1200 calories- not losing weight. How?!

[Caloriewoes]

So I need some help.

Baby is 6 weeks old and from about 2 weeks, I've been counting calories.
To start I was logging about 1400- felt this was a huge decrease compared to what I was consuming during the end of pregnancy . Did lose to start but slowed right down to 0.5 - 0.25 of a lb a week- so reduced again to 1200.

Despite this, I'm still only losing very little. To put into context, since 20th November I have lost 2/3s (that's two thirds!) lb

I'm at a total loss. I'm actually going to bed hungry and did a 5km walk this week. I am not the most active when I have my baby at home alone (doesn't sleep and I have a toddler at nursery so I do use some time to recoup) but I am active on the days I have them both and do all the housework, etc. I have never had this issue before and would normally lost weight on 1200 calories.

What do I do? It is really starting to get me down as I can't fit into my clothes so I'm rotating 2 pairs of jeans. Do I cut to 1000? I daren't go up as I wasn't losing much on 1400. Could it be my cycles stopping me losing (not had a period yet but not breastfeeding).
All help appreciated! I'm considering some sort of exercise boot camp but I'm so bloody tired!

Check your TDEE (google TDEE calculator) to see how many calories you need per day and deduct 500 for 1lb loss a week. Worth checking what you should be on. As others have said you probably need to increase your step count, get out for walks with the baby or try someone like Leslie Sansone on YouTube for indoor fitness. Even if you do 15 mins it will help. I lost 24lbs on 1200 cals in 2020 (gained some back hence I’m here) and I had to increase my steps hugely, like 15k per day to do that). Good luck. Also give yourself a break as your baby is tiny, I waited for 6 months to diet after babies as life is tough with a newborn and you need energy to recover from birth

Named changed but I'm back to update.

The person(s?) who suggested hormones were right. As soon as my cycle regulated the lbs have started coming off. I had a break over Xmas but didn't gain- just stopped losing. Back on it now and although still a bit to go, I can fit into some pre-pregnancy clothes.
Thanks again for all the advice.

@LadyCampanulaTottington that simply isn't true. 1200 cals is exactly the same whether it's from McDonald's or Salad.
There are other nutritional benefits from eating more healthily and typically you can eat larger quantities but your body doesn't distinguish any difference between a "bad" calorie or a "good" calorie. You will gain/lose the same amount of weight.

[quote MotherOfLunatics]@LadyCampanulaTottington that simply isn't true. 1200 cals is exactly the same whether it's from McDonald's or Salad.
There are other nutritional benefits from eating more healthily and typically you can eat larger quantities but your body doesn't distinguish any difference between a "bad" calorie or a "good" calorie. You will gain/lose the same amount of weight.[/quote]
You are quite wrong. Woefully wrong in fact.

That is why everyone is getting so fat. 1200 calories from a steak and salad is not the same as 1200 calories from McDonald's.

Wrong, wrong and more wrong.

@LadyCampanulaTottington I completely see the science in your argument

You need a calorie deficit to lose weight. It really is that simple. Dieting companies, books etc will they you there's some magic formula that only the know and its all complete BS!

I think 1200 cals are way too low IMO. It’s not sustainable to continue for weeks/months with that. I’m on 1700 calories a day, I aim for 10,000 steps, I may do a couple of at home workouts and I lost 2lbs this week.

You still need to fuel your body, work out your BMR and that is the absolute minimum you should go down to.

If you stick with 1200 you are just going to burn out and have no energy. Plus cutting out everything you enjoy will just make it easier to give up and binge. I know from experience this is what I used to do.

@Gearedtoyou

Enjoy your baby. 6 weeks is far too early to be stressing over this

Eat well and avoid snacking. Get out with the pram when you can.

Eat real porridge not the powdery instant stuff!

See where you are in 6 months' time

This is exactly what I was going to type.