1200 Calories/Day: I feel like I'm starving

lvhawkins

Hi All,

I'm at my wits end.

For almost a year now, I've been using MyFitnessPal to track my calorie intake and things have been rather successful so far. Recently, I've started to feel shameful about taking the Weight Watchers approach to fruit and vegetables (unlimited amounts [within reason] are alright). I have started to track them in my food diary to try and drop three stubborn pounds that won't go away no matter how much I exercise. The only problem is, now I feel like I'm always hungry! It feels as if I can't eat /anything/ for fear of going over my calorie limit (not to mention my carbohydrate and sugar intake quotas). I find myself feeling hungry all day even though I'm taking in as close to 1200 calories (my "recommended" amount per diem to lose a pound per week) as I can without going over. I don't know what to do! All of the foods I used to eat to make my stomach stop bothering me now feel "off limits" because they contain too many carbohydrates (and sugar). I've tried drinking even more water than I normally do to make myself feel full (I've always drank about eight cups [2.2L] per day, but am drinking even more now), but it does nothing. Please help; I'm at a loss. I continue to measure and weigh all of my food (like I always have), but now I can't look at a salad (always sans dressing) without feeling guilty (and most of my favourite foods are fruits and vegetables).

Any suggestions/advice will help. Thank you!

---
L.

leslisa

First, I think you should relax. And then, I think you should take a step back and look at what you want, what you love. Maybe make a list of your favs. I can't see your food diary so I don't know what you are eating, but if you love carbs, you can work them in, complex are better than regular. See if you can find some subs.

Example: I love, love, love me an ice cream sunday with nuts and chocolate. 125 cal substitute: sugar free dark chocolate pudding, small serving peanuts, redi-whip from can, sugar-free strawberry syrup, strawberries - sliced. So good and I feel like I am getting what I want.

Also, I like jelly/jam on bread. So I eat Nature's Own Whole wheat slice (50 cals) with 1 tbsp sugar-free peach jam (25 cals) and sometimes I add low-fat spreadable cheese (20 - 35 cals). I'm not giving up what I love, I'm just cutting back since the alternative is bread slice (75 cals), jam (80 cals), cream cheese (80 cals). So it's 100 cals versus 235 cals.

Also, Sunday is my cheat day. If I do my cardio all week as I'm supposed to, I get 600 extra cals on Sunday. I've discovered when I deprive myself completely I just end up wanting it more.

Whatever you decide, best of luck!!

indiedoll

Maybe you should only try to lose .5 pounds a week. If you only have three pounds to lose you should be eating more calories than 1200 anyway. Or you could workout and eat back your exercise calories.

Sabine_Stroehm

If you only have a few pounds to lose you may need to take a different approach.

Figure out how many calories you NEED from here:

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

or

http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

lvhawkins

Thank you all! I tried eating only 1200 calories for a week and it wasn't working out; I found myself cheating (with healthy options like berries, melon, broccoli, etc.) out of desperation to feel satisfied. I've since decided that I'm only going to try and lose a half-pound per week (thank you, leslisa), meaning I can now take in 1400-ish calories per day: it's working much, /much/ better. Upon a suggestion from a dietitian friend of mine, I'm trying to increase my intake of protein and low glycemic foods to make myself feel fuller longer; it's just going to be a bit hard cutting back on how many fruits and vegetables I eat since I love them so much (especially some high glycemic foods like watermelon and dates)! It’s a good think I also love tofu, chickpeas, and yogurt haha. I'm hoping that, if I eat a more 'filling' breakfast and lunch, I won't feel the need to snack on more fruits and vegetables than I need (it worked out well this afternoon!).

Thank you all again for your tips and suggestions; it's nice to know there are kind souls out there! :happy:

--
L.

Stephaniemyak

I feel the same way! I am able to fight the feeling and stay under my calorie goal for a week but then I will veg out and just meet my goal..
On a side note: I don't know if you have heard about Walden farms jelly and dressings but they are all 0 Calories, Fat, Sugar, Carbs.. I use them and I am able to eat more of the things I love! (I have not tried all of the dressings.. but the grape and strawberry jelly is yummy)

cmeade20

You're not eating enough...you should be netting 1200 calories atleast

lvhawkins

Thanks for the tips, cmeade20 and Stephaniemyak. I'm eating more now and doing much better; I don't feel stressed about fruits and vegetables anymore.

Stephaniemyak: I'll have to look into those dressings and jellies! They sound wonderful. Thanks for the suggestion.