Struggling to eat 1200

debbie6868

Hi new to all this is anyone else struggling with 1200 calories, i go to the gym 5 nights a week which then bumps it up to even more calories which is impossible for me to eat as I'm not hungry any suggestions.x

larnsperger

Welcome - Your diary is not public so not sure what your 1200 calories looks like. It's important not to consistently eat under 1200 calories if you can help it. How about adding nuts or avocado ? Good sources of fat and protein will help bring the calorie count up. Good luck!

steare31

Try adding a protein shake to your diet to help with the calorie intake. Will help you not lose muscle also if you are doing HIIT.

gypsylosefat

I never go over 800cal a day, i just dont want it. I pay no notice to the earned calories, why burn them just to put them back again. Everyones different, dont feel you have to eat that many calories unless your body needs them.

debbie6868

How do you make your diary public.x

Chadomaniac

a fruit smoothy with peanut butter + coconut oil is over 1000cals . simple

FatDadSlim

Can't eat 1200 cals yet you claim that you have 40Lbs to lose!

Nuts are an easy way to add calories when you're not hungry.

debbie6868

Struggle to eat now because I've cut out all chocolate sweet stuff an fizzy drinks which made me gain the weight in the first place now I'm trying to eat more healthy it's a lot less calories but fill more full up.

WinnerVictorious

Hi new to all this is anyone else struggling with 1200 calories, i go to the gym 5 nights a week which then bumps it up to even more calories which is impossible for me to eat as I'm not hungry any suggestions.x

solution:

two big tablespoons of peanut butter = 190 calories.

seriously though, if you're avoiding calorie dense foods and sticking with things like lettuce and celery and grapes, then its no wonder you're having a tough time. eat nuts or breads to add back calories quickly.

FatDadSlim

Dark Chocolate is a healthy alternative and can provide you some of the missing calories.

als13star

I wouldn't worry about the extra calories you can have due to exercise just try and manage the original1200, bigger portions of what your already eating, good luck

paperpudding

to make your diary public, go to More on your phone or ipad, last thing listed under home, food, excercise etc - go to settings then diary sharing settings and tick Public and then save that.

to the PP who said she never eats above 800 calories - that sounds far too little and not healthy in the long run - or even the short run

mockchoc

Avocado, almonds, walnuts, oily fish like salmon, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil are some other ways to up your calories easily.

drusilla126

To answer the "why burn them just to eat them back" question: because your body needs fuel. If you want to have a good workout and feel good you have to give your body what it needs to do these things. I'd bet money 1200 calories is under your BMR (and guaranteed whatever your NET is after you exercise is) please do this healthily so the weight stays off. It works for some and that's good for them but for your average person 1200 calories is crash diet territory. Trust me it's how I started and I'm glad I caught it before I felt worse.

WinnerVictorious

I never go over 800cal a day, i just dont want it. I pay no notice to the earned calories, why burn them just to put them back again. Everyones different, dont feel you have to eat that many calories unless your body needs them.

everybody is not different.

you are starving yourself at 800 calories and you will pay dearly due to this lack of nutrition. not only will you being to suffer ill health as a result, but 800 calories is truly eating disorder territory. you may have a difficult road of recovery from that. also, the hormones in your body are going to negatively affect your ability to burn stored fat. it doesn't have to be this way. eat more. eat above your BMR, but below your TDEE and you can lose weight in a more healthy way.

i'm not foolish enough to believe you'll listen to me. i know you're going to continue to do what you're doing. but there will be consequences. hopefully you'll come back and ask for help, with a more open mind. people here really do want you to succeed, but we also want you to be healthy and happy too. even though i don't believe you will listen to me, i am posting this response for the benefit of the lurkers who may see it and may think 800 calories would work for them too. it won't.

check out Dan's Roadmap thread for a listing of some of the consequences of eating well below your BMR for a prolonged period of time.

good luck.

brit_ks_89

I never go over 800cal a day, i just dont want it. I pay no notice to the earned calories, why burn them just to put them back again. Everyones different, dont feel you have to eat that many calories unless your body needs them.

everybody is not different.

you are starving yourself at 800 calories and you will pay dearly due to this lack of nutrition. not only will you being to suffer ill health as a result, but 800 calories is truly eating disorder territory. you may have a difficult road of recovery from that. also, the hormones in your body are going to negatively affect your ability to burn stored fat. it doesn't have to be this way. eat more. eat above your BMR, but below your TDEE and you can lose weight in a more healthy way.

i'm not foolish enough to believe you'll listen to me. i know you're going to continue to do what you're doing. but there will be consequences. hopefully you'll come back and ask for help, with a more open mind. people here really do want you to succeed, but we also want you to be healthy and happy too. even though i don't believe you will listen to me, i am posting this response for the benefit of the lurkers who may see it and may think 800 calories would work for them too. it won't.

check out Dan's Roadmap thread for a listing of some of the consequences of eating well below your BMR for a prolonged period of time.

good luck.

ditto!!!!

mdspencer_uk

I never go over 800cal a day, i just dont want it. I pay no notice to the earned calories, why burn them just to put them back again. Everyones different, dont feel you have to eat that many calories unless your body needs them.

I think you are missing the point here. Firstly, you did not answer the poster's question. Secondly, unless you are tiny and your minimum calorific requirements are just 800 calories, you are not nourishing yourself properly. If you are burning more calories, you need to increase your intake to allow for the extra calorific expenditure.

To answer the O/P, find healthy foods that you enjoy that have higher calorific values but which keep you within your protein, carbohydrate and fat macros and eat more of those. Maybe eat more but smaller meals in a day. I would often find myself not being hungry but in need of calories so I would do this. This was particularly hard when I switched from losing weight to maintenance as I was used to eating fewer calories.

RoseDarrett

I struggle on 1200 myself.I have upped my calories since I am following the nutrition guide for a beachbody workout that I do.
My suggestions are,nuts,almonds,macadamia.It's good for you too.
Peanut butter
Salmon
Protein shakes

All of this make it to my food diary regularly.
I always try and reach 1200.Eating less is not good for your body.Read this when you have the chance.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Hope you can get to your daily calorie goal!

ladyraven68

I never go over 800cal a day, i just dont want it. I pay no notice to the earned calories, why burn them just to put them back again. Everyones different, dont feel you have to eat that many calories unless your body needs them.

Do NOT follow this advice.

You will need far more than 800 calories if you are working out.

Losing at such a defict will not help you get the body you want, as you will be losing too much lean mass along the way. You do not want to end up "skinny fat"

Eat at a moderate defict, get in enough proteins and fats, and do some strength training.

rebeccahutchinson11

Started to read this post thinking the content is similar to my own jouney and was hoping to get some tips but in fact, it is the OPPOSITE!
I am trying to keep within the 1200 cals but keep going over! Am I so under-disciplined? How come so many of you can keep within and a lot of you are actually STRUGGLING to reach 1200!
I am a working mother and have 2 young children (4 and 1.5yrs) and if anyone can give me some tips on how to keep with 1200, that will be great!
My general food intake is as follows -
Breakfast - either 2 slices of toast with jam or porridge
Lunch - salad
snack - apple or orange
Dinner - chicken/beef and veg and some rice/pasta
During the week, I keep well to the above but i find the weekend to be a struggle. I'm always going over at the weekend. It's normally due to lunch/dinner with friends and family.

beachlover317

I never go over 800cal a day, i just dont want it. I pay no notice to the earned calories, why burn them just to put them back again. Everyones different, dont feel you have to eat that many calories unless your body needs them.

Unfortunately, your body does NEED the earned calories. 800 calories a day is just dangerous. Of course, you are free to do what you want with your body, but please stop encouraging others to be irresponsible.

sandradev1

I never go over 800cal a day, i just dont want it. I pay no notice to the earned calories, why burn them just to put them back again. Everyones different, dont feel you have to eat that many calories unless your body needs them.

Unfortunately, your body does NEED the earned calories. 800 calories a day is just dangerous. Of course, you are free to do what you want with your body, but please stop encouraging others to be irresponsible.

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^
If you want your body to turn on itself and attack muscle for the nutrients it requires to even keep you alive then that is your choice....but please DO NOT encourage others to do it. Just remember that your heart is also a muscle that your body will feed off!!!!!!!

Lifting_Knitter

I am never hungry at night after I workout, I suggest eating more prior. Have a snack or 2 during the day and add some to yourr meals, your body will thank you.

TaniaB_79

Started to read this post thinking the content is similar to my own jouney and was hoping to get some tips but in fact, it is the OPPOSITE!
I am trying to keep within the 1200 cals but keep going over! Am I so under-disciplined? How come so many of you can keep within and a lot of you are actually STRUGGLING to reach 1200!
I am a working mother and have 2 young children (4 and 1.5yrs) and if anyone can give me some tips on how to keep with 1200, that will be great!
My general food intake is as follows -
Breakfast - either 2 slices of toast with jam or porridge
Lunch - salad
snack - apple or orange
Dinner - chicken/beef and veg and some rice/pasta
During the week, I keep well to the above but i find the weekend to be a struggle. I'm always going over at the weekend. It's normally due to lunch/dinner with friends and family.

There is no way I'd be able to keep to 1200 calories either (also have a 4 year old)

Have a look here to work out what your calorie intake should be http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 , aim for 1lb a week off instead of 2lb, yes the weight will come off slower but its likely to be more sustainable as you will be used to a reasonable diet where you can most things in moderation once you get to maintenance.

Because I cook for my family in the evening I tend to stick to light breakfast and lunch and use more calories for a main meal, which also stops me snacking in the evening. The weekend is more difficult if you are often eating with family and friends but just try and stick to the healthier options if you are out maybe?