I don't know how.....

witchy_wife

People stick to 1200 calories a day. I'm trying so hard but am so so hungry all the time!!

I'm making healthy choices, things like porridge for breakfast, lots of protein and veggies for dinner but am so hungry during the day I need lots of snacks which are pushing my total up.

I exercise every other day, doing 30 mins mix of walking / jogging on the treadmill. I walk out at lunch break and do around 1.6 miles walk every lunch.

I currently weigh 212lbs (5ft 4in) and I've lost almost 40lbs since Christmas. But I can just feel my willpower trying to give in! I'm fed up of being hungry But I need to lose weight. I will be donating eggs to my sister for her IVF treatment in the new year and need a BMI of 30 which is still a way off.

Do you think it would work if I upped my exercise so I could eat more of these calories back? Any ideas or recommendations greatly appreciated xxx

witchy_wife

Oh and I drink 2 litres of water a day and usually 1 or 2 cups of tea with skimmed milk.

GuruOnAMountain

You can always eat your exercise calories back....you don't need to up your exercise to do that, but you can if you need a lot more calories.

Also, I don't know what you were used to eating before but if you were a big eater before you started MFP it is going to take time for your body to physically and mentally adjust to eating a lot less.

Also, if you're struggling, why not change your settings for a smaller loss each week which will then give you more calories to play with and will help you get used to eating less.

Poods71

I am 5' 2" and was on 1,200. I didn't find it too bad but decided I wanted to up my cals so I didn't go straight from 1,200 to maintenance and maybe fire the weight back on. I am now eating 1,400 and eat back most, if not all, of my exercise calories and I am losing. Try upping your calories a bit and see how you feel as if you are starving all the time you are more likely to give up.

Oh and amazing what you are doing for your sister.

Good luck :flowerforyou:

TavistockToad

definitely eat all your exercise calories. you can also change your weight loss goal - presumably it is set to lose 2lb per week? change it to lose 1lb and you will get more calories.

witchy_wife

Thanks everyone, I think I might try changing my MFP goals then. I obviously want to get the weight off as quick as possible so help out my sister but 1lb a week is better than binging and gaining back everything I worked so hard on already x

cally69

Hi
I'm 5"3 and on 1600 cals a day, currently weigh 227lbs and I'm set to lose 1.5lbs a week. I generally don't eat my exercise cals back but they add to my deficit so some months I can lose 2lbs a week. It sounds like you are eating too few calories. As you lose weight you need to reduce your cals but if you are already on the lowest then where can you go from there? If you are finding it too hard then you may give up, so seriously think about changing your settings to give yourself more. Your body will thank you for it x

TavistockToad

you shouldnt be thinking 'the quicker the better' you should be thinking this is a lifestyle change that will last my whole life...

losing weight is a slooooow process, especially when you have a lot to lose, but just take it a day at a time and think that each day is a step towards a better and healthier you!

marie_cressman

I'd say change the goal to 1lb a week. To be honest, at that I was losing sometimes 2 lbs a week. MFP just estimates. It's not the official say so in how many pounds you'll lose in a week. OR if you want to stick to your goal being 1200 I'd say eat back your exercise calories. You'd be surprised. I eat 1800 calories a day and still lose. Some weeks just a little or I maintain, but sometimes very big (this past week I lost 4lbs, but weeks before that were maintaining and/or losing 1lb or less).

AliciaStaton

I am 5.4 and have up 1500 but I dont always eat up to that amount and with my back calories from exercising it depends on how hungry I feel, I have found its not always food if I am hungry I do drink a lot more and that does help. Good luck with your journey and hope it works out for your sister

sarahcuddle

Is it working for you at the moment? Is the weight coming off? If so stick to it and make sure you eat your exercise cals back. Eat more protein, and good fats(avocado, nuts) and bulk out meals with low cal veggies. Blended soups are good and filling. If your weight loss slows down or you plateau you may actually need to increase the number of calories you are eating. Put your numbers into this

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

Be honest about the amount of exercise you do and don't eat exercise cals back if you decide to eat the calories they say. I have had a month long plateau with no weight loss and last week decided to increase my calories to 1600 which was what was advised and this week the scales have gone down 2lb

witchy_wife

It is working for me and I am losing 1 - 2 lbs a week.

you shouldnt be thinking 'the quicker the better' you should be thinking this is a lifestyle change that will last my whole life...

losing weight is a slooooow process, especially when you have a lot to lose, but just take it a day at a time and think that each day is a step towards a better and healthier you!

Absolutely totally agree with you and if it wasn't for me losing weight to donate eggs to my sister I would definitely up my calories and take a longer and steadier road.

My sister has found out that she isn't producing enough healthy eggs so I am donating eggs early next year so hitting the target BMI to let me do that is my main goal. I know that I could go on some ultra low carb or a very low calorie diet but am trying to find a way that will help lose weight quickly but also healthily too.

AntWrig

Is it working for you at the moment? Is the weight coming off? If so stick to it and make sure you eat your exercise cals back. Eat more protein, and good fats(avocado, nuts) and bulk out meals with low cal veggies. Blended soups are good and filling. If your weight loss slows down or you plateau you may actually need to increase the number of calories you are eating. Put your numbers into this

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

Be honest about the amount of exercise you do and don't eat exercise cals back if you decide to eat the calories they say. I have had a month long plateau with no weight loss and last week decided to increase my calories to 1600 which was what was advised and this week the scales have gone down 2lb

Calorie calculator provides a guess. They only true way is for the OP to increase calories (slowly) and see what happens. People cut calories way too much and too soon and wonder why the fail. I'd rather increase activity instead of starving myself. If you're hungry, truly hungry. That means you really need to eat.

No one, should be consuming 1200 calories. Especially if they are exercising.

12091968

Hi. I have just completed a 30 day sugar fast. Basically you eat fruit/veg & good quality protein. It is not high protein or low carb it's just whole food style eating. No processed foods. Anywho check out Dr Olson 30 day sugar free website for free download of eating plan & daily emails. The immediate benefit is high energy, great sleep, actually general wellness. I lost 20lbs with ease with no hunger and no cravings. I ate from the green list ( refer Dr Olson website ) and logged this into myfitnesspal - no gimmicks. Real food. I kept within myfitnesspal calories etc. I am going to continue my weight loss combining Dr Olson recommendations with myfitnesspal. I have nothing to gain by pratting on about Dr Olson but like most I took up the challenge and wala - 20lbs down & working on the next 20. All the best !
Ps- I use honey to sweeten balsamic for salad dressing & I still eat sweet potatoes if I need that bit extra. The key for me is logging my food first thing in the morning so I am set for the day & getting in some activity no matter what ie. Lunchtime walk or morning&evening housework ( mother of four )

12091968

Hi. I have just completed a 30 day sugar fast. Basically you eat fruit/veg & good quality protein. It is not high protein or low carb it's just whole food style eating. No processed foods. Anywho check out Dr Olson 30 day sugar free website for free download of eating plan & daily emails. The immediate benefit is high energy, great sleep, actually general wellness. I lost 20lbs with ease with no hunger and no cravings. I ate from the green list ( refer Dr Olson website ) and logged this into myfitnesspal - no gimmicks. Real food. I kept within myfitnesspal calories etc. I am going to continue my weight loss combining Dr Olson recommendations with myfitnesspal. I have nothing to gain by pratting on about Dr Olson but like most I took up the challenge and wala - 20lbs down & working on the next 20. All the best !
Ps- I use honey to sweeten balsamic for salad dressing & I still eat sweet potatoes if I need that bit extra. The key for me is logging my food first thing in the morning so I am set for the day & getting in some activity no matter what ie. Lunchtime walk or morning&evening housework ( mother of four )