Not a great start

Hey Welcome to MFP! This is only my 3rd day here. Don't feel bad at all...I felt that way the day I started and quite frankly still do to an extent. But I only have myself to blame for my unhealthy eating decisions. I counted calories in the past a few years back and it actually worked wonders for me I lost 40lbs in 40months (I was working out too). Anyhow all I can say is just don't give up. You will learn to eat different foods lower in calories and in turn likely healthier for you. I found when I started eating healthy foods ex. fruits veggies and smaller healthier portions that I WAS filling up fast and I did have that "I still have MORE to eat?!?!!!!" feeling! Don't get discouraged this is a great place for all the support you need. Good luck and we are all here for you!

Hey Welcome to MFP! This is only my 3rd day here. Don't feel bad at all...I felt that way the day I started and quite frankly still do to an extent. But I only have myself to blame for my unhealthy eating decisions. I counted calories in the past a few years back and it actually worked wonders for me I lost 40lbs in 40months (I was working out too). Anyhow all I can say is just don't give up. You will learn to eat different foods lower in calories and in turn likely healthier for you. I found when I started eating healthy foods ex. fruits veggies and smaller healthier portions that I WAS filling up fast and I did have that "I still have MORE to eat?!?!!!!" feeling! Don't get discouraged this is a great place for all the support you need. Good luck and we are all here for you!

That should be I lost 40lbs in only 4 months....my bad!

I felt like this at first, but I've been doing this awhile now, and have learned some things...

1) Expect it to be rough at first - this is a learning process!!
2) The more healthy, fresh, non-processed foods you eat, the easier it is to stick to your calorie goal. A salad with lots of fresh veggies, some beans, and a chicken breast on top satisfies me so much more than processed food I used to eat for lunch. Don't be afraid to try new (healthy) foods - I eat so many more veggies now than I used to, and they're great!
3) Exercise is a GREAT way to earn more calories to eat. I'm on 1200 cals/day, but usually eat 1300-1600 due to exercise. I workout almost every day now, but it took me awhile to get to that point. I eat back 50-75% of my exercise calories. I'm not hungry, and don't feel deprived.
4) Allow yourself a treat now and then - but don't be afraid to try healthy treats. (Ex. black bean brownies, soft-serve bananas, a fresh fruit salad, home-made smoothie, etc) I rarely crave junk food anymore, because I've found healthier treats that make me feel much better than that stuff did. When I eat anything too sugary, it gives me a headache now!

I can only speak for myself....I felt exactly how you feel, and realized that I became obsessed with food.....I was always counting, and planning the next meal before I even finished the one I was eating. I feel as though I went to bed hungry alot......that is if I didn't sneak a bowl of cereal or something. Then my doctor recommended eating low carb rather than low fat or low calorie. Now I eat what I want (No sugar or Carbs) and I am full at each meal, and more times than not I eat between 950-1600 cals a day.....but I have 3 egg omelettes with bacon and cheese and cream cheese and I eat salami / cheese wraps and big steaks with a nice big serving of veggies, and I snack throughout the day too.......now I feel great about losing, and to be honest, if I wanna eat something before bed, I go in and have a couple pieces of salami or string cheese....and I don't feel a bit bad about it.

So it can be done....feeling good about eating right, you just have to figure out what is good for you.

Hang in there......good luck

:drinker: I am almost done with week three. I am just now getting to the point where I am not constantly hungry. The first two days I was on this, I couldn't believe how many calories I was already consuming. I looked at those totals and thought no way! How am I ever going to do this? But on the third day, I started really watching those calories. You can look back at everything you ate. You can see changes you can make, swaps to make (for example: butter spray for spread butter on toast), where to cut back, where to increase. The food diary really is a great tool. I am truly eating healthy for the first time in my life. You know what? It's a great feeling. These first few weeks have been tough, but I know in my heart that I am well on my way. I am down 7 pounds and will weigh in later this week to see how far I've come. (I lost 3.4 the first week and 3.6 the next week) By the way, I shudder to think how many calories I used to consume on any day before I started counting them. :frown:

I am not one of those people that says I wasn't hungry. I was constantly hungry. I ate under the recommended calories. I usually had (and still do) have about 400-600 calories to spare every day. I was told that it would take at least three weeks for it to become a reality for me. They were right. They were 100% right. Do not give up. Stick with it.

Also, don't forget to throw in that cheat meal once per week. That's one meal, not one day of meals. Since this is your first day, I would wait a week to have that meal. The purpose of the cheat meal is so you don't feel deprived AND it keeps your metabolism from having that plateau. It confuses it! So make it count! A couple of cheat snacks a week would probably also be ok. Just don't go overboard.

Good luck and best wishes! And welcome to My Fitness Pal!!! Hang in there!!! :drinker:

I agree with Trenton - it is hard at but so worth it. You will find so much support here that you WILL get through it.

Lots of luck xxx

You nailed it again Trenton - maybe newbies should be sent a list of links to your posts - they are the best and clearest I have read. Thank you - you are a star.

I will say they are very clear and easy to read/to the point, I most definitely agree