Dieting alone - 1200 calories intake - how long did it you?

years ago I lost 30 lbs in about 2 months just cutting what i eat in half. I didn't even change what I ate, just made smaller portions. Then I got pregnant lol!

I have excerised my btt off for year and never lost any weight. I am tone but still a pretty good sized girl. I have now started eating correct and the weight loss is amazing. I have lost 7 pds in about two weeks. I have finally surrendered and now see that eating is the key. I am very very active, **** I just got done hiking the Grand Canyon in a day but I still was not losing weight. It's all in the eating!!!

I'm on 1500 cals but mine is a combo of exercise and diet...however My best friend is losing slowly on just good eating she is currently not working out at all bad knees....

In Oct 2011 is when I got really focused on changing my lifestyle. I have lost 89 pounds to date with 100 more to lose. I am now down to 1100 Calories a day and then depending on how hard I exercise what I eat back. I allow myself one day a week where I am not so strict. I live a normal life, still eating everything I did before except for white bread, cereal, and milk. Instead I eat fiber bread or a low carb tortilla, unsweetened almond milk, and protein pancake if I need more for breakfast then a protein shake.

My journey has been an eye opener. I never realized how many calories was being put into my system.

Good Luck!

oh and not much excorsize :S

This is my first time shedding fat through diet. I am doing 1750 net calories, and it's only been 25 days so far, but I am on my way. Good luck sticking to 1200 calories. I have to spread my calories out through the day to keep from being hungry. I don't think I could do it if I only ate 1200. I would have to take an appetite suppressant to make it through, and I swore those off several years ago.

I think the important thing is portion size and calories-in/calories-out. That is the only way I see myself maintaining this as a lifestyle if I get to do some math while I'm at it.

After I gave birth, I was 5'9 and 205ishlbs (Before pregnancy was about 140-150 and one week before my csection was 224!) I began dieting KIND OF just cutting back in May 2011 and then started the HCG Diet in July of 2011. with that I lost down to 168lbs by Nov. 2011 (with no workout). I maintained for Dec. 2011, to Feb. 2012 and through ALOT of stress ate myself back up to 193lbs by Mid May this year. I began a 1200 cal. 'diet' mid may and plateaud at 170-171-172. I decided to add breakfast to my diet since I was eating less than 1200 most days. Been doing that for about a week. I am still 171, and began JM 30 Day Shred yesterday. My goal would be to be 145ish.

You can do alot through dieting since your knee is injured. I do think there comes a point where it levels out though without excercise though. For me, anyways.

I am not on 1200 calories, but I have done barely any exercise throughout my whole journey.

I was on 1650 calories for most of my weight loss, and am now on 1550. I will drop it to 1450 when I stall (as I get close to goal).

I have lost 31lbs in 20 weeks. It may have taken me this long due to the lack of exercise, but it's fine by me

I'm on 1200. I've lost 43lbs since March 16th. I have a lot to lose, so it came off very quickly at first and has now stabilized at healthy levels. I also can't exercise right now, other than some light yoga and resistance training.

I am mostly tracking my calorie intake with just occasional walking....I have lost 13lbs in 3 weeks. I tried to go down to 1200 a day but found it left me a little too hungry. So I increased it to, 1300-1350, try to make those calories mostly protein and now I am never hungry nor do I have any major cravings!! I allow myself one meal a week to splurge but find myself so motivated by my early success that I don't go too crazy. Last night was one slice of pizza & a glass of wine. I have a really long way to go but I am loving the program and support here on MFP!! Best of luck!!!

I have back issues that are extreamly limiting. I have had a couple of back surgeries and lead a very sedentary lifestyle.

I love nature photography so I hike and kayak when I can. Unfortunately "When I can" is not very often. That is one of may main reasons for changing my lifestyle. I want to be able to be more active and I believe that every pound i lose helps me out.

In 60 days of eating at or under my calorie goal I have lost over 30 lbs with basically no regular exercise routine. Granted the 30lbs was only 10% of my starting body weight.

As I lose the weight I am hoping to be more active and I can already tell the difference. For me though this calorie goal is not a "diet", this is a lifestyle change. The minute I quit watching calories I will put the weight back on.

Some more "Able-Bodied" individuals will tell you that you NEED to excersise regularly to be healthy. They are not wrong, the more physically active you are the better it is for you. However you do not NEED to excersise to lose weight. You have to be careful not to starve yourself, and you have to be patient with the results. But you CAN lose weight by eating right.

The most frustrating thing for me about my inability to really excesise is when I hear freinds say things like, "ill have the desert, ill just have to run an extra mile tonight.". That is not an option for me, my only option is to remain diciplined in what I eat.

Sorry for writing a book, just wanted to say you CAN do it if you put your mind to it!!!!