The 1200 Calorie Diet

well I did lose 20 lbs before my wedding (i joined in february and my wedding was in June). The problem was that I ordered my dress when I was 20 lbs heavier. I had no idea that 20 lbs would make such a huge difference! So just a word of warning-- it's kind of tricky to plan weight loss for a wedding. I had to have my dress extremely altered and it still didn't look right. On the other hand I've seen people order their dress too small with plans to lose weight and then look squeezed into it, and that's not good either. I'm not sure what the solution is but good luck and just remember your wedding will be fantastic no matter what your weight is-- it's all about the marriage. :flowerforyou:

I've lost 27# since November 1st on a 1200 calorie diet. But I started out a lot heavier than you, and fat people lose more quickly in the beginning. ;-) I think you can do it though. Sounds like you're on the right track! It's important to remember not to short-change your calorie intake, and allow yourself a splurge once in a while, it helps keep your body (metabolism) from getting complacent about losing weight...

Yes, I did it last year - lost 40 lbs. Now, had I not become lazy and started bad habits.....I would have kept it off...............this is a good website. Do yourself a favor and not think of it as a diet..............if you want it to stay off, think of it as a lifestyle change.:bigsmile:

Please eat back your exercise calories. It is dangerous to start eating below 1200 net. That's why MFP has that number as its lowest setting. Especially considering how much you have to lose, eating them back will be better for weight loss than not.

I have lost 50 pounds and it was really hard. To lose that much by the end of april i suggest working out at least 4 days a week if not 5 or 6. I am a mom and work and its hard to find the time but you have to to lost the weight. Also, make sure to ALWAYS eat at least 1200 calories a day. I know its easy to feel the less you eat the faster you'll lose but that messes with your metabolism which will just make you gain. Feel free to add me for further encouragement and good luck!

Not another 1200 calorie fail forum post...

that's kinda rude for you to post for someone just starting out....geez

If you are looking to lose 30lbs by April my suggestions would be to at least get cardio in EVERYDAY! 7 days a week. Eating 1200 calories is good. That's what everyone says to keep your diet at. However; from my experience I only eat 1000 calories a day and with my cardio everyday and strength training 5-7 days a week.. I lose 2-3lbs a week. You can def. do it. Just stay determined and remember you're in control of your body and what you eat!

Congrats on the engagement!

This! Totally bang-on! And since it's for your wedding, you have extra motivation to stick to working out.
Good luck!

There is no such thing as "The 1200 Calorie Diet".

I'm on a 3000 calorie diet. Should you do it? No.

Some people succeed with a 2200 calorie diet. Should you do that one? No.

Some people succeed with a 1200 calorie diet. Should you do that one? No.

Very few people have lasting success eating 1200 calories. Check out the girl above who said she lost weight w/ 1200 cals a day and is now struggling. Do you want to dump some pounds and struggle or do you want to dump some pounds and be a champion bad *kitten*?

How many calories do YOU need a day to lose weight? Run the numbers. Do the tracking.

If you are looking to lose 30lbs by April my suggestions would be to at least get cardio in EVERYDAY! 7 days a week. Eating 1200 calories is good. That's what everyone says to keep your diet at. However; from my experience I only eat 1000 calories a day and with my cardio everyday and strength training 5-7 days a week.. I lose 2-3lbs a week. You can def. do it. Just stay determined and remember you're in control of your body and what you eat!

Congrats on the engagement!

I am sorry, but this doesn't make sense. You have to be in a 1000-1500 calorie deficit. Meaning your average calorie burn is 2250 calories per day. Weight training adds muscle so you will weigh more. Also low calorie diets like that, are catabolic(cause a person to lose muscle mass) and they also effect your thyroid i a negative way. The thyroid slows down your metabolic rate.

Copletely agree. I wouldn't take the above advice at all!

Me? Rude? Nah!
If anyone reads any of the forums before posting they can see a lot of posters talking about how to diet and how not to diet.
Going into a life change shouldnt be done blindly!
You should research and get all the proper info before cutting calories way too low.
You spend any time on these forums and youll see 100 forum posts about "1200 calorie diet yaddah..." a week!

If you want a sustainable diet you need to eat the proper nutrients and work out.
Period!

My Picard pic got your attention though didnt it?

humm hello I have been on here for a year...i just thought you were rude with your picture of the Trekkie have some compassion...btw my doctor advise me to stay on a 1200 to 1300 calorie diet it works for some and not others...she was just asking a question no need to be a smart *kitten*.....done!

Thanks so much for your time to answer my question. Very inspiring! I did order my dress a size smaller. Maybe I shouldn't lose 30 pounds too quickly.I just really want to fit my dress without looking squeezed into or have it too loose fitting, either! It's so nerve racking! We planned the wedding rather quickly. My soon to be husband is leaving for PA for a job and we don't know for how long. I just want to be beautiful on our wedding day!

I weighed 240lb on my wedding day back in 2004 and I thought I looked beautiful

Can I get a hail yes?

I'm 223 pounds and gorgeous.

I'm losing weight, slowly, for my health. You know that man you're marrying is gonna look at you coming down the aisle and think "HOT DANG, I'm one lucky SOB"... Weight loss or no weight loss.

PLEASE do it healthy. As a general rule, the slower/more healthfully it comes off, the longer it STAYS off. That requires a lifestyle change.

You shouldn't have to make yourself miserable-- and anyone who says they are perfectly content eating only 1,200 a day AND exercising constantly is lying through their malnourished gums and teeth.

Make healthier choices, drink your water, eat smart-- not strict. And exercise. The weight will come off and you'll feel amazing.

You're already going to LOOK amazing, regardless.

humm hello I have been on here for a year...i just thought you were rude with your picture of the Trekkie have some compassion...btw my doctor advise me to stay on a 1200 to 1300 calorie diet it works for some and not others...she was just asking a question no need to be a smart *kitten*.....done!

Relax! I help more people than hurt.
And I dont understand why someone would want to eat 1200 calories a day and possibly slow down metabolism when you could eat up to 2k a day and still lose weight the healthy way.
Thats all.
=D

I started Oct. 13th, and to date, down 30 pds..I too was on the 1200 calorie diet, so it is achievable, but I agree with a prior post, Cardio and eating back all calories is a must..if not your body will begin to store fat, and you wont lose as quickly..I did cardio 6-7 days a week, and was able to lose 1-2lbs a week the first month..after the first month, it does get harder to lose, so I would say really stick to a healthy diet the first month, and do as much excercise, so when you begin the second month, your body is able to increase in endurance and your able to do more..best wishes!

This is my last post on this forum so i'll leave you with a nugget of wisdom!

Know your dietary numbers!

TDEE <---how many calories you burn daily
BMR <---how many calories your vital organs need if you were to sleep all day or be a couch potato.
Body Fat % <---the ratio of fat to lean mass you have.

If you know these numbers you can do just about anything weight wise with your body.

Most crash diets that take you to or below BMR will aid in losing weight for a short time but you WILL lose lean mass and you WILL slow metabolism after extended periods of VLD.
This is bad.
Knowing your TDEE you can adjust calories accordingly to lose, gain or maintain weight.

You will lose the same amount of weight at 20% less TDEE than you will dropping calories to or below BMR.
This is because the human body is only capable of losing so much fat per day then it starts dipping into lean mass.

For more info on finding out your personal numbers you can google Fat To Fit Radio Tools and do the foot work that will give you a sustainable diet. 1) military body fat calculator and 2) BMR tool.
Youll be surprised at how much you can eat and lose weight!
Ask Sunshine on here!
;D

I'm going to bed!
I lose fat when I sleep now because I eat right!
=D