1200 Calories a day, but shoot, I'm hungry!
Slugsasarus
Posts: 76 Member
Hello wonderful fitness pal people!
So a couple of months ago, I fell off the wagon, and man it hurt. So at about 10 pounds more than I'd like to be I'm trying to start up again, tracking my food, eating my veggies and being a good girl.
However, I am just hungry, nope, ravenous, all of the time. I set my goal to lose 1lb per week, and it has put me at 1200 calories a day. Here's what a normal day looks like for me:
Breakfast: egg whites and a flat out wrap: around 130 calories
Morning Snack: banana and clementine: 140 calories
Lunch: either soup, salad, or sandwhich, usually around 300 calories (sometimes more like 400)
Afternoon snack: greek yogurt: usually about 130 calories
Dinner: veggie burger or canned chicken (which I know sounds pretty gross but is really really good and my cat loves me more when I let her lick the empty can, so it's really a win win) in a wrap, or subway or something. Usually 500 calories.
Obviously this isn't every single day but is a pretty normal day.
Okay so a normal day I'm hitting my 1200 perrrrrfecty. When I work out, I usually do eat my calories back, adding in a protein bar or some whole wheat bread with pb for a snack before working out. So life should be good, right? UM no. I'm hungry alll of the time. like right now, sitting here, guzzeling plain green tea to trick my stomach into feeling happy. I am so wanting to get these stupid ten pounds to rid my midsection but the scale isn't budging, my stomach is a rumblin, and I'm frustrated as all get out!
I've had this same "good" diet before these months of dietary denial, but it didn't seem this hard. And before everyone says "1200 is to little" I'm pretty small (except for my midsection, like all the way around, it's actually a very weird body shape to look at), and according to numerous sites should be my daily intake (without exercise).
Anybody else "getting back into it" and finding it harder than you remember?
Any thoughts/comments/advice would be much appreciated! Thanks all!
So a couple of months ago, I fell off the wagon, and man it hurt. So at about 10 pounds more than I'd like to be I'm trying to start up again, tracking my food, eating my veggies and being a good girl.
However, I am just hungry, nope, ravenous, all of the time. I set my goal to lose 1lb per week, and it has put me at 1200 calories a day. Here's what a normal day looks like for me:
Breakfast: egg whites and a flat out wrap: around 130 calories
Morning Snack: banana and clementine: 140 calories
Lunch: either soup, salad, or sandwhich, usually around 300 calories (sometimes more like 400)
Afternoon snack: greek yogurt: usually about 130 calories
Dinner: veggie burger or canned chicken (which I know sounds pretty gross but is really really good and my cat loves me more when I let her lick the empty can, so it's really a win win) in a wrap, or subway or something. Usually 500 calories.
Obviously this isn't every single day but is a pretty normal day.
Okay so a normal day I'm hitting my 1200 perrrrrfecty. When I work out, I usually do eat my calories back, adding in a protein bar or some whole wheat bread with pb for a snack before working out. So life should be good, right? UM no. I'm hungry alll of the time. like right now, sitting here, guzzeling plain green tea to trick my stomach into feeling happy. I am so wanting to get these stupid ten pounds to rid my midsection but the scale isn't budging, my stomach is a rumblin, and I'm frustrated as all get out!
I've had this same "good" diet before these months of dietary denial, but it didn't seem this hard. And before everyone says "1200 is to little" I'm pretty small (except for my midsection, like all the way around, it's actually a very weird body shape to look at), and according to numerous sites should be my daily intake (without exercise).
Anybody else "getting back into it" and finding it harder than you remember?
Any thoughts/comments/advice would be much appreciated! Thanks all!
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Replies
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It does take a while for your body and stomach to get used to a smaller amount of calories - how long have you been trying this time?
I find fruits make me hungrier - maybe have some light cheese on a cracker instead of your fruit snacks? Or nuts?0 -
I wouldn't want to be around me if I only ate 1200 a day which is what I'm set at as well. I workout quite a bit, too, and something I found is that muscles are hungry!! the more muscle I build and fat I burn, the more I need to eat. I eat well as well, basically follow a whole foods plant based diet & when I focus on truly clean eating, I average around 1600 cals a day (including grains, fruits, veggies & oil/fats) and maybe a couple extra hundred when I drink wine or other adult beverage. It is hard, as I'm in the 10lb rage as well, but when I focus & truly think about what is best for me & listen to what my body & mind want, I do much better.
Feel free to peek at my profile & add me if you think we can motivate each other :flowerforyou:0 -
I'm not at 1200, I'm at 1450 and I feel that's too little for me! so I feel your pain so I try to do long workouts to maximize the burn so I can eat a little more. Today I burned about 460...so that bumps me to about 1900.
What I try to do on not workout days is eat lean protein during the day. I put several tablespoons of hemp seeds in my smoothies or I do whey protein shakes to hold me down and they usually work.
I found though that it takes me several days to get used to it. In the meantime, don't get discouraged if you go over...esentially you're already eating at 500 deficit at 1200 anyway...so if you eat a couple hundred more...you're still in a deficit. Eventually your body will get used to it.0 -
My fiancee is pretty little and she eats 1600-1700 calories for 3days and 1 day at 2300-2400 calories and then repeats it. She's little at 5' 3".
And before anyone shoots me/her down, she's been doing that since she started training with me when she was little and without her lean muscle.
It is too little.0 -
See this timely post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/908271-when-is-1200-calories-appropriate-hint-almost-never
There's no way I can do 1200 cals/day and not totally rebel after a few weeks or months. I have mine set to 1300 and eat back every single exercise calorie. But then again, I'm not losing--not gaining, but not losing either. Conventional wisdom here says to eat more than 1200 though.0 -
having 10 lbs, you should aim for 0.5 lbs/week
also eat back your exercise calories, make sure you have activity level set right (almost no one is sedentary)0 -
I have found these 100 calorie packs of almonds and walnuts and I find they satisfy me and keep me feeling full longer than my banana did. I was down to 150 and I fell off the wagon hard and gained 30 lb back. It does seem much harder this time to get motivated.0
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Do some exercise and eat back the calories - I find the calories I get give me plenty of extra food and although I'm sometimes peckish I've got a cereal bar AND a weightwatchers chocolate bar in my desk and not had to touch either for some weeks! Are you drinking enough water? Often "hunger" is actually thirst.0
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If you only have 10 lbs to lose, 1 lb per week is too aggressive. Change your settings to 1/2 lb per week. Eat better, succeed.0
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It took me a little while to get used to 1200 calories (net) as well but after I upped it to 1400 after random conflicting pieces of advice on the boards, I found it too difficult to hit 1400 calories per day so I settled for 1300.
Maybe you should consider upping to 1300 calories per day or attempting an exercise routine that burns a higher number of calories to give you more to play around with?
You should listen to your body and if it's hungry (make sure you are drinking 8-10 cups of water a day though because you could be mistaken) then you do need to eat but maybe you should stick to other goals too e.g. eating 5 pieces of fruit/veg per day so if you do snack you can work it so you are snacking healthy to fit in a little side goal you have next to your calorie counting?
Also, I know upping your calories sounds like the last thing you'd want to do and I believe upping up by anymore than 100 calories per day is just not a good idea but if you are hungry then consider taking it to 1300 per day and maybe accepting you lose 0.5lbs per week (according to MFP)? Because surely it's better you make this a lifestyle change than it be a fad diet that's going to leave you starving?
You won't learn good eating habits this way!0 -
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Yeah, that. With only 10 pounds to lose, you should be set to 0.5 pounds a week and eat most of your exercise calories. Alternately, calculate your TDEE to include your average exercise, and eat 10% below that.
I'm a lot older than you, and I lost effortlessly and happily eating 1350-1600 plus exercise calories, or a total of 1800-2000+ total.0 -
1200 is too low for most people. It's most likely below your BMR that's why you're so hungry! Since you don't have a lot to lose I would up you calories. Starvation diets don't work!0
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You're hungry all the time because you're only eating 1200 calories. I get that you're "small" however so am I and MFP defaults to 1200 calories. I'm not bashing on you. I was at 1200 calories about a year or so ago when I wanted to drop some weight for vacation and it was hard to do (meaning I was always over my 1200 calories). I upped my calories to 1530. I don't consciously eat back my exercise calories but lately it seems I'm eating back most of them (half or sometimes all) depending on how hungry I am and if I just plain have the munchies.
For you I'd try to up my calorie intake just a smidge. Maybe try 1400 and see how you feel at that.0 -
I took almost a one year break from here. This time around I'm more serious and logging everything. Before I wasn't logging workouts, but now that I am, I'm seeing the magic that MFP does. LOL. So maybe this time around I'll be more successful.
I use calculators for other sites for my macro ranges. So I don't care if I go over or go into the red zone as long as I'm getting what I need.
Starting back up I realized my eating habits stayed sensible, but my activity came to a stop resulting in fat gain. I'm skinny fat now.
ETA: I love eating so damn skippy I'm going to take advantage and eat some of those calories back.
ETAETA: This is post 666! It's special!!!! Um, per below comment, I'd never, NEVER skimp on my protein! Protein is essential to my personal goals. Remember, I don't want to be skinny-fat!!!!0 -
Are you protein numbers in line with MFP targets? That's where I tended to go over and couldn't lose weight. Once I started keeping protein in line (which is super hard if you eat any meat), I started losing.0
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Hello wonderful fitness pal people!
So a couple of months ago, I fell off the wagon, and man it hurt. So at about 10 pounds more than I'd like to be I'm trying to start up again, tracking my food, eating my veggies and being a good girl.
However, I am just hungry, nope, ravenous, all of the time. I set my goal to lose 1lb per week, and it has put me at 1200 calories a day. Here's what a normal day looks like for me:
Breakfast: egg whites and a flat out wrap: around 130 calories
Morning Snack: banana and clementine: 140 calories
Lunch: either soup, salad, or sandwhich, usually around 300 calories (sometimes more like 400)
Afternoon snack: greek yogurt: usually about 130 calories
Dinner: veggie burger or canned chicken (which I know sounds pretty gross but is really really good and my cat loves me more when I let her lick the empty can, so it's really a win win) in a wrap, or subway or something. Usually 500 calories.
Obviously this isn't every single day but is a pretty normal day.
Okay so a normal day I'm hitting my 1200 perrrrrfecty. When I work out, I usually do eat my calories back, adding in a protein bar or some whole wheat bread with pb for a snack before working out. So life should be good, right? UM no. I'm hungry alll of the time. like right now, sitting here, guzzeling plain green tea to trick my stomach into feeling happy. I am so wanting to get these stupid ten pounds to rid my midsection but the scale isn't budging, my stomach is a rumblin, and I'm frustrated as all get out!
I've had this same "good" diet before these months of dietary denial, but it didn't seem this hard. And before everyone says "1200 is to little" I'm pretty small (except for my midsection, like all the way around, it's actually a very weird body shape to look at), and according to numerous sites should be my daily intake (without exercise).
Anybody else "getting back into it" and finding it harder than you remember?
Any thoughts/comments/advice would be much appreciated! Thanks all!
people eat for a few of reasons... out of boredom, due of social convention, because they need more calories/macros for muscle growth and/or to meet nutritional needs, or because their body is telling them it needs more calories to fuel its metabolic processes. there may be other reasons, but these 4 spring immediately to mind.
it seems to me that you are hungry because your body is telling you it needs more calories. in a case like this, i'd listen to your body and up your intake.
also, is your weight loss goal reasonable? if you are at the low end of the BMI range for normal, you may be asking your body to go to a weight level below where its healthy. is your calorie deficit modest?
on the days where you do exercise and eat back those calories, are you still ravenous?0 -
I'm one of those people eating 1200 a day and I am not hungry..I can fit a lot of great things in for 1200! And I exercise everyday and don't always want to eat those calories. I see a lot of people on here say you shouldn't limit yourself to that. It's been great for me. On Saturdays, I have something of a treat meal. I drink lots of water too...and not much of a snacker. Hope you can figure out what works for you!!0
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I can 'just about' survive on 1300 cals, but i include foods that are FILLING to me....like Wholewheat pasta, Brown Bread and Rice!
If i were to cut down on my carbs, i know for a fact i'd be hungry all the time.
Maybe include some Pasta or a few more Carbs into your mealplan. x0 -
Are you protein numbers in line with MFP targets? That's where I tended to go over and couldn't lose weight. Once I started keeping protein in line (which is super hard if you eat any meat), I started losing.
Yikes. MFP's protein goal is already low and should be treated as a minimum to pass instead of a maximum to stay under.0 -
also, is your weight loss goal reasonable? if you are at the low end of the BMI range for normal, you may be asking your body to go to a weight level below where its healthy. is your calorie deficit modest?
This is a really good point, too. Too many people see a little extra fluff on their body and immediately think, "I need to lose 10 pounds."
With proper nutrition and strength training, you can get rid of that extra fluff without losing a pound. Sometimes even while gaining weight.
Please check the photos in this thread. You'll see what I mean. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/886672-1-5-million-calories-in-775-days0 -
My first two weeks were so hard. Trying to revamp my eating habits all the while my stomach is crying. Try to replace your empty carb grams - ie: bread, corn, peas and meal bars, with more vegis, low carb fruits and nuts. Keep away from processed food that includes ingredients that are man-made and added nitrites. I am using my fitness pal to track my carbs due to health reasons. Right now, my nutritionist is concerned with my carb intake and it seems to work. I eat three meals and two snacks. I do not work out as much as others do, but I am getting there.0
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Fit in more protein.. I was the exact same way. My calories were set at 1200/day. My trainer put me on a strict diet with tons of protein, like 100g/day or more since I wasn't noticing any changes. I will tell you after I started this diet I'm never hungry and when I am it's time for my next meal. I have 7 small meals a day and the calories are approx. 1600-1700 per day. I'm losing more now then I was when I was on 1200/day. He said I wasn't eating enough and all the wrong things. I'm 6 days in and lost 3lbs. Good Luck
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Don't skimp on protein. We are made from amino acids. Protein. If we damage our protein through training, what will we repair the damaged proteins with?
(Clue, not fat or carbs).0 -
You could try mixing in a tablespoon or two of oat bran with your greek yogurt. It will keep you full longer. Works for me!0
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Lots of good discussion going on here, lovin it!
Okay, so to answer some questions and give some feedback to the lovely feedback you guys have been giving me.
-I am focusing on losing 10 pounds, because I gained 10 pounds. That's pretty much as far as that thought process has gone in my head.
-1lb a week may be a bit aggressive, I agree! I have a bikini clad vacation coming up and (maybe I should have started this whole trying to lose the weight I gained sooooner but I am but mere mortal) and hoping to get these 10 lbs off by then. However, I think I may lower it to .5lb per week, gosh you guys are observant, I didn't even think about that!
-Okay, you guys are making good points for raising my overall calories. I wrote this thinking "I know everyone is going to say 1200 is to low, but they're wrong, wrong I say!" But okay, maybe you're right. I'm going to raise up to 1400 for 2 weeks, and see if that can tame the monster in my stomach (which is actually probably so angry because of the new 10 lbs it has been having to carry around. huh? huh?)
Thank you so much for the advice and keep it coming. I'm serious grabbing bits and pieces of knowledge and past experiences from every post! MUCH appreciated!0 -
I wouldn't want to be around me if I only ate 1200 a day which is what I'm set at as well. I workout quite a bit, too, and something I found is that muscles are hungry!! the more muscle I build and fat I burn, the more I need to eat. I eat well as well, basically follow a whole foods plant based diet & when I focus on truly clean eating, I average around 1600 cals a day (including grains, fruits, veggies & oil/fats) and maybe a couple extra hundred when I drink wine or other adult beverage. It is hard, as I'm in the 10lb rage as well, but when I focus & truly think about what is best for me & listen to what my body & mind want, I do much better.
Feel free to peek at my profile & add me if you think we can motivate each other :flowerforyou:
NOM. Your profile pic looks delicious!
And so I'm not off-topic. OP, I would look for even more protein and fiber filled foods. Try mixing your canned chicken with avocado for a healthier chicken salad. It's delicious and has lots of healthy fats. Almonds are also a good go-to snack for me.0 -
Wanted to throw in I have found the importance of getting healthy fat and protein into my diet early in the day to keep me from being hungry. So maybe use the whole egg or add some avocado to your breakfast and see if that helps.
I eat between 1200-1300 most days and am not hungry. I stepped down to 1200 though, getting used to 1400 first then scaling back when I realized many days I was not hitting that number. The first week or two there was a bit of an adjustment to get used to eating at that level, but now it is normal. I realize everyone here thinks its terrible, and I agree it probably is for a lot of people. I have PCOS though and my body likes to hold on to anything it gains Keeping the diet clean, keeping dairy to a minimum and making sure carbs are from super healthy sources are what has worked for me. That is probably not going to work for everyone. Our bodies are super complex individual systems. Unfortunately it takes a bit of experimentation to find what your body runs best on. 0 -
THIS! Read that link - excellent info, and what gave me the best success over the past year. I'm also older and lost effortlessly with about 1800+ cals a day.
Yeah, that. With only 10 pounds to lose, you should be set to 0.5 pounds a week and eat most of your exercise calories. Alternately, calculate your TDEE to include your average exercise, and eat 10% below that.
I'm a lot older than you, and I lost effortlessly and happily eating 1350-1600 plus exercise calories, or a total of 1800-2000+ total.
If you're hungry all the time, I think your body is trying to tell you something - "FEED ME"!
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