question on getting to the minimum number of calories...

loves86

I'm not sure what to do...I have a really hard time getting close to 1200 calories, and that's without adding my exercises. I have always been told don't eat when your not hungry, so I don't. That's one thing I make sure not to do with my new lifestyle. I don't snack much as I'm just not hungry, every once in awhile I will, but that's because I'm hungry at that time. I tried eating snacks today to get up to what everyone says we all need too. I'm now eating my dinner and having a hard time finishing it...I'm assuming its because I'm really not that hungry as I had a small snack approximately 3 hours ago. Any advice? Trying to do what everyone is saying on here to do, but I'm just having a hard time, I'm still losing weight and inches, but want to do it right, and trust me I'm trying to, but I don't feel like I should eat when I'm not hungry to make sure I get the right number of calories. I'm not sluggish, I have more energy than I ever have before the new lifestyle changes, and my mood is much better. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

merrillfoster

bump

kristie874

The whole "don't eat when your not hungry" thing is a good rule of thumb but that can backfire. If you wait until you're really hungry you'll be much more tempted to overeat. If you eat every few hours your body constantly has food to digest and keeps your metabolism going without crashes. Check out the links in my signature for some really great information. I've found that if I stick to eating at regular times that I never feel famished and will eat my snacks because I know I need to even if I'm not necessarily hungry at the time. It keeps the munchies away. I also find that if I eat a fiber and a protein with every meal and snack that I feel satisfied longer. Don't pay attention to my last few days of my food journal, though. I wasn't good...had a birthday weekend. LOL Good luck!

ajbeans

The 1200 is an average. Some people will need more, some people will need less. If you're losing by doing what you're doing, keep at it. Try to eat a good amount of calories just to keep your body going strong, but if you really can't, don't force yourself.

lilcrittert

I don't force myself to eat all of my calorie allotment if I'm not hungry....1200 is a guideline not a commandment. People who have NEVER had to lose a pound may eat 800-900 calories one day and 1600-1800 another day. It depends on what you're actively doing that day. If you sit in front of the tv all day, then your body won't require as many calories as the day you might hike 5 miles. You know your body.....listen to it and follow what you know is best for it.

forestdancers

I have've had a hard time eating all my calories in a day too. I used to set my alarm to eat and orange for a snack. All I can say is that I don't want my metabulism to tank on me so I keep eating more than I am hungry for as long as they are low cal healthy snacks.

TiniTurtle

i'd say aim for the 1200 a day, but if you're really not hungry, don't force it. how tall are you? you may not need all those calories. if your body needs nutrients you'll be hungry & you'll know to eat. if you start getting lethargic & still aren't hungry, then maybe you should go to the doctor. my goal is 1200 cals a day too & i'm 5'3. i have days that i'm really under that because i'm simply not hungry even with a work out & then i have days where i'm over my goal & then some days i just can't seem to eat enough & am hungry all day. your body will tell you if you're lacking & otherwise don't worry about it. )

AmeMahoney

If you are eating small meals every 2-3 hours, you will get in your 1200 calories (I aim for 1700 not counting exercise in 5 meals). This is the way you rev up your metabolism. It can be hard the first 2 or 3 days, but then you turn into a calorie-burning machine, and you'll love the way you feel once you are actually fueling your body instead of starving it.

tatiana_13

I think the answer to this question is difficult to answer without more information.

First, like another person said, its entirely possible that, something must be working right if its working for you. What that something is, who knows? You're young and maybe you just aren't as prone to metabolic slowdowns like us older people; maybe you're underestimating your calories and are eating more than you think, maybe you really don't need as much because your metabolism has already slowed down....

But, the minimum number of calories is also about proper nutrition. You might want to ask yourself, are you giving yourself all the vitamins and minerals you need on less than 1200 calories? Are you able to build muscle on less than 1200 calories? (Maybe with 30 pounds to lose, you're less interested in building muscle at this point, but sometime soon, you will be.) Your appetite can't always be your guide as it will change to match what you give it. If you have been giving it less than it needs, the body adapts its appetite.

I'm a small person, and often find "average" recommendations ill suited for me, so I'm not saying your individual needs can't be less than 1200. However, I wouldn't necessarily rely only on my appetite, and I would think about nutritional needs and not just caloric needs. More nutritionally dense foods could be substituted for other foods so that you don't feel as if you're eating "more" food.

Good Luck!

loves86

Thanks everyone for the advice!