having a hardtime eating 1200 cals

24

Replies

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    yea I understand all I say/write/do is utter crap. however just being a d-bag don't help anyone :P

    huge difference between saying ''hey your diet suck! change it
    that '' hey fatso, here's a candy bar''

    If you are short 200 calories and already hit your vitamins and minerals and protein goals for the day, what is wrong with a candy bar?
  • Wish I had that problem!

    I LOVE Food! I can always find extra calories.

    Ahaha!
    Ironicaly i'm very much loving food as well, thing is, it's hard for me to find a way to get healthy food in the house (for many reasons) so i'm trying

    define healthy? No one food should be considered healthy or not, look at your entire diet, do you get your min fat and protein and all of your vitamins and minerals. If yes, then what got you there hardly matters at all.

    I always try to have a good balance of protein (lean meat,fish eggs, cheese), carb and some fat (in the proteins or beside), but add a LOT of veggies to it. I'll definitely try to add nuts though, this should help a lot to balance things.

    it's kinda hard to look at an entire diet when what I ate before wasn't the best (tones of processed food and way too much fastfood) so I'm trying to get a new diet.

    as for getting the minimums, I'll have to check more into it tonight.

  • Sorry - your OP made it sound as though you were having a hard time each day getting to 1200. You gave examples of at least a few different days, I thought. Well, if it was just one day, that's different. Everyone has an off day when they aren't hungry. That probably isn't a big deal. But if you are finding yourself in the 1200 range every day, that's probably too low.

    yea, maybe, I really don't want it to become an habit since I know I can easily become totally ocd and then either I lose weight in a very unhealthy way and get it all back, or I give up.
    I'm really just trying to make sense of all of this (the link I got is very helpful though) and do it the right way.

    I just think it's a bit sad that this community seems to have a lot of shamers and a. hole that rather say ''hey your fat eat a candy bar'' or ''not this again'' instead of writing constructive comments and ideas to someone who really wants to change.

    Candy bars & ice cream rec's are not "shaming" you. Plenty of people here eat those things (myself included).

    "All things in moderation" .....or "If it fits your macros" are popular sayings here. Basically, I am trying to lose weight BUT, unless I want to change something permanently.....I won't change it to lose weight. I've been down this road too many times. I need to make "lifestyle" changes....not temporary ones. That's how I will keep the weight off.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here&page=1

    SEE! THIS!
    That's what I want, lifestyle changes, we eat too much garbage in this household (BF is worse than me) and I don't want my kid to be in that circle.
    Right now, the thing i'm worried about if I ''let my self a treat'' is that i'll give up. I'm mostly trying to get 15 days clean food (no, not eating 1200 cals) but no junk, even if its not as bad calories wise.
    Hell, i'm not giving up everything either, I still want my coffee and I like my diet 7up :P

    also, wasn't talking about that comment for the ''shaming and a.hole"
  • yea I understand all I say/write/do is utter crap. however just being a d-bag don't help anyone :P

    huge difference between saying ''hey your diet suck! change it
    that '' hey fatso, here's a candy bar''

    If you are short 200 calories and already hit your vitamins and minerals and protein goals for the day, what is wrong with a candy bar?

    the sugar I guess? I'll read the links provided, and research more about the macro-nutrients, this should help me a lot with doing my menus and all.

    It's a strong mindset I have to kick my self out of, since for me (and my mom (she was on weightwatcher for a while, years ago, it worked though) we all see it ''as little calories as possible is the best''
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    SEE! THIS!
    That's what I want, lifestyle changes, we eat too much garbage in this household (BF is worse than me) and I don't want my kid to be in that circle.
    Right now, the thing i'm worried about if I ''let my self a treat'' is that i'll give up. I'm mostly trying to get 15 days clean food (no, not eating 1200 cals) but no junk, even if its not as bad calories wise.
    Hell, i'm not giving up everything either, I still want my coffee and I like my diet 7up :P

    also, wasn't talking about that comment for the ''shaming and a.hole"
    It's okay to eliminate trigger foods if that's what you choose to do (those types of foods where you know that if you eat one, you're eating the whole bag). It's important to remember, though, that those foods aren't inherently harmful -- it's whether or not you can eat them in moderation. If there are treats you like and can eat in moderation, you absolutely can include them in your new eating plan.

    It would also be a good idea to come up with some ideas for snacks that you like, that will help you meet your nutrition goals but still taste good to you. Things like fruit, string cheese, celery with peanut butter, etc., can help you get your calories up and hit your macros, but still feel like fun foods. The goal shouldn't be to eat as few calories as possible, because that's not sustainable and weight loss takes time. The goal should be to eat as many calories as possible, and as many things that you like, while still losing weight. Nobody can live without yummy foods forever, and you shouldn't have to.
  • marissanik
    marissanik Posts: 344 Member
    Feel free to check out my diary for food ideas. I eat 1700-2100 calories a day!
  • paka10
    paka10 Posts: 13
    well to address the "newbie high" im 350lbs currently and ive been eating 1200 cal a day for about four months now. i was at 402 lbs when i started. i dont feel hungry and sometimes i eat less than 1200 (although there has been a rare day now and then when i eat more than 1200). so i dont think its just a "high" of starting out. i dont even think twice about the food i eat anymore. im used to it now because i was committed to this from day one. its become a lifestyle now and i couldnt be happier. in all honesty i find it a bit discouraging and rude to tell someone who put themselves out there to lose weight that its just a "newbie high" they're feeling and they'll eventually cave in and start eating more. this is supposed to be a support group and those words weren't very supportive.
  • paka10
    paka10 Posts: 13
    Serious question - if MFP suggests 1600 cals a day to lose weight, why are you only striving for 1200? No offense, but there;s no way a 250 lb woman is "having a hard time " eating 1200 cals. I know, cuz that's where i started. Let me give you some advice. As you lose weight, you are supposed to lower your cal goal a bit, because your body burns things more efficiently the less you weigh. So if you're starting off only eatin 1100-1200, where the heck do you have to go from here?!

    Also, a couple posts up is correct - you WILL get very tired and hangry very soon. You have what I like to call the newbie high of just starting out. I promise this whole thing is much better if you eat more.

    ^this is who i was referring to
  • SEE! THIS!
    That's what I want, lifestyle changes, we eat too much garbage in this household (BF is worse than me) and I don't want my kid to be in that circle.
    Right now, the thing i'm worried about if I ''let my self a treat'' is that i'll give up. I'm mostly trying to get 15 days clean food (no, not eating 1200 cals) but no junk, even if its not as bad calories wise.
    Hell, i'm not giving up everything either, I still want my coffee and I like my diet 7up :P

    also, wasn't talking about that comment for the ''shaming and a.hole"
    It's okay to eliminate trigger foods if that's what you choose to do (those types of foods where you know that if you eat one, you're eating the whole bag). It's important to remember, though, that those foods aren't inherently harmful -- it's whether or not you can eat them in moderation. If there are treats you like and can eat in moderation, you absolutely can include them in your new eating plan.

    It would also be a good idea to come up with some ideas for snacks that you like, that will help you meet your nutrition goals but still taste good to you. Things like fruit, string cheese, celery with peanut butter, etc., can help you get your calories up and hit your macros, but still feel like fun foods. The goal shouldn't be to eat as few calories as possible, because that's not sustainable and weight loss takes time. The goal should be to eat as many calories as possible, and as many things that you like, while still losing weight. Nobody can live without yummy foods forever, and you shouldn't have to.

    yea i'm actually reading about some cool and smart snack ideas, it's nice because I love cheese (even cottage) so that's easy to enjoy as snacks (or breakfast) with fruits, yogourt with fresh fruit, smoothies and all.

    I know some of my trigger food (like popcorn in the theater) so I'll stay away from those for now, same for junkfood (poutine, hotdogs/burgers) but for those it's easy to substitute, homemade burgers are amazing and since I do them, easier to control what I put in it.

    Candies i'm actually pretty good at portion controls (a small bag of Swedish berries can last me a month) since I just eat a few and i'm good for a while.

    thanks for the ideas :)
  • smarionette
    smarionette Posts: 260 Member
    In regards to your hard time eating 1200 calories, most likely it comes down to a mental thing. You've been overeating, you've gained weight, you've made up your mind you are going to do things right! Lose this weight! So your brain is being an amazing cheerleader right now, telling you "Look at what you've eaten! Go you! You are FULL and not even close to your allotment today! That's awesome!" Sadly your brain will likely get bored of being a cheerleader and start working on you saying you've been good, so go ahead and have the extra even if it puts you over your 1500-1700cal goal.

    See, the brain is a junkie. Much like cheerleaders it likes happy hormones that are released by puppies, joy, accomplishment, chocolate, wine, etc. When you are feeling accomplished it gets the happy hormones it craves. When the same accomplishment gets routine, it goes looking for a fix. Failing puppies, joy, etc. chocolate and wine are a cheap hit of the good stuff as far as your brain is concerned. Which is why it is so important to teach yourself moderation. Get that small hit of the good stuff, savor it, be satisfied with it, but keep it under control.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    6894237-open-peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich-on-a-counter-top-with-a-glass-of-milk-beside-the-plate.jpg
  • 6894237-open-peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich-on-a-counter-top-with-a-glass-of-milk-beside-the-plate.jpg

    should I applaud you for being able to link a photo or there's a message that I don't get?
  • In regards to your hard time eating 1200 calories, most likely it comes down to a mental thing. You've been overeating, you've gained weight, you've made up your mind you are going to do things right! Lose this weight! So your brain is being an amazing cheerleader right now, telling you "Look at what you've eaten! Go you! You are FULL and not even close to your allotment today! That's awesome!" Sadly your brain will likely get bored of being a cheerleader and start working on you saying you've been good, so go ahead and have the extra even if it puts you over your 1500-1700cal goal.

    See, the brain is a junkie. Much like cheerleaders it likes happy hormones that are released by puppies, joy, accomplishment, chocolate, wine, etc. When you are feeling accomplished it gets the happy hormones it craves. When the same accomplishment gets routine, it goes looking for a fix. Failing puppies, joy, etc. chocolate and wine are a cheap hit of the good stuff as far as your brain is concerned. Which is why it is so important to teach yourself moderation. Get that small hit of the good stuff, savor it, be satisfied with it, but keep it under control.

    yea, i'm all for moderation, i'm just worried if I do it -now- moderation will be...well... forgotten ;)
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
    6894237-open-peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich-on-a-counter-top-with-a-glass-of-milk-beside-the-plate.jpg

    should I applaud you for being able to link a photo or there's a message that I don't get?

    I'm sure it was a pictorial message of 'you could have a glass of milk and a piece of bread with peanut paste or jam to reach your calories' :smile:
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
    How did you get fat if 1200 is too much food...
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    It's not hard.


    You can do it!
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
    How did you get fat if 1200 is too much food...

    This question always gets raised in these threads - has already been raised in this one and if you read back you can see OP 's explanation of this.
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    when all else fails add peanut butter and/or ice cream

    That's what I did, today. Gotta love that mint-chocolate-chippy goodness.

    But in all truth, if you've told MFP you want to lose, it will give you a deficit. All you need to do is record your exercise and food as accurately as possible and try to get that "calories remaining" number as close to zero as you can.

    If, as seems to be the case, you have trouble eating enough calories because you feel full, that's a good time to avoid "diet" products. Do whole milk if you can stand it, eat full-fat products, and get in some healthy calorie-dense foods like nuts. And, if all else fails, you can also drink your calories. Fruit juice can have a lot of calories and, while it's not ideal, a soda will usually get you somewhere around 200 calories.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    These have to be troll posts.

    Help, i'm overweight, but I can't figure out how to eat enough for 1200 calories!

    Yea me!

    Or... wut?

    OP, if you're not trolling, eat a legitimate daily intake, and quit screwing around.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    6894237-open-peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich-on-a-counter-top-with-a-glass-of-milk-beside-the-plate.jpg

    should I applaud you for being able to link a photo or there's a message that I don't get?

    Wow. It's a pretty obvious message/suggestion.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    OP: you need to stop thinking about various foods as "good" or "bad".

    If you are well under you calorie goal, then ANY food is good as it provides energy. Some provide more micronutrients than others but if you have a variety of foods (sometimes difficult on very low cal diets) then micronutrient needs should be met.

    So yeah, eat the ice cream basically.
  • cwoyto123
    cwoyto123 Posts: 308
    I had a 4200 calorie meal today and usually do every single day.

    I don't get it.
  • NicoleLawrence98
    NicoleLawrence98 Posts: 53 Member
    my mfp says to loose a pound a week my daily intake of calories should be 1200 everyday, im 5'1 and weigh 55.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
    These have to be troll posts.

    Help, i'm overweight, but I can't figure out how to eat enough for 1200 calories!

    Yea me!

    Or... wut?

    OP, if you're not trolling, eat a legitimate daily intake, and quit screwing around.

    Although a frequent theme, i don't think they are troll posts.

    I think what happens is person gets overweight eating mainly high calorie high fat, high sugar foods, and drinking lots of coke etc (junk food, if you like) and / or doing a lot of mindless eating, comfort eating, boredom snacking etc - then they decide to lose weight, turn a new leaf, get rid of all 'junk food', eat clean, drink only water, take it all very seriously, get motivated and zealous.

    On this new type of food/drink they find they can easily feel full on much less calories; after all, volumes of green veggies and lean meat and wholemeal bread is much more filling than a litre of coke and 2 cream buns, but far less calories - hence the problem of not being able to reach the calorie target on their new food style.

    Of course, there are nutritious ways to add quick calories, such as nuts,avocado, peanut paste, and of course it is also ok to have a treat or two and add calories that way.

    I know this and you know this - but the new convert to weight loss and nutritious eating sometimes does not and so they ask the question on the forum.
    A genuine question, not a trolling attempt.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
    I had a 4200 calorie meal today and usually do every single day.

    I don't get it.

    What don't you get?

    You are an 18 year old male, presumably taller than 5 feet and presumably more active than many middle aged women.

    How is it hard to understand that other people's calorie target is different to yours?
  • I should blame my metabolism.If I were to eat anything over 1200 calories,I end up gaining.My average diet comes to around 900 calories and I have lost weight quite healthy.The famine mode just doesn't seem to work for me! :-)
  • Yeah, I have to agree that it's disheartening there are so many shamers and a-holes out there....Look, you may have been on here for a minute or two, may be a little jaded, but c'mon! Didn't ya mama teach ya' any manners? If you have nothing nice or helpful to say...do us all a favor...keep your mouth shut! No! Really! Just zip it!
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    I had a 4200 calorie meal today and usually do every single day.

    I don't get it.

    Good for you! Some of us however...are not male...not 18...not YOU.

    One day you won't be 18 either...then you might have to rethink that 4200k meal.

    Your response shows a HUGE misunderstanding of of how all of this works.

    I think that 4200k for one meal is excessive...but I am not male...not 18...not YOU.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    my mfp says to loose a pound a week my daily intake of calories should be 1200 everyday, im 5'1 and weigh 55.

    But with only 6 lbs to lose your goal should be to aim for losing no more than 0.5lbs/week
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I should blame my metabolism.If I were to eat anything over 1200 calories,I end up gaining.My average diet comes to around 900 calories and I have lost weight quite healthy.The famine mode just doesn't seem to work for me! :-)

    either you are 4'5" and 90 lbs or less, or you are actually eating more than you think you are if you think you gain on 1200+. I suggest weighing all your solid foods and measure liquids, you may be eating 10-50% more than you think you are.