1200 CAN'T be enough

5'3 150 lbs. I set it to 1 lb per week.

1200 is low if you've been eating let's say 2000cals so far. Your basal metabolic rate is around 1500 calories or so says the formulae, normally that's the minimum calories your body needs to function and most people wouldn't want to go below that.

If you try to restrain your calories low like today, you will feel tired and depressed because of continuous hunger. As a start, stick to 1500 calories like today. If you need to, lower gradually.

What you need to do, though, is to make good food choices. You need the kind of food that will keep you full.

Adjust your macronutrient goals through My Home > Goals > Change Goals > Custom. Set a higher protein goal and decrease your carbs a bit. Normally MFP sets the carbohydrates high and without complex carbohydrates like whole grains, you won't feel satiated.

Eat more lean meats, eggs, good dairy high in protein like greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Get your carbohydrates from good sources like vegetables, fruits, beans and lentils. Have a handful of nuts everyday for good fat intake, as well as olive oil, coconut oil or alike.

More protein will most probably help with the hunger issues.

Oh, and drink water.

Next is to start on some exercise. Walk, run, look up for bodyweight exercises on youtube and spare 30 minutes a day for your exercise.

i feel like a lot of people are going to disagree with me, but i find 1,200 to be plenty for me.
i used to have a borderline eating disorder, so sometimes (like today, for example) i can't even hit the 1,000 mark.
i also have/used to have BED (binge eating disorder) so some days 1,200 feels like nothing and i eat 2,500.
but generally, i feel like 1,200 is doing the trick.
x

http://www.scoobysworkshop.com

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools

Use one of these sites and enter your information. Be honest about your activity level. Many people underestimate. If you work out several times a week you are likely moderate. This will tell you how much you should be eating for your weight, height, and age. If you use the scooby site, choose a 15% deficit. This is a modest deficit and will help to keep your weight loss from stalling out. Whichever number you get as your calorie number, enter into MFP manually as your calorie goal. MFP tends to underestimate the calories that you need.

If you want more information on how to find the correct calorie level for you, there is a group here on MFP that's full of information and a lot of helpful people who will take time to answer your questions.

Eat More 2 Weigh Less

You can also find the website. http://www.eatmore2weighless.com

I wish you the best on your journey!

it's not. look up the Eat more 2 Weigh less group. lot's of helpful tips:happy:

I just started eating for the weight I wanted to be. for me that is 1800 per day. But I am 6' 1". MFP is set to give you a 500 calorie deficit from your maintenance calorie count. 1200 might be correct. In any case, be consistent about how many calories you are using, or you won't be able to dial it in if it is wrong.

My doctor said it was enough for me though I'm doing 1270 right now. It is very tough in the beginning. I starved all the time. Now my body has seemed to adjust.

I hear ya - its really really difficult to do at first, but your body will get used to it. Try to eat filling foods like protein and complex carbs.

I only started on the 7th of Aug. and to me 1200 calories is a lot to eat if you are eating good whole foods. I just ate some cereal to up my calories closer to 1200. Try adding more fruit and veggies to your day, and watch the bad carbs.

I usually try and stay around 1200 but there are many people on here that believe it's better to eat more calories. I think if you don't adjust to the 1200 cal mark and are still feeling bad and hungry, then bumping it up to 1400 or so would be okay.

Also, did you consider your workout calories from your walk? You can eat those calories back.

Another thing is that 1200 calories of high protein filling foods will be a lot easier to maintain than 1200 calories of high calorie foods that are more unhealthy. In other words, try and eat lower calorie foods high in protein and they will keep you more full for longer.

Again, if 1200 seems too low for you and you don't think you'll be able to stick to it, bump it up a little for awhile and see how that goes. Good luck!

it is enough

then why am I starving?

I don't think you are starving. If you are hungry, eat. Up your calories if you feel the need. You are free to make adjustments to your plan...nothing here is written in stone. Just make sure you are really hungry not just feeling that you want to put something in your mouth.

I am also on 1200 calories a day.....2 things.

1. At first you feel like you're completely starved. Even after you do it for awhile - you'll still have days where you're really hungry for some reason. Try not to indulge in the bad stuff - grab some fruit or veggies to fill the void. Easier said than done, I know! Trust me!

2. Adjust your carbs vs protein intake. I've recently been making a conscious effort to eat more lean protein (tuna, fish, chicken, tofu, etc) - and it REALLY helps to make you feel full!!

Ok 3 things, I lied...

3! More than likely you will never be dead on with your carbs/protein/fat percentages. In my opinion it's impossible to get enough carbs and protein on a 1200 calorie diet - but some how there is ALWAYS enough fat to go around.

Overall my main advice is to really amp up your protein intake to make you feel full, and choose *good* carbs to give you some energy. Your body will get used to the adjustment eventually Good luck!

You'll get loads of responses all different. It is enough if you're trying to lose weight. If you're overweight you got there by over eating... for whatever reason... your stomach is bigger and you're used to stuffing yourself or eatign stodgy crap.

If you were eating 3000kCal a day and switched to less than half that at 1200kCal, it'll be a shock so you'll just have to get exerct will power to get over it.The alternative for a life long approach is to eat at the maintenance calories for your goal weight ...and do that forever...adjusting your goal weight calories for age and activity level for ever....

Choose high fibre foods as they'll fill you up where possible and drink enough but not too much, water. Earn some extra calories by doing more exercise and make it good quality exercise.

I'm on a 1200 calorie diet and about your height and weight. Depending on your activity level, you may need more. I find I feel better on 1200. One thing I noticed is that if I don't eat refined sugars, I don't feel like I am starving. Try to eat well rounded meals, drink water, and get some exercise.

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