Sabotaging myself.. just barely.

SuperheroSadie

Hey all,
So I go into every day determined to eat the 1200 calories MFP gives me per day in order to lose 2.0 pounds per week. I'm currently 164 and looking to be 135, and 5'8.

I wake up every morning, work out, have my designated breakfast, post w/o snack, and lunch, and by the time lunch is over I still have six hours in my shift (I work 10-6:30, but I wake up at 6:30 or so and eat breakfast at a normal time because of my partner getting up for work, so I can't push everything back!) and I'm incredibly hungry. This usually leads to the 'anything I can find' binge within a few hours, and even tiny snacks don't do it, because I'm craving a full meal! Then usually I eat enough for a full meal of snacks at work, end up going home and having another snack or 2, and although I'm all good and on my way to success by 3 or 4pm, it's all sabotaged by 9pm and I'm sitting there telling myself I'll do better tomorrow.

Does anyone have any tips on how to keep myself motivated at night? I almost sabotaged myself by going to the cafe at work for one of their flatbread pizzas... 300 calories, absolutely delicious, but would put me over 200 when you factor in my planned dinner of a burrito from the local mexican joint Still not totally convinced I won't go for it. Two hours left in my shift and I'm chomping at the bit for a meal!

Soooo tips for a newbie? Recommendation? Motivational words? Ways to photosynthesize instead of actually needing to eat?

AliceDark

2 pounds per week is too aggressive if you're only trying to lose 29 pounds. Drop your target to 1 or even 0.5 pounds per week, which will give you enough calories to play with. Aiming for 1200 but always blowing right past it isn't going to do anything, but aiming for 1500 (for example) and hitting it every single day will.

lapierrecyclist

I like the joke about finding ways to photosynthesize instead of needing to eat! One idea is to get a half hour walk in before work. If you exercise even a little bit, you can eat a little more (if you log it in and stay within your allotment) and still lose. If you lift weights, you will keep your muscles (and build some), which will increase your metabolism. Also, I find that when I get exercise, I'm actually less hungry. Another idea: go to the Success Stories board and when you find someone who's hit their goal, click on their avatar and see if their diary is open. You can get some food ideas that way. Foods that have protein in them (meat, cheese, Greek yogurt, nuts, fish) will satisfy you longer, and keep your blood sugar level, which will blunt those cravings. I like peppermint herbal tea, also. And one could try going to bed earlier, to avoid the late-night munchies. Keep going, try different things. Keep logging. You'll find what works for you.

Barbs2222

Do you really feel hungry in the morning? If not, you don't have to eat. The only thing breakfast does for me is make me hungry all day and not leave enough calories for dinner. My dinner calories seem to keep me fuller longer and I sleep better too. When I worked though, I really needed to eat lunch.

sunandmoons

I tried eating 1200 diet and I couldnt hang in with it. Raised it to 1450 calories and lost 18 pounds.
There are days I eat below a hundred calories Its good knowing that I have the backup of a few hundred calories.

Look up your TDEE. Maybe eat a bit less during the day if you are hungry later.

MMMendoza007

More water. And what about adding a big salad, a basic one, to meals. But I do think 2lbs. is a pretty stiff order for the small amount you want to lose. And what about exercise to help you add a little intake without messing up your calories?

Oh, and though I have more to lose than you do, I feel your pain.