1. You Do the Math
Counting calories is certainly one way to lose weight. And maintaining a 1200 calorie diet will use up stored fat in most everyone. You'll need to track your calories by keeping a journal of every morsel, because every bite counts. Calories can come from every source on this diet. However, you aren't limited to one kind of food. Balance is the key when you are eating such a limited amount of calories. Balance throughout the day is key to being able to stick to it as well.
2. Save the Fat for Another Diet
Men especially need to be careful that on this diet plan they don't cause their bodies to go into saving mode. When you get too few calories, the body's hormones go into saving mode and the whole idea of a diet is defeated. You've got to eat to lose weight. Women should up the intake of very low calorie foods to maintain a healthy eating plan and not go into starvation mode, where the body begins to store fat for energy. Make sure you consult your doctor before beginning any diet.
3. Healthy Eating for Life
Learning to love those vegetables and big salads is one of the benefits of learning to maintain a 1200 calorie diet. Each meal can be pumped up with raw and cooked vegetables added to the small amount of carbs, meat and cheese you will eat. Many vegetables actually provide negative calories while filling you up. However, excessive salad dressing and sauces can trip up a healthy diet plan. By measuring the limited amounts of toppings for vegetables, you will learn what one tablespoon looks like and can eventually ditch the measuring spoon.
4. Where's the Beef?
Find lean sources of protein on this diet and keep the portions small. Two ounces of beef, five ounces of fish or two ounces of chicken can be satisfying as you begin to enjoy the side dishes more. Condiments such as vinegar and low-fat marinades add to the overall enjoyment of these small meals. This is a great to time to get used to other low-cal foods, such as skim milk and low fat peanut butter. Fruits such as oranges and grapefruit carry fewer calories than bananas and apples.
5. Traps are set and Ready to Go
The 1200 calorie diet often sets us up to quit our favorite foods. You can have a whole plate of lettuce for 50 calories, but you really want a piece of cheese for 300 calories. Sometimes it is the loss of food that sets the triggers for relapse. While sticking to the strict caloric intake, occasionally let yourself have that favorite food. It's all about portion control. On this diet, it's amazing how much you can enjoy one small piece of chocolate.
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