Thinking about giving up

AGreen54

I have only been doing this for 3 weeks now but I already want to quit. I'm 4'11" and my net calories is at 1320 but I feel like it is waaay to low since I'm always hungry. I'm not doing this to lose weight but fat around my stomach and thighs. I'm afraid if I increase my calories I'll gain more fat since my BMR is 1450 or so. Also another reason why I want to give up is because I want to eat bad and sugary food and drinks

small_ninja

I'm really short too (5'0"), the easiest way for me to keep up with this plan is to exercise a lot so I can eat more

marinebiologist_girl

Just stick with it! I've found that the longer I kept at it, the less hungry I got/the less cravings I had. It'll work out in the long run (: And like the person above me said, if you exercise you'll lose weight faster and you can eat back your exercise calories and feel a bit more fulfilled.

Wonderob

Ok it's not as bad as you think

If you consumed 1450 calories a day then you will lose weight. Your BMR is the amount of calories you burn just by being alive - you would burn that amount in a coma for example

So even if you were VERY sedentary your TDEE (Total daily energy expenditure.... walking about the house, cooking dinner etc.) would be about 1.2 times your BMR. So you are already up to 1740 calories - anything below that and you will lose weight!

Add some exercise if you can and your calories can go up. Do a Zumba class or cycle or a brisk walk and you can burn another 500 a day - that will put your calories up to 2200ish before you start to put on weight!

No need to be that hungry, I found that upping my protein made me less hungry - nobody has a sweeter tooth than me but I stopped the cravings by getting some protein bars.

Is that any help?

emily10000

Don't give up! If you're feeling hungry, have a good look at what you are eating because you may not be picking the most filling foods. My calorie intake is only 1210 and I'm 5'2 but I don't usually feel hungry because I've filled up on fruit and vegetables with plenty of lean protein (chicken, fish, eggs and yogurt) and limited carbohydrates (usually 1 slice wholemeal bread, small portion brown rice/noodles or some sweet potato wedges). Also, make sure you drink plenty of water because thirst is often mistaken for hunger and don't waste calories on alcohol or sugary drinks because they definitely don't keep you full. I try and do some exercise everyday to get some flexibility into my calorie allowance but you don't have to do loads, just a 30 minute jog will burn more than 250 calories giving you an extra 20% to eat if you feel hungry.

It's quite straightforward really but I think we all need reminding sometimes! Hope that helps.

ash190489

Eat a bit more - at least your BMR.

Do some exercise and then you can eat back those or half of those calories putting your calorie limit up more therefore being able to eat more.

Have a sugary treat each day... when I first started I craved sugary goodness like crazy and allowed myself one treat sized chocolate for dessert each day (something to look forward to and craving dealt with). Eventually it'll wean off.

If you're not concerned about the number on the scale and would rather see the fat drop off around your stomach and thighs AKA see the inches disappear, then as well as watching what you eat (Abs & flat tummies are made in the kitchen!) you should also look into doing some weight training... the inches literally will just fall off of you.

The worst thing you can do is quit all together. That would make me thing that past few weeks were a waste of time and you'll look back a year from now looking back at the same reflection as now... if it were me, I'd like to look into that mirror and see that nice stomach and legs and LOVE what I see. But you've got to stick with it, because wishing and dreaming won't get you there... YOU have to DO it yourself!

Rhea30

I have only been doing this for 3 weeks now but I already want to quit. I'm 4'11" and my net calories is at 1320 but I feel like it is waaay to low since I'm always hungry. I'm not doing this to lose weight but fat around my stomach and thighs. I'm afraid if I increase my calories I'll gain more fat since my BMR is 1450 or so. Also another reason why I want to give up is because I want to eat bad and sugary food and drinks

You dont have to give up the foods you like, just do your best to cut back on them and start to make little changes that you can get in a habit off instead of a whole overhaul.

LittleNicci

shorty here as well :-) cut your carbs back a little bit, add some protein and fiber powders to your oatmeal, try a protein bar here and there as a snack (not a meal) replace "white" starches with things like sweet potato, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa. STICK WITH IT! :-) You can add me if you'd like, my diary is open and Im always happy to share recipies!

opuntia

Try doing strength exercises - squats, planks, etc. I found those made more of a difference to my stomach and thighs than what I ate.

mhoward685

You haven't found what works for you yet. It's ok to give up on something that doesn't work but keep looking for what does. I hope you don't mind some suggestions.
*Never skip meals. This is hard for me and I get busy but later in the day it will be my downfall. Getting overly hungry effects my blood sugar, my mood and my ability to eat reasonably.
*Eat more protein at breakfast. This was key for me. I wasn't getting enough calories or protein at breakfast and it caused problems the entire day because I never felt good. Now I start the day with a greek yogurt with 1/4 cup Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal mixed in.
*Eat lean protein with vegetables for lunch and dinner.
*Exercise is key when it is an honest effort. I see people at the gym all the time and they do more walking/standing around and talking than they do exercising. Be aware of your intensity level. No exertion=No effect.
*Be patient. It took time to gain the weight and it will take time to remove it. This is the hardest thing for me as I get frustrated very easily. I go for weeks without a weight loss then will suddenly lose several pounds. I have been doing this for over 90 days and can see the pattern now.

hilltopsarah

DO NOT GIVE UP, STAY CONFIDENT IN YOURSELF I BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT! I THINK THE MORE SUPPORT YOU NEED THE BETTER

lilylight

What's great about MFP is how you can log your exercise, and then you hcan clearly see that is you exercise more, you can eat more, and still lose. So, if your calorie goal seems like too little, exercise more!

AGreen54

Thanks everyone who wrote and gave me support. I won't give up. The beginning is always the toughest right? I'm going to start exercising more and thanks for all of the food tips

danne32339

Hi there. My name is Doni. It is nice to meet you. I am 4'11' as well. I know how frustrating it can be when things seem to be going slow. My doctor has me on a 1200 calorie a day diet. But I had gastric sleeve surgery in June. I've lost 25 pounds since then. Hang in there and make friends on MFP. The folks here are great and they really do care.
Good luck and God bless,
Doni

DefyGravity1977

Never give up. When I started my journey 5 years ago, I was constantly hungry too. Your body is fighting the changes you are making and it will get better. When I started, I weighed in at 272. As of this morning, 190. You can't ever give up. One day, one step at a time.

lilpoindexter

I felt hungry all the time when I started to eat better. After a while...what seemed like a long, long , long while, I started to feel full with less food.
If you have to go over calories, try to do it with fruit. I have no proof of this theory, but I think going over calories on fruit, has got to be better than going over by the same amount of calories in chocolate cake.
Don't give up...even if you don't meet your calorie goals, continue to track them, and don't feel bad if you go over. Rome wasn't built in a day...take baby steps before you run that marathon.

amrita0286

Exercise and eat a bit more hun
I find when I exercise I'm happier and more relaxed and also sometimes I forget about the cravings.
Drink more water, you might mistake dehydration for hunger. So have a glass of water before a meal , I find it fills me up more and I eat less.
Eat slowly, really enjoy your food, when you eat fast, you tend to overeat as well.
Indulging once in awhile and within limits is NOT a bad thing at all! Obviously you can't give up all foods for the rest of your life and that wouldn't really be attainable. The goal is just to eat healthier and it doesn't mean you're banned from ever having a piece of chocolate or some pizza. Just make sure you aren't binging on food when you're not hungry.

If you want to eat more, just incorporate some good ol exercise into your day, it can be anything really that gets your heart rate up.
But honestly don't give up! 3 weeks is amazing progress and you're closer to your goal than you think.

neveradullmoment

Don't ever give up!!! There are so many people on MFP that will be there for support!

Feel free to add me if you want!

Just DON'T give up!!

Karen

DreamLittleDarling

I'm also super short!

I struggle ALOT with cravings and being hungry.

Let me start from the beginning... This is my 2nd go-round here. First time around I lost 30ishlbs in about 10 months. (yes, I gained it all back because I went through some crap blah blah blah)

The beginning is the hardest. Look for ways to make your favorite foods/recipes healthier so you don't have to give up what you love. That's what I did and trust me, it makes a HUGE difference in how you feel about "eating right." Find foods that you like just as much or more that are higher in protein and lower in empty calories/carbs/sugars. The more protein and fiber, the longer it will keep you feeling not hungry. Have small healthy snacks between meals to head off those cravings before they even start.

Add me as a friend if you'd like! You can do this, don't give up on yourself!

dsjohndrow

If you start today, think of what you'll look like in a year?

Than again, maybe you are not ready for a lifestyle change. The good news is that we'll be here when you get back.

Good luck.

Espressocycle

Go ahead, give up and make the rest of us look better. Wait, better yet, try filling up on lean protein and veggies. Sometimes I eat a whole steamed cauliflower mashed with a bit of butter and herbs.

geebusuk

For me; I try to avoid calorie-dense food.
I'd include bread in that; for the calories you get, it doesn't seem to fill up too much. (Though a 6" subway still does the job nicely for me, sometimes I'll add extra meat for protein - just a pack of ham from a supermarket.)

What I've been trying to do is make a bed of lettuce, tomato, onion and carrot (salad I like) with some garlic sprinkled on it, then putting my meal on top of that - no more than 100 calories of salad, but an awful lot of 'food' added to make me feel full.

I also where possible would try and do lots of exercise and eat a little more - for me that keeps me happier - especially if added more protein (meat a lot of the time) to match doing weight-based workouts, so hopefully that food will go towards building or maintaining muscle.

Were it me, I'd avoid milk, cereal and associated sugar - as I know I wouldn't feel nearly as satisfied as the same amount of calories of a 'full english breakfast' ready meal, say.
I did go through a phase of drinking skimmed milk, but even then found that it was a lot of calories for what I was getting - though a good mix of protein and carbs of course.

mbvaldivia30

This is my third week my beginning Cal was 1480 I lost 3 lbs. Then I switched to 1240 with exercise I noticed I feel Fuller. I eat what I crave but I reduce my calories at future meals. For me I drink 8 oz of Shasta soda less calories if I eat more calories I also add extra walking. Leslie sansone DVD are easy to follow and you burn calories quick. Don't deprive yourself just use moderation feel free to add me I'll.give encouragement. Honestly I'm not eating like a typical dieter but it is important I watch my calorie intake. Remember it's only been three weeks eat what you crave just watch your intake the weight will shed. I hope this helps,
Michelle

SaltaBrava

DON'T GIVE UP! It typically takes 6 weeks to form a habit - you're halfway there, already. I went to bed hungry for the first 8 weeks on MFP, but now (after about 80 days on MFP) I sometimes find myself forcing myself to eat something extra to bring my calories UP to the same 1,200 calories that felt so insufficient when I first began. I invested in a FitBit in week two on MFP, and that made all the difference for me. I learned that "exercise" isn't just what happens at the gym. Now, I regularly earn extra calories by cleaning the house, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther away from the door, and so forth. STICK WITH IT, my fitness pal - if you do, you'll get there, I promise. :-)

karenk89

I think if you truly wanted to give up you would not have wrote this post. I think you need to make a lifestyle change, add new foods and exercise more. I think you just need wont guidance, help and motivation. I am on here 6 weeks and it hasnt been easy but like I tell myself all the time I didnt gain the weight in a week so im not going to lose it in a week and I know it will take months to lose but I am not giving up and I really hope you dont either. If you need support you can add me I am always looking to support other people and get some support myself.