Try 1600 calories for 2 weeks (one week is more prone to random fluctuations) and see what happens!

But I will say that I started calorie counting at 285 pounds (or so), at 2000 calories/day and lost 100 pounds in 55 weeks. I did drop it down to about 1800 calories by the end. I was VERY consistent in that year, however. I don't think I had a single day when I ate to my maintenance caloires.

Everyone is different. I think what you are looking for is that "sweet spot" where you are losing regularly and consistently but are doing something you can stick with through all of life -- not just on the days that it's convenient. Trust me, life will interfere!

1200 is definitely not enough for you, imo. I think if you stick with what you're doing you'll start losing again eventually, but I think you'd be better off trying to increase your calories for at least 2-3 weeks and see what happens.

Yep, I understand! We all have to find what works for us, and I think trying 1600 (or even 1800) calories a day would likely be sustainable for you and lead to (hopefully) regular weight loss.

Patience is also important. You lost a lot of weight and then gained some. That can be perfectly normal! A lot of that weight was water weight. Perhaps you gained back some water? How many weeks has the regain been going on? 1-2? 5-6?

I think someitmes our biggest enemy is ourselves in this process. For instance, I lost a pound last week and gained back 2 this week. My eating and exercise were good last week. Why did I gain? Who knows? After all, most of our weight is water... I might not have lost fat last week, but been a little dehydrated... it can make our heads spin!

So, you have to sort of set your mind to be in this for the long haul and find ways to keep committing to the process, even if it doesn't show immediate results!

Yes, yes, yes!

I lost 6 pounds 2 weeks ago. Gained 4 of it back over the past week, despite eating on plan (except for 1 day). Finally got 2 of it back off. I've noticed when I lose a bunch at once, it kind of rebounds a bit.

I would suggest increasing your calories to see how that goes. This board has taught me that when/if I ever hit a plateau for more than 4ish weeks, that it is time for me to drop some calories ~ but if you start too low, then you won't have any calories to drop down to. Plus, your body may think it is in starvation mode since you are eating so few calories, so your body might be holding on to the fat!

I started calorie counting last month and started between 1600-1700 calories and lost about 1.5 pounds a week. Last week, I decided to go up to 1700-1800 just to see what would happen and I still lost 1.5 pounds. Sometimes you just have to mess around with the calorie ranges to see what happens. And it's hard, but be patient...the scale will go down!

The body doesn't react well to extremes. I think moderation is key. I agree with the poster who recommended 1600-1800 cals a day. An occasional "high day" wouldn't hurt either.

Lastly, if your calories are in check and your sodium is below 2,000mgs you should not IMHO be having crazy weight fluctuations. BEWARE!!! HIGH sodium diets are a silent motivation strangler! Keep your sodium low, then when you weigh yourself weekly, you are getting an HONEST accounting on whether what your doing is working or not.

Stalls are simply your body's way to telling you, you need to change something. Listen to your body..it really does speak volumes!

All the best!

I didn't see anything in your post about exercise. If you are exercising as well as restricting your diet then you really need to up your caloric intake. Your body is going to go into starvation mode and try to hold on to everything you put in your mouth and have a negative affect to everything you are trying to accomplish. Don't give up. Most of us see a big drop in the first 2 weeks and then nothing or a gain. It is also your body trying to adjust to the new you. It took me 2 months to see the scale start moving downward at a steady pace. And I know that along the way there will be plateaus and I will have to change things up again. So be strong and stay with it and you WILL start seeing changes.

I have PCOS also and for us it's even HARDER to make our bodies let go.

That being said 1200 is WAY to low for you. I honestly wouldn't go below 1800 because while I know that is a lot you are carrying a lot more weight so your body needs more to do it's basic daily functions. I have found that if I have a deficit of over 1000 calories a day my PCOS body refuses to budge. BUT if I stay around 800 the weight starts creeping off. It's taken me a LOT of trial and error unfortunately

I also find that with PCOS something will work for a few months- then stop working and I have to tweak again- it's VERY frustrating!

Hi just a side note to add to the other posts. Reading your post I could really feel the stress, and feel how upset you are. Stress can really mess with your body too. If at all possible keep going with the recommendations but try to not think about it. Hard I know, Watch a movie, read a favorite book, get your mind off dieting or it can drive you nuts. Took me along time ti figure that out.

I weigh 263 and I eat approx 1550-1800 cals a day. I don't keep everyday the same. I also practice strictly clean eating and it's making a huge difference for me. I've lost 4 pounds this week.

lovegoddess -- Let us know how it goes!!

Just wanted to add that my husband started at 409 pounds and has been losing weight since late September on 2700 calories a day!! He's lost around 55lbs so far. You definitely need more. I would try about 2000 if I were you. Think about it....if you were eating 4000 a day before, then 2000 is still a HUGE difference so you should lose on that.