Is it worth all the hunger pain?

While I suspect it's not...What is your TDEE and BMR? (google TDEE myfitnesspal and BMR myfitnesspal) and see what the numbers say, versus what you're eating and then let the community make some suggestions.

also: your heigh/weight would help.

I have been on this journey since Jan of '12. I have not felt hungry one minute of any day.

You must be doing something wrong.

I don't normally care about what any one eats, but I just went through 4 days of your diary for the hell of it.

You ate McDonald's, Taco Bell, KFC, Carl's Jr, and other CRAP.

Eat some real food.

Set a reasonable goal... 1lb/week or even 1/2lb/week... then eat foods you prepare at home more often than not. You get way more bang for your buck as it were.

Exactly, don't deny your body the nutrition it needs. Food is fuel for you!!

The first three letters of diet spell DIE. . .there's a reason for that.

Moderation, moderation, moderation. Forget all that diet nonsense.

A man should not have a calorie goal as low as 1200 cal/day, that's simply not healthy. That's the low end, appropriate for a small woman. A man shouldn't be going below at least 1500-1600. And the foods you are eating are not particularly healthy or filling - you'll find you can eat a lot more if you eat lean proteins, and high-fiber vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Junk food tends to be very high in calories for very little food.

I took a peek at your food diary as well. While I would be really surprised to find that 1200 calories is all you should be eating (Heck, I'm 60, female, 5"1" and sedentary and that's my calorie goal!!) I think you are really doing yourself a disservice by eating what you are eating. The foods you have had for the last few days are really calorie dense - that means you are getting a lot of calories in not much food - no wonder you are hungry! Try lean meats and fish, whole grain foods, vegetables and fruits in smaller meals throughout the day you will be far less likely to feel hungry.

As to whether its worth it or not - well it comes down to whether or not you would like to live - and live healthy - for a lot more years. Keep trying and if you really get stuck with the diet thing, see a dietitian - they can give you a lot of help.

Good Luck.

Hi Richard! Don't give up, but you don't need to be hungry. Go plant strong with your diet, eating as many vegetables as you can manage/tolerate. I don't mean have a salad with your meal. I mean make at least one of your meals an enormous, filling salad, but avoid the dressing. I use a little apple cider vinegar and some salt and pepper - but I LOVE the taste of vegetables. If this isn't doable for you, pick a different veggie each day that you like (green is great!) and make a whack load of it - you can roast it (with a very little bit of olive oil - very little mind), steam it, whatever. The fiber and the volume help take away the feelings of hunger, but don't add much in the way of calories. Fruit isn't always the best option, because it's sugar content adds a large amount of calories, BUT, they are super good for you, so don't shy away from them either. Remember that restricting your calories shouldn't be about eating less - it should be about eating more nutritionally dense foods with lower calories. I also find that by having a single boiled egg, or some other light protein helps with hunger. Do your best! That's all you can do. Also, be reasonable with your weight. Why are you eating so little? Do you need to lose that much weight that quickly? Could you add in a 30 minute walk and give yourself a little more calories?

If you have hunger pains then your noting eating foods that fill you up. Do research on filling healthy foods to fill you up.

I am finding it very hard keeping up with this diet. I seem to be always really hungry especially during the evenings. I been cheating a lot for the past few days. I Been thinking is it really worth all the hunger pains at this age, going to be 62 this July. :yawn:

When you're hungry, you should eat and just be mindful about the type of food that you're eating. I've found that eating fast food/take away didn't leave me feeling as more wholesome options like lean protein, whole grain bread, peanut butter, ruit and veg. Protein helps you stay fuller longer and so does fiber.

You should never have hunger pangs, ever your body is trying to tell you something, men should eat at least 1800 with excersise, and when you get hungry, eat food that is not dense, like some almonds, an apple, peanut butter, or try a protein shake, 1/2 banana strawberries, whey protein, flaxseed, fat free plain yogurt, and add water and ice, it tastes so delicioius and has tons of protein to control you hunger!!!!

something else that has helped me a lot with hunger is a drink a green juice before breakfast and lunch, im serious for example if i used to eat 4 tacos i can only eat 2now without even trying GREEN JUICE: kale, celery, carrots, 1/2 cucumber, 1 piece of ginger, lots of spinach,1tbs flaxseed, and for flavor you can add 1/2 green apple or any fruit you like or stevia i freeze all my veggies so i dont have to add ice is a really good smootthie!!!!!

I am finding it very hard keeping up with this diet. I seem to be always really hungry especially during the evenings. I been cheating a lot for the past few days. I Been thinking is it really worth all the hunger pains at this age, going to be 62 this July. :yawn:

no

I agree with what everyone has said. But if cooking/eating at home is not an option (like for me) choose something better. Like Ia McDs I get a classic grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo, a parfait instead of fries, I stick to my large dr pepper (sometimes an unsweetened ice tea) all for UNDER 500 calories. I add half of a kids fry...and its STILL under 500 calories. Just find a happy medium. Dont think of it as a diet..think of it as a lifestyle change. I am in week 3 of my "diet" and I lost 4lbs and 3.5 inches already. Feel free to add me