How do people cope on 1200 calories p/d?!

Brandicaloriecountess

I am still losing @ 1800 calories a day btw, so you don't HAVE to eat 1200 to lose

^
This! I actually eat a bit more than that, maybe 1,900 or so and still lose.

Well, I eat 1800 - but I do take in a little more here and there lol.

InnerFatGirl

I just looked at your diary. (I think a few of us have.) Here are my recommendations:

1. Cut down on the Starbuck's coffee and snacks.
2. Either learn to cook (if you don't know how) or start cooking for yourself or go to the store and get the low calorie prepackaged meals to make it fast and easy to feed yourself without all the "naughty" foods.
3. Add some exercise into your routine. Even a 30 minute walk at 3.0 mph would do you wonders.
4. Eat more veggies!

1. You're right. I work there, so the temptation is, well, tempting. But I managed to stop myself before, and I can stop myself again.
2. I can cook and cook most of my meals. See below (this is for the next few days);

3. Exercise. Yes. Need to get into this again. I hate it, though. At the gym, I seriously feel unbothered. But as for walking, I try to walk more often. Defo. However, it's been cold and rainy in London for months. I honestly hate being outside right now. It's freezing.
4. Can't disagree with you there

Thanks for your reply!

gemmalouise85

I'm on 1200 and always full i spread my cals through 3 meals and have snacks and eat 1200-1300 per day..

today i had gamon, pineapple,chips, peas and egg for tea and still was within 1200

InnerFatGirl

You can have a look at my diary if you want , for one my breakfast is usually better oats oatmeal or nonfat yogurt which is only 100 cals, I also eat alot of fruits, vegetables, chicken, baked sweet potatoes, once you get used to it it is actually pretty easy to do, I usually have 300-400 cals in snacks and I still manage to stay at about 1200 cals a day.....

Thank you!

InnerFatGirl

I eat all day long on 1200-1400 a day. I just eat fruits, vegetables, salad with or without chicken, low fat/low cal dressings, I eat almonds, raisins, mixed nuts, fish, popcorn, just stuff that tastes good and is healthy. It also helps that I don't get bored with eating the same things daily lol. And I'll never deny myself a snack if I'm craving one, I'll just have a little snack, like low fat frozen yogurt.

How do you manage to eat nuts? I love nuts but just 30g of almonds is like 200 calories

Blue Diamond 100 calorie pack almonds, 1/4 of a medium sized bag of Wonderful pistachios for 160 cals, and 1 box of Sunmaid raisins for 90 cals. I make my own trail mix too! Fills me up no problem!

Hmm, I see ..

dlyeates

Exercise!!!! Earn more calories.

I also would do lighter breakfast and lunch, healthy veggie based snacks and then a more protein but balanced dinner.

I'm not eating that low anymore and am doing a metabolism reset at 2000 calories/day and the last couple of days was still 200 calories+ under!!!

InnerFatGirl

The low/no cal syrups taste good over time. You get used to them. :laugh:

Don't give up. Aim for 1200 and if you hit 1500, call it a WIN. You don't have to lose 2 lbs/week. Shoot for 2, lose 1, carry on. I figure every day I don't eat at a surplus is a win. :happy:

HAHAHA, they will NEVER taste good to me! :laugh: the sugar-free hazelnut one is .. alright but the sugar-free vanilla is intolerable :laugh:

1lb a week is fine for me. Do you think I'll lose that on 1550, though?

kellyreynolds14

I admit some days I still go to bed hungry, but this is only temporary and I actually weirdly feel a lot more energetic and stronger.

This is so true! I find that when I eat healthier, smaller amounts of food and stay within a reasonable calorie range, I have more energy and feel GREAT! You can do it, it is just mind over matter. Once you get rolling, it is like a train, and you start to pick up more and more speed :-)

WendyTerry420

I can't imagine it! I would have to add amphetamines, but then I probably would have to remind myself to eat.

Oh..... OR, if all I did was lie around in bed all day, then I might be able to swing it.

InnerFatGirl

Exercise is always a good idea, and the days that I DO go over and hit 1400 or even 1600....those are days I have some "earned" calories.

Also, I waste almost zero calories on beverages. I drink black coffee with no sugar and water all day, every day. (with the occasional exception like the Corona I've already logged because I'm going out with a friend tonight) lol

Yes, the wasted calories on beverages. Ugh, I was doing so well with that. I work at Starbucks so it was a real struggle for me to avoid getting drinks on my breaks/before/after my shifts. I feel obligated to get one every time. I managed to go a while not getting any, or just getting a tea, but I'm slipping a bit. I also find I need to have a coffee before my opening shifts. I hate the taste of coffee to tend to get syrup in it to sweeten it up. I will have to just stick with a double espresso downed before my tastebuds can protest

We have a new drink that is only 53 calories in a tall, so I guess that can be my treat if my diary permits.

Unsweetened tea or green tea with a little lemon....more pallatable for some than black coffee and still has a caffiene punch.

Green tea? Yuccccck :laugh: we have a vanilla roobis tea, which is tolerable

WendyTerry420

I just had a look at a few days of your diet and your eating far too much sugar which will make you hungry. Ditch the low fat for full fat and eat a lot more fruit and veg and home made foods. A lot of what you eat is also high in salt that you need to reduce.

FAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU FAT

SUGAR MAKES YOU FAT.

if you do a little exercise each day you can eat more preventing you from getting hungry.

Sadly your diet does not seem to be very nutritionally sound. You need more vitamins and minerals from fruits and veggies also nuts should not be your only source of protein, you just variety.

Goos luck.

I do not believe a particular macro makes you fat. I have lost 30.5lbs by eating whatever I like, and that includes sugar.

The issue right now is not getting fat, it's just knowing how to cope with a reduced calorie intake.

Since I started, I've gone over on my sugar every day, and over on my fat almost every day. I am losing plenty of weight because I am eating at a calorie deficit. I feel healthy and strong and have plenty of energy to get a little exercise in.

kashmirdreamer

Pasta and nuts look like they weighed down your diet plan this week. My BF and I are doing this together and we usually snack on light popcorn, cut veggies, etc. If you eat a cut pepper and hummus, it's filling with protein too instead of just protein and fat of almonds. I also am starting to give up on pasta unless I also load it on veggies because it is not filling enough for me alone. I'm doing the 1200, and usually go up to 1300. I love summer squash or peas in a pasta dish.

I also have certain "banned" foods that I just don't buy. I didn't personally set out to ban them, my mom never let us have them from childhood so I don't think to buy them. Obviously if I'm at a party or craving one, I will indulge but I don't buy cookies, chips, etc. My BF hates it especially the chips but I would rather enjoy them with a group of people instead of just by myself at home. Or I enjoy making them because it's way healthier that way/more enjoyable even if it isn't healthy. I'm usually a cookies/cake junkie but I find if I have just one, I get cravings for them over and over again. If I cut them out, I stop craving as much until I have it again. We were going to buy little ice cream cups at the store, checked the calories, and went with froyo and sugar cones for the same calories but more volume of food.

I also don't buy coffee drinks though I totally love them and wish I wasn't as cheap sometimes. I love the Starbucks passion fruit tea, it tastes good even plain.

JeSuisPrest

If your talking NET, then it's easy. To eat more , exercise more!

ShreddedTweet

Zucchini is Aubergine!

mcarter99

The low/no cal syrups taste good over time. You get used to them. :laugh:

Don't give up. Aim for 1200 and if you hit 1500, call it a WIN. You don't have to lose 2 lbs/week. Shoot for 2, lose 1, carry on. I figure every day I don't eat at a surplus is a win. :happy:

HAHAHA, they will NEVER taste good to me! :laugh: the sugar-free hazelnut one is .. alright but the sugar-free vanilla is intolerable :laugh:

1lb a week is fine for me. Do you think I'll lose that on 1550, though?

I don't know how fast you'll lose on 1550 but I'm pretty sure you WILL lose on it. Try it for a month. If you want faster loss w/less calories, adjust accordingly. And vice versa.

And keep looking for calorie 'bargains'. Bread and sugared drinks are not it. The more you find, the happier you are at lower calories. That's how some are ok at 1200. They 'shop' like misers with those calories.

Ms_Natalie

Exercise more...it really is as simple as that

I find exercise makes me less hungry...but for others it increases the appetite...which is also fine, because you have the extra calories to fall back on if neccessary :flowerforyou:

marianbobby

dont give up! Eat fresh veggies and fruits everyday and stay away from processed foods! Seriously, an apple or any fresh fruit will help you feel full, and slow down the calorie consumption. Fiber also works! Did you know that Uncle Sams cereal has 10g of fiber? One bowl and you will feel full for hours!
Really, I know how you feel! I am FATTER NOW THAN WHEN I WAS PREGNANT 25 years ago!! That is very very sad. But Hang In there! You will get past the hump, and don't give up! I intend to get back to my weight that I was at in my 20's and 30's and I am now in my 50's! I can do it, and I know you can too! So eat fresh veggies and don't give up!

InnerFatGirl

I can't imagine it! I would have to add amphetamines, but then I probably would have to remind myself to eat.

Oh..... OR, if all I did was lie around in bed all day, then I might be able to swing it.

Hahahaha!

InnerFatGirl

dont give up! Eat fresh veggies and fruits everyday and stay away from processed foods! Seriously, an apple or any fresh fruit will help you feel full, and slow down the calorie consumption. Fiber also works! Did you know that Uncle Sams cereal has 10g of fiber? One bowl and you will feel full for hours!
Really, I know how you feel! I am FATTER NOW THAN WHEN I WAS PREGNANT 25 years ago!! That is very very sad. But Hang In there! You will get past the hump, and don't give up! I intend to get back to my weight that I was at in my 20's and 30's and I am now in my 50's! I can do it, and I know you can too! So eat fresh veggies and don't give up!

Thank you

InnerFatGirl

The low/no cal syrups taste good over time. You get used to them. :laugh:

Don't give up. Aim for 1200 and if you hit 1500, call it a WIN. You don't have to lose 2 lbs/week. Shoot for 2, lose 1, carry on. I figure every day I don't eat at a surplus is a win. :happy:

HAHAHA, they will NEVER taste good to me! :laugh: the sugar-free hazelnut one is .. alright but the sugar-free vanilla is intolerable :laugh:

1lb a week is fine for me. Do you think I'll lose that on 1550, though?

I don't know how fast you'll lose on 1550 but I'm pretty sure you WILL lose on it. Try it for a month. If you want faster loss w/less calories, adjust accordingly. And vice versa.

And keep looking for calorie 'bargains'. Bread and sugared drinks are not it. The more you find, the happier you are at lower calories. That's how some are ok at 1200. They 'shop' like misers with those calories.

I need to re-weigh myself. I know I've gained, but not sure how much. I will weigh myself in a few days.

And yep, I'm going to have to!

InnerFatGirl

Pasta and nuts look like they weighed down your diet plan this week. My BF and I are doing this together and we usually snack on light popcorn, cut veggies, etc. If you eat a cut pepper and hummus, it's filling with protein too instead of just protein and fat of almonds. I also am starting to give up on pasta unless I also load it on veggies because it is not filling enough for me alone. I'm doing the 1200, and usually go up to 1300. I love summer squash or peas in a pasta dish.

I also have certain "banned" foods that I just don't buy. I didn't personally set out to ban them, my mom never let us have them from childhood so I don't think to buy them. Obviously if I'm at a party or craving one, I will indulge but I don't buy cookies, chips, etc. My BF hates it especially the chips but I would rather enjoy them with a group of people instead of just by myself at home. Or I enjoy making them because it's way healthier that way/more enjoyable even if it isn't healthy. I'm usually a cookies/cake junkie but I find if I have just one, I get cravings for them over and over again. If I cut them out, I stop craving as much until I have it again. We were going to buy little ice cream cups at the store, checked the calories, and went with froyo and sugar cones for the same calories but more volume of food.

I also don't buy coffee drinks though I totally love them and wish I wasn't as cheap sometimes. I love the Starbucks passion fruit tea, it tastes good even plain.

Thank you very much. I totally agree

InnerFatGirl

Zucchini is Aubergine!

The purple vegetable, right?

How does it taste?

And what a cool alternative name!

ETA: Doh, veggie, not fruit.

Annitte

Why! You're almost there! You have to grasp the life style change. Look for foods that fill you up, like beans, some fruit, whole wheat, if your not allergic to these things. Veggies, lean meat. Heck! I don't eat read meat! but I'm doing 1200 or less, I work out twice a day! and so far! its all good, but I will say i don't have a large amount to lose. I just want to fit into all of my things! like the little black dress or my slinky red one...:glasses:

uglyhobo

That's breakfast for me....

Elise_healthy4life

I exercise a lot so I can eat more because I eat those cals back that I have burned

InnerFatGirl

That's breakfast for me....

Jealous :sad:

meryloneil

Drink lots of water throughout the day all day long. Eat lots of veggies - they fill you up! Make sure you are eating alot of protein too!

gatorginger

What helped me was to eat several things that were 100 calories instead of one thing that was 400 calories. I did eat somethings that were higher or course, but throughout the day I had several items that were only 100 calories like yogurt, popcorn and these seem to keep me satisfied

InnerFatGirl

Why! You're almost there! You have to grasp the life style change. Look for foods that fill you up, like beans, some fruit, whole wheat, if your not allergic to these things. Veggies, lean meat. Heck! I don't eat read meat! but I'm doing 1200 or less, I work out twice a day! and so far! its all good, but I will say i don't have a large amount to lose. I just want to fit into all of my things! like the little black dress or my slinky red one...:glasses:

Thank you. Unfotunately, the foods that fill me up the most seem to be the most calorie dense

I don't eat any meat at all, but I have some replacements. Quorn is a good sub for me

SunflowerRox

Zucchini is Aubergine!

The purple vegetable, right?

How does it taste?

And what a cool alternative name!

ETA: Doh, veggie, not fruit.

nope. eggplant is the purple veggie. Zuccini is kinda like a cucumber. its green and long.But healthy!