Finding 1200 Calories impossible!!

Hard to answer anything without seeing your diary. Next question ... have you checked out this...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Hard to answer anything without seeing your diary. Next question ... have you checked out this...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

this ^

Aim for a net calorie value of 1200 instead of just an intake of 1200. Since you're so busy you burn more calories during the day and you should eat enough so that your (calories eaten) minus (calories burnt) equals 1200.

What I do as a kid in an unhealthy family who can't cook and is also an extremely overwhelmed student is stock up on veggies that are tasty raw, raw almonds, yogurts, low sodium deli meats, low fat cheese, frozen but minimally processed foods, and other things of the sort. I also agree with maybe upping your calorie intake a bit to suit your needs and lowering it as time passes and you get the hang of it.

A very useful tip is to make all of your food beforehand and pack it into serving-sized containers so that when you're in a rush, you can grab it and go. Today, I microwaved a bag of Trader Joe's quinoa with veggies and put them in cup-sized tupperwares for the school week. Took me a total of 7 minutes and I have half of a healthy, wholesome meal ready to go for the next three days, where I won't have to worry about portioning it at all.

I also suggest eating basically the same things for a couple meals each day, so you can buy these things in bulk.

This is also going to mean eating different foods from the rest of your family, which I know from experience is difficult, but I swear to you your health is worth it.

Sounds like you have your weight loss set at the max of 2lbs per wk. If so, change that to 1 lb a week or even 1/2 lb and that will give you more calories for the day. It;s virtually impossible and for me (mom of 5) unthinkable to go to bed hungry much less cut my calories from 4000/day to an immediate 1200. That'll make you one irritated woman, I don't advise it.

Go it slow and you will have better results and much faster than you realize, plus you will be happier and more likely to continue on this journey of a complete lifestyle change. Work with your settings a bit and begin monitoring your sugar intake to avoid the diabetes. As for the Dr. Peppers, a great big weakness for me once also...try Diet Dr.Pepper, they really aren't too bad. The Pepsi Zero is pretty good too esp.after your body has had little sugar. It becomes a great big treat. I can't stand reg.sodas now and prefer water with the Hawaiian Punch sugar free mixes for it. Regulars are way too sweet now.

Keep up the hard work, it does get easier I promise. I have to force myself to even get to 1200cals now and I too am very busy 24/7. You can do it! I can't wait to see the progress

Great advice, Tammy!

It can be overwhelming to try to change a lot of things at once.

My suggestion would be to try to start by changing only one or two things for a week or two at a time, until you get used to those changes and then make one or two more changes for a couple of weeks, and so on.

The thing that strikes me when I look at your food diary is that there isn't a lot of what some people would call "real" food. You are trying very hard to meet the 1200 calorie goal, but you are being held back by the Dr. Peppers.

My suggestion would be instead of trying so hard to meet 1200 calories, go back to eating "real" food, no matter whether you go over the 1200 calories or not. Then go out and buy a six-pack of Diet Dr. Peppers. Try to replace only one of your regular Dr. Peppers a day with a Diet Dr. Pepper. Try that for a week. It may takes some getting used to, if you don't like the flavor of the diet vs. regular, but it's a baby step. Then the next week you can try to replace two regular Dr. Peppers a day with a Diet, and so on. In that way you will slowly free up the 150 calories that each Dr. Pepper is costing you each day.

You will also be eliminating the simple sugars that go with the Dr. Pepper and this will improve your blood sugar.

At that point you can then start addressing other areas of your diet, like trying to stay under a certain calorie goal (whether it is 1200 calories or 1500 or whatever might be right for you) or start a regular exercise routine.

The BIGGEST suggestions I have would be:

1) Try to eat something in the morning. (If not right when you wake up, then later after all the kids are in school, when you have some time.)

2) Try to always eat some protein at the same time that you have carbohydrate. This helps to regulate your blood sugar. The carbohydrates are digested very quickly, but the protein takes longer and evens out your blood sugar. So, if you DO have a regular Dr. Pepper, then have something with protein at the same time (like a bit of chicken, or some peanut butter, or some cheese, whatever protein that you like that is easy for you to eat at the same time you have the carbohydrates).

3) For lunch and dinner try to use the plate method: 1/4 of your plate should be your protein source (meat or meat alternative), 1/4 of your plate should be your starch (like potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, bread, rice, pasta, or other grains), and 1/2 of your plate should be non-starchy vegetables and/or fruit.

Those three things will help to regulate your blood sugar.

FINALLY, find out if your health insurance company will cover a visit with a dietician, and if your doctor can make a referral to one. Speaking to a dietician will really help you to learn about how to manage your diet to regulate your blood sugar so that you can avoid diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Good Luck!

I agree that you may want to lesson your goal. Personally, I think that never having to feel hunger on a good diet isn't going to happen. I found that I was hungry at the beginning of my diet but now I've noticed how my stomach has shrunk. If I decide to eat a large meal, I find I still eat a LOT less than I would have a month ago. That being said, sometimes it just comes with balancing your food and looking for the most "bang for your buck." Think of how many carrots you could eat instead of drinking a can of pop with the same amount of calories. I'd bet carrots would fill you up more.

With diabetes looming large in your future, you don't seem to serious. Do you understand the implications of diabetes? REALLY...Eventually you WILL have to go on Dialysis, and I do not know anyone who has survived that beyond 5 years w/o a kidney transplant. Or maybe lose your eye-sight or a limb... NOW, are you WILLING to DROP Dr. Pepper like a HOT BRICK and start eating RIGHT and MAKE time for some exercise. I got news for you, if you don't someone else will be doing the "Taking" to scout meetings and such. Just an EYE OPENER to help YOU put First Things First, and to actually SEE what is IMPORTANT...Did YOU consider all of this (Your Health Issues) BEFORE you decided to become a "Mother of 6" with NO HELP from a Spouse?