Feel like I'm starving

VeggieGirlAri

In order to maintain my weight, I've always had slightly more than 2000 calories a day. I started using this site to help drop about ten pounds, but I feel like the calorie requirements are ridiculously low. At 1400 calories a day, I feel like I am starving myself. I just joined the site and wondered if I should I work my way down in calories slowly or just do as the site suggests instantly?
The hunger is making me feel depressed and making it even harder to keep going with it.

brownmousemama

Honestly, if you're only trying to lose a few pounds, I would just get in a couple workouts a week and not worry about counting calories much lower than you normally eat. Obviously, eat good foods, but don't starve yourself because you'll just put those pounds right back on when you stop.

Manda86

How much is your loss/week? If you have only 10 pounds to lose, if it's set at anything over 1 per week I'd lower it, personally.

ETA : What kind of things are you eating? Getting enough protein, fiber, etc.? That stuff helps me stay full.

mockchoc

You should be aiming for .5lb per week when so close to goal so do go change that. No need to be having such a huge deficit.

PikaKnight

If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/844040-raspberry-ketones-for-the-rest-of-us


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865230-resources-and-references


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

Robin_Bin

In order to maintain my weight, I've always had slightly more than 2000 calories a day. I started using this site to help drop about ten pounds, but I feel like the calorie requirements are ridiculously low. At 1400 calories a day, I feel like I am starving myself. I just joined the site and wondered if I should I work my way down in calories slowly or just do as the site suggests instantly?
The hunger is making me feel depressed and making it even harder to keep going with it.

Where did you get that number??? It's almost certainly too low for you.
If you were maintaining at 2,000, then 1,500 would be a pound/week loss, which is rather fast given you only have 10 pounds to lose.
As Manda86 pointed out, with only 10 pounds to lose, it is probably more appropriate to aim at 1/2 pound per week. And that would be 1,750 calories per day.
Also, are you eating to make up for any calories you're working off with extra exercise?

Eat! Make slightly more nutritious choices and exercise just a bit more and the weight will come off much more healthily and sustainably than a fast, uncomfortable and temporary "diet".

raqalex

If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/844040-raspberry-ketones-for-the-rest-of-us


Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865230-resources-and-references


Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.

Wow thanks for the all the links

VeggieGirlAri

I'll lower the weight loss rate. That makes it a lot more doable. I chose a pound a week because it is "recommended" and one pound doesn't sound like much. I am working off MOST of the extra calories, but not all of them.
Everybody eats such a different amount, it is difficult to know if 1400 was actually a reasonable amount of not. 1700-1800 is my new goal. I'm also exercising a lot more, so if I go over it won't be a big deal.