Help??

ramieriley
ramieriley Posts: 21
in Motivation and Support
I've been doing so great at keeping my calories under 1200 for several weeks, but it seems like the past week or two I cannot curb these cravings for sweets, salty snacks, and soda! I am kicking myself because I just give in without a fight and I don't know how to make it stop. I've been consistently eating probably 2000 calories a day lately. I snack here and there on little things so probably even more! I need help, I'm so afraid this is the beginning of a backslide :(

Replies

  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    You sure you are eating the right amount to begin with? Underveating can lead to binges
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.

    ^^most likely.
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    I'm not sure. I've been doing great for over two months. Someone mentioned it might have something to do with menstruating?
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.


    How do I do that?
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.


    How do I do that?

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.


    How do I do that?

    If it's your time of month that can definitely make you crave more food. But it could also be your calorie goal. You can check your BMR/TDEE here.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator

    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/ (or you can go to goals. Calories burned daily is your TDEE)

    Generally you want to eat between the two to lose weight. Or you can just go into your goals and change your setting to lose 1 lb per week.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.


    How do I do that?

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    I take mine back-- this one is better :P
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.


    How do I do that?

    If it's your time of month that can definitely make you crave more food. But it could also be your calorie goal. You can check your BMR/TDEE here.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator

    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/ (or you can go to goals. Calories burned daily is your TDEE)

    Generally you want to eat between the two to lose weight. Or you can just go into your goals and change your setting to lose 1 lb per week.

    I thought it was still considered safe to try for 2 pounds per week? I guess since I'm already down ~30 from what I was I can afford to slow down so I don't overdo it and completely fail.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Have you calculated your BMR and TDEE?

    You look like you're already at a healthy weight. I'd bet money that 1200 calories is too low of a calorie goal for you and that's what's causing you to crave more food.


    How do I do that?

    If it's your time of month that can definitely make you crave more food. But it could also be your calorie goal. You can check your BMR/TDEE here.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator

    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/ (or you can go to goals. Calories burned daily is your TDEE)

    Generally you want to eat between the two to lose weight. Or you can just go into your goals and change your setting to lose 1 lb per week.

    I thought it was still considered safe to try for 2 pounds per week? I guess since I'm already down ~30 from what I was I can afford to slow down so I don't overdo it and completely fail.

    It is in the beginning. But you want to increase your goal as you progress because you have less fat reserves. Great job on your loss so far!

    It's also worth mentioning that protein and fats usually give greater satiety, so if you're getting hungry despite a higher goal that's something else to look at.
  • kabertrand63
    kabertrand63 Posts: 111 Member
    Here's another good thread on TDEE and BMR etc. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/870066-mfp-to-tdee-20-results?page=4#posts-13788596
  • ThatScreamerGirl
    ThatScreamerGirl Posts: 9
    Remind yourself why you're trying to lose weight. Try curbing the cravings by drinking more water or finding a sweet alternative without the sugars. I've found sugar free bubblegum has helped me. Best of luck to you though! <3:flowerforyou:
  • uken2
    uken2 Posts: 1 Member
    You seem to eat a lot during the day and evening, but too little at breakfast !
    Try eating low GI ,and a more substantial breakfast .
    Low GI keeps you satisfied longer, and a good breakfast sets you up for the day.
    Good luck:smile:
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    Thanks you guys for all your help! I'm going to reassess what I've been putting in my body... I know a lot of it is processed and that doesn't help me either. I was not aware of some of the stuff you told me so I'm glad I asked!
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    You seem to eat a lot during the day and evening, but too little at breakfast !
    Try eating low GI ,and a more substantial breakfast .
    Low GI keeps you satisfied longer, and a good breakfast sets you up for the day.
    Good luck:smile:

    I know, that's one of my major issues. I have it in my mind that if I eat a large breakfast I'm screwed for the day because I won't have enough calories... I know that's definitely the wrong way of thinking.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    You seem to eat a lot during the day and evening, but too little at breakfast !
    Try eating low GI ,and a more substantial breakfast .
    Low GI keeps you satisfied longer, and a good breakfast sets you up for the day.
    Good luck:smile:

    I know, that's one of my major issues. I have it in my mind that if I eat a large breakfast I'm screwed for the day because I won't have enough calories... I know that's definitely the wrong way of thinking.

    Eat in a way/frequency that allows better adherence and energy . It's a personal preference.
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    Here's another good thread on TDEE and BMR etc. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/870066-mfp-to-tdee-20-results?page=4#posts-13788596

    It's good to see that she had personal experience with 1200 not being enough! That makes me feel a bit better. Going to calculate my BMR and TDEE right now!
  • raesckilsen
    raesckilsen Posts: 1 Member
    Movement brings relief... Never stop and when times are hard as it seem to me now, just remember that just for today you can restart on the road to success once again.. I would look at BMR to make sure that you are not under eating as this can be a trigger that starts you on the road to over eatting.. Keep moving forward you can do it.:happy:
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    Here's another good thread on TDEE and BMR etc. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/870066-mfp-to-tdee-20-results?page=4#posts-13788596

    It's good to see that she had personal experience with 1200 not being enough! That makes me feel a bit better. Going to calculate my BMR and TDEE right now!

    I used to aim for 1250 and felt terrible - weak and hungry. I'm now happy, strong and losing on 1800-1900/day. :)
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    Movement brings relief... Never stop and when times are hard as it seem to me now, just remember that just for today you can restart on the road to success once again.. I would look at BMR to make sure that you are not under eating as this can be a trigger that starts you on the road to over eatting.. Keep moving forward you can do it.:happy:

    Thank you! I'm pretty sure I am under eating. Sometimes I feel sick during the day and extra hungry which leads me to binge :/ I'm reevaluating myself and my goals as we speak!
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21

    I used to aim for 1250 and felt terrible - weak and hungry. I'm now happy, strong and losing on 1800-1900/day. :)

    That's good to know! I'm going to increase to about 1450 and see where that takes me :) Hopefully I can still consistently lose 1lb a week or so.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    You seem to eat a lot during the day and evening, but too little at breakfast !
    Try eating low GI ,and a more substantial breakfast .
    Low GI keeps you satisfied longer, and a good breakfast sets you up for the day.
    Good luck:smile:

    I know, that's one of my major issues. I have it in my mind that if I eat a large breakfast I'm screwed for the day because I won't have enough calories... I know that's definitely the wrong way of thinking.

    Eat in a way/frequency that allows better adherence and energy . It's a personal preference.

    Yep, this.

    I've done it both ways (with and without breakfast) and if your calories are in line it does not matter when you eat them.
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    You seem to eat a lot during the day and evening, but too little at breakfast !
    Try eating low GI ,and a more substantial breakfast .
    Low GI keeps you satisfied longer, and a good breakfast sets you up for the day.
    Good luck:smile:

    I know, that's one of my major issues. I have it in my mind that if I eat a large breakfast I'm screwed for the day because I won't have enough calories... I know that's definitely the wrong way of thinking.

    Eat in a way/frequency that allows better adherence and energy . It's a personal preference.

    So it's totally okay if I just have coffee for breakfast if I'm not incredibly hungry? I'm typically not hungry in the am but I like to have a yogurt or banana if I have them around.
  • Biitchstix
    Biitchstix Posts: 41
    I had the same problem so I increased my calories a bit and it's really been helping.
    Your intake should be somewhere between your BMR and TDEE so once you calculate those you can figure out what's best for you/your diet. If you starve your body then it'll end up craving all things horrible and you'll either give into the cravings or just end up really miserable. (that's what happened to me anyways.)
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member

    I used to aim for 1250 and felt terrible - weak and hungry. I'm now happy, strong and losing on 1800-1900/day. :)

    That's good to know! I'm going to increase to about 1450 and see where that takes me :) Hopefully I can still consistently lose 1lb a week or so.

    Glad to hear you're going to give this a try - I think you'll be happy with the change! Also, know that when you have so little to lose, a pound a week is a high-end goal (IMO). I average about 1/2 lb a week BUT I'm SEEING changes more rapidly than before (i.e., inches down, and better shape int he mirror). Get yourself a measuring tape to help put your progress in perspective :)
  • kabertrand63
    kabertrand63 Posts: 111 Member
    1200 is just too low. Impossible for me to eat that. So, I'm doing 1442 plus any activity (sometimes still go over). It works...if you under eat your body goes into starvation mode and until you don't eat enough for long enough, you could actually get fatter cuz your body will protect itself. And, as a previous poster said, stay active, keep moving.
  • ramieriley
    ramieriley Posts: 21
    1200 is just too low. Impossible for me to eat that. So, I'm doing 1442 plus any activity (sometimes still go over). It works...if you under eat your body goes into starvation mode and until you don't eat enough for long enough, you could actually get fatter cuz your body will protect itself. And, as a previous poster said, stay active, keep moving.

    Thanks, I upped my limit to 1400ish and I found that after logging everything for my day I somehow stayed under 1200! How, I have no idea but I'm going to try to eat a larger breakfast tomorrow to balance things out. I feel really full today, not sure why when I ate less calories than I did yesterday. Probably the types of foods I was eating.

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