1200 CAN'T be enough

patroleumjam

I decided to start my weight loss journey today. I did great all dad and walked outside 50 minutes. I'm pretty sedentary so my calorie goal in around 1200 as the site instructed.

I'm 20. This really can't be right can it? I was still starving afterwhile so I ate more. (granted a healthy food) and I had around 1500 today.

what do you all think?

xarge

I decided to start my weight loss journey today. I did great all dad and walked outside 50 minutes. I'm pretty sedentary so my calorie goal in around 1200 as the site instructed.

I'm 20. This really can't be right can it? I was still starving afterwhile so I ate more. (granted a healthy food) and I had around 1500 today.

what do you all think?

What's your height and weight? And have you set your weight loss goal to 2lbs/week?

patroleumjam

5'3 150 lbs. I set it to 1 lb per week.

patroleumjam

anyone?

xarge

5'3 150 lbs. I set it to 1 lb per week.

1200 is low if you've been eating let's say 2000cals so far. Your basal metabolic rate is around 1500 calories or so says the formulae, normally that's the minimum calories your body needs to function and most people wouldn't want to go below that.

If you try to restrain your calories low like today, you will feel tired and depressed because of continuous hunger. As a start, stick to 1500 calories like today. If you need to, lower gradually.

What you need to do, though, is to make good food choices. You need the kind of food that will keep you full.

Adjust your macronutrient goals through My Home > Goals > Change Goals > Custom. Set a higher protein goal and decrease your carbs a bit. Normally MFP sets the carbohydrates high and without complex carbohydrates like whole grains, you won't feel satiated.

Eat more lean meats, eggs, good dairy high in protein like greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Get your carbohydrates from good sources like vegetables, fruits, beans and lentils. Have a handful of nuts everyday for good fat intake, as well as olive oil, coconut oil or alike.

More protein will most probably help with the hunger issues.

Oh, and drink water.

Next is to start on some exercise. Walk, run, look up for bodyweight exercises on youtube and spare 30 minutes a day for your exercise.

minnesota_deere

it is enough

Presleyforpresident

i feel like a lot of people are going to disagree with me, but i find 1,200 to be plenty for me.
i used to have a borderline eating disorder, so sometimes (like today, for example) i can't even hit the 1,000 mark.
i also have/used to have BED (binge eating disorder) so some days 1,200 feels like nothing and i eat 2,500.
but generally, i feel like 1,200 is doing the trick.
x

impyimpyaj

I decided to start my weight loss journey today. I did great all dad and walked outside 50 minutes. I'm pretty sedentary so my calorie goal in around 1200 as the site instructed.

I'm 20. This really can't be right can it? I was still starving afterwhile so I ate more. (granted a healthy food) and I had around 1500 today.

what do you all think?

If you're hungry, eat.

Set your weight loss goal to half a pound a week. Exercise, and eat your calories you burn from exercise (but be careful, MFP's burn estimates are often inaccurate). Try eating more protein and fat and fewer carbs than MFP recommends, as protein and fat will help keep you feeling more satisfied. Learn to differentiate between physical hunger (stomach growling, shaky hands, etc.) and mental/emotional hunger, if you haven't already. Drink enough water to hydrate, but not too much -- just make sure your urine is almost clear. No more, no less.

You'll be fine.

SweatpantsRebellion

http://www.scoobysworkshop.com

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools

Use one of these sites and enter your information. Be honest about your activity level. Many people underestimate. If you work out several times a week you are likely moderate. This will tell you how much you should be eating for your weight, height, and age. If you use the scooby site, choose a 15% deficit. This is a modest deficit and will help to keep your weight loss from stalling out. Whichever number you get as your calorie number, enter into MFP manually as your calorie goal. MFP tends to underestimate the calories that you need.

If you want more information on how to find the correct calorie level for you, there is a group here on MFP that's full of information and a lot of helpful people who will take time to answer your questions.

Eat More 2 Weigh Less

You can also find the website. http://www.eatmore2weighless.com

I wish you the best on your journey!

patroleumjam

it is enough

then why am I starving?

drayNOTdre

it's not. look up the Eat more 2 Weigh less group. lot's of helpful tips:happy:

AnvilHead

Read the first thread in this post if you're tired of starving yourself and want to eat enough, yet still lose weight:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

dsjohndrow

I just started eating for the weight I wanted to be. for me that is 1800 per day. But I am 6' 1". MFP is set to give you a 500 calorie deficit from your maintenance calorie count. 1200 might be correct. In any case, be consistent about how many calories you are using, or you won't be able to dial it in if it is wrong.

LittlestStar

I think if you're starting, you should ease into it so you don't burn out. If 1500 is easier, start with that and some exercise.

You can feel fuller for less calories if you really bulk up on stuff like steamed vegetables, fresh fruit (especially stuff like strawberries and blueberries - they have very low calorie counts and tons of nutrients), greens, and then lots of beans/legumes, whole grains (not necessarily bread or pasta, but more like brown rice, quinoa, etc - though bread/pasta are ok in moderation), and nuts/seeds in moderation. I LOVE www.greenkitchenstories.com for recipes.

Meat and dairy aren't necessary, but in very very low amounts are probably fine in the short term. I never really lost much weight or kept weight off when those were on the table, plus I think I'm a bit lactose intolerant. But I digress...

rebeccasedwards

My doctor said it was enough for me though I'm doing 1270 right now. It is very tough in the beginning. I starved all the time. Now my body has seemed to adjust.

robin52077

Do 1500 for a few weeks and see how it feels and see if you are losing. If you are, great. If you can do this without feeling starving all the time then why put yourself through that?

Crazibaker

I hear ya - its really really difficult to do at first, but your body will get used to it. Try to eat filling foods like protein and complex carbs.

PLUMSGRL

Because IT'S NOT ENOUGH!!!!:sick:

I'm eating over 2000 cals a day and loosing, I'm 5'5" 175# 55 yo...if I can do it so can you!

Listen to your body and feed it

memaw578

I only started on the 7th of Aug. and to me 1200 calories is a lot to eat if you are eating good whole foods. I just ate some cereal to up my calories closer to 1200. Try adding more fruit and veggies to your day, and watch the bad carbs.

LorinaLynn

It was too low for me and I'm twice your age. You'll still lose weight eating more than the bare minimum.

Double check your settings. At your age and size, I would think one pound a week would put you in the 1350-1400 range.

MENichols5

I usually try and stay around 1200 but there are many people on here that believe it's better to eat more calories. I think if you don't adjust to the 1200 cal mark and are still feeling bad and hungry, then bumping it up to 1400 or so would be okay.

Also, did you consider your workout calories from your walk? You can eat those calories back.

Another thing is that 1200 calories of high protein filling foods will be a lot easier to maintain than 1200 calories of high calorie foods that are more unhealthy. In other words, try and eat lower calorie foods high in protein and they will keep you more full for longer.

Again, if 1200 seems too low for you and you don't think you'll be able to stick to it, bump it up a little for awhile and see how that goes. Good luck!

BetterCrazyThanLazy

It can be enough if you plan your meals and get your body used to a new regimen.

I plan my meals ahead of time so I know exactly what I am eating and when. Obsessed? Maybe just a little but it helps.

Go for lean meats and veggies and reduce your carb intake, go for 30/40/30 (carbs/protein/fat) and you will see that 1200 is enough.

Crochetluvr

it is enough

then why am I starving?

I don't think you are starving. If you are hungry, eat. Up your calories if you feel the need. You are free to make adjustments to your plan...nothing here is written in stone. Just make sure you are really hungry not just feeling that you want to put something in your mouth.

mmarlow61

I agree, many days I STRUGGLE to get to 1200. make sure you are eating lots of green veggies, more volume for the calories

MrsSky11

I am also on 1200 calories a day.....2 things.

1. At first you feel like you're completely starved. Even after you do it for awhile - you'll still have days where you're really hungry for some reason. Try not to indulge in the bad stuff - grab some fruit or veggies to fill the void. Easier said than done, I know! Trust me!

2. Adjust your carbs vs protein intake. I've recently been making a conscious effort to eat more lean protein (tuna, fish, chicken, tofu, etc) - and it REALLY helps to make you feel full!!

Ok 3 things, I lied...

3! More than likely you will never be dead on with your carbs/protein/fat percentages. In my opinion it's impossible to get enough carbs and protein on a 1200 calorie diet - but some how there is ALWAYS enough fat to go around.

Overall my main advice is to really amp up your protein intake to make you feel full, and choose *good* carbs to give you some energy. Your body will get used to the adjustment eventually Good luck!

mahak14

It might be hard initially but if you eat the right kind of food you wont starve..
if you eat the wrong kind of food obviously ur calories will increase
but if u r more hungry u can eat n make it up by exercise

I am also 20 with same height n my weight is was quite near yours when i started i was 154
and now with proper eating i am 141
it takes time
look me months i used to be so irregular but when you get used to it .. you dint even need this site tell you whats bad and good for you without being a calorie freak.

RAFValentina

You'll get loads of responses all different. It is enough if you're trying to lose weight. If you're overweight you got there by over eating... for whatever reason... your stomach is bigger and you're used to stuffing yourself or eatign stodgy crap.

If you were eating 3000kCal a day and switched to less than half that at 1200kCal, it'll be a shock so you'll just have to get exerct will power to get over it.The alternative for a life long approach is to eat at the maintenance calories for your goal weight ...and do that forever...adjusting your goal weight calories for age and activity level for ever....

Choose high fibre foods as they'll fill you up where possible and drink enough but not too much, water. Earn some extra calories by doing more exercise and make it good quality exercise.

RenaHope

I agree with everyone else. My problem has always been that I tend to eat when I'm bored. I think of how great some cheese fries taste, and I think I'm hungry, when I really am not. SO! Getting over that battle, I found that 1250 actually WAS enough for me... it was simply psychologically getting over the calorie gap.
My tip to you is to just exercise every day, even if for a little bit. Anything else. Most of all, when your tummy is GROWLING, eat!
Also, once you start exercising regularly, you can start eating back those calories. Despite what people tend to say, you WILL continue to lose weight. I generally eat about half of my exercise calories back, and I am doing just fine on my journey. Don't force yourself to be hungry. A granola bar or a handful of peanuts/almonds when you start feeling hungry or when you get a headache will help. And it probably sounds like a broken record, but drinking lots of water will help you adjust. I used to hate water. Hated it. Now I actually am in love with it.

Tummy growling = EAT!
Tastebuds growling = CAUTION!

Hope that helped a little bit, good luck with your journey. And I love your icon! Anne Hathaway is great.

sarah6336

I'm on a 1200 calorie diet and about your height and weight. Depending on your activity level, you may need more. I find I feel better on 1200. One thing I noticed is that if I don't eat refined sugars, I don't feel like I am starving. Try to eat well rounded meals, drink water, and get some exercise.

amselby81

My calorie limit is 1,510 and I struggle some days. If I mess up just a little, I go over my calories. Some days I do alright. Anyway, I can't imagine only having 1,200 calories. I have friends who have their calories set to 1,200 and they are skipping meals and/or drinking lemon water in the place of meals. That can't be healthy. I think that once I get down to only having 1.200, if I can't exercise enough to give me extra calories and I feel like I'm starving, I will change my weight loss goals to a half a pound a week just to give me extra calories.

MrsSherrill

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