Absolutely Starving

slyall08

So I started MFP yesterday and have changed my eating drastically. I am now trying to do the 1200 calories that MFP alots but I have quite literally went to bed hungry yesterday and am getting ready to today. I am so hungry. Does anyone find 1200 calories tough to do?

PepePants

I took a quick peek at your food diary. I think you could probably mix it up and actually eat more volume and stick to your calories. Do you like vegetables? You could eat a large and satisfying salad for one of your meals. Also, you hadn't charted any water--this helps a lot. It's filling and sometimes we think we're hungry, but we're really thirsty and maybe even a lil' bit dehydrated. I shoot for 3 liters per day, I often don't make it. But the days I do are better eating days--I eat less and feel more satisfied. What about exercise? Not only is it great for your mental health, it allows you to eat more. Hope this helps!

aquarabbit

Yes! I'm on 1200 cal too. I try to net 1200-1400. It's too hard to stick to exactly 1200, so give yourself some wiggle room. I also workout once (or twice) a day so that I'm able to eat more. For me, that goal is a good kick in the rear to workout. Don't let yourself get hungry though. Aim for 1200 if you feel that it's right, but don't starve yourself. And if it's just not something that possible for you, up your calories. In my experience, being hungry leads to binging and giving up. And no one needs to hear their tummies rumbling.

katiehrgovic

Congrats on starting your journey!

You can adjust your goals on My Fitness Pal by clicking on "Goals" and then the green button that says "Change Goals". It will also allow to you adjust macro-nutrient goals for the day. Hope this helps!

mohanj

I feel 1200 is too less for me. I exercise a lot and hence I keep it around 1600 or so

slyall08

Thanks for the feedback. I have actually drank quite a bit of water today and yesterday. I drink water naturally so I don't track it normally. I haven't started working out just yet. I am trying to do baby steps. This week, I am doing strictly dietary changes and I will gradually add workouts. In the past I have gone all in to fast and have failed and I really want to make this work.

claudiakendall98

Get walking, running or any cardio. I find 1200 cal plus what I earn in activity points to be more then I can eat.Good Luck

77tes

I lasted on 1200 calories for exactly one day. It's too low. Being hungry leads to overeating.

KAYRRIE

Yes! I thought I had to starve too in the beginning and went to bed hungry many nights. But I learned the trick to that is workout and you get to eat those calories back and wala, more food for you. I promise it works. I'm proof it does. And I no longer go to bed hungry.

RaineyLaney

I eat 1200 to 1300 calories. lower carb and I eat 6 times a day. I eat lots in volume. I sent you a friend request for my diary is only open to friends.

I also notice you have extermely low protein. Protein helps you feel fuller. You may want to up that a bit more.

LaurenAOK

You're probably hungry because you're not eating enough. 1200 is the minimum number MFP gives anyone based on how you input your goals. In reality, most people need to be eating more than that. If you give us your height, weight, age, and goal weight, we can help you figure out how much to eat. Or you can go here to calculate your calorie needs: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

This is also a really good thread explaining how many calories you need: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

Anyway, no matter how much you're eating, try eating natural whole foods instead of processed stuff. Real food keeps you feeling satisfied for longer, for less calories. You can definitely still have treats in moderation; just try to clean up your diet a little. Weight loss doesn't have to be miserable and you should never have to go to bed hungry. Good luck!

Graelwyn75

You're probably hungry because you're not eating enough. 1200 is the minimum number MFP gives anyone based on how you input your goals. In reality, most people need to be eating more than that. If you give us your height, weight, age, and goal weight, we can help you figure out how much to eat. Or you can go here to calculate your calorie needs: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

This is also a really good thread explaining how many calories you need: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

Anyway, no matter how much you're eating, try eating natural whole foods instead of processed stuff. Real food keeps you feeling satisfied for longer, for less calories. You can definitely still have treats in moderation; just try to clean up your diet a little. Weight loss doesn't have to be miserable and you should never have to go to bed hungry. Good luck!

Totally agree with this.
You are eating too little.
You do not need to starve to lose weight and it can actually make weight loss more difficult in the long run as you have nowhere left to go once you get closer to goal.
Eat as much as you can, while still losing weight is my advice, your metabolism will thank you.

Achrya

I find that when I'm hungry it really helps if I eat more.

And I mean that in as non snarky a way as possible.

cmeiron

I felt like utter, absolute crap when I was on 1200. I upped to 1500 and felt a bit better. Then 1800 and felt even better. And now...well...I eat like a boss. You might want to reevaluate that number; it's not enough (nor necessary) for many people.

scooterboy2003

Cardio exercise is easy and the calories burned allow you to eat more. Try an easy pace recumbent stationary bicycle and graduate to a fat tired cruiser to start. You may find that you love it. It made all the difference for me.

djmajors

I can honestly say that 1200 calories seemed impossible at first but what I figured out was that a net 1200 wasn't crazy/difficult. Remember, you don't have to eat 1200 cal, you have to net 1200. That means eating 1800 (which is perfectly normal) means you have to exercie 600 back off. Now, 600 was at first a lot of work. 90 minutes on the treadmill and a walk in the evening... then down to 80... etc. Now I can burn 600 in a 30 minute eliptical run.. It seems so odd that I only started on 4/22 and needed to lose 15 lbs but now that I'm down to within 3 lbs and I'm at a 19.5% bodyfat, I'm glad I used MyFitnessPal. It worked for me...

gogo99999

It will be hard for the first week. Are you drinking lots of water? I find this helps. After the first week your body seems to adjust to the new way of eating. Good luck. Try your hardest to stick with it. Make sure also that you have lots of protein.

azjoanna

I've been on MFP for 70 days and I'm finding that 1200-1400 calories is quite fulfilling if you make wise choices. Plenty of protein, and lots of bulky fresh or frozen veggies. My food diary is public so feel free to take a look for examples of what a 1230/per day avg week looks like. I do not go to bed hungry....I usually have a smoothie before bed (1 cup almond milk and 1/4 - 1/2 cup frozen fruit) You can do this....it just takes a little while to get the hang of it.

tiger4nikki

Since you just started, it may take you a few days to come up with foods that are more filling for you. You are welcome to look at my diary and see what I eat. I am not hungry very often using this app. Sometimes I have to force myself to eat more calories in a day. Just go thru mine and see what I eat and try those things.

princesstoadstool82

Have a look at eat more2 lose weight... you eat more then your body needs to survive ( like in a coma) and less then you need for daily activities..(TDEE total daily energy expenditure. ..). im on 1700.. never hungry.. go have a look!!

linalovekitty

I felt like utter, absolute crap when I was on 1200. I upped to 1500 and felt a bit better. Then 1800 and felt even better. And now...well...I eat like a boss. You might want to reevaluate that number; it's not enough (nor necessary) for many people.

Thats awesome and inspiring for me in particular. I tried eating 1200, I tried eating 1500, all I ended up doing was overeating all the wrong things- bc i was starving. I dont even like junk food, and never overate/binged in my life until I started overly restricting. So over the past 2 weeks Ive increased my calories to 2000 total but I probably net 1800 bc I incorp workouts. I am eating clean and feeling great. Im going to try this method for 30 days and hope to have some success.

Pixi_Rex

If you are starving your body is telling you to eat. You should listen to it.

tland73

Drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day and log it. Also get in some exercise even if it is 10 to 20 minutes. That helps a bunch. I just started using this site again a few days ago and I am following the 1200 calorie plan and honestly I have a hard time even getting in that many calories and feel so full. I eat fruits and veggies throughout the day and it seems to always keep me full and never hungry. Keep up the great work and don't give up! You will get there!

BrendaLee

I couldn't make it on 1200 calories daily. I have 1200-calorie days, but I allow myself to go up to 1500 if I need to. I actually like going to bed hungry, though. Well...like may be a strong word. I have a better chance of being down the next day if I go to bed hungry.

slimfran42

I totally agree and doing the same thing!

AlongCame_Molly

You are not eating enough. Google a TDEE calculator, enter the info it asks for, subtract 20% from the number it gives you, and eat that many calories per day to lose weight.

nyrina4life

So I started MFP yesterday and have changed my eating drastically. I am now trying to do the 1200 calories that MFP alots but I have quite literally went to bed hungry yesterday and am getting ready to today. I am so hungry. Does anyone find 1200 calories tough to do?

One thing you need to remember is that this is a change for your body. If you ate somewhere close to 2000 calories a day, this is a complete shock for your body.

I know how you feel though. I went on vacation for two weeks and my eating habit changed. Now I'm trying to get back into eating like an angel, and I have honestly felt hungry by time I crawl into bed. Not too hungry to the point that I get headaches, or cannot sleep.

emmalousmom1

what is your height, weight and age? do you exercise, if so how often, what did you set your weight loss goal at, 1lb??
Louise

baharekgh

you are not alone. I am hungry now..and I think I eat 1300 cal. Why does life have to be so hard? ))

erinsueburns

Pretty much this. I lost the majority of my weight on way more calories than 1200, and I'm not exactly tall and was extremely sedentary until only recently.

You're probably hungry because you're not eating enough. 1200 is the minimum number MFP gives anyone based on how you input your goals. In reality, most people need to be eating more than that. If you give us your height, weight, age, and goal weight, we can help you figure out how much to eat. Or you can go here to calculate your calorie needs: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

This is also a really good thread explaining how many calories you need: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

Anyway, no matter how much you're eating, try eating natural whole foods instead of processed stuff. Real food keeps you feeling satisfied for longer, for less calories. You can definitely still have treats in moderation; just try to clean up your diet a little. Weight loss doesn't have to be miserable and you should never have to go to bed hungry. Good luck!

sgarrett333

I am doing 1200. The more you burn, the more you can eat. Eat more protein, drink more water,and you will be much more satisfied.I love  to eat, (hence why i need to lose weight) but sometimes I struggle to eat 1200 net after a super calorie burning day.