Have a Hard Time Eating Under 2000 Calories

MP022012 · July 2014

I am a 20 year old female, 150 pounds, 5'5'. I've been trying to lose weight for 2 years and haven't lost a pound because I have the hardest time eating under 2000 calories. I'll eat 1600, 1700, or 1800 calories for a few days, but then revert back to old habits and eat 2000+ calories a day. I love food and I don't know what to do. I have bad habits of eating dessert every night and mindless snacking. I really want to lose 15ish pounds, but it won't happen with the amount of food I eat. I usually work out at high intensity about 4 times per week burning 400-500 calories per session.

Any advice? I just recently started tracking again, trying to stay around 1600 calories.

Thanks....:)

Supertact · July 2014

Just stop, Either you want to lose weight and look better or you want to be fat. Choose 1.

ladybird89 · July 2014

Are you not getting full on 1600? 1800?

ShangoJr · July 2014

MP, while Ladybird's question gets to the point, lemme add a couple of things:

Sugary foods are addictive. That may sound severe, but if you've ever been around a chocolate lover (which is addictive for other reasons as well) whose gone 'cold turkey' you will have seen the mood swings they exhibit.

Change your diet for long enough and those foods won't taste quite as good when/if you return to them (I used to drink several sodas a day...now they taste like battery acid to me).

I would add: At your age, your metabolism is likely ramped up pretty high. The trick is to ramp it up higher by timing your meals; small meals/snacks 5-6 times a day, protein 30-45 minutes after working out, save the bread until the evening, throw in some chiles if you like spicy food, etc. etc. Binging on a load of calories at night is worse than if you had eaten the same amount of calories throughout the day.

P.S: Just came in from the gym and am a bit light-headed, I hope the above makes sense.

lemonsnowdrop · July 2014

MP, while Ladybird's question gets to the point, lemme add a couple of things:

Sugary foods are addictive. That may sound severe, but if you've ever been around a chocolate lover (which is addictive for other reasons as well) whose gone 'cold turkey' you will have seen the mood swings they exhibit.

Change your diet for long enough and those foods won't taste quite as good when/if you return to them (I used to drink several sodas a day...now they taste like battery acid to me).

I would add: At your age, your metabolism is likely ramped up pretty high. The trick is to ramp it up higher by timing your meals; small meals/snacks 5-6 times a day, protein 30-45 minutes after working out, save the bread until the evening, throw in some chiles if you like spicy food, etc. etc. Binging on a load of calories at night is worse than if you had eaten the same amount of calories throughout the day.

P.S: Just came in from the gym and am a bit light-headed, I hope the above makes sense.

I'm gonna go ahead and say none of this should be listened to. Meal timing doesn't matter. Eat whenever you feel hungry. Also, sugar isn't something to be avoided. That's absurd and unnecessary.

OP, do you get enough protein and fats in your diet? They will help you feel fuller than carbs. For example, a tuna sandwich (roughly 200 calories) will keep me much fuller than a bowl of ramen (380 calories).

Keepcalmanddontblink · July 2014

I am a 20 year old female, 150 pounds, 5'5'. I've been trying to lose weight for 2 years and haven't lost a pound because I have the hardest time eating under 2000 calories. I'll eat 1600, 1700, or 1800 calories for a few days, but then revert back to old habits and eat 2000+ calories a day. I love food and I don't know what to do. I have bad habits of eating dessert every night and mindless snacking. I really want to lose 15ish pounds, but it won't happen with the amount of food I eat. I usually work out at high intensity about 4 times per week burning 400-500 calories per session.

Any advice? I just recently started tracking again, trying to stay around 1600 calories.

Thanks....:)

I am 5'3" and have a lightly active job and am set to lose 1lb a week and have 1600 calories. How much are you trying to lose each week? If you are set to 1lb a week, and eat exercise calories, you can easily eat closer to 2000 calories and still lose weight. Maybe re-adjust your settings. Or work out and eat back your calories. Or you can eat foods that will keep you full. You have a few options, you just need to figure out what works for you.

ShangoJr · July 2014

MP, while Ladybird's question gets to the point, lemme add a couple of things:

Sugary foods are addictive. That may sound severe, but if you've ever been around a chocolate lover (which is addictive for other reasons as well) whose gone 'cold turkey' you will have seen the mood swings they exhibit.

Change your diet for long enough and those foods won't taste quite as good when/if you return to them (I used to drink several sodas a day...now they taste like battery acid to me).

I would add: At your age, your metabolism is likely ramped up pretty high. The trick is to ramp it up higher by timing your meals; small meals/snacks 5-6 times a day, protein 30-45 minutes after working out, save the bread until the evening, throw in some chiles if you like spicy food, etc. etc. Binging on a load of calories at night is worse than if you had eaten the same amount of calories throughout the day.

P.S: Just came in from the gym and am a bit light-headed, I hope the above makes sense.

I'm gonna go ahead and say none of this should be listened to. Meal timing doesn't matter. Eat whenever you feel hungry. Also, sugar isn't something to be avoided. That's absurd and unnecessary.

OP, do you get enough protein and fats in your diet? They will help you feel fuller than carbs. For example, a tuna sandwich (roughly 200 calories) will keep me much fuller than a bowl of ramen (380 calories).

A. Every trainer and nutritionist I've ever talked to has stressed meal timing. Since I'm neither, you'll have to take it up with them. It has worked for me (very well).

B. It would be pretty difficult to 'avoid sugar' altogether. The above poster mentioned she had a hard time resisting desserts. If it is these desserts causing her to eat in excess, I'd say my point was valid.

dbmata · July 2014

A. Every trainer and nutritionist I've ever talked to has stressed meal timing. Since I'm neither, you'll have to take it up with them. It has worked for me (very well).

There is ZERO scientific support for meal timing beyond a few after workout things. The myth is pure broscience, and even spouted by nutritionists I saw at MIT. They did not like it when I asked them to provide evidence of their claims, they liked it less when I provided evidence torpedoing their claims. They got off that tack quickly.

I invite you to look for proof from peer reviewed articles: http://scholar.google.com

TavistockToad · July 2014

open your diary

YamaMaya1 · July 2014

Remove snack foods from your house, or just exercise willpower. Find something to do other than snack mindlessly. You're snacking because you're bored, not because you're truly hungry. When you go to the fridge ask yourself "am I really hungry or just bored?" If you're not truly hungry (stomach growling, empty feeling in the pit of your stomach hungry) then go find something else to do. Try to avoid TV or too much sitting in front of screens in general, as that can be a trigger for mindless snacking. I know people who can put away whole big bags of sweets, pretzels, and crisps in front of the TV.

Binky_Muffin · July 2014

Inventory what you are drinking. If you're consuming things like pop or juice on a daily basis, you may want to limit them or cut them out completely. These items are high in calories.

I consume a lot of water and when I drink tea or coffee, it's black. This allows me to eat more calories.

Also, it took me a few weeks to get used to a lower caloric intake. Your issue sounds like a mind over matter sort of thing... If you can make it through to two weeks, you'll probably be able to get used to eating less calories.

amcampbell2342 · July 2014

what does an average day for you look like; I can't view your dairy. IF you are hungry after 1600-1800 calories maybe you are making the wrong choices and not getting enough fat and protein into your meals. Do you eat vegetables? vegetables ; especially green are good filler foods. Add me if you wish and let me view your dairy and I can give you some tips if you wish.

gypsy_spirit · July 2014

Meal timing: Irrelevant - plan your meals and snacks around what works for you

Avoiding trigger foods: Your most important tool in losing weight is making your self control as strong as possible. You have to learn/practice it every day. Until you learn moderation and self control - you are going to keep having the same issues.

Make specific goals about getting healthy: Read this link, learn all you can and then put a plan in place. You can do this. Unfortunately, YOU have to do it. The information is all here, the support is on this site, but getting there is all on you.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Derp_Diggler · July 2014

Meal timing: Irrelevant - plan your meals and snacks around what works for you

Avoiding trigger foods: You most important tool in losing weight is making your self control as strong as possible. You have to learn/practice it every day. Until you learn moderation and self control - you are going to keep having the same issues.

Make specific goals about getting healthy: Read this link, learn all you can and then put a plan in place. You can do this. Unfortunately, YOU have to do it. The information is all here, the support is on this site, but getting there is all on you.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

This.

Sofaa1 · July 2014

Try your best to eat healthy filling foods with lots of proteins and fats, and make sure that you plan your meals at least a day before

Allow yourself a treat at night or something like that so it doesn't get all too boring

MireyGal76 · July 2014

I am an evening snacker... I recognize this, and in order to accommodate that, I tailor my day to accommodate that. For me, I've found that a smaller breakfast and lunch allow me a bigger dinner and more room for snacks.

I've also cut out most drinks, allowing myself my one coffee and no juice /pop.

I've adjusted my snack foods so that if I DO want to snack, I have better, lower cal options. (I. E snap peas and carrots, over granola bars)

Start looking at where you can skim cals off your snacks, rather than trying to eliminate them all together.

joepage612 · July 2014

im a man and eating 1200 calories a day
It was not possible for me until I started working out and eating back my exercise calories.
I burn -500 calories in the morning and then eat about 1700 for the day.
It works for me.

Unknown · July 2014

This content has been removed.

Siannah · July 2014

Just stop, Either you want to lose weight and look better or you want to be fat. Choose 1.

Well she's not exactly fat is she, at 150 lbs?

TS, I'm the same height as you and I can easily eat more than 2000 cals a day as well if I'd be given half the chance. (I'm trying to stick to 1500 + exercise cals) Like yourself, it's the snacking that does it.
What works for me is to cut out snacks as much as possible, going back to good old-fashioned three meals a day. The less I eat in between, the less I crave it.
Mind you, this definitely doesn't always work for me, so I would have lots of pre-chopped veggies with me in the office. Cucumber, carrot, tomatoes, anything really. And I can stuff my face with these while keeping the calories low.

WhatAlexDidNext · July 2014

I've lost 28lbs and sometimes I think to just give up or have a pizza here or there but I'm motivated by thinking about what I will look like. I was around 14 stone 6 and now i weight 12 stone 3lbs.

The trick is to eat smaller meals and spread them throughout the day, snack on healthy things and dont eat after 7pm.

You can do it

Celia_Arminta · July 2014

Obviously there is a lot of contradicting opinions out there. This is what I do : Meals-try for 4 hours apart, give or take ( even older babies can do this). Make it balanced, ( Canada's food guide is what I follow). I find I can't make the stretch if I didn't eat enough protein or cals. North American's have big time sugar issues and I'm one of them! If I can't stay out of the junk I either try to be more busy in the evening or go to bed earlier.

jeannelabanane · July 2014

I was a mindless snacker as well, and timing my snacks and pre-planning my snack portions helped me to get it under control.

I would have a nice breakfast, snack at 10:30, lunch at noon, snack at 2:30, supper at 5, and typically stop eating for the night (with a few exceptions).

Knowing when/what my next snack would be helped me to keep it under control, and it seems to be working so far. My typical snacks are yogurt or almonds (I pre-count the almonds and put them in a baggy so I don't go overboard). Snacks with protein help me feel a bit fuller.

I also try to avoid sugar because it's a "trigger food" for me. But - last night I had a two oreos, and I was able to stop. Part of it was because I planned for those two oreos, and I only took two out of the box.

That's what's working for me. I'm not saying it would work for everybody but it's one strategy.

galprincess · July 2014

Like you I love dessert I now have a options hot chocolate at 38 calories it satisfies my sweet tooth and because its hot I drink it slowly.
Rather than concentrate on lowering calories look at the food you eat and maximise food for example rather than a tuna sandwich try tuna on ryvita its equally filling but less calories its like shopping on a budget you want to get as much as you can for your money you want to eat as much food for as little calories so you don't go over. I find nuts in greek yogurt keep me full 3-4 hours or a cottage cheese salad or chicken salad keep me full just experiment it took me ages to get my food in check

Derp_Diggler · July 2014

I am an evening snacker... I recognize this, and in order to accommodate that, I tailor my day to accommodate that. For me, I've found that a smaller breakfast and lunch allow me a bigger dinner and more room for snacks.

I've also cut out most drinks, allowing myself my one coffee and no juice /pop.

I've adjusted my snack foods so that if I DO want to snack, I have better, lower cal options. (I. E snap peas and carrots, over granola bars)

Start looking at where you can skim cals off your snacks, rather than trying to eliminate them all together.

And also this. Start thinking of your calories in the same way you would a daily monetary budget, but instead of $$$ you're spending calories. Figure out where you might be able to save a few throughout the day so that you can "afford" that treat in the evening.

likitisplit · July 2014

MP, while Ladybird's question gets to the point, lemme add a couple of things:

Sugary foods are addictive. That may sound severe, but if you've ever been around a chocolate lover (which is addictive for other reasons as well) whose gone 'cold turkey' you will have seen the mood swings they exhibit.

Change your diet for long enough and those foods won't taste quite as good when/if you return to them (I used to drink several sodas a day...now they taste like battery acid to me).

I would add: At your age, your metabolism is likely ramped up pretty high. The trick is to ramp it up higher by timing your meals; small meals/snacks 5-6 times a day, protein 30-45 minutes after working out, save the bread until the evening, throw in some chiles if you like spicy food, etc. etc. Binging on a load of calories at night is worse than if you had eaten the same amount of calories throughout the day.

P.S: Just came in from the gym and am a bit light-headed, I hope the above makes sense.

I'm gonna go ahead and say none of this should be listened to. Meal timing doesn't matter. Eat whenever you feel hungry. Also, sugar isn't something to be avoided. That's absurd and unnecessary.

OP, do you get enough protein and fats in your diet? They will help you feel fuller than carbs. For example, a tuna sandwich (roughly 200 calories) will keep me much fuller than a bowl of ramen (380 calories).

Yes, this.

Also, try focusing on higher fiber foods: beans, sweet potatoes, squash. Fiber tends to make me feel fuller on fewer calories.

An apple with peanut butter is an unstoppable snack when you want to feel full.

hmroebuck · July 2014

As usual you will tons of contradictions here. Process it all and find what works for you. Yes, you could lose weight eating all desserts, but they will be so calorie dense, you will be left feeling hungry all the time. There may not be any scientific evidence supporting evenly spaced meals/snacks, it does help a lot of people, if only mentally.

Here's what I'm learning about myself:

I need structured meal times to help motivate me. I really like food, especially food that is not good for me. I know I need to change my emotional attachment to food. I need to view food as fuel, and nothing more. For me, structuring and planning my meals (contents and times) helps me do that. Only eating when I'm hungry doesn't work, as much as I'd like it too. Not eating until I was hungry at 2-3pm is part of the habits that lead me to being overweight. I do my best to eat every 3 hours now. I keep my body consistently fueled, and rarely ever even get hungry. I have also learned that I was snacking a lot out of cravings, boredom, stress, etc. not out of hunger. When I feel that way, first I drink a glass of water, then I change what I'm doing. Engaging in a different activity usually gets my mind off food until my next scheduled meal/snack.

As far as desserts/sugars, I have to give them up, period (as well as white breads and potatoes). I can't moderate them. I am a sugar addict. Three weeks in, I honestly don't crave them anymore. Between my morning (sugar-free) coffee creamer, protein bar, pre-workout fruit, protein shakes, etc., my sweet tooth is satisfied. Last weekend we went to a French bakery where I had a couple bites of others' desserts and some I could hardly tolerate they were so sweet. The only time I'm having trouble with white bread and potatoes is when the family if eating out. Some places have such limited menus that it's difficult to eat enough without caving into these. Time is helping though. While my mind wanted to tell me it wasn't possible to go without them, I'm finding it is most definitely possible.

I didn't start out perfect on this journey, and I'm still not there. But everyday I am learning and getting better. I'm healing myself slowly in small steps.

You can do this!

I suggest logging your food and opening your diary. My nutritionist, and info here, help me to see better replacements for less than great choices.

I am 5'5 158lbs and am having trouble getting in 1000 calories most days. I'm not miserable or feeling deprived of anything. It can be done, you just have to make up your mind to do it.

yopeeps025 · July 2014

What do you eat 2000 calories is a lot?

Fruits and veggies need to be consume for micro nutrients.

LexiMelo · July 2014

I always try to have protein at breakfast which keeps me fuller for longer in the morning. If you plan out your days in the morning it will help keep you on track. I usually have at least three snacks per day. (greek yogurt + banana; apple + cheese; popcorn). If I am still munchy I'll make some tea. I'll also drink tea at night if I don't have room for dessert. (Sleepytime tea also gets you in sleep-mode)

There is also no reason to not have dessert if you have the calories for it. The trick is to measure out the dessert and then put the rest away. I usually eat 1600-2000 calories a day feel free to check out my diary (I am far from perfect though LOL).

_HeartsOnFire_ · July 2014

I've lost 28lbs and sometimes I think to just give up or have a pizza here or there but I'm motivated by thinking about what I will look like. I was around 14 stone 6 and now i weight 12 stone 3lbs.

The trick is to eat smaller meals and spread them throughout the day, snack on healthy things and dont eat after 7pm.

You can do it

The only thing I agree with above is...You can do it.

angieroo2 · July 2014

I am a 20 year old female, 150 pounds, 5'5'. I've been trying to lose weight for 2 years and haven't lost a pound because I have the hardest time eating under 2000 calories. I'll eat 1600, 1700, or 1800 calories for a few days, but then revert back to old habits and eat 2000+ calories a day. I love food and I don't know what to do. I have bad habits of eating dessert every night and mindless snacking. I really want to lose 15ish pounds, but it won't happen with the amount of food I eat. I usually work out at high intensity about 4 times per week burning 400-500 calories per session.

Any advice? I just recently started tracking again, trying to stay around 1600 calories.

Thanks....:)

Honestly sometimes the way to break a bad habit is to just force yourself to take control. You tell yourself you do not need dessert every night and soon it won't feel like you're missing something. As for the mindless snacking, either get rid of the snacks or don't let yourself snack without paying attention, even if it means counting out 28 peanuts or whatever the serving size is and putting the rest away.

arabianhorselover · July 2014

I am 5'2", and I eat 2000 calories. I lift heavy 3 times per week, and I walk most days of the week.

Have a Hard Time Eating Under 2000 Calories

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