Feeling Deprived

Shuleran

I have been faithfully doing MFP for 11 months. I have gotten my family and friends involved and they are all losing weight too. I have never felt that I was missing out-- I have felt success, determination, and willpower. I have lost 57 pounds and I am almost there. Until now.
Well, my steam is gone. I am hungry. I want to eat everything. I am eating multiple snacks and craving stuff that I should not have. I am using up so many of my too few calories on stupid stuff like mini candy bars, red hot cinnamon candies, small fast food hamburgers. ect.. I mostly stay in my calore goal of 1270 by exercising and just having a very active job. Well now, I am forcing myself to go to the gym and eat better and I am mad. I have been plateaued for a couple of weeks and I am feeling deprived and pissed off.
How is everyone else staying motivated with a long term lifestlyle change???

HollisGrant

I've run into some of the same problems 8 pounds from my goal.

The junk food in my office is my biggest problem. I've realized I psychologically need some food treats now and then. I tend to eat the same food over and over, so I need to add some different recipes and different snacks.

Finding new inspiration helps me (videos, sayings, posters). It's a mistake to depend on the same things that inspired me in the beginning (actually, a horrible photo of myself inspired me and I don't want to look like that again). Somebody on another topic talked about seeing a statement about not doing things half-assed that resonated with her. She taped it to her mirror at home.

It really takes a mental shift to stick with this long term. I'm not depriving myself of anything. I'm choosing to be a healthy person without a huge gut and giant rear end who looks awful in her clothes and will need bypass surgery from a lifetime of bad eating. I want something better than that for myself.

Cyclingbonnie

I don't deprive myself. I know I've got further to go. When I slip, I accept that it happened, declare it over, and get back at it. What I do to limit the times this happens is I work in the things I would miss if I didn't ever have them. I've done more than one extra spin workout to take care of some chips or ice cream I didn't have calories for :laugh:

jonchew

I can SO relate to what you're going thru - for about 10 weeks now, I've been having night-time hunger/binge issues, a real desire to eat junk, and overall laziness when it comes-down to working-out.

It seems that as soon as I started to near my goal, I lost motivation & started to slide. I haven't lost any weight in a LONG time; I've in-fact gained 3-4Lbs, in the past weeks.

I don't know about you, but for me it seems to be either seasonal changes, motivation issues, or both.

I'm going to watch this one, surely some have fallen into this problem & discovered a way to dig themselves out.

MinnieInMaine

Deprivation has been the root cause of pretty much every prior weight loss attempt I've made. This time around I refused to deprive myself and although it takes a little longer to lose the weight, I've stuck with it much longer than ever and know the changes I've made are ones I can deal with for the rest of my life instead of temporary fixes to drop some pounds.

If you like candy or chips, find a way to fit them in to your daily. Even planning one per week is good because when faced with temptations through the week, you can think "nope, I don't need that cookie, I'd rather use the calories to have a drink and dessert on date night". I also find thinking about how much work it takes to burn off treats can help. That cookie is 200 calories - that's a half hour of walking at a 4mph pace - worth it or not?

Good luck!

donjessop

If you have been eating the same food for the past few months, change it up. When my nutritionist talked to me about the diet I was undertaking one of her comments was to make sure that I was eating a variety of foods and that I should continue to enlarge that portfolio of "good" meals. I'm eating yogurt for the first time in my life and liking it. I am eating baby spinach leaves and liking it. I bought 8 liters of banana peppers and I'm working my way through them. New types of pickles, new cereal for breakfast, almond milk, fruit salads, quinoa, protein shakes, etc.

Having the same thing day in and day out can be emotionally draining. Change things up. Add variety and see if that helps.

AmyRhubarb

Logged my 795th straight day on MFP this morning. I don't feel deprived ever. I haven't lost motivation or steam or anything (but fat and inches!) during that time.

Congrats on your success so far! That's awesome! Have you adjusted your goals since losing the weight? If you are legitimately hungry all the time, your current calorie goal probably isn't enough food for you.

Also, getting down to those last few pounds can be frustrating because the weight does come off more slowly with less to lose.

Check your settings at MFP - if your weekly goal is set above 1/2lb a week, changed it - at this point, 1/2 lb a week is good, and it will give you a higher daily calorie goal.

Or, if you want to sort of fine tune things a bit, look into calculating your BMR and TDEE, and subtracting a percentage (probably 15%) from the TDEE number to set your daily goal - that's what I did to drop the last 10lbs and I've never looked back. Knowing your BMR and TDEE kinda gives you your boundaries - I know I can eat as high as my TDEE # and not gain. And I always make sure I'm eating above BMR, because food is fuel, and we need that fuel to rock our workouts and keep this body working well! I also do my best to hit my macros goals every day, getting plenty of protein, and healthy fats and carbs.

Great info in this topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13 Give that a read - maybe changing things up that way will put some wind in your sails and get you motivated again.

Also, if you're not already, start taking your measurements and progress pics - often you will see progress on the tape measure, especially at this point, while the scale doesn't seem to move much. I dropped a full pants size without losing a pound over a six month period about a year ago. :bigsmile: Losing fat and inches on the tape measure while the scale was busy trying to mess with my head. I laughed at my scale and went out and bought new jeans! :drinker:

Good luck!

mwooderson

WOW!!! You are proof that sticking to a healthy eating plan while enjoying food works.

Isakizza

Sugars tend to make me crave more food and eat more sugar. I still snack on junk occasionally but I really try to limit my sugar intake. Eating a good amount of protein and fiber really keep me satisfied.

Hang in there

ggeise14

bump to follow for extra motivation

Ninkyou

Logged my 795th straight day on MFP this morning. I don't feel deprived ever. I haven't lost motivation or steam or anything (but fat and inches!) during that time.

Congrats on your success so far! That's awesome! Have you adjusted your goals since losing the weight? If you are legitimately hungry all the time, your current calorie goal probably isn't enough food for you.

Also, getting down to those last few pounds can be frustrating because the weight does come off more slowly with less to lose.

Check your settings at MFP - if your weekly goal is set above 1/2lb a week, changed it - at this point, 1/2 lb a week is good, and it will give you a higher daily calorie goal.

Or, if you want to sort of fine tune things a bit, look into calculating your BMR and TDEE, and subtracting a percentage (probably 15%) from the TDEE number to set your daily goal - that's what I did to drop the last 10lbs and I've never looked back. Knowing your BMR and TDEE kinda gives you your boundaries - I know I can eat as high as my TDEE # and not gain. And I always make sure I'm eating above BMR, because food is fuel, and we need that fuel to rock our workouts and keep this body working well! I also do my best to hit my macros goals every day, getting plenty of protein, and healthy fats and carbs.

Great info in this topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13 Give that a read - maybe changing things up that way will put some wind in your sails and get you motivated again.

Also, if you're not already, start taking your measurements and progress pics - often you will see progress on the tape measure, especially at this point, while the scale doesn't seem to move much. I dropped a full pants size without losing a pound over a six month period about a year ago. :bigsmile: Losing fat and inches on the tape measure while the scale was busy trying to mess with my head. I laughed at my scale and went out and bought new jeans! :drinker:

Good luck!

Amy pretty much said it all. Follow this advice!

Railr0aderTony

Logged my 795th straight day on MFP this morning. I don't feel deprived ever. I haven't lost motivation or steam or anything (but fat and inches!) during that time.

Congrats on your success so far! That's awesome! Have you adjusted your goals since losing the weight? If you are legitimately hungry all the time, your current calorie goal probably isn't enough food for you.

Also, getting down to those last few pounds can be frustrating because the weight does come off more slowly with less to lose.

Check your settings at MFP - if your weekly goal is set above 1/2lb a week, changed it - at this point, 1/2 lb a week is good, and it will give you a higher daily calorie goal.

Or, if you want to sort of fine tune things a bit, look into calculating your BMR and TDEE, and subtracting a percentage (probably 15%) from the TDEE number to set your daily goal - that's what I did to drop the last 10lbs and I've never looked back. Knowing your BMR and TDEE kinda gives you your boundaries - I know I can eat as high as my TDEE # and not gain. And I always make sure I'm eating above BMR, because food is fuel, and we need that fuel to rock our workouts and keep this body working well! I also do my best to hit my macros goals every day, getting plenty of protein, and healthy fats and carbs.

Great info in this topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13 Give that a read - maybe changing things up that way will put some wind in your sails and get you motivated again.

Also, if you're not already, start taking your measurements and progress pics - often you will see progress on the tape measure, especially at this point, while the scale doesn't seem to move much. I dropped a full pants size without losing a pound over a six month period about a year ago. :bigsmile: Losing fat and inches on the tape measure while the scale was busy trying to mess with my head. I laughed at my scale and went out and bought new jeans! :drinker:

Good luck!

Yup, could not have said it better myself. Honestly I couldn't, I am not that nice.

ninerbuff

If you're feeling deprived, then your approach to a sensible eating life style needs adjustment. Food isn't evil. Overconsumption of it is the problem.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Katla49

I noticed extra hunger in the last little while and suspect seasonal changes at work. It is harder for us to get outdoors when the weather is cold or wet, and shorter day lengths add to that. I started my weight loss journey here just about a year ago. I made it last year by being disciplined and getting exercise outdoors whenever the opportunity presented itself. I'll use the same strategy this year. I also exercised indoors when I couldn't go out. We set up a bike on a trainer in the garage so it is easy to ride inside on bad weather days. I still use it regularly. I hope you find what works for you. Good luck.

Francl27

Unfortunately if you're very active and only eat 1270 calories a day, you're going to feel deprived. That's way too little food for someone who doesn't have much to lose.

Siansonea

Why not have those fast food burgers? I get the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger from Wendy's all the time. It's not that many calories, and it's satisfying. Have it with a nice salad on the side. And SAVOR it. That's been my biggest trick since I've started this whole process. I used to wolf down my food like a velociraptor—now I'll hold a bit of food in my mouth for a couple of extra seconds and just TASTE it. I know it sounds goofy, but it works. :bigsmile:

norelmsuarez

getting headache now b/c ate sm lunch ..going to have a bottle of water now hope it helps feel free to add me can use the xtra supp trying for 1200 at 210 now

Amberlynnek

Up your cals, your feeling of deprivation is your body telling you that you need more nutrition, make sure they are healthy choices. Also, treat yourself occasionally and try a new workout to change things up.

bcattoes

Take a week off and eat at maintenance, then get back to your plan. Stay with the exercise, but just don't worry about a deficit for a few days. If this is a lifelong thing, then one week isn't really all that long.

1princesswarrior

Logged my 795th straight day on MFP this morning. I don't feel deprived ever. I haven't lost motivation or steam or anything (but fat and inches!) during that time.

Congrats on your success so far! That's awesome! Have you adjusted your goals since losing the weight? If you are legitimately hungry all the time, your current calorie goal probably isn't enough food for you.

Also, getting down to those last few pounds can be frustrating because the weight does come off more slowly with less to lose.

Check your settings at MFP - if your weekly goal is set above 1/2lb a week, changed it - at this point, 1/2 lb a week is good, and it will give you a higher daily calorie goal.

Or, if you want to sort of fine tune things a bit, look into calculating your BMR and TDEE, and subtracting a percentage (probably 15%) from the TDEE number to set your daily goal - that's what I did to drop the last 10lbs and I've never looked back. Knowing your BMR and TDEE kinda gives you your boundaries - I know I can eat as high as my TDEE # and not gain. And I always make sure I'm eating above BMR, because food is fuel, and we need that fuel to rock our workouts and keep this body working well! I also do my best to hit my macros goals every day, getting plenty of protein, and healthy fats and carbs.

Great info in this topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13 Give that a read - maybe changing things up that way will put some wind in your sails and get you motivated again.

Also, if you're not already, start taking your measurements and progress pics - often you will see progress on the tape measure, especially at this point, while the scale doesn't seem to move much. I dropped a full pants size without losing a pound over a six month period about a year ago. :bigsmile: Losing fat and inches on the tape measure while the scale was busy trying to mess with my head. I laughed at my scale and went out and bought new jeans! :drinker:

Good luck!

^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^

meltedsno

In reading some of the responses, I have noticed a pattern.... I would guess that is, in part, due to me experiencing the same thing. A lot of you commented on being so close to your goals and suddenly craving foods, having to force yourself to work out... etc.

So many times in the past years, I've experienced this same thing... been so motivated, regular workouts, eating so healthy...then bam! within reach of my goal and everything goes haywire. I have repeated this cycle so many times in the past...each time gaining back a good 30, 40, 50 lbs after being within reach of my goal. This past July, something finally clicked!

I have a history of starting things and never seeing them to the end... it's almost like I felt I didn't deserve to finish... and ultimately I end up with everything in a upheaval... clutter everywhere because I refuse to depart with the half finished things...(no I am not a hoarder!...some of that clutter is unfinished things in my mind) I took a good, hard look at my life and finally realized that in the 58 years I have been alive, I've yet to finish one single thing. I finally figured it out -- it's because I never felt like I DESERVED to finish. And then I asked myself why? You know what? I couldn't answer that... there was no reason why I should feel like I do not deserve to finish.... and on that day -- July 1, 2013 I made a vow to myself to finish whatever it is I start from that day forward.

Its only been a few short months, but I cannot even begin to tell you how things have changed in my life. It's like I finally have control over who I am and what I do and most important -- the only person in this world that I need to please is me. I think what I am trying to say is that a lot of us... including me... have spent so much our lives thinking we do not deserve to "win".... it's time to change that train of thought... do not be afraid of what lies beyond reaching your goals....