Failed my first day calorie counting....

I used my first couple of weeks as an education as I had never tracked calories before. It was eye-opening to see what I was really eating and identifying which foods were really high in calories. I could then identify a set a of regular meals which I knew would keep me within my calorie goal and satisfy me.
MFP set me at 1200 as well but I found myself really hungry and upped my calorie goal to 1300 which was doable for me.
Spend some time finding out what works for you.

Just to give you some more options, 1200 is usually low for anyone that's not short and not sedentary. If you have less then 50 pounds to lose, maybe you should set your weight loss to 1 pound or 1/2 pound a week. This will give you more calories to work with. I know we all want the weight to come off fast, but it's just not that easy. Also, if you're using MFP default settings, don't forget to eat your exercise calories.

I'm new to tracking as well. I notice you have lost a good amount of weight.. tracking/logging works for you?

Just to give you some more options, 1200 is usually low for anyone that's not short and not sedentary. If you have less then 50 pounds to lose, maybe you should set your weight loss to 1 pound or 1/2 pound a week. This will give you more calories to work with. I know we all want the weight to come off fast, but it's just not that easy.

Agreed.

Also, the point is, you logged it. Keep trying to hit your target but don't be surprised if you need a couple weeks to find your groove. By logging you are opening your eyes to the trouble spots, which is a great first step. So keep it up!!

my first day i "thought" i came in a few calories under my target until i realized i was eating 3 times the amount of cereal i posted because i wasn't measuring food out. This site helps because it shows you how something simple like whole milk versus 2% can save you calories you can use toward something else and just start making better food choices.

Also, the point is, you logged it. Keep trying to hit your target but don't be surprised if you need a couple weeks to find your groove. By logging you are opening your eyes to the trouble spots, which is a great first step. So keep it up!!

^^
This

It lets you realise what calories you are really consuming and the more you use it the more you see what you get as bang for your buck - you really haven't failed, you have just taken the first steps towards healthier eating

my first day i "thought" i came in a few calories under my target until i realized i was eating 3 times the amount of cereal i posted because i wasn't measuring food out. This site helps because it shows you how something simple like whole milk versus 2% can save you calories you can use toward something else and just start making better food choices.

Very important thing pointed out here. Most people have no clue what an actual serving size is because everything is supersized these days. Just getting familiar with what foods have how many calories is half the learning.

I was kind of the opposite. Over consuming can be just as bad as under consuming! I was under and have been since I started on the 2nd. My mindset was saving my calories. Hoarding if you will, so that I knew I always had enough! Just take it slow. It is SUCH a learning process!

Same here for me, I started using MFP this week. I'm still flailing, trying to figure out exactly how all this works. I have a better idea now after a couple days of reading the posts of others and making a few friends who've been kind enough to offer advice. I will also add that I've been a bit overwhelmed with all the different numbers: BMR, TDEE, exercise calories burned and whether one should eat them or not (a topic for a different post!) and if I'm eating the correct amount of calories. I'm still trying to figure out whether I'm sedentary or not. MFP ask what our daily activity is, what we do at work all day long - I sit at a computer, which I consider sedentary. However, I've been told that I should not put sedentary. I've decided to leave it as it is, see how everything goes for a couple weeks, and then adjust if needed. Like everything else, there's going to be a learning curve. Stick with it, I plan to, and good luck to you!

The first few days are more like "educational" days. You're learning how man calories are in each thing that you're eating. Noticing things that you may have never paid attention to before. Don't be too hard on yourself! Think of it as a learning experience.. you're learning whether or not those calories are worth it!

Just to give you some more options, 1200 is usually low for anyone that's not short and not sedentary. If you have less then 50 pounds to lose, maybe you should set your weight loss to 1 pound or 1/2 pound a week. This will give you more calories to work with. I know we all want the weight to come off fast, but it's just not that easy. Also, if you're using MFP default settings, don't forget to eat your exercise calories.

^ This.

Undereating coming from impatience is a big cause of failure for a lot of folks, so try to reassess your goals a bit to give you some more wiggle room.

log it BEFORE you put it in your mouth

amazing how this helps stop the mindless eating and hoping

^ this too.

You probably have your goals set too low. Did you select the recommended 1lb a wk or did you select 2lbs a week? Unless you have 50+ lbs to lose, you don't have to starve yourself. As a matter of fact, if you eat too few calories, you could end up depriving your body of nutrients that it needs. In turn, your body could react with counter-measure that could hinder your weight loss. I suggest that you re-examine how you have your goals set up.

Also, tomorrow is another day. No reason to beat yourself up over this.

I failed at my calorie counting almost everyday, but I continue to strive to make it better.

I used my first couple of weeks as an education as I had never tracked calories before. It was eye-opening to see what I was really eating and identifying which foods were really high in calories. I could then identify a set a of regular meals which I knew would keep me within my calorie goal and satisfy me.
MFP set me at 1200 as well but I found myself really hungry and upped my calorie goal to 1300 which was doable for me.
Spend some time finding out what works for you.

Pretty much same here. When I first started a diary and weiging and measuring food, I didn't make any real changes initially. I wanted to use the first couple weeks for education...see what I was eating and where I was going wrong, not only in RE to my calories, but also in RE to other things I needed to watch (i.e. processed sugars, sodium, saturated fats) due to health concerns and my doc putting a foot up my *kitten*. I started disecting my diet and was pretty well on track within about a week and a half.

Also, I had to play with my calories a bit. I found MFP's recs to be a bit low for me and I upped them and losing about a pound per week, which is my goal. Obviously I was never at the 1,200 level, but just an FYI, it can be a bit much for some and completely unnecessary in most cases. I know the urge to just jump right in and go all out and lose as much as possible as fast as possible...but trust me, you will find more success in going slow and low and you'll be more likely to make lasting habits going forward to maintenance.