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Calorie-counting

Discuss calorie counting, including tips, challenges and real-life experiences. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

1200 cals per day on MPF

36 replies

LadyMaryofDownt0n · 03/04/2017 21:38

I've tried a few things but decided that calorie counting & using MPF would be a good start. Eating just about 1200 per day & feeling great after a week. I've also reduced my sugar intake a lot.

Anyone sucssfully lost weight with this? After just a week I've lost the desire to stuff my face constantly so fingers crossed this works as a lifestyle change too.

OP posts:
hoopdeloop · 04/04/2017 08:42

I used MFP and found it great for tracking calories. I now use Fitbit because I got one for Christmas and it lets me earn calories if I do exercise. Ive lost a stone and a half but I've only set mine to 1/2lb a week

FrangiePangie · 04/04/2017 08:44

Am doing exactly the same thing. 1,200 cals.

Are you counting your exercise calories in your daily total? I don't know whether to our not. I generally work out every other day, and dog walk daily. Easily do 10k steps.

Original poster
LadyMaryofDownt0n · 04/04/2017 19:51

Wow hoop that's great going, well done!

I haven't yet because am not recording them as such plus I don't really exercise as such I just have a very very active job.

I am aiming to lose 2lbs per week in the hope that by August I'll have lost 2 stone.

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 04/04/2017 20:07

Yes, very much so. I lost loads of weight last year.

I had to be dragged kicking and screaming towards MFP, but am so glad I gave it a try. I started off at 1200 and then eased it to 1400 (need to caveat that I'm perimenopausal, so my TDEE is a bit lower than for younger people). And I did it!

I'm probably really annoying, as I post quite often about this. But my thought process is that if I can do it - after years of being overweight tona greater or lesser extent - it damn well has to be possible.

Hope it goes well for you.

I've been at target (BMI just under 20) for nearly 6 months now. I still input into MFP, and it's set at 1600 now, but there's enough 'give' in my diet that exceeding that maybe 2 days a week (but not more) doesn't cause gain.

My top tip, btw, is to give up the booze completely for the 'kickstart' phase. Both the empty calories it gives, and also the dents it puts in your anti-nibbling willpower.

TheOriginalChatelaine · 05/04/2017 08:27

Yes I am losing weight using a similar calorie tracker, My plate. I started mid Feb and have lost 17 lbs. Not a difficult thing to do as I am totally committed and also decided to ditch alcohol totally, no exceptions. That is surprisingly liberating in so many ways. I've never been that keen on sweet things so no sugar or processed food either. With all the free resources and information at a touch of a button the only other ingredient needed is will power. I'm doing it for health as much as appearance and the feeling of wellbeing and really caring for myself is immense. I've a stone to go and feel great. Reading other threads makes me realise how much people are reliant on processed foods. I'm fortunate to be able to cook from scratch.

FrangiePangie · 05/04/2017 13:29

My aim is 1.5-2lbs a week.

I think booze is the key factor. I find all willpower goes out the window once I've had a glass of wine so I'll chow down on a packet of crisps etc etc.

TheOriginalChatelaine · 05/04/2017 13:54

Yes, booze opens the carb gate!

Wiggleyfingers · 05/04/2017 22:01

Hey everyone.

I'm joining in the hope that this will help me regain my willpower. I feel like I've accidentally hit some self-destruct button with my diet. I am getting married in August and I have a dress fitting in 2 weeks and I'm eating worse than ever! It's edging towards binge eating at times so I really need to get a hold of it whilst I still can.

Not hugely overweight but I will be soon if I continue to eat as I do. Sugar is my main vice, I have a huge addiction. Portion size is also a struggle so I'm kicking that bad habit first.

I can do this and I will beat this! Will power is just a mental state.

FrangiePangie · 05/04/2017 23:06

Hi Wiggley,

For me sugar is also a tipping point! There are loads of biscuits where I work and I find that if I have just one then my brain thinks, "Game over, you've blown it now. You might as well fill your face with hobnobs." Which I dutifully proceed to do. So, I feel that if I don't have one in the first place then it should help to avoid that slippery slope!

wantsomecoffee · 06/04/2017 10:12

im starting today again. Set goal to 1500 though as otherwise get too hungry and end up binging on junk! would like to lose 2lbs per week :)

Original poster
LadyMaryofDownt0n · 06/04/2017 13:11

Hi everyone, totally agree about the alcohol. I've never really been a drinker so it's not hard to give that up but I am finding that I am stagnating a little this week.

Sticking to 1200 cals a day easily but I think I need to cut the fat out as well, I had a bit of a cheese fest the last few days!

Also I am off on holidays next week to the Lake District so I plan on doing lots of walking and healthy eating.

Does it take a few weeks to see the pounds start dripping off? I've only lost 2 so far.

OP posts:
AndInShortIWasAfraid · 06/04/2017 13:16

I did 1200 calories to qualify for an IVF referral on MPF and walked three miles a day, I lost 7lbs in five days. I think it was the shock to my body as I'm normally sedentary and eat what I like.

Loubilou09 · 06/04/2017 19:19

What is MPF? Do you mean MFP?

applespearsbears · 06/04/2017 19:31

Yes and I love it! I've lost just over a stone since 1st Jan. I've got a Fitbit but don't use the 'extra' calories and do exercise 2/3 times a week. Am also on 1200 per day

ariadnestar · 08/04/2017 17:52

I'm in too - think 1200 is a good aim for me too. Going to start tomorrow, and will also knock the booze on the head for the foreseeable.

delilahbucket · 16/04/2017 11:11

I successfully lost and have maintained that loss using mfp. I didn't cut out anything and I never dropped below 1400 cals a day. I still had a drink on a weekend, but more measured spirits and tonic rather than wine. I had chocolate almost every day because it is a weakness of mine. I didn't cut out normal fat, but did have less saturated fat. I did and still do, eat lots of avocados and cook with olive oil. I didn't cut out carbs, just had less.
I believe that starting off with "I'm stopping eating a, b and c" just sets you up to fail. It isn't maintainable in the long term.

iloveredwine · 20/04/2017 06:53

I've just started on 1200 a day since Tuesday and seems ok so far. Cut out all the alcohol as well as know after some wine the crisps would come out..

Letmesleepalready · 20/04/2017 06:59

I think I need to follow a sample 1200 diet menu, because I seem to give up halfway through the morning every day!

Original poster
LadyMaryofDownt0n · 04/05/2017 20:02

Quick update & one month later, a shit load of exercise & very healthy eating & ive lost one measly lb!!

I am officially giving up on this & going back to slimming world. I don't have time to mess about 😢

I tried so hard.

OP posts:
kara1987 · 12/05/2017 20:09

I used MFP a few years ago and dropped 50lbs in total (down to 130lbs). Maintained the weight loss for 5 years (put on 6-7 over the past year (muscle mostly)), now put on far too much due to first time pregnancy and greediness Blush

Anyway, I stuck to 1200 cals to begin with, but would eat 'cheat' meals once per week. As I got closer to my goal, I upped my calories to around 1400.

I've basically aimed for between 1400-1600 ever since, BUT I like to drink wine and big dinners. However being a lower weight made it easier to do high intensity exercise (Completed Insanity, took up 3 mile runs on lunch breaks, Spin, HIIT and body pump at gym, etc).

MFP is a fantastic tool for weight loss, however it's hard to forever stick at low calories for prolonged times - so back up with exercise to allow yourself to eat!

pullingmyhairout1 · 12/05/2017 20:12

I lost 7st on mfp 2 years ago. Put 1st 7lb on in the last 6 months so gone back to it so I'm restricted to 1345 cals per day now but am finding it easier than I thought tbh.

StealingYourWiFi · 12/05/2017 20:14

1200 is far too low, that's why you're not losing weight. Use the IIFYM calculator to get a better idea of what you should be aiming for. I eat around 2000 calories a day at weight loss goals (although exercise too) so you should be eating much more!

bellarinaroo · 12/05/2017 22:11

I use to be a gym goer but then got a bit chubs after having DD 13 months ago.

I have gone back to the gym this week and my personal trainer says I should be eating 1800 -2000 calories a day, healthy stuff preferably.

I'd loose weight on 1200 a day, but I'd probably make wrong choices and not keep it up.

bellarinaroo · 12/05/2017 22:11

Lose!!!! Not loose. Hmm

thingscanonlygetbetterrrr · 15/05/2017 10:12

I've just started MFP and it came out at 1200 calories for me. I've done iifp and it was similar. I've set mfp at 1400 so psychologically I don't feel too bad if I go over the 1200 but averaging over the last week I'm sitting around 1300 which I'm happy with. I can't exercise at the moment as recovering from a nasty injury but hopefully that will resolve in a week or two. I saw a photo of myself over the weekend and I was horrified! I have to do this. I'm likely half way through my life and I've spent 20 of it unhappy with my weight/shape. Thy has to change. Alcohol is off the agenda during the week (a very bad habit!) and will seriously cut down at the weekend. We can do this folks!