how do i do only 1200 calories? freaking out!

jenkinsjerry

1200 + XCals is the only sustainable way to do this.

Always, always, always eat your xcals.

This is "the" secret to success on MFP; which is candidly why the site/tool/app is called, "My-Fitness" Pal... It's not my low calorie pal... Everyone knows, Diet + Exercise = success. Diet - exercise leads to failure and short term success... Slow and steady weight loss -- e.g. 1-2 LBS per week leads to life change...

Additng it all up:

Diet + Exercise + Life Change = sustained success.

rebeccasedwards

It's hard but you can do it. I was hungry and the beginning but do a lot better now. Raw veggies and dill pickles help.

Jesstruhan

If I eat at the 1200 level vs. the 1340 I'm at now, I HAVE to exercise every day. I consider it earning my dinner. I have also decided to eat back only up to about 70% of the estimated calories burned, so I'm going to manually reduce them when I enter them. It's a mental game. You really start seeking foods that are lower calorie, more filling or give you more volume (lettuces) and you stop being hungry after eating them. I find that foods that are whole grains but low GI are really filling and I am not hungry for hours, vs. when I eat cereal that is not considered low GI. (GI is Glycemic Index, I just started learning about this). Drink a LOT more water.

I think at the end of the day, exercise every day and you will have enough calories to eat that you won't feel deprived.

islandnutshel

exercise and eat back your calories.

exactly, it works for me. I picked up a fit bit, and add steps. or I use wii fit, or do pilates. Fit bit is a bit expensive but you can get good pedometers for much less. I like the omron too.
If you exercise and eat the calories, you won't be hungry and you will lose weight faster and you will look better with the additional muscle tone.

accountingsyd88

I would have to agree with everyone here that is saying to eat more fulfilling foods such as raw vegetables and fibers. I am going doing a low-carb diet at the moment. I'm feeling a lot more satisfied on lower calories by eating proteins, vegetables, etc. It's definitely hard to transition because of the way your body feels when you are depriving it of what it thinks it needs, but once you are giving it the right things that worry, fear, and feelings go away. You don't miss them either.

Momjogger

Yes exercise and eat a little more! Good luck!

Liz_Mfp

Bump

Also
I see "eat high-fiber foods"
What are a few of these that you'all are eating in this category?

Thank you!

LozzaCourt

Hiya!

It all comes down to portion sizing and planning your calorie intake throughout the day- to keep your metabolism kicking, blood sugar levels balanced and feeling satisfied to avoid binging.

When you think about it... if you have say 200-300 breakfast eg. oats and berries, or eggs on toast. You're obtaining the carbs and protein to kickstart your day.
Morning tea snack, say 150 cals- crackers and avocado or fruit or organic protein balls.
Lunch- 100g protein with salad or fresh vegies. That's an easy 300 or so calories.
Afternoon- apple slices and peanut butter, raw vegies, fruit etc. Limit it to 150 cals.
Dinner- portion size of protein and lots of vegies. 300 or so cals.

Keep in mind that you should be drinking lots of water throughout the day... we often confuse hunger with dehydration.

I'm certainly no expert, but this is what I swear by. I recently invested in a heart rate monitor to assist with calorie monitoring and with fitness training. 5 days a week I'm burning approximately 1000 cals (bootcamp in the morning and a powerwalk in the evening) leaving me with 200 cal daily total...however I am not left starving I've stuck at it for about 2 months and am not feeling fatigued. I'm planning a week of just yoga and walking to let my body recoup soon though

Hope this helps!