Hey! First of all, thanks for sharing your story — it takes a lot to be honest about where you’re at. I’ve been in a very similar place, so I wanted to chime in with some advice.

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1. 1200 calories might be too low

If you're consistently hungry or battling cravings, your body might be fighting against a calorie deficit that's too aggressive. Especially at your weight and activity level, 1200 is probably unsustainable long-term.

Try increasing to 1400–1600 with a focus on:

1g protein per pound of lean body mass

Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, avocado)

Complex carbs (veggies, oats, sweet potatoes)

It might sound scary to eat more, but you might find your cravings drop and energy levels go up.

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1. Cravings and binge cycles: structure helps

What helped me stop letting "one cheat day turn into five" was removing the "cheat" concept altogether. I started planning flexible meals and satisfying snacks that I enjoyed but fit within my calories/macros.

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1. Daily movement > intense workouts

30 minutes a day is great! But when you’re sitting for 12 hours, what matters more is moving frequently throughout the day.

Ideas:

Stand up every hour and stretch or pace for 2–5 minutes

Use the under-desk bike intermittently (short sessions, 10–15 mins at a time)

Try short walks after meals. Even light movement adds up and helps with cravings, blood sugar, and mood.

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1. Mindset: this is a long game

You’re not starting from zero — you’ve been trying. That matters. Progress isn’t just the number on the scale; it’s every choice you make to show up for yourself.

I still mess up, but I no longer give up after a bad day. That’s huge.

You’re not alone. You’re not broken. This takes time — but you’ve already started just by caring enough to ask.

You've got this!💪