I have been foolishly fooling myself for at least the last 18 months.

I figured since I was "only" eating about 1200-1300 calories/day, I should be at worst maintaining and definitely not gaining, but over the last 18 months I have gained 9 pounds.

Then, while investigating the 5:2 diet plan (a variation of intermittent fasting) and using their BMR - BMI - TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) calculators, I saw to my HORROR that the difference between my maintaining my current weight and achieving my goal weight (20 lbs lighter) was only about 100 calories.

This, my dear SS friends, is a huge wake-up call!

Only 100 calories did that? oouch! What a crapp(( So sorry to hear! Thank you for sharing your bad experience! now we all will be aware

Yes, I can't stress that enough: only 100 extra calories, over time, turns into 20 extra pounds!!! At least that has been my (very sad) personal experience.

You can bet I am now paying much more attention to calorie counts.

Thanks for the advice.. I should see my calorie balance and decide if I am in the same situation :/

18 months - + 9lbs because of an extra 100 calories a day.

I know this is an old thread (that was bumped) but still thought I'd add to it that 1200 calories is under eating, when you under eat your body starts storing for energy among other things and you can slowly gain weight. Also it comes down to what you eat not how many claories you eat.

Oh and also IMO the BMI calculators are bollock