I can't do 1200 calories!!!! I'm so hungry!!! Why?!?!

fglrml86

I always try but I'm so hungry... thinking about moving back to 1500 calories... I just entered my 30's and I feel like everything is so different!!!

MegaMooseEsq

Go back to 1500 calories! Life is too short to suffer, and either you'll lose weight (just slower) or your body is telling you that you're already at the weight you should be. Seriously, people get really hung up on 1200 but it's (almost always) unnecessary to keep your intake that low.

cwolfman13

Why are you hungry? Because it's 1200 measly calories and the most aggressive option available...if you're not about 100 Lbs over weight, it's an extremely aggressive target...

Judging from your picture, you really have very little to no weight to lose...I would think vanity weight...2 Lbs per week really isn't appropriate for vanity weight...

TavistockToad

What are your stats?

I couldn't do 1200 cals for more than a day if you paid me...

VintageFeline

I can't do 1200 calories either unless it's net and I'm getting a good portion of exercise calories. So go with the higher number. Better to get to goal quicker than to struggle to maintain a deficit at all and never get there at all.

natasha7573

I have 1200 calories too and I'm ending my first week tomorrow. It was a little hard the first 3 days but then my body accepted it. I'm 28 so yes, things are starting to move harder.

heybales

1200 is minimal for safety reasons for average sedentary woman.

Don't be average - don't be sedentary - don't eat 1200 (unless 5 ft or under and very overweight which isn't average).

Despite the aggressive diet most seem to select, it's really an inappropriate level for the majority that think that is their daily eating goal.

Despite the fact even then it would ONLY be on days with no exercise and just as sedentary as the level selected.

VintageFeline

natasha7573 wrote: »

I have 1200 calories too and I'm ending my first week tomorrow. It was a little hard the first 3 days but then my body accepted it. I'm 28 so yes, things are starting to move harder.

28 is not an age where it gets harder. At all. I'm 35 and I have always lost exactly as expected and I most certainly don't eat 1200 calories to do it.

malibu927

So don't do 1200 calories. Many lose weight eating more than that.

WendyKoller

Add some healthy fats into your diet, it will help to feel fuller longer.

melissaulmen

I am 39, I have done the 1200 calories and some days I feel hungry...so I eat more. You have to listen to what your body is telling you.
How long has it been since you updated your goals?

quiksylver296

I'd freak out and binge if I tried to restrict to 1200 calories.

I'm 42, 5'9", 170 pounds, and losing pretty well on ~1850 calories per day.

tayusuki

Up your calories a little and played with your macros! People are satiated with different things. Find out what it is for you and incorporate more of it

MossiO

I was set to 1500 at 1lb/week and was still hungry, so I starting walking 10k steps every day to add back some calories. Now I eat about 1800 and I'm set.

jenilla1

I lost weight just fine on 1400. And on days that I exercised I got to eat even more. No need to make it harder than it needs to be. Up your calories a bit and see what happens...

JEE2015

I know I'll get slammed for this ... but I eat right at about 1000 and I'm satisfied. I'm 54 and 5'3". It's what you eat. Everyone has their own diet recipe and this is what works for me. It's a low carb, high protein and fiber plan.

wefts

1200 is hard after 90 days staying around 1200-1280 I moved up to 1400 still strict but I am still 52 lbsfrom my goal of 150 . remember to eat volume if you are eating in the 1200 - 1500 range you need lots of healthy fiber and lean meat poached chicken breast and a mix of green beans , mung sprouts,onion cellery , brown rice and some black beans can make a tasty mix easy to reheat for lunches that gives you a large portion for 300 cal . I season with garlic minced ginger and sea salt . use the veg you like

TeaBea

JEE2015 wrote: »

I know I'll get slammed for this ... but I eat right at about 1000 and I'm satisfied. I'm 54 and 5'3". It's what you eat. Everyone has their own diet recipe and this is what works for me. It's a low carb, high protein and fiber plan.

3 words.....lean muscle loss.

I CHOOSE to eat more than 1200 calories because I'm over 50 and care what my body fat % is after weight loss. Weight loss is more than just a number on the scale (to me).

tkirkley35

I am 5'10", 230lbs. I am staying with 1600 - 1800 calories per day. I am losing on average two pounds per week. There is no way I could do 1200 calories and based upon my results, there's no reason for me to do 1200 calories.

KaitieBug

bump!

I can't do 1200 either. In fact, I can't do less than 1500. It's nice see I'm really not alone in that, and I'm seeing some really helpful answers here.

Lounmoun

Are you very short and very sedentary? If not then you can probably eat much more and lose just fine.
Are you logging exercise and eating some of those calories? If not you should be.
Are you trying to lose 2 lbs a week when you are less than 50 lbs overweight? That goal is too aggressive. Reset your goal to lose 1 lb a week. If you are not overweight choose .5 lb a week.

laurabadams

VintageFeline wrote: »

natasha7573 wrote: »

I have 1200 calories too and I'm ending my first week tomorrow. It was a little hard the first 3 days but then my body accepted it. I'm 28 so yes, things are starting to move harder.

28 is not an age where it gets harder. At all. I'm 35 and I have always lost exactly as expected and I most certainly don't eat 1200 calories to do it.

Agreed. I lost 55# at age 38 & after having 2 babies and it was far easier than the multiple attempts throughout my 20s & early 30s because I was better informed & did it right (measuring, tracking, maintaining a caloric deficit).

Kekekylene

I'm 5'3", 38 years old and eat about 3000 cals per day and was losing (I don't lose now because I am pregnant and am not doing as much activity as before, but cals have always been about the same). I have lost just under 100lbs prior to pregnancy. Basically if you are even moderately active you need more than the 1200 which I can bet you are if you are hungry. Anyone who says they are fine eating that little or less are losing lean muscle and will just be skinny fat and unhappy forever because they are hangry.

evileen99

I eat 1200 calories by lunch. If that was all I had for an entire day, I'd be gnawing on my arm.

kimny72

You can't stick to 1200 cals because it's not enough fuel. Unless you have a LOT of weight to lose, set your weekly goal to no more than 1 lb per week. Plus, you should be logging your exercise and eating back at least some of those calories too.

So many of us have been brainwashed by women's magazines that 1200 calories is "right" for every woman, but there are only a very small minority eating that low is appropriate for.

And as I posted in another thread like this, many women who say they are eating 1200 cals are eyeballing portions, choosing bad entries in the database, and actually eating more than that.

Get a kitchen scale, log accurately, make sure you are getting enough protein fat and fiber, and lose the weight without suffering :drinker:

Lillymoo01

I am 4'9" and found it hard to stick with 1200 but knew I couldn't eat more if I actually wanted to lose weight. That is where exercise is great. I could bump it up an extra 200 calories and feel much more satisfied. It also gave some wriggle room for treats occasionally because there is no room for treats and meeting important nutritional goals on 1200.

jshenber

heybales wrote: »

1200 is minimal for safety reasons for average sedentary woman.

Don't be average - don't be sedentary - don't eat 1200 (unless 5 ft or under and very overweight which isn't average).

Being in the 5' club makes things more difficult. 1200 calories have always been my recommended caloric intake because of my sedentary job and diminutive stature . You're right on with the exercise - I do better when I can fit in activity at least 4 days a week.

cerise_noir

VintageFeline wrote: »

natasha7573 wrote: »

I have 1200 calories too and I'm ending my first week tomorrow. It was a little hard the first 3 days but then my body accepted it. I'm 28 so yes, things are starting to move harder.

28 is not an age where it gets harder. At all. I'm 35 and I have always lost exactly as expected and I most certainly don't eat 1200 calories to do it.

This^^
35 as well. Losing at the rate expected.

ziggy2006

If you can move to 1500 calories and continue to lose weight at a satisfactory weight, then there is no need for you to be at 1200 calories.

If eating 1500 calories does not result in a satisfactory rate of weight loss, then you have some more difficult choices to make. You'll have to adjust your expectations and accept a rate of loss that is slower than you prefer, increase your activity level to accommodate for the extra calories you consume, or find ways to make the 1200 calories more satisfying to you.

natasor1

Stick to more protein and bulky fibrouse food. Your deit has to satisfy u. Diet has to be fun, likable by you and only you. Some food can be good for you, but poison to somebody else. Listen to your body

7elizamae

fglrml86 wrote: »

I always try but I'm so hungry... thinking about moving back to 1500 calories... I just entered my 30's and I feel like everything is so different!!!

Unless you're a very petite person or needing to lose weight very rapidly for medical purposes, 1200 calories isn't necessary. If you felt fine, that would be one thing. But, no need for misery. Eat some more and still lose weight.