Sounds like a great plan. Let us know how you're doing.

Not lying, just exaggerating. That's my opinion - sorry if it offended you. I just find it hard to believe that an overweight person could eat 1200 calories a day for months in a row and NEVER feel hungry.

Well - believe it. Cause' that's what was.

And offend me? I'm not sure if that is the correct word, though I'm not sure what is. You really need to be careful how you phrase things. To make blanket statements and state opinions as facts, can be very misleading, at best, to people and well, offensive.

When I first started out at 287 lbs, I did not start out on 1200 calories. I worked my way down. I honestly can't recall being REALLY hungry more then a handful of times. And those few times were not panic hungry, just the beginnings of hunger. Why can't you believe it? I ate/eat VERY well - frequently, every 2 - 2 1/2 hours, and I'm into VOLUME. So I eat an enormous amount of veggies. As well as protein and fruits. VERY, VERY filling. I drink lots of water too which fills me up.

I don't know exactly where that 1200 calories a day number comes from, but if it's anything like other nutritional recommendations, it has a lot of leeway built into it so that it will be enough for large people; people whose food is not exactly nutritionally dense; or both.

Yesssss. I can't quote any exact sources at the top of my head, but I'm sure I could search and find HUNDREDS, if not thousands that would back this up. 1200 nutritionally sound calories is more then enough to live on. People have a hard time facing up and realizing that we just don't *require* all that much food to thrive on and achieve optimal health.

I lost on 1200 calories and must say I didn't feel hungry, not real hunger at least. Sometimes I was bored, or thristy or emotionally upset about something. All these things can bring me to the refrigerator thinnking I am hungry, that is not hunger. Remember we SHORT PEOPLE do not require as many calories as a taller person. I maintain on about 1450 calories a day.

There you have it. Not so unheard of afterall.

I'm glad you chimed in again. I know you did earlier and mentioned your 1200calories. Glad you have now mentioned that you too never experienced REAL hunger.

OK, I guess we've established that some people feel hungry on 1200 calories and some do not. But I'd say it's always OK to question.

I can see how someone who would feel hungry at that level would find it hard to believe that someone else didn't.

"Hunger" is subjective anyway, it seems. I've seen posters claim that they are eating 800 calories and are "just not hungry," and other who are eating 1500 and "feel ravenous."

So... your mileage may vary...

Jay

Yeah, which is why I objected so strongly that there was no way I could feel that way. And why I don't think opinion should be stated as FACT.

To the OP. What do you do for lunch? Could you break up your sedentary day by taking a brisk walk every day for lunch? That's what I used to do when I worked at a desk all day. It helps to clear your head and invigorate you for working better in the afternoon too, and is a great stress reliever. Plus it will help boost that metabolism.

I think it depends on the person. I could not manage on 1200 calories a day for very long. I wasn't hungry or craving food, I was weak and dizzy, and that was with me being mostly sedentary, due to health issues. I had to up my calories, so now I don't count veggies and only eat 1200 in non-veggies and then all the veggies I want after that. That means I'm probably closer to a total of 1400 to 1500 per day now, and I'm not weak and dizzy any more. I was having vertigo every night for almost two weeks before increasing my calories. My weight loss was slowing down too. My weight loss is slower now, but it's still working and I'm not weak or dizzy any more. I still have days where I don't have a lot of energy...that I can handle. I couldn't handle the weakness and dizzyness.

I think cutting down to 1400 is a good idea. I highly recommend upping your exercise a bit - that usually helps me break a plateau.

And, count me in as another 1200 calories a day for months person. They were 1200 satisfying, healthy calories. Even in maintenance, I will dip down to 1200 calories a day quite often. Being petite, over 50, with a sedentary job , 1200-1500 is my maintenance range.

My typical meals are mostly whole foods and nothing comes from a box. Whole foods typically keep you full longer. For lunch and dinner, I must have 2-4 oz of lean meat, 2 servings vegetables and 1 serving of starch. If you calculate that out, each meal is about 300-500 calories. I'm short, so I don't need to eat a lot to feel satiated.

My current diet is 1000 cals lower than my old diet, but twice more nutritious. I don't feel starved, my cheeks looks rosier and I haven't had a sluggish day. Most days I don't reach 1200 cals, but I'm working on it. There are a lot of factors that affect my caloric intake -i.e. TOM, busy at work.

~1200 calories

breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs (no yolk), 1/2 cup berries, LF laughing cow cheese
snack 1: SF Jello
lunch: 3 oz broiled swordfish, 2 cups steamed cabbage and broccoli, 1/2 cup black bean rice
snack 2: 1 cup berries or 0.5 oz almonds
dinner: 2-3 oz pulled pork, 1 cup steamed greens, 1/2 cup black beans rice, 1 cup sliced cucumbers

Calorie stats since I started my diet
Average 1,127 (goal 1200)
Max 1730
Min 614


My nutritionist told me that people that need to shed 100lbs or more can eat 1200 cals everyday. It will not put their body into starvation mode, since their metabolism is much lower than someone that only needs to shed 20 lbs. Some are actually on high nutrition 1000 cals/day diet if they need drastic weight loss.

I was certain there were many here at 3FC who were also "doing" 1200 calories.

I am the very worst at "doing" hungry. The worst. It actually frightens me. I don't even leave my house without something to eat, an emergency food, just in case I get caught somewhere longer then expected. I don't allow myself to get hungry. I need to take pre-emptive measures. Which is why I spread my calories out through the day by eating frequently. I could never, ever stick with this for so long if I were hungry. Never. Ever.

recidivist, of course it depends on the person. I couldn't agree with you more. We are all different and we all need to figure out ourselves what the right amount of calories it is that we require. If I were dizzy and I found it due to my calorie level, I would for sure, for sure increase it. Being dizzy is HORRIBLE. I could not live that way. I'm glad you figured it out.

So far,I vary my calorie intake ranging from a little over 1000 up to 1500 or so and once a month my husband and I go out to dinner and have whatever we want,I lost 50 lbs last time doing that and this go around its working again.Im 5'8,I dont belive in starving myself by any means and I find eating smaller portions every 2-3 hrs keeps me from feeling hungry.And trust me,If Im hungry,Im eating,LOL! *If I work out I have to add some more calories beforehand*
Anyhoo,Thats just my 2 cents