Absolutely ravenous.

So, I've been on this journey for 430 days now and have lost 44 lbs. Ive been basically maintaining for about 4 months now and have recently dropped my calories back down to 1200 calories, about a week ago. Yesterday I completely blew my day because I was ridiculously ravenous and ate even things I do not normally like, like oatmeal cookies...yuck!

Today was the same thing. I feel like I absolutely am starving. And of course I now feel guilty.

Anybody else have this flare up from time to time?

If so, what helps you push through it?

Replies

  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Why 1200? What had it been before? Height? Weight? Goal? Were the other 428 days good?

    Questions out of the way, get jicama, a.k.a. yambean. That is a root. When you eat it, it tastes sweet and is crunchy. It is high in fiber and 100 grams of it fills you without giving you much calories.
  • freespirit427
    freespirit427 Posts: 65 Member
    To help push through my 4 month plateu. Figured I was eating too much.
    SW 223
    GW 150
    CW 180
    5'3. I was on 1600 cals before and I seemed to just maintain.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    It may be that you don't seem to get enough protein.
  • 85Cardinals
    85Cardinals Posts: 733 Member
    edited October 2016
    Lyle MacDonald advocates periodic diet breaks to reset hormone levels. These have helped me break out of periodic stalls. I'm down almost 60 pounds since February. Maybe try not going at it all hammer and tongs for awhile, see what happens.
  • Bearbo27
    Bearbo27 Posts: 339 Member
    Were you weighing everything when you were at 1600? You should have definitely been still losing at 1600 calories. I am also 5'3"
  • freespirit427
    freespirit427 Posts: 65 Member
    Bearbo27 wrote: »
    Were you weighing everything when you were at 1600? You should have definitely been still losing at 1600 calories. I am also 5'3"

    Yes, mostly. I would weigh and pre portion my snacks.
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    Yes. A lot. But surely after 430 days you know that 1200 is a path to binging. Why not maintenance -250 until you hit your goal?
  • freespirit427
    freespirit427 Posts: 65 Member
    nowine4me wrote: »
    Yes. A lot. But surely after 430 days you know that 1200 is a path to binging. Why not maintenance -250 until you hit your goal?

    I had that thought in the back of my mind. I just have been feeling like I am on a hamster wheel with my logging and eat. I guess I am getting bored and with my lengthy plateu, doesnt help this be anymore fun.

    I know that my lifestyle is changing to be more healthy in the long run. But I often fear I wont get through my wall.
  • freespirit427
    freespirit427 Posts: 65 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    I peaked at your diary. I agree that your protein is often pretty low. The other thing I would suggest is switching tracking sugar (it's included in the carbs anyway) and watch your fibre instead. I find fibre, protein, and fat to be more filling, but that isn't the same for all people. I love some carbs, but they don't seem to stick with me as long.

    Additional comments: I saw many things measured in cups and tablespoons, and a buffet plate guesstimate. You seem to be working out a fair amount, so you should be able to lose on 1600 (I'm 5'2" and in my 40s and can lose on 1600 when working out). My suggestion is to go back to 1600 but tighten up your logging, and only eat half your exercise calories back for now (they tend to be overestimated by the system for many people). See what that does in the coming weeks. When I'm on 1200 calories, my dog starts looking like a t-bone steak. :laugh:

    I have those days where we go to a restaurant and I eat good foods during a buffet but just have no clue what exactly Ive eatten. Hence the guessing game. I do not do it often though.

    I am a very mild pescitarian. I only eat small amounts of fish if any. I find it hard to find proteins that arent in yogurt or shakes, bars etc. Could you show me some examples of quick filling fibers, proteins etc?

    I hit atleast 10k steps with my fitbit as well.

    Thanks!
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    I peaked at your diary. I agree that your protein is often pretty low. The other thing I would suggest is switching tracking sugar (it's included in the carbs anyway) and watch your fibre instead. I find fibre, protein, and fat to be more filling, but that isn't the same for all people. I love some carbs, but they don't seem to stick with me as long.

    Additional comments: I saw many things measured in cups and tablespoons, and a buffet plate guesstimate. You seem to be working out a fair amount, so you should be able to lose on 1600 (I'm 5'2" and in my 40s and can lose on 1600 when working out). My suggestion is to go back to 1600 but tighten up your logging, and only eat half your exercise calories back for now (they tend to be overestimated by the system for many people). See what that does in the coming weeks. When I'm on 1200 calories, my dog starts looking like a t-bone steak. :laugh:

    I have those days where we go to a restaurant and I eat good foods during a buffet but just have no clue what exactly Ive eatten. Hence the guessing game. I do not do it often though.

    I am a very mild pescitarian. I only eat small amounts of fish if any. I find it hard to find proteins that arent in yogurt or shakes, bars etc. Could you show me some examples of quick filling fibers, proteins etc?

    I hit atleast 10k steps with my fitbit as well.

    Thanks!

    Those buffets are the devil for counting calories. When possible I try to stick with lean meats like chicken (which doesn't work for you), vegetables, salads (but watching what I put on them. If I remember correctly, it was Chinese buffet, so look for foods that aren't deep fried. Maybe take a peek at a common calorie counts for that type of food, so you have a better idea. If I'm not planning on controlling myself too much at a buffet, I will eat very light the rest of the day, and just save my calories for it. While there, I allow myself a single spoon of anything I want (it's still a full plate), and try to grab extra veg with fruit for dessert.

    As for meals: I can share some links to some of the recipes that I use, but I don't log here anymore. I will share the vegetarian ones with you. For fibre, I usually take in lots of fruits and veg, but beans have a decent amount of fibre and protein.

    Vegetarian chili (208 cal/serving, 12g of protein), sometimes I'll use this as a pasta sauce:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/view/168377262542333

    Vegetarian lasagna (I make them in individual tins and freeze for grab and go meals, that's why there's 19 servings; 237 cal; 14g protein)

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/view/208253882240493

    You could also try googling for pescetarian recipes that are lower calorie and high in protein. I usually take any recipe and use 1.5 times the amount of vegetables in it which will bulk it up and make it more filling for the same number of calories, or you could make more portions and have lower calorie meals.

    I hope this helps some.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    nowine4me wrote: »
    Yes. A lot. But surely after 430 days you know that 1200 is a path to binging. Why not maintenance -250 until you hit your goal?

    Why do people say that? I actually binge less on less calories. I know, it's weird. I'm just confused on why everyone binges lol
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    Also, OP, period? pregnancy? Just getting those possibilities out of the way. That said, yes, it can just happen sometimes that you crave certain foods. Just try to force yourself out of it with sheer willpower...and maybe drink a lot of water to fill your stomach so you won't eat as much.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    Bring calories up to 1350 or 1400, eat more fiber, eat more protein, drink plenty of water.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    Look, it doesn't help anything if you lower your calories so much that you starve and then end up bingeing. Right?
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    I don't know why I didn't mention it, but you said that you rarely eat fish. Is there a reason? I never enjoyed fish for many years, but I have played around with some sauces to pour over them, and have found that can make a big difference.
  • Derpy_Hooves
    Derpy_Hooves Posts: 234 Member
    I'd be ravenous on 1200 cals as well!
    Try switching your foods around, definitely add more protein, chicken, boiled egg, full fat yoghurt and eat foods like porridge or wholemeal bread, all low cal foods that will fill you up for longer.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Maybe you're PMSing? My appetite goes completely nuts the week before my period.

    But 1200 is very little. Make sure you exercise and eat some of those calories back.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    why a 400 calorie drop? why not go down to 1400..and eat back half of exercise calories and add more protein and cut out high carb and sugar snacks. I hate 1200 calories...and many who lose on that low are stuck at a low maintenance calorie range. A life of misery..no thank you. The goal should be to lose eating as much as you can.
  • Arapacana1
    Arapacana1 Posts: 117 Member
    If you need more filling foods that work with a pescatarian diet, how about beans or pea soup or lentils? If you don't have much time to cook, canned pea soup or lentil soup ( with extra veggies added in for bulk) might work well. I'm not a vegetarian, but one of my kids is, and I find that many of the Morningstar or Gardein brand frozen veggie burgers, fake chicken strips, etc are quite tasty and high in protein and fiber.
  • freespirit427
    freespirit427 Posts: 65 Member
    Thank you everybody for their very helpful posts!

    No pregnancies or PMSing here at the moment which was why I was so confused.

    I see the point that we want to eat as much as possible and still lose, that makes sense!

    I will try buying some higher fibre foods/snacks and more bean sourced proteins to help bulk up my protein.

    Besides things like triscuits what other grab and go things can I pick up? I have a pretty hectic schedule and the quicker the better!