I was just reading what you're trying this time, I'm kind of doing a similar thing : using all my dieting experience to try to customise a weight loss plan that works for me, because one size most certainly doesn't fit all, and even though on paper it 'works' add an individual's lifestyle and that's where the (my) problems start. I started at 1800 kcal and have reduced it to 1654 the 2nd week of my experiment, as I find if I jump in at the deep end I can't maintain it as I feel too deprived and crave food that's not going to do me much good! Your way round of doing 1200 and increasing it to 1400 would be a great way of doing it if you are starting with a very high willpower and mindset and over time it wears off. How are you getting on with it?