1200 Calorie Diet

Background

A diet based on 1200 calories daily is the recommended minimum for safe and healthy weight loss. This is because 1200 calories will generally provide an adequate nutritional intake for most individuals, yet still allows the reduction of calories to the level that most dieters require in order to lose weight.

Many diet plans for weight loss that are developed by nutritionists and health professionals are based on 1200 calories daily.

Diet Basics

1200-calorie-diet This diet plan is centered around the concept of calorie control. If dieters are consuming less calories than they are expending then this will result in weight loss.

Dieters are to consume 1200 calories daily. This will involve the need to consult with either books or online resources that list the calorie content of each food.

Recommended Foods

There are no specific foods recommended on this plan however dieters are likely to experience a greater degree of success when the diet is based on fresh and unprocessed foods including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and lean proteins.

Sample Diet Plan

Breakfast

1 cup bran cereal
1 cup skim milk
1 banana

Lunch

Tuna sandwich with whole grain bread and low fat mayo
2 cups raw vegetable crudités (carrot, red pepper, celery)
1 small apple

Afternoon Snack

Nectarine
Sparkling water with lemon

Dinner

3 oz grilled chicken breast
¾ cup steamed green beans
Salad with 1 cup lettuce, ½ cup cherry tomatoes, ½ cup grated carrot
2 teaspoons olive oil and balsamic vinegar
1 fresh peach

Evening Snack

1 small pear

Look for other healthy recipes and ideas here.

Exercise Recommendations

There are no specific recommendations for this diet however dieters should be aware that daily exercise is important for maintaining weight loss and for general health.

Conversely excessive exercise may actually not be beneficial on this plan because the calories and nutritional intake is too low to sustain high levels of physical activity.

Look for exercise ideas here.

Costs and Expenses

There are no expenses for this program other than perhaps a calorie counting tool such as a book or computer program however free online services are also available such as freedieting.com.

Pros

If wholesome foods are selected many dieters will not experience hunger on this diet.
Low calorie diets are a proven effective method of weight loss.
Dieters have freedom to choose whatever foods they like as long as the daily caloric intake is not exceeded.
Can be adapted to suit special diets such as vegetarian, diabetic etc.
Rapid initial weight loss may increase motivation to stick with a long term weight loss plan.

Cons

Necessary to count calories and measure foods.
Diet will need to be planned carefully so as to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Many dieters will experience fatigue and hunger on a low calorie diet.
Not suitable for physically active individuals.
High risk of rebound weight gain when calorie intake is increased.

Conclusions

A 1200 calorie diet is likely to produce results for most individuals, at least in the short term. However in order for weight loss to be sustained it will be necessary to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes.

Dieters will have an increased chance of success if they learn how to select nutritionally balanced meals, to manage psychological stress and to incorporate daily physical activity into their routines.

205 Comments

i need to lose 150lbs. Is this the right diet for me? Could someone please let me know what your daily meal intake consists of.

by CINDY on 1/14/10

I started on this diet in March of 2009. I have really tried not to deviate. Sometimes I eat out but I really watch it. I have lost 65 pounds from my highest weight of 240. I am so thrilled with the results that I have been able to start back in ballet and I continue to increase my activity level. My goals is 130 ounds and according to the lose weight calculator, I will reach my goal in October of 2010. I know that the rest of the weight will not come off as fast but I am not hungry. I eat a lot of food. Lots of veggies and lean chicken, turkey, tuna, egg whites,nonfat, non sugar pudding nade with nonfat milk. If I want a different dessert I can eat a whole huge bowl of sugar free jello and snd lowfat cool whip and I am satifsfied. That bowl of jello is only 100 calories and I can eat all four servings. I eat a whole english cucumber daily. It’s really difficult to eat all of the food (salad and veggies) but you must to keep up your strength. I believe it can be done but you have to choose the right foods and don’t deprive yourself of things you like. I eat four slices of whole grain bread daily. I can’t believe how easy it is. You automatically know what the calories are once you get started and it’s easy to count by going on-line. My digestive system is working great too. When I reach my goal I must stay at about 1600-1800 calories daily to maintain. That will be a breeze for me now. It’s a life style change and you have to be ready to commit for life.

by Francine on 1/15/10

i quit smoking 1 yr ago the 1st 6months no weight gain but after that 20lbs came on so fast i didint see it coming now i want to try 1200 diet sure hope it will work for me

by sheila on 1/17/10

im doing 1200 calories diet, cutting some carbs (not all), but i eat 3-4spoon x 5-10 daily. i dont feel hungry. lol! my mini meals are quite high fat. it helps me to lose weight without hunger!!!!

by SYIMA on 1/18/10

Can you have a glass of wine?

by Ruth on 1/19/10

I want to lose about 25 pounds. I weigh 205 pounds now. My doctor told me to lose weight to lower my BP. This sounds like a good plan and I hope I can stick with it.

by Fred on 1/23/10

I started this diet on Monday and have lost 5 lbs in 5 days. I eat a big breakfast and big lunch, and drink tons of flavored seltzer water, it tasted good and the carbonation makes me feel full. I use the app myfitnesspal on my iPhone, and I know it is online as well. I can add foods as I eat them and it tracks my calories. When I work out if gives me more calories to use. I’m not hungry all the time, I just need to make good choices with my snacks and meals.

by Kristi on 1/29/10

i’m a petite girl who needs to loose 10 lbs and it is so hard. im 4’10 and weight 120…..i’m signing up for GB3 tomorrow. hopefully this diet (1200 or less calories)works for me.

by sally on 2/2/10

Hey hey people. Ok first I want to say for those that are afriad of trying this diet because they don’t want to feel hungry or don’t want to hurt your heart…
Unfortunately we’re already hurting our hearts. We’re over weight and need to lose. I am severly over weight and I have done all the research I could on this diet. I two weeks ago and I have already lost 9 pounds. I found every low calorie item I could find. Some days I struggle to even make my 1200 cal mark. I never feel hungry because I have so many things to eat that are low cal.
Its all about making the right choices.
There are so many sample 1200 meal plans online. Ladies and gents if you really want this all the information is out there. Type all ur questions into google and there u go. Good luck

by shrinking_beauty on 2/10/10

this is the first diet i feel really great about! my doctor recommended this diet for me when i asked him for advice. my starting weight was 194 lbs. in 19 days, i have lost 11 lbs. my doctor is quite proud of me, and i finally feel like i really KNOW how to eat right! as long as i stay positive, and think of this as a lifestyle, and not just “another diet,” i will be at my 135 lb. goal weight shortly!!! i highly recommend this diet…it works and it’s healthy (doctors recommend it, as well). good luck, all!

by jaime on 2/26/10

Ok so i have been on this diet and have lost 2.4lbs….i figured I would lose more than that….the weight came off the first 4 days now..nothing…what am i doing wrong? i eat 1200 a day of good healthy food….i’m 5’4 and 147lbs

by Butturfly2021 on 2/26/10

First off congrat to all those who are already on this diet. I just started march 1st. I feel great and some days fail to get all the calories in I need. I am atleast 120lbs over weight. I have alot to lose but so much to gain. If anyone is having a hard time counting calories i use my-calorie-counter.com It has been a great help. It tells you how much your eating and how much your burning by doing any activity. Good lucK to all of you my best wishes on you weight loss goals.

by Brenda on 3/5/10

Hi inned to loose 80 lbs. have high blood pressire and the weight is really tkaing a tole with my health. I’am stating the 1200 tomorrow wish me luck

by val on 3/10/10

Hi i started this diet 2 weeks ago and i lost 4 lbs already! given i do go to the gym 3 times a week as well… but it really helps with portions bc you can eat whatever you want but you have to count calories. it also makes you think about healthier choices… like “do i eat a cookie for 100 cals or a whole big apply for 90?” … if you choose the one that will fill you up for the calories you are making big steps to becomein healthier!

I’m not a big person and just looking to shed about 10 lbs… but this diet really works… you can’t cheat yourslef though… stick with it… it can be hard at times!

by wedding diet on 3/17/10

hi there

I just wanted everyone to know my experience on this diet.
I did this diet a year ago with many high hopes its very similar to the rosemary conley diet but you have the freedom to choose what foods you can consume to meet 1200 calories a day. I have to admit i really enjoyed it at first. I was hungry for the first few days but that subsided over time.

It enabled me to really think about calories in food and foods that have less calories so you can still eat more but lose weight.I was also excercising at least 3 times a week of gym or a workout dvd for an hour plus i was being super active walking 10 000 steps a day etc.

I was about 2.5 stone overweight and within 2 months i lost 10 pounds which i was happy with but obviously wanted to lose more unfortunately i hit a plateau, i carried on doing what i was doing trying to ride the plateau out but 6 weeks later i still had not lost anything not a single pound I didnt know what to do and felt all my hard work was for nothing!( i guess i expected to hit a plateau after losing at least a stone and a half not after 10 pounds).

my confidence was crushed and i gave up, started comfort eating and put all the weight back on plus an extra 7 pounds! Im not trying to discourage anyone, if its working for you, go for it! i just wanted people to be aware that at some time its likely you may hit a plateau and on this diet i hit it very quickly. If there was a way to not hit a plateau i would definaltley try this again but now im looking for alternatives.
I wish you all good luck on your diets!

Esther

by esther on 4/15/10

I just started this diet yesterday and it is very hard. I think after a few days its will be easier, but I am soooo hungry. I am eating 3 meals a day with a snack in between, but I used to snack all the time, so this is really hard. I am 4’11 and 130 lbs, I wanna lose at lest 15 lbs.

by Leighann on 4/15/10

this diet is okay

by Lynn on 4/19/10

Hi i would really like to say that the best way to lose weight is to excersie 5 times a week, and dont eat any processed food from the supermarkets. Try to eat healthy, naturally food (fruits, vegetables, and no greasy>oily food). I have tried many types of diets, the 832 calorie diet, and many others ’till i found out that eating clean and walking 2miles 5 times a week is the best option. Anyways good luck in your diet hope it works for you*

by brenda on 4/24/10

I have never tried a diet like this before so i’m very skeptical. i’ve always worked out but my eating habits have been my biggest set back. However I’m very excited to see what will happen! Wish me luck!!!

by Charla on 5/12/10

I have been on this diet for 4 days now and I’ve got to say compared to others diets I’ve tried (like Atkins) It’s pretty damn easy. I haven’t been able to 1200 calories yet, It’s hard to even consume more than 800 when your actually counting calories and buy the right low calorie foods. I never feel hungry which is odd because I always craved sweets on Atkins.
This diet is great so far and even If I don’t lose a lot of weight with It, I’d probably stick to it because I know It’s healthier than what I was doing before.

by Lily on 5/19/10

I am anxious to lose 35 kilos I am a Diabetic and am inactive in my exercises.
I need help and look forward to getting your reply.
JOHN

by John Rebeschini on 5/22/10

I need to lose 130 pounds I would like somebody to go on this weightloss journey with me…. Im looking for someone who has to lose 130 pounds or more…. is a woman and needs motivation everyday. Im married and I live in south east texas if I can find somebody where I live that would be great if not maybe we could be partners over the phone. Email me at mahoganysoul510@yahoo.com if your interested.

by LaRonda on 6/20/10

Hi, I started a 1200 cal diet in March and I’ve lost 35 lbs!! I am 5’8″ and I weighed 180 and now at 145 my doctor says it’s a perfect weight for me. I do want to lose another 6 lbs so I can say I weigh 139!! The way to do this easily is get a calorie counting paperback and study it from cover to cover. Pick out favorite foods; I’d actually just go down the calorie column and pick the lowest ones. I eat a lot of celery, but be sure to buy organic because celery is high on the list to retain pesticides and chemicals they use to keep it fresh. I eat natural peanut butter and celery every afternoon and it really fills me up. Also, have the cereal and skim milk and banana in the morning. I sometimes have 1/2 whole wheat thin bun and a scrambled egg with half a slice of american cheese in it and 3 oz OJ. That’s a good breakfast and will keep you feeling full. I buy organic walnuts and Paul Newman organic cranberries and fix a little ziploc bag of about 8 walnut halves and a couple spoonfuls of cranberries and carry it with me when I leave the house. Also, look for deer park water when it’s on sale, Lowe’s had it $1.99 for a CASE; I loaded up on that and drink filtered water when I’m at home but always carry a bottle of water with you. Grill chicken breasts, big ones, at night and have half with half a potato and salad and the next day mix the other half with a little dijon mustard and lite mayo with celery bits and stuff it in a half a pita or if you’re at home stuff it in a tomato, very good and filling. Just remember to take a multi vitamin everyday and drink as much water as you can hold. Unsweetened tea is great with stevia (sweetleaf) in it and good for you. Buy organic spinach and cook it up with a tiny bit of parmesan cheese on it, I loveee that with 3 oz pork tenderloin, 1/2 sweet potato and a side salad with low fat dressing. You just have to stay organized and keep only healthy foods in your house. Have your family help you by going out for their ice cream, chips, all of that. Tell them it won’t be forever but while you’re weak they must help you for your health and for your self esteem. You’ll love the way you feel after about 10 days when your body has figured out you’re putting just 1200 calories in it a day. You’ll stay in a good mood and sleep GREAT!!! Good luck to all interested; it really works to count calories. Then, when you’ve lost all you want, just add in about 100 calories more a day and weigh yourself every other day and you’ll know when to cut back down or when you can splurge and have something fattening. Walk as much as you can; I bought a treadmill and watch tv while walking a mile a day. It only takes 15 minutes, it took me 30 minutes to begin with but you’ll be shocked at how much faster you’ll walk once you start doing it everyday.. GOOD LUCK. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

by meg on 7/2/10

Hi Guys!!! I am starting a 1200 calorie diet as I have about 40lbs to lose. The “plan” I am going to try is on the Chatelaine website http://en.chatelaine.com/english/food/article.jsp?content=20050106_144943_920 Just click on the “7 day meal plan” for a PDF for the week.

This website has all of the recipes online so you can search them by name and it also allows you to create a grocery list.

Let me know if you try this! MEG -Awesome job with the weight loss!!!

by Kelli on 7/7/10

Hi Kelli, that is a GREAT website. I have bookmarked it and will follow it to the letter. I have lost another 2 lbs by having a slice of ezekiel bread (look for it frozen in organic section) with 1 TBS natural peanut butter for breakfast and 1/2 of a big salad (Zaxby’s)with grilled chicken in it for lunch and the other half for supper. It’s been so hot here (ATL) so I decided to not cook at all. I’ve also been drinking green tea with stevia and it makes me so energetic.

The greatest thing about low calories in the summer is that with fewer calories (which is our fuel/heat) you don’t get nearly as hot as you do when you eat loads of calories and sugar and bad carbs.

After I get down to 138 ish I’m starting on the new book, Carb Lovers Diet, from Health mag; I’ve pre-ordered it from Amazon, coming in August, I think. I do love my fruits and healthy breads

Hope everyone is successful with counting calories. It only takes a little while before you’re feeling wonderful, and that happy feeling when you first wake up and you remember you didn’t cheat the day before. It’ll make you proud~

by meg on 7/8/10

Hi Meg – Glad you like the site. I love the fact that all of the recipes have their calorie count at the bottom. Saves me a lot of time to not have to add up each ingredient seperately.

Good luck! I am starting tomorrow with the counting, will see how it goes!

-K

by Kelli on 7/9/10

Its only day three for me..but i can already feel the results. i wake up every morning at 6 for work and usually im a tired cranky mess. but the past two days i feel rested and ready to start my day! i am also doing P90X daily as of three days ago. I am 5’5 and 147 pounds. my goal is 15 pounds by Aug. 7th..so 4 weeks. im pretty confident ill reach my goal! but we will see!

by Mandy on 7/10/10

Hi Mandy~ it’s great that you’re already feeling the ‘high’ from low calories. It really is awesome to feed yourself lower calories than what you’re burning. People expect to feel weak or be in a horrible mood but once you stick to it, like you, for even for a few days, you begin to feel so wonderful.

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day keeps me from giving in to the wrong foods. It’s true, I do have to seek out the bathroom everywhere I go, LOL. But that’s okay, low price to pay to get back in those skinny clothes!!

Best of luck to you, Kelli, and everyone else counting calories. Just think: you can be 20-25 lbs lighter by LABOR DAY!!!! And by Thanksgiving and Christmas you’ll look so fabulous and feel better than you’ve felt in a long time.

by meg on 7/12/10

Mandy – good luck with your goal. I am looking at both Slim in 6 and P90X – trying to figure out which one I want to try. They are both made by the BeachBody Company. I am leaning towards Slim in 6 as my main focus is weight loss and toning more than getting “cut”.

We’ll see how it goes!

-Kelli

by Kelli on 7/12/10

I remember I tried this a few years ago and it worked for me, the only thing I did remember to do was pig out on the weekends so my body wouldn’t get used to the 1200 calorie intake everyday. I highly recommend eating more calories on the days you work out though or at least have high calorie days 2 days out the week to shock your body so it doesn’t get used to eating the same 1200 cals everyday.

by Kyla on 7/14/10

i need to lose 150lbs. Is this the right diet for me? Could someone please let me know what your daily meal intake consists of.

by CINDY on 1/14/10
I started on this diet in March of 2009. I have really tried not to deviate. Sometimes I eat out but I really watch it. I have lost 65 pounds from my highest weight of 240. I am so thrilled with the results that I have been able to start back in ballet and I continue to increase my activity level. My goals is 130 ounds and according to the lose weight calculator, I will reach my goal in October of 2010. I know that the rest of the weight will not come off as fast but I am not hungry. I eat a lot of food. Lots of veggies and lean chicken, turkey, tuna, egg whites,nonfat, non sugar pudding nade with nonfat milk. If I want a different dessert I can eat a whole huge bowl of sugar free jello and snd lowfat cool whip and I am satifsfied. That bowl of jello is only 100 calories and I can eat all four servings. I eat a whole english cucumber daily. It’s really difficult to eat all of the food (salad and veggies) but you must to keep up your strength. I believe it can be done but you have to choose the right foods and don’t deprive yourself of things you like. I eat four slices of whole grain bread daily. I can’t believe how easy it is. You automatically know what the calories are once you get started and it’s easy to count by going on-line. My digestive system is working great too. When I reach my goal I must stay at about 1600-1800 calories daily to maintain. That will be a breeze for me now. It’s a life style change and you have to be ready to commit for life.

by Francine on 1/15/10
i quit smoking 1 yr ago the 1st 6months no weight gain but after that 20lbs came on so fast i didint see it coming now i want to try 1200 diet sure hope it will work for me

by sheila on 1/17/10
im doing 1200 calories diet, cutting some carbs (not all), but i eat 3-4spoon x 5-10 daily. i dont feel hungry. lol! my mini meals are quite high fat. it helps me to lose weight without hunger!!!!

by SYIMA on 1/18/10
Can you have a glass of wine?

by Ruth on 1/19/10
I want to lose about 25 pounds. I weigh 205 pounds now. My doctor told me to lose weight to lower my BP. This sounds like a good plan and I hope I can stick with it.

by Fred on 1/23/10
I started this diet on Monday and have lost 5 lbs in 5 days. I eat a big breakfast and big lunch, and drink tons of flavored seltzer water, it tasted good and the carbonation makes me feel full. I use the app myfitnesspal on my iPhone, and I know it is online as well. I can add foods as I eat them and it tracks my calories. When I work out if gives me more calories to use. I’m not hungry all the time, I just need to make good choices with my snacks and meals.

by Kristi on 1/29/10
i’m a petite girl who needs to loose 10 lbs and it is so hard. im 4’10 and weight 120…..i’m signing up for GB3 tomorrow. hopefully this diet (1200 or less calories)works for me.

by sally on 2/2/10
Hey hey people. Ok first I want to say for those that are afriad of trying this diet because they don’t want to feel hungry or don’t want to hurt your heart…
Unfortunately we’re already hurting our hearts. We’re over weight and need to lose. I am severly over weight and I have done all the research I could on this diet. I two weeks ago and I have already lost 9 pounds. I found every low calorie item I could find. Some days I struggle to even make my 1200 cal mark. I never feel hungry because I have so many things to eat that are low cal.
Its all about making the right choices.
There are so many sample 1200 meal plans online. Ladies and gents if you really want this all the information is out there. Type all ur questions into google and there u go. Good luck

by shrinking_beauty on 2/10/10
this is the first diet i feel really great about! my doctor recommended this diet for me when i asked him for advice. my starting weight was 194 lbs. in 19 days, i have lost 11 lbs. my doctor is quite proud of me, and i finally feel like i really KNOW how to eat right! as long as i stay positive, and think of this as a lifestyle, and not just “another diet,” i will be at my 135 lb. goal weight shortly!!! i highly recommend this diet…it works and it’s healthy (doctors recommend it, as well). good luck, all!

by jaime on 2/26/10
Ok so i have been on this diet and have lost 2.4lbs….i figured I would lose more than that….the weight came off the first 4 days now..nothing…what am i doing wrong? i eat 1200 a day of good healthy food….i’m 5’4 and 147lbs

by Butturfly2021 on 2/26/10
First off congrat to all those who are already on this diet. I just started march 1st. I feel great and some days fail to get all the calories in I need. I am atleast 120lbs over weight. I have alot to lose but so much to gain. If anyone is having a hard time counting calories i use my-calorie-counter.com It has been a great help. It tells you how much your eating and how much your burning by doing any activity. Good lucK to all of you my best wishes on you weight loss goals.

by Brenda on 3/5/10
Hi inned to loose 80 lbs. have high blood pressire and the weight is really tkaing a tole with my health. I’am stating the 1200 tomorrow wish me luck

by val on 3/10/10
Hi i started this diet 2 weeks ago and i lost 4 lbs already! given i do go to the gym 3 times a week as well… but it really helps with portions bc you can eat whatever you want but you have to count calories. it also makes you think about healthier choices… like “do i eat a cookie for 100 cals or a whole big apply for 90?” … if you choose the one that will fill you up for the calories you are making big steps to becomein healthier!

I’m not a big person and just looking to shed about 10 lbs… but this diet really works… you can’t cheat yourslef though… stick with it… it can be hard at times!

by wedding diet on 3/17/10
hi there

I just wanted everyone to know my experience on this diet.
I did this diet a year ago with many high hopes its very similar to the rosemary conley diet but you have the freedom to choose what foods you can consume to meet 1200 calories a day. I have to admit i really enjoyed it at first. I was hungry for the first few days but that subsided over time.

It enabled me to really think about calories in food and foods that have less calories so you can still eat more but lose weight.I was also excercising at least 3 times a week of gym or a workout dvd for an hour plus i was being super active walking 10 000 steps a day etc.

I was about 2.5 stone overweight and within 2 months i lost 10 pounds which i was happy with but obviously wanted to lose more unfortunately i hit a plateau, i carried on doing what i was doing trying to ride the plateau out but 6 weeks later i still had not lost anything not a single pound I didnt know what to do and felt all my hard work was for nothing!( i guess i expected to hit a plateau after losing at least a stone and a half not after 10 pounds).

my confidence was crushed and i gave up, started comfort eating and put all the weight back on plus an extra 7 pounds! Im not trying to discourage anyone, if its working for you, go for it! i just wanted people to be aware that at some time its likely you may hit a plateau and on this diet i hit it very quickly. If there was a way to not hit a plateau i would definaltley try this again but now im looking for alternatives.
I wish you all good luck on your diets!

Esther

by esther on 4/15/10
I just started this diet yesterday and it is very hard. I think after a few days its will be easier, but I am soooo hungry. I am eating 3 meals a day with a snack in between, but I used to snack all the time, so this is really hard. I am 4’11 and 130 lbs, I wanna lose at lest 15 lbs.

by Leighann on 4/15/10
this diet is okay

by Lynn on 4/19/10
Hi i would really like to say that the best way to lose weight is to excersie 5 times a week, and dont eat any processed food from the supermarkets. Try to eat healthy, naturally food (fruits, vegetables, and no greasy>oily food). I have tried many types of diets, the 832 calorie diet, and many others ’till i found out that eating clean and walking 2miles 5 times a week is the best option. Anyways good luck in your diet hope it works for you*

by brenda on 4/24/10
I have never tried a diet like this before so i’m very skeptical. i’ve always worked out but my eating habits have been my biggest set back. However I’m very excited to see what will happen! Wish me luck!!!

by Charla on 5/12/10
I have been on this diet for 4 days now and I’ve got to say compared to others diets I’ve tried (like Atkins) It’s pretty damn easy. I haven’t been able to 1200 calories yet, It’s hard to even consume more than 800 when your actually counting calories and buy the right low calorie foods. I never feel hungry which is odd because I always craved sweets on Atkins.
This diet is great so far and even If I don’t lose a lot of weight with It, I’d probably stick to it because I know It’s healthier than what I was doing before.

by Lily on 5/19/10
I am anxious to lose 35 kilos I am a Diabetic and am inactive in my exercises.
I need help and look forward to getting your reply.
JOHN

by John Rebeschini on 5/22/10
I need to lose 130 pounds I would like somebody to go on this weightloss journey with me…. Im looking for someone who has to lose 130 pounds or more…. is a woman and needs motivation everyday. Im married and I live in south east texas if I can find somebody where I live that would be great if not maybe we could be partners over the phone. Email me at mahoganysoul510@yahoo.com if your interested.

by LaRonda on 6/20/10
Hi, I started a 1200 cal diet in March and I’ve lost 35 lbs!! I am 5’8″ and I weighed 180 and now at 145 my doctor says it’s a perfect weight for me. I do want to lose another 6 lbs so I can say I weigh 139!! The way to do this easily is get a calorie counting paperback and study it from cover to cover. Pick out favorite foods; I’d actually just go down the calorie column and pick the lowest ones. I eat a lot of celery, but be sure to buy organic because celery is high on the list to retain pesticides and chemicals they use to keep it fresh. I eat natural peanut butter and celery every afternoon and it really fills me up. Also, have the cereal and skim milk and banana in the morning. I sometimes have 1/2 whole wheat thin bun and a scrambled egg with half a slice of american cheese in it and 3 oz OJ. That’s a good breakfast and will keep you feeling full. I buy organic walnuts and Paul Newman organic cranberries and fix a little ziploc bag of about 8 walnut halves and a couple spoonfuls of cranberries and carry it with me when I leave the house. Also, look for deer park water when it’s on sale, Lowe’s had it $1.99 for a CASE; I loaded up on that and drink filtered water when I’m at home but always carry a bottle of water with you. Grill chicken breasts, big ones, at night and have half with half a potato and salad and the next day mix the other half with a little dijon mustard and lite mayo with celery bits and stuff it in a half a pita or if you’re at home stuff it in a tomato, very good and filling. Just remember to take a multi vitamin everyday and drink as much water as you can hold. Unsweetened tea is great with stevia (sweetleaf) in it and good for you. Buy organic spinach and cook it up with a tiny bit of parmesan cheese on it, I loveee that with 3 oz pork tenderloin, 1/2 sweet potato and a side salad with low fat dressing. You just have to stay organized and keep only healthy foods in your house. Have your family help you by going out for their ice cream, chips, all of that. Tell them it won’t be forever but while you’re weak they must help you for your health and for your self esteem. You’ll love the way you feel after about 10 days when your body has figured out you’re putting just 1200 calories in it a day. You’ll stay in a good mood and sleep GREAT!!! Good luck to all interested; it really works to count calories. Then, when you’ve lost all you want, just add in about 100 calories more a day and weigh yourself every other day and you’ll know when to cut back down or when you can splurge and have something fattening. Walk as much as you can; I bought a treadmill and watch tv while walking a mile a day. It only takes 15 minutes, it took me 30 minutes to begin with but you’ll be shocked at how much faster you’ll walk once you start doing it everyday.. GOOD LUCK. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

by meg on 7/2/10
Hi Guys!!! I am starting a 1200 calorie diet as I have about 40lbs to lose. The “plan” I am going to try is on the Chatelaine website http://en.chatelaine.com/english/food/article.jsp?content=20050106_144943_920 Just click on the “7 day meal plan” for a PDF for the week.

This website has all of the recipes online so you can search them by name and it also allows you to create a grocery list.

Let me know if you try this! MEG -Awesome job with the weight loss!!!

by Kelli on 7/7/10
Hi Kelli, that is a GREAT website. I have bookmarked it and will follow it to the letter. I have lost another 2 lbs by having a slice of ezekiel bread (look for it frozen in organic section) with 1 TBS natural peanut butter for breakfast and 1/2 of a big salad (Zaxby’s)with grilled chicken in it for lunch and the other half for supper. It’s been so hot here (ATL) so I decided to not cook at all. I’ve also been drinking green tea with stevia and it makes me so energetic.

The greatest thing about low calories in the summer is that with fewer calories (which is our fuel/heat) you don’t get nearly as hot as you do when you eat loads of calories and sugar and bad carbs.

After I get down to 138 ish I’m starting on the new book, Carb Lovers Diet, from Health mag; I’ve pre-ordered it from Amazon, coming in August, I think. I do love my fruits and healthy breads

Hope everyone is successful with counting calories. It only takes a little while before you’re feeling wonderful, and that happy feeling when you first wake up and you remember you didn’t cheat the day before. It’ll make you proud~

by meg on 7/8/10
Hi Meg – Glad you like the site. I love the fact that all of the recipes have their calorie count at the bottom. Saves me a lot of time to not have to add up each ingredient seperately.

Good luck! I am starting tomorrow with the counting, will see how it goes!

-K

by Kelli on 7/9/10
Its only day three for me..but i can already feel the results. i wake up every morning at 6 for work and usually im a tired cranky mess. but the past two days i feel rested and ready to start my day! i am also doing P90X daily as of three days ago. I am 5’5 and 147 pounds. my goal is 15 pounds by Aug. 7th..so 4 weeks. im pretty confident ill reach my goal! but we will see!

by Mandy on 7/10/10
Hi Mandy~ it’s great that you’re already feeling the ‘high’ from low calories. It really is awesome to feed yourself lower calories than what you’re burning. People expect to feel weak or be in a horrible mood but once you stick to it, like you, for even for a few days, you begin to feel so wonderful.

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day keeps me from giving in to the wrong foods. It’s true, I do have to seek out the bathroom everywhere I go, LOL. But that’s okay, low price to pay to get back in those skinny clothes!!

Best of luck to you, Kelli, and everyone else counting calories. Just think: you can be 20-25 lbs lighter by LABOR DAY!!!! And by Thanksgiving and Christmas you’ll look so fabulous and feel better than you’ve felt in a long time.

by meg on 7/12/10
Mandy – good luck with your goal. I am looking at both Slim in 6 and P90X – trying to figure out which one I want to try. They are both made by the BeachBody Company. I am leaning towards Slim in 6 as my main focus is weight loss and toning more than getting “cut”.

We’ll see how it goes!

-Kelli

by Kelli on 7/12/10
I remember I tried this a few years ago and it worked for me, the only thing I did remember to do was pig out on the weekends so my body wouldn’t get used to the 1200 calorie intake everyday. I highly recommend eating more calories on the days you work out though or at least have high calorie days 2 days out the week to shock your body so it doesn’t get used to eating the same 1200 cals everyday.

by Kyla on 7/14/10

1200 Calorie Diet

Background

Diet Basics

Recommended Foods

Sample Diet Plan

Exercise Recommendations

Costs and Expenses

Pros

Cons

Conclusions

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1200 Calorie Diet

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