then I end up PIGGING out. I absolutely can not eat that little and maintain my sanity. I am grouchy enough on a *diet*. lol I have NO CLUE how people stand it.

im in a body fat loss contest right now and trying to be very specific in what i eat, when i eat ect..i eat so healthy im not hungry . i eat six times a day. its crazy because i never ever had a problem eating tons of food. now i have to eat just because its necessary.. im under the care of a doctor and the doctor is blown away at how my my health improved. once this contest is over and im back to heavy weight lifting my calories will increase to help me meet my goals of weight lifting .. if i felt my body needed more calories i would definitely do that .

Hi Amy,
When I joined my fitness pal, the program set my Kcals after I entered the info it asked for. Believe me, I would like to eat more calories--interestingly, I ate more Kcals than 1200 before joining; only it was candy and crap. Now that I am eating veggies and really working to get the proper nutrients, I have trouble eating the full 1200. So far, I am just going with what the program tells me--i am really new to this so it may take some time. BTW, I love your before and after pics. Jeree

I agree with you. I've knocked out alot of processed foods. I still have pretzels or goldfish, but I do more veggies and fruits. I used to complain that they costs so much more. They do, but if I have a banana or apple, I'm not hungry thirty minutes later. If I eat chips thirty minutes later I want to eat again.

I only get 1200 calories, but I exercise so that I can have more, otherwise, I would also feel hungry.

1200 is difficult when you eat foods that are high calorie or high sugar. If you are eating fiber rich and high protein foods primarily it 1200 is hard to get to.

I only have 1200 calories a day because I'm pretty much sedentary. I'm in med school so not only am I in class all day, but when I get home, all I do is sit on my butt all day studying. I do however eat any exercise calories I get.

Honestly, when I first started, it was tough because I was used to eating a bunch of high calorie crap. Now however, I'm working on improving the kind of food I'm eating and it isn't all that hard. Fruits and veggies go a whole lot farther on filling you up. Also, I've cut down on a lot of the bread and dairy I eat since that was pretty much my main food source before I started. It's made me try new things and I feel a whole lot better. (I'm lactose intolerant but could eat cereal for every meal because I LOOOOVE it.)

Honestly, if you're struggling on 1200 calories a day, you're either not eating back your exercise calories, more active than you think you are, or eating the wrong things.

1200 is what I started at....but that is only b/c I wanted to lose 2 pounds per week. You see it a lot b/c that is everyones goal! Just like what everyone else has said....

That said, I have never eatten 1200 calories....like you I would not be able to do it! I have always eatten back most of my exercise calories....that is why I exercised at first....so I could eat more :-)

There are going to be several different reponses....Everyone has to find out what works for them....

In my opnion I have done what is best for me......Yes I wanted to lose weight but I also wanted to keep the weight off...so as I have gone through my journey I have been increasing my calories and have not gained any weight (except over the holidays a couple of pounds...but that was the pounds of junk I was eatting) and.....I FEEL NO GUILT ABOUT IT!!!!!


If people are still on 1200 when they hit maintance and stop tracking the likelyhood that they will gain back the weight is higher! But again that is just my opinion!!!! I am sure people will freak out!

Watch any of the weightloss shows,- biggest loser or extreme makeover weightloss edition(Chris powell) they all say eat more lose weight! You just have to choose the right things and break it up through out the day to work your metabolism!!!!!

My doctor set mine at 1200 a day. I eat what seems like all day, lots of fresh fruits and veggies and there are many days I struggle to get to 1200. I work out 45-75 mins a day , 6 days a week . You can do it, it will just take some time to get used too.

No so... I eat whole foods, veggies, good fats, some fruit and do not eat processed foods nor sugar (except 1 tea spoon in my coffee). I would starve on 1200 calories a day. MFP set me at 1240, with very low protein and fat and very high carbs. Switched it to 30% carbs, 35% protein and 35% fat as well as lowered my sodium intake to 1500 mg. I've upped my calories to 1400 and am losing consistently. My body fat % has also dropped by almost 4% and I have NO problem reaching 1400 and would go for more! I work-out very hard, but only twice a week.

Edit: I'm 5'7'' and currently weigh 151.

I always see people who have their calories set on 1200 per day. Why so low?

I weigh 160, am 5'5", and have mine set at 1600. That's without eating back exercise calories. I have my settings on lightly active, as I am a teacher. I generally exercise 5x/week. I could NOT get by on 1200 calories per day.

How do you all do it?

The reason people do it is a typical form of self-sabotage.
People hear and see all the poop in the media and elsewhere about losing weight fast.

And then there is that absurd TV show "Biggest Loser" - the modern encyclopedia of what NOT to do.
People need to heed the advice of those who have the fruit behind their philosophy.

In other words if you want success, do what successful people do.
You've lost over 100lbs - great job!

People need to hear you!