Need Help Staying Within 1200 Calories

annemartin777
annemartin777 Posts: 5
in Introduce Yourself
Hi . I am a 43 yr old mom who just joined here a couple of days ago. I was given 1200 calorie limit to consume per day to reach my goal. I seem to be always eating over my limit. I don't know what are the low calorie foods to eat. Please help. I need to lose 25 pounds. Thank you.
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Replies

  • mgreen10
    mgreen10 Posts: 229 Member
    Don't go by that 1200 number. Do your TDEE calculation instead - use this link http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    Hi . I am a 43 yr old mom who just joined here a couple of days ago. I was given 1200 calorie limit to consume per day to reach my goal. I seem to be always eating over my limit. I don't know what are the low calorie foods to eat. Please help. I need to lose 25 pounds. Thank you.

    1200 is likely too little for you.

    please go here http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html and figure out your TDEE.
    people have found great success eating at 80% of that number.
  • BGoodz22
    BGoodz22 Posts: 55 Member
    with only 25 lbs to lose, you might want to select 1 lb per week instead of 1.5/2 lbs a week. It would be much more sustainable that way.

    Just remember its not a race, its a marathon.
  • LaurenEileen74
    LaurenEileen74 Posts: 142 Member
    It can be so tough...eating little snacks throughout the day in between meals helps keep the hunger away. I love the little 100 calorie almond packs from Blue Diamond...also some of my other snacks include string cheese, yogurt, granola bars, etc...

    Good Luck, mama...I'm a 38 year old mom :)
  • MyM0wM0w
    MyM0wM0w Posts: 2,008 Member
    What the others said. Go TDEE -20%. If you eat too little your setting yourself up for failure.
  • Beewallows
    Beewallows Posts: 110 Member
    Hi, welcome! I would recommend eating A LOT of vegetables (very low in calories) and lean protein. Also, if you exercise, that will technically give you more calories (the net will remain at 1200, but you'll be able to eat more). I also find cutting out stuff like cream, butter, sauces helps me stay on track.
  • Mrs_Bones
    Mrs_Bones Posts: 195 Member
    Or add in strength training and eat more!!!
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    with only 25 lbs to lose, you might want to select 1 lb per week instead of 1.5/2 lbs a week. It would be much more sustainable that way.

    Just remember its not a race, its a marathon.

    Yes, and slow means you are more likely to keep the weight off and also not get stretch marks along the way!
  • Barbellerella
    Barbellerella Posts: 1,838 Member
    Did you tell MFP you want to lose 2#s a week? You only have 20 pounds to lose, set your goal to something a little more moderate, like .5-1# per week, then exercise and eat back most of your workout calories. This will be much more feasible and sustainable for you in the long run.
  • slt1214
    slt1214 Posts: 2
    When you exercise you can add more calories to your day. Make sure you calculate your workouts. Even if it's a short walk every bit helps! Good luck!
  • Commander_Keen
    Commander_Keen Posts: 1,179 Member
    What ever it is your going over, just walk it off
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    Just remember its not a race, its a marathon.

    isnt a marathon a race?
  • lisajsund
    lisajsund Posts: 366 Member
    It will depend on your height and weight. Also, eat more protein - try for 25% of your total calories. It will help you feel fuller for longer amounts of time.
  • annemartin777
    annemartin777 Posts: 5
    Thank you so much for all the advice. It really helped me. I appreciate it.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    Don't go by that 1200 number. Do your TDEE calculation instead - use this link http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/


    THIS!!! ^^^


    I'm 5'2 and eat between 1700-2000 calories and lost a lot of weight!! (see below)

    Losing the weight slowly will keep it off in the future!!!
  • Juliane_
    Juliane_ Posts: 373 Member
    I have always found I was starving while on a low calorie diet...UNTIL....I started eating more fat and reducing my carbs. My advice if you don't want to be hungry, read Primal Blueprint also watch the movie Fat Head. Don't starve yourself. If you control your blood sugar levels you will be LESS hungry and you'll be more likely to meet your lower calorie levels.

    But don't take my word for it. Test it, read the information, inform yourself and then make a decision as to how you are going to approach the problem of hunger while cutting your calories. May I also suggest the book, Why we Get Fat.
  • mwarner57
    mwarner57 Posts: 1
    That's gonna be tough. Are you exercising at all? If so, you can add calories to your limit which will help. For example, a 45-minute run will burn almost 900 calories. Cycling is also a good way to burn off some calories. I burned almost 3000 calories yesterday on a 3 1/2 hour ride. That was a bit extreme, but you get the idea. Try and increase your fresh fruit and veg. intake and reduce the carbs. Check out www.cookinglight.com for some good recipes. Good luck!
  • Nyoei
    Nyoei Posts: 8
    I am with Beegood on this. You should be aiming for the 1lb a week at most really. It is the healthiest and most sustainable way. I know it can be hard as hell to be patient with weight loss (I have more to lose than I even want to think about:P) but it will be worth it. I have changed my relationship with food thanks to myfitnesspal and see myself eating in this way as a lifelong thing. I think if you give it some time, you might feel the same way in the end:)
  • GLady1980
    GLady1980 Posts: 50 Member
    I am also a 1200 cal/day person and sometimes it can be hard but if you eat lots of fruit, veggies and protien you should be alright and yes the more you exercise the more you can eat. I find I eat the most during breakfast which helps keep me full during the day. :flowerforyou:
  • emmabooth32
    emmabooth32 Posts: 10 Member
    Hi I'm a mum too so appreciate its difficult when you're trying to make tea for the family and lose weight. I find it best to just amend my meals slightly - usually by just cutting out the bread or potatoes. Some meals we've had this past week are:
    Lean burgers - they had a bun and chips, I had no bun and salad
    Pizza - I had 2 slices and lots of salad
    Grilled salmon, veg and boiled potatoes - I upped my veg and had just 2 small potatoes
    Egg and bacon - they had toast and beans as well

    I have mine set at 1200 so I aim for that but most days its more like 1500. I aim for 1200 then it doesn't matter if say I want an ice lolly with the kids or a glass of wine on a friday.
  • nanner5811
    nanner5811 Posts: 7
    Really good points about calories burned exercised can allow >1200 calories consumed.

    I'm a newbie here. Some ideas & thoughts from my experience:

    - Oils & butters: Previously, I had been using about 2 tablespoons (240 cals) of olive oil in one serving of nice, healthy steamed spinach. Today I made it with 1/2 tablespoon (60 cals) and a splash of lemon juice and I noticed no difference.

    - Chips: I have to just say no, because I cannot stop at one small handful. I don't miss them.

    - Portion size: Stop before I'm full! Still satiated, and no bloaty tummy feeling.

    - Cheese: Reduced this dramatically, but didn't cut out completely.

    - Exercise: My appetite, especially for junk & refined carbs, goes down when I work up a good sweat. That's me...anyone else?

    - In general: Oops, so I go a little over one day. No biggie. Just do a little more exercise and/or go a little under for the next few days.

    I hope this is good advice to add to all the other great suggestions. Oh, and You Can Do It!!!!!
  • emmietoby
    emmietoby Posts: 172 Member
    i , too only eat 1200 cals a day . i tend to eat a lot of salads when i was on ww i obtain my gole but all i ate was salads and more salads. since i've join mfp i have lost 30 pounds and i eat everthing. i take into account what i plan on eating for the and i love junk food so i have that too. if i feel like cheating i want real food - like a steak exc. just hang in there it does get better!! love to chat with ya. lets give each other support!!
  • emmabooth32
    emmabooth32 Posts: 10 Member
    Oh I forgot to say that I exercise too and if I want extra pizza or a cake I exercise it in. My kids are young so I wait 'till they are in bed and then do dvd or get a babysitter while I go out for 1 hour so it can be done x
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Hi . I am a 43 yr old mom who just joined here a couple of days ago. I was given 1200 calorie limit to consume per day to reach my goal. I seem to be always eating over my limit. I don't know what are the low calorie foods to eat. Please help. I need to lose 25 pounds. Thank you.

    Add exercise and eat those calories back.

    Low calorie foods ....veggies ..... most veggies are low calorie. The fiber should help you stay full.

    Air popped popcorn..... or you can use a microwave and a paper lunch bag .... fiber again.

    http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Microwave-Popcorn/

    Clean, whole foods are not necessarily low calorie, but typically give you the most bang for your calorie buck. Whole grains are more filling than processed flour because the fiber & protien have not been stripped away.

    Greek yogurt is more filling than regular ..... because it has been strained, it is higher in protein & needs way less sweetener.
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    Just remember its not a race, its a marathon.

    isnt a marathon a race?

    Ha!
  • Skinnyjeans007
    Skinnyjeans007 Posts: 5 Member
    I used and still use the 1200 calories. I have lost 30 pounds since May.
    Questions?
    1. Do you eat three "balanced" meals per day?
    a. Breakfast of kings
    b. Lunch of princes
    c. Dinner of a college student, with expired credit card.

    2. Do you use portion control? Get a scale. I now get it. No guessing.

    3. I did give up my salty pleasures.

    4. Being new to MO, my change of life buddy is my significant other. We are enjoying our life. I am 20 years older than you.
    It has been a pleasant journey so far. I have 10 lbs to go.

    5. Lots of vegetable/fruit.

    6. Snacks- nuts, fruit, popcorn. I learned to make a protein smoothie with Whey Protein/frozen fruit/0% milk put it all in the blender, ice cream, really, nice meal no guilt.

    7. Check your foods before you fill the plate.

    8. I spent a month getting to this point. It will work, I kid you not.

    You've only just begun. Keep you eye on the prize. A fabulous you:)

    Margaret
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    So, with not much to lose (<25 lbs), and depending on your height, I accept that 1200 may be the goal it gives you if you set it to lose 1/2 or 1 pound per week, especially if you told it you were sedentary. Depending on age and other factors, it may not be necessary to go all the way down to 1200 calories, anyway.

    I would suggest starting with looking at your activity level. Whether you keep it as set and exercise daily (even a 30 minute walk will help) and then eat back those calories, or figure you are lightly active, it will give you some more calories. [Personally, I struggle to stay under 1400-1600 most of the time, so I make sure I'm more active and exercise].

    As far as food, it's hard to help without seeing your diary, but I would say start with adding fruits and vegetables. Get rid of any unnecessary or unhealthy fats or oils. I stopped using mayo on sandwiches and instantly cut 100 calories out of my day (I use mustard instead, mmmm). I don't put butter on toast or pancakes most of the time. I do get fats from healthy sources (butter is okay, but olive oil is good for cooking, and I love my avocado and nuts). I avoid chips and sweets most of the time, too (I'm not saying they are inherently bad, but most of the time they just don't fit my macros). I only eat crackers if they are whole grain, and then it is instead of bread and I really monitor my serving size. I do allow myself one treat a day - knowing that I can have ice cream or a fun size snickers later helps me to forego the temptations through the day.

    I hope something I said helps … if you can have more calories (ie by exercising) and find ways to cut out unneeded calories, you'll probably make it
  • xMuscles
    xMuscles Posts: 24
    don't eat just 1200 calories. calculate your TDEE and CUSTOMIZE your caloric intake. 1200 is ridiculous for anyone
  • geminijo04
    geminijo04 Posts: 31
    Don't go by that 1200 number. Do your TDEE calculation instead - use this link http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/


    THIS!!! ^^^


    I'm 5'2 and eat between 1700-2000 calories and lost a lot of weight!! (see below)

    Losing the weight slowly will keep it off in the future!!!



    What are you doing to get/keep the weight off? When did you start your journey?
  • xMuscles
    xMuscles Posts: 24
    Don't go by that 1200 number. Do your TDEE calculation instead - use this link http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/


    THIS!!! ^^^


    I'm 5'2 and eat between 1700-2000 calories and lost a lot of weight!! (see below)

    Losing the weight slowly will keep it off in the future!!!



    What are you doing to get/keep the weight off? When did you start your journey?

    agreed... i'm 5'4" and eat 1800 in my cutting phase.

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