Wow, that's really low unless you're very short.

Problem is, at some point if you're under 40 (35), your metabolism is going to slow down. If you're already eating only 1,200 calories, where are you going to go from there when your weight starts to creep up again?

I've never cut my calories too low and my metabolism is still in pretty good shape at 45. I exercise daily and try not to eat too much junk.

This is how yo-yo dieting starts.

Don't start that cycle. Find a sustainable way to slowly reduce.

For the beginning weight loss, I think diet is more effective than exercise. A lot of exercise may actually make it harder to stick to the diet since it'll make you hungrier. Don't get me wrong, exercise is critical for long-term health - but taking on 90 minutes a day at the same time as extreme calorie reduction is too much at once. I'd start with diet, and light exercise such as walking a few times a week just to establish the habit. Once you start losing weight, then gradually increase the exercise without increasing the amount you eat.

Anonymous wrote:No, asking for myself. A friend lost 25 pounds and told me that’s how she did it. I want to lose weight myself so considering my options.

You can't maintain that. Once you slow down your exercise and up your calories, the weight will come back on.

I would sign onto my fitness pal, use the calculators there and track intake. you should be able to lose at a reasonable rate while eating more than 1200. You also will discover that if you actually weigh/measure your food, your assumptions about calories/portion sizes can be way off. But no, you do not need to do 1200 and 90 minutes of exercise a day to lose weight. I am guessing that at your height/weight, an intake of about 1600, with a mix of cardio and weight lifting 4-5x/week, will get you to 150 in about 5-6 months. (obviously ballpark here)....

Anonymous wrote:1200 calories is only ok if you are small ... 5'7" seems like 1200 calories might be too few. Don't overdo on the exercise. It makes you hungry.

Weight lift twice a week. Walking, yoga other days.

And yes, reduce your food intake. You might try for 1500 to start though. You want to be able to sustain this.

I say weight lift, but body weight exercises (lunges, squats, pull ups, push ups, planks, jumping jacks, the like) are actually probably better for you. 7-minute workout is a great one. Do it twice in a row, two times a week. You'll feel it.

1200 calories is only ok if you are small ... 5'7" seems like 1200 calories might be too few. Don't overdo on the exercise. It makes you hungry.

Weight lift twice a week. Walking, yoga other days.

And yes, reduce your food intake. You might try for 1500 to start though. You want to be able to sustain this.

Thanks everyone. I’m 5’7 and 195 so obviously have quite a bit to lose