new ideas to stay at 1200-1300 cals

loosingweight2feelgood

Hello everyone...

I started on MFP 4 days ago... I have been having some issues staying under the required 1300 cals per day.. what a challenge it has been...

Any ideas? how did you guys end up doing it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Please add me for some motivation!!!

beach_chelle

Lots of veggies like raw carrots or celery. Even a baked patatoe can be filling with low calories. Look for things with high fiber like apples which can be very filling. And lots of lean protiens. I am not at as low calories as you but these should help :-) good luck and hang in there?

mckshowie

i can't... so i work out

Lilith8984

i can't... so i work out

Ditto

littlesis412

First look at what you are eating. There could be simple things you could cut out like pop, candy, and fast food. If you've already done that, go for fruits and veggies. They are usually low calories and high fiber. Fiber and protein fill you up and burn longer. But beware of peanut butter. Popcorn might help while you're still adjusting. Or sugar free jello.


Edit: Or like the above people said. Workout so you can eat more. I'd suggest starting with Jillian Michel's 30 day shred if you don't already have a plan.

angelskye6

Quaker instant oatmeal (weight control) is my FAVORITE breakfast and it really does fill me up. I usually have a big dinner with protein, carbs, and veggies. Popcorn is also a great snack that will fill you up. Drinking a LOT of water and hot tea helps me a lot, too. And I work out to earn more calories. The beginning is always the hardest and you will feel like you're starving, but hang in there! ;-)

enginerd81

What are you eating now?

Salads (with very minimal or no dressing) and vegetables are super filling and low in calories. Lean meats - again without sauces are a good way to go. Buying 90/10 or 96/4 beef vs standard ground round will save alot along with boneless skinless chicken breasts.

I like to eat so I always do 300 calories of cardio to make room for my snacking.

missbethea

Rice cakes! They're a life saver.I get a rice cake with a tablespoon of peanutbutter for a snake and it's very filling. The rice cake snacks- that are like chips- are also very filling and a healthy snack alternative.

Also, be sure you're drinking your water. Sometimes if you feel peckish and you down a glass of water you feel full.

sssygirl

Soup! Salad! Those have been my saving graces..I make a few low calorie, veggie filled soups and freeze them in individual containers.
Also a bag of mixed greens and precut veggies can be a quick salad. Also try cooking some chicken on Sunday and then you can toss that in as well.
Also I gave up cheese for just about everything.

Change out your bread to flat out wraps or my new fave...pumpernickel bread...120 cals for 2 slices!!

Low fat yogurt, apples, and popcorn are go to snacks as well.

perdie7

i can't... so i work out

me too!

Kaylee_law_123

Feel free to add me, I am on 1200 calories and manage to stay under it without getting hungry so you are welcome to look at my diary and see what I eat!

It took me time to figure out what kept me full the longest that was still within my calorie range ie I was originally having cereal for breakfast but was starving by 11am, so I swapped to a Wheat Free bread and have toast and am satisfied until lunch time and both breakfasts have around the same calories :-)

Hang in there, you will get there :-)

RPai

Either exercise more, or skip snacking and only eat lunch/dinner. I've been staying around that caloric range for quite some time now successfully. Avoid nuts (high in calories for not a lot of satisfaction) and any regular fruit or soft drinks. Also try to substitute with calorie free items when possible. I wouldn't not have been able to do what I have done without my constant supply of Diet Coke. :-)

craziedazie

The 1st poster is right. Adding a lot of fresh veggies has helped a lot. But it does take work - I am constantly going to the store and chopping but it is worth it and I think the prices for fresh veggies are at least comparable to the frozen ones. Salads. Low cal snacks. I try to eat something healthy like a cucumber or yogurt for a snack and then if I am still hungry I will eat something else that is more filling. Fish is a life saver. Try to figure out what type of food keeps you full longer - you will have to experiment, each person is different. Oatmeal and fruit does nothing for me. But on the other hand - something like beans and rice keeps me full for more than half the day so I plan on doing that a few times a month. I agree with the potatoes too. But if you are constantly hungry and you know it is not bored hungry then you may really need to eat more.

rede2losemore

i cant do 1200 i do about 1800 a day 6 meals of 300 calories and I do resistance training and HIIT for cardio good luck

rosarenee1

i can't... so i work out

Ha! That's good enough!

kyrstensmom

I just peeked at your food diary and it looks like you are eating lots of pasta, which doesn't keep you full for long, so you may want to reduce the pasta and increase your protein and fiber intake (including veggies).

DavesKitten

Lots of great ideas, thank you everyone!

finchest

hydration and recording time between meals. for example, if i had a protein shake at 8am (and i really feel protein shakes curb *my* appetite for awhile) i will not let myself snack for at least 2 hours, because i just gave myself a good dose of fuel. it's not that hard to resist, and when you space out your calories like that, inevitably you'll succeed
sometimes i have days (like yesterday) where i had a really big low calorie meal (gigantic salad) that keeps me full for hours and hours and then i can't even make it to 1200! (yesterday is a bad example in my food diary, though, because IMO i really under-ate)

but - to recap:
hydration + spacing out meals/snacks + eating filling, nutritional meals and snacks like protein shakes and salads.

Lynnhealthpro

Try hungry girl and skinny taste both have lots of savory low cal meals. Oh and exercise is a must:-)

jeffarthur

dump cheese and bread as much as you can....or find the low cal whole wheat bread and laughing cow cheese (it actually taste better).

itsjustdawn

i can't... so i work out

Ditto

Throw me in with you guys!

jeffarthur

oh yea...egg whites instead of whole eggs...taste the same

enginerd81

I just peeked at your food diary and it looks like you are eating lots of pasta, which doesn't keep you full for long, so you may want to reduce the pasta and increase your protein and fiber intake (including veggies).

I was shocked the first time I went to eat a "serving" of pasta. 200 calories for 2/3 cup..... I remember eating 3-4 times that amount before i started tracking.

abradley114

The best idea is having a lot of protein and drink TONS of water i mean every time u feel like u are getting hungry drink a bottle of water and wait to see if you still are then have a few almonds. Good luck

fugaj01

high fiber high protein. protein protein protein. it fills you up. i use protein in water in between meals. usually 1/3 to 1/2 scoop. just about enough to flavor the water. that helps with staying full. water only helps too, but not as much at protein and water do. i try to if possible eat back my exercise calories. you can add me as friend. i am on 1300 day and before that was 1200. my diary is viewable.

mrschappet

i can't... so i work out

Ditto

^^^^this

jeffarthur

also...make friends and look at their diaries. i picked up a lot of good ideas that way.

finchest

just peeked at your diary and it looks like your biggest calorie consumption was 3 tbsp of olive oil - consider switching to cooking spray?

Cindym82

I plan my day the night before and pre pack my work lunch

onyx1972

HI, my goal is also between 1200 and 1300 cals per day... fruit and 100 cal snacks have been my savior.. I have to plan very carefully. I try to do 300 cals for Breakfast, 400 for lunch and 500 for dinner.... I am a walker also so I usually earn about 100 to 200 extra per day.. so I can have fruit and or a 100 cal snack as a treat. It takes a lot of time and a lot of planning, but you can do it. The Tyson prepared grilled diced chicken or chicken strips, starkist tuna salad packets and the 100 sandwich thins are good 200 cal lunch ideas.... I hope that helps... and if you ever want to chat or exchange thoughts... feel free to add or email me.

wurgin

protein and water