Really hard to balance upto 1200 calories everyday

priyashah

Hi there,

I am 35 year old, 5-3 and 137 pounds. I have gone up and down a lot with my weight, In 2007- I was 115 pounds, I ran a half marathon in 2007- and after the race, didn't adjust my diet- and put on almost 10 to 15 pounds in 2008! Since then I have been anywhere between 128 to 130 pound for past 5 years- and I have always been active with either dancing or running or swimming. Last year, I broke my ankle and had 2 surgeries. Due to being inactive for a little bit, I put on weight again- and now I am at my highest!- at 137 pounds.

I think I want to be realistic and don't think I want to be 115 again. But my happy sustainable weight can be 125 pounds.

Fitness pal recommends that I net out to 1200 calories everyday to lose 10 pounds. Its been very hard to do that even with working out. I feel really hungry in the nights when I balance to 1200 cals. I eat a good portion of fruits, veggies, carbs and protein. I don't eat fast food. I don't drink much. My only weakness is chocolates- which I have 100 to 200 cal of chocolates every day.

Anyone overcome similar challenges? Any help I can get will be so awesome!!

Thanks so much!

deksgrl

Try setting your goal on MFP to lose half a pound a week and see if it gives you a more reasonable calorie goal. Since you only have to lose about 10-12 pounds, you shouldn't expect to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week.

Your BMR is approximately 1376 calories (the amount they would feed you in a coma to fuel basic bodily functions). Your TDEE is 1892 if you consider yourself "lightly active". It could be more depending on how active you actually are. If you take a 15% cut from that, your calories would be about 1600.

sharialwee

Hi. I was in your situation initially when I started with MFP. Actually in terms of height and weight, I am about your size and seeking to also lose 10 pounds. MFP also recommended 1200 cal daily intake and initially I absolutely cannot do it! But as I focus on my eating habits, I began to reduce my food portions and make simple changes such as having more tea instead of coffee coz this eliminates sugar (I am slowly trying black coffee!), I manage to achieve my calorie goal. But I hv not lost any weight yet but at least I am happy with my food choices now. Good luck to you.

Kateohagan22

I have a similar problem I am 4,11 and 139lbs I am 23 and I hate to use excuses but I've been traveling for the past year so not been working out at all! N ive put on about 10llbs, ive always been stocky but super healthy working out atleast 5 times a week, But I am home now so working out will be easier its just food 1200 calories seems so little?! Maybe I'm just greedy haha! I'm jus hoping working out again il lose a good bit of it quickly!

MadtownMadisonian

I envy your 137! That's my goal weight and I am also 5'3" - but of course we are all different.

As to 1200 - I've been staying pretty close to that for a while. Seems I must load my meals with salad and vegetables to bulk up without calories and eat a more modest level of most proteins, which are calorie dense. When I do eat protein, it tends now to be salmon, or perhaps chicken. I also discovered the joy of oatmeal, which is very filling for its calorie count and allows me to have a low cal breakfast that keeps me going comfortably until a midday salad or frozen Indian lunch. All of which leaves plenty of calories for dinner, when I too tend to be hungry for a more substantial meal. For late snack I've taken to drinking Silk plain almond milk (30 calories per glass) sweetened and flavored with things like Splenda and cinnamon or such.

priyashah

Thanks all! I think i will up my cal intake (1350 to 1600), rev up working out and eat smaller meals- Will report back on if it worked! Thanks everyone for your support

know_your_worth

I couldn't stick to that very long either! I increased my calories to around 1500 and Im still losing.