The 1,200 Calorie Trap (and Why It Doesn’t Work)
1,200 calories sounds like the magic number for weight loss, but for most women, it’s actually the reason their fat loss is stalled.
If you’ve ever thought:
- “I barely eat and I still can’t lose weight…”
- “I used to lose weight on 1,200 calories — what happened?”
- “I’m scared to eat more, but I’m not seeing progress at all…”
…then you’ve likely fallen into the metabolism adaptation trap.
❣️This is nothing to panic about because your body isn’t broken, it is simply trying to survive!
What Actually Happens When You Eat Too Little
When you’re stuck at low intake for too long, your body starts adapting:
- Your metabolism slows down to conserve energy
- Your hunger and fullness hormones get dysregulated
- Your body starts storing fat instead of burning it
- You struggle with chronic low energy, mood, and libido
- AND your motivation tanks
This is why you can actually gain weight on 1,200 calories: your metabolism has adapted TO that 1,200 calorie intake, making 1,200 your new maintenance.
Fat Loss Isn’t Just About Eating Less — It’s About Eating Right, WITH a Healed Metabolism
This is where macro tracking becomes a game changer. Instead of obsessing over trying to maintain as low calorie intake as you can (or just tracking calories and protein), tracking macros helps you:
- Get enough carbs to fuel your workouts
- Eat the right fats to support your hormones
- Stop bingeing from chronic restriction
- Actually see fat loss results that last
If you’re not sure how to start with your macros, take a dive into the CSchmidt Macro Calculator!
Reverse Dieting Is the Missing Piece
Once you have your macros mastered, it is time to dig into your reverse diet!
A reverse diet:
- Slowly increases your intake without fat gain
- Rebuilds your metabolism
- Gives you more energy, strength, and flexibility
- Sets the foundation for actual, sustainable weight loss later
My team and I have helped hundreds of women go from 1,200 → 2,000+ calories without regaining weight, so that they can finally start seeing the fat loss they’ve been chasing for years.
You Deserve More Than Toddler-Sized Portions
If 1,200 calories worked, my gal — you wouldn’t still be stuck.
If you’ve tried every diet under the sun… if you’re exhausted from restriction… if you know you need to heal your metabolism but you’ve been scared to start, this is your wake up call that nothing changes if nothing changes!
Healing your metabolism isn’t just about food. It’s about freedom.
- Freedom to eat out without guilt
- Freedom to enjoy ice cream with your kids
- Freedom to build strength and finally love your body again
- Freedom to spice it up in the bedroom without feeling insecure in your body again.
You don’t have to keep guessing.
You don’t have to keep trying harder.
You just have to start healing.And if you need help knowing WHERE to start, please do not hesitate to send me a DM on Instagram (@cschmidt.fit)! I am always here to help!
