starving

Are you eating enough protein and fiber for breakfast and lunch? Sometimes just the trick of adding a little more of each can really make the difference and keep you fuller longer.

I am sure some would say what I eat for breakfast isn't the healthiest but I find it does pretty good keeping me full because if I don't eat something with protein and fiber I am starving. I found Thomas English muffins light - high fiber (8grams fiber - I believe 5 grams protein) with half the serving of peanut butter is a great start as well as Thomas bagel thins - half the calories and they have 4-5 grams of fiber and protein. Some fruit with them and a glass of 1% milk usually keep me full until lunch. I hope this helps!

Mandy

I am on 1200 cal /day as well. I don't know if you are starting off your diet at 1200 cal/day.... If so, I don't recommend it. You should GRADUALLY decrease to 1200 cal/day. Maybe decrease 200-500 cal/week until you get to 1200 cal/day. 1200 cal/day is a very small amount of food to consume.

I finish work at 6pm and workout at 7pm. I stop eating and drinking liquids 2 hours before my workout (so, that's 4pm). I take a Lite protein shake after my workout, around 830/900pm and I sleep at 11/1130pm. I don't eat dinner as the protein shake is filling. Protein shake is 170 cal versus eating a 500/600 cal dinner.

500-170 = 330 cal less/day. Plus, I stop snacking by 4pm, saving another 200-400 cals. Total of 600+ cals saved!

And, drink lots of water through out the day.

What type of food are you eating? I'm also on 1200 calories a day. I find myself eating a pretty big breakfast full of fiber and not really being hungary for lunch. Just eating something small, then a good dinner. Again, lots of fiber and protein. If you make your diary public, we can see if it might be something you are eating.

I also, like to eat a yogurt or a pudding during the day. Helps me stay full. Oh.... and exercise!! I do it just so I can eat more. Even a 20 minute walk helps out ALOT! Because there are days where I can't handle only the 1200 calories.

are you exercising? i can't make it on 1200 calories either but i exercise to add another 300 - 450 and that makes all the difference in the world.. plus lots and lots of water..

I'm on 1200 calories as well, it isn't so hard but if I'm having a hard day I just work off whatever extra I ate that day. Also I drink TONS of water, it help keep me full and also is super good for you!! Good luck and hang in there!!

i find it hard to stay close or under my calories if i don't work out, i would also maybe recommend the one pound a week weight loss

I'm short so even with only 1200 calories I can only lose 0.9 a week. I work out but eat only half of my exercise calories because I'm sure I have miscalculated/underestimated along the way (plus it would be nice to get that extra 0.1 )

In any case, here are my most filling meals. In general, I have found low carb/high protein to be the most filling way to eat. These meals are to be preceded and followed by a glass of water to make sure you get water in

Breakfast ideas (300 cals)
Oatmeal (especially steel cut) with turkey sausage
plan D flourless muffins (110 cals and very filling) with 2 boiled eggs
Grapefruit, turkey sausage, and 2 boiled eggs
2 egg omelet with spinach and low fat cheese
Scrambled eggs, spinach, and turkey bacon in a quinoa wrap
A cup of cereal in soy milk with an egg or sausage


Lunch (300-400)
Raw kale salad with tomatoes, canned tuna and galeo dressing (22 cals/tbsp)
Green beans, hamburger patty, and brown rice
Salad with grilled chicken breast
Huge Veggie stir fry with tofu or lean meat
Lentil soup with toast
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with salad or stir fry veggies


Dinner 300-400
Steak or chicken with portabella mushrooms and green beans or broccoli (all cooked together so the veggies have that taste)
Hamburger with veggie stir fry
Grilled chicken with sauteed collard greens +/- sweet potatoes
Grilled salmon with spinach and brown rice
Rice and beans with a veggie side

Snacks 100-200
Brown rice cakes with peanut butter
Apple or other fibrous fruit
Veggies with galeo dressing or hummus

I usually eat till I'm stuffed, and most of the time I haven't finished the meal. I think the trick is to really pile on the veggies. Honestly I think if people focused on their 5 a day they'd naturally lose weight

Hope that helps. :flowerforyou:

If you are exercising and eating only 1200 clories that's not enough calories. You are starving your body. You will lose muscle and your metabolisim will start slowing down, therefore you will give up. I have had to eat up to 2400 calories a day just to keep up with my body, I know everyone is diferent but increase your calories. I would try 5-6 small 300 calories meals a day. Don't eat anything 2 hours before you go to bed and drink plenty of water. (at least 64oz a day) Stay away from sugery food and soda. especially diet soda. Eat protein and fiber for your meals. Remeber even if it says diet or light doesnt mean it's good for you. A lot of that food is so over processed that it had no nutritional value to your body. Eat chicken, fish, greens, take it easy on dairy foods but you can have some. I eat protein bars and I also use a protein shake that is equivelant to eating 5 servings of veggies a day!!!

coffee actually does the opposite for me...keeps me full..l.think it's all the fiber.