what am i doing wrong?

br1twaslyke

Let me start off by saying I have more than a couple pounds to lose.. I'm 240 and looking to lose 100 pounds in total. I've been on 1200-1400 calories for 11 days now and am very proud of myself! The problem I am experiencing is that I'm finding myself to be just as content as I was before cutting my calories. Today I ate 500 calories and was looking all over my house to find something to eat to hit at least 1200, although I wasn't hungry.. I feel like I shouldn't be eating if I'm not hungry, especially since I am trying to lose so much weight. I know that before the calorie cut I was consuming a minimum of 2000 a day, but usually on the ends of 2500-3000.. I'm very worried that I've hit that "starvation" mode because I am sincerely not hungry after 1200 calories on most days! I know the logic that bigger people need more calories, so I'm not understanding this because I am so overweight. I feel as if I'm not losing because I'm not hungry. I'm finally getting a digital scale tomorrow so I can hopefully see that some of the pounds came off so far and stop driving myself crazy, but any helpful words in the meantime would definitely help! thank you Also, I'm going to a buffet tomorrow for my dad's 50th birthday and plan on having about 1600 calories, giving myself a little leeway so that I can enjoy the outing, but that will be my only meal for the day and I will also be having mostly salad and soup.. Will this affect me negatively since I've been eating 1200-1400 and my body is used to that now?

Fithealthyforlife

I'm sure others will be along shortly. I'm not a weight loss person, but I wanted to tell you that I feel hunger isn't really a reliable signal. I think you're starting to see that's the case even when calories are much lower than they should be. I think what's more likely than you hitting starvation mode, is that your hunger signals have gotten recalibrated. I would just go by your calorie/macro counts and track weight/body fat rather than going by hunger. Keep aiming for 200 calories below maintenance, but eat all of your daily protein. Same goes for people trying to maintain or gain...hunger just isn't reliable. I've definitely found that the case for me.

br1twaslyke

thank you for the response, I was hoping that is the case! I will update tomorrow evening and let you know if I had lost any weight yet, really hoping so

kagevf

i think i covered most of this on my last msg to you.

deksgrl

There are hormones that regulate hunger. When we restrict calories, our body starts telling us we're not really hungry. This was a survival mechanism for times of famine. When we eat a lot of surplus calories, our body wants to pack it in, get all it can while there is food, to hold us over through the time of famine.

So, all that to say, just because you aren't feeling hungry, that doesn't mean you are getting enough food and nutrition, it just means that your hormones are not balanced. It is okay to be under 1,200 once in awhile, but this shouldn't be a regular occurance.

nxd10

Try to eat close to your calories. I never worry about being a few hundred under if I'm not hungry and have added in exercise calories, but always net 1000 no matter what.

It's easy to put in calories - that's why we all got here. A big glass of milk is 300 calories. A 1" x 2" piece of cheese is 200. Two pieces of toast with butter is 300-500. A big glass of oj is hundreds. A spoonful of peanut butter.

A lot of calories doesn't have to be filling. My goal is to NEVER feel hungry. And to stay within my calorie goals.

br1twaslyke

Hey Kagev, I have your message saved but I was feeling a little down because I feel like I'm stuffing my face still, even with my deficit.. It may sound odd but I like to feel hungry because it makes me feel like the fat is burning! lol and thanks deksgrl, I feel a little better now! I should be more appreciative that I'm not starving I guess! will post my weight tomorrow

deksgrl

It's a marathon, not a sprint Since you have quite a bit to lose, you probably will lose a few pounds a week initially. As your weight goes down the rate of loss slows down too. Don't get discouraged!!

kagevf

i agree with everyone above

br1twaslyke

Hey guys, just wanted to check in and let everyone know I am down to 223! feeling awesome, I have no doubt I will be able to get under 200 pounds by april! (my daughter's 3rd birthday) which is my first goal thanks for the motivation!