1200 calories and struggling!

toebass

Hey all!

i'm allocated 1200 calories and i'm struggling, particularly on days where i don't exercise!

help?

goblue443

I know it's been said 10000000 times before but drink tons of water. I usually chug a tall glass before I eat a meal. Also eating things that are higher in fiber help keep me feeling fuller throughout the day. I feel your pain though! It's tough to be on the 1200 calorie plan.

Lesa_Sass

After looking at your diary you may want to reconsider bananas and all the bread and biscuits.

G30Grrl

Please tell me you are eating back your exercise calories. Judging by your profile, you seem to work out a lot, and you need to eat those calories back in order to have enough energy.

And as a matter of curiosity, who 'allocated' you 1200 calories? You might want to up it a bit. That's on the low end of NET weight-loss calories per day.

charlesb22

Google BMR calculator, get your BMR and eat to that, not 1200! MFP sets everyone to 1200 if they want to lose 1-2lbs/week. It's not necessarily enough to actually fuel your body.

When I started, I was eating to 1200 and sometimes below as I was scared to go over in case SHOCK HORROR I got fat! But I was tired, hungry, and cranky all the time. Obsessed over food - my boyfriedn was cracking it because I weighed everything, it was all I could talk about. OCD behaviour for sure!

Then I started reading community posts here, and realised I need to eat to my own BMI, not just a stock standard "diet" figure that everyone gets assigned - regardless of height, weight, gender, age and activity level. I now eat minimum 1400 net cals to fuel my body, and feel amazing. And my hair, skin & nails are looking fab in about 2 weeks of eating like this. AND I'm losing cm's on my body and not fussing about scale weight as it's not the best indicator of health.

G30Grrl

OK, just looked at your diary, and I agree that you might want to cut out some of the grains in favor of more veggies. And you definitely need to up the protein, especially with all of your workouts. And water, water, water! Good luck to you!

Bikini_Bound150

I know a lot of people have lunch as their largest meals instead of dinner, but I would suggest having something light in the evening. That way you're not starving later in the day and it will help you feel much better.

I also agree with you eating too much biscuits and crackers.

Otherwise I think your diary is looking good, especially with exercise. You definitely need to eat more when you're exercising and burning 700+ calories a day. I think you're in pretty good shape. 1200 calories isn't right for everyone. Keep up the good work.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Eat more protein and good fat; it will help fill you up. Also I'd set my goal higher if you're hungry. I've lost all of my weight without ever going hungry; there's no reason that your change in eating habits should mean starving yourself. Just make sure that the things you eat are healthy. I find that legumes are really good as far as being filling and healthy. I get low-sodium black beans, rinse them, and put them in a tortilla with some avacado, sour cream, and salsa. Very filling and low calorie.

Strodtbeckp

I am in the same boat. 1200 and struggling. I have like plateaued in losing weight also.

Dave198lbs

After looking at your diary you may want to reconsider bananas and all the bread and biscuits.

bananas are good but you need about 1/2 a regular size banana a day. if you want to eat the whole banana that day, eat half early then the other half later

pucenavel

Fresh Vegetables and Lean Protein (fish, chicken) were my weapons of choice when I just needed to fill my stomach without blowing past 1200.

DKBelle

Drink 64 oz of water, eat healthy and you will be fine!

Check out my site for food ideas:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-ideasHomemade-Healthy-Foods/179121125503371

1viola1

Are you eating enough vegetables? That fills me up!

AlbertPooHoles

A heftier breakfast might help, along with more protein.

Hotrodhoodlum

Lower your carbs by 100 grams and up your protein a bunch .. Protein will stay with you and make you not as hungery

Colie140

I to was struggling with 1200 cals, so much so that I wanted to quit. So I bumped it up to 1300 and I feel much better and am still losing weight. You might want to try that and see if it works

marycmeadows

EAT MORE. 1200 is the minimum any woman should eat. Change your goal weight loss and it will increase your calories. You're probably struggling because you're hungry!

Dave198lbs

Lower your carbs by 100 grams and up your protein a bunch .. Protein will stay with you and make you not as hungery

this

rachelboddy

Eat when you're hungry. Just eat veggies or lean protein. Once you start figuring out better food choices for the rest of your calories, you'll start to find which foods can stretch far and keep you satisfied at 1200 calories. Just takes patience and flexibility, and willingness to listen to us who are here to support you.

rachelboddy

Drink 64 oz of water, eat healthy and you will be fine!

Check out my site for food ideas:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-ideasHomemade-Healthy-Foods/179121125503371

I've been told by my physical trainer to get in 94 ounces of water a day. Sounds like a lot at first, but it's so good for you.

AmandaCaswell1982

Eat more! I lost eating 1200 ( I was obese) then plateaued. Once I kicked up the cals and worked out more *poof* weight is steadily coming off. Good luck!